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The history of Efteling

Did you know that Efteling started as a sports park, that the paper gobbler 'Holle Bolle Gijs' only appeared in the theme park in 1959 and that dive coaster Baron 1898 was opened in 2015? Here you can read everything you want to know about the history of Efteling.

1933: the birth of an idea

In 1933, Chaplain Rietra and Pastor De Klijn conceive a plan to install a sports park to the South of Kaatsheuvel. With this idea, the basis for Efteling was born. Two years later, on 19 May 1935, R.K. Sport and Wandelpark opens, with a main football pitch, two training pitches and a playing field. One year later a playground is installed next to the sports park, with among others a steam carousel, a high slide, a cable way and a real pony ride. During the following years the sports park continues to expand for the important exhibition De Schoen (The Shoe) in 1949. 

1952: opening Fairytale Forest

The Fairytale Forest opened on 31 May 1952, with ten fairytales in it. These original fairytalesare: Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Frog Prince, The Magic Clock, The Chinese Nightingale, The Naughty Princess, The Six Servants, The Gnome Village, Mother Holle and Wee Walter Messenger. The opening of the Fairytale Forest brings 222,941 visitors to Efteling; costing each guest80 cents in Dutch Guilder (€ 0.36/0.31 GBP) for an entry ticket. 

During the following years, the park is extended to include a café-restaurant, a swimming pool, a lake for rowing and canoeing, and some new inhabitants of the Fairytale Forest, such as the sleeping cook and the sentinel at Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel. In 1953, the new attraction, Red Shoes, brings 411,671 visitors to Efteling. Only three years later, with the opening of the steam carousel in 1956, the number of visitors to Efteling increases to 700,000.

1972: international award

In 1972 Efteling is awarded the Pomme d’Or, its first important international award, for its format, originality and recreational function. In a wing of the steam carousel building, the public can see performances in the Victorian Theatre. The next year The Wolf and the Seven Kids become the new inhabitants of the Fairytale Forest and in 1974 steam locomotive Moortje takes to the rails. 

 

1992: 40th anniversary and opening of the Efteling Hotel

Efteling turns 40 years old in 1992, and celebrates with an exhibition and a display about Anton Pieck. The Efteling Hotel is also officially opened. During the summer the park offers the Summer Ice Show: an temporary ice rink of 358 square yards. The park receives the Applause Award. The next year the Droomvlucht dark ride opens its doors to its fairy-like world.

2020: Major challenges

The arrival of the coronavirus pandemic is presenting Efteling with major challenges. The theme park temporarily closed its doors three times that year. When the situation permits, only a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit the park, provided they have booked a time slot in advance. As a result, many changes are made to the park and strict measures are put in place to ensure the safety of employees and visitors. Efteling is experiencing the worst year in its history.

But the year also brings positive news. In June, the long-awaited Max & Moritz double family roller coaster opens its doors. Children up to 1 metre tall and their parents can enjoy a hilarious ride in the soap boxes of "Max" or "Moritz". The attraction is inspired by the famous German illustrated book about two mischievous boys who drive the inhabitants of their village to despair with their naughty tricks. On 8 October, a new version of the Aquanura water show is premiered: Aquanura, Typical Dutch Edition. In this new fountain show, the greatest hits by Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis are alternated with Efteling melodies. Shortly afterwards, after 36 years of loyal service, the Polka Marina carousel gives way to a new, inclusive play forest: Nest! In this play forest, children with and without (visible) disabilities can play together. The play equipment is made of natural materials and is based on the theme of the great roller coaster of the Ruigrijk Realm.

In the vision of 2030, a clear focus on the amusement park and holiday guests is planned. For this reason, Efteling has decided to transfer the operation of the Efteling Golf Park to the Hollandsche Golfbaan Exploitatiemaatschappij from 1 January 2021. The name will also be changed to "Golfpark De Loonsche Duynen".