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As we rest our weary feet and reminisce about our weekend at Winter Efteling, wishing with all our might that we could just pop back for another day of fun and magic, let us take you on a tour of what we did, explored and enjoyed during our mummy-daughter weekend together at Efteling and the GuestHouse Hotel in Kaatsheuvel.
If you’re considering a winter wonderland break then Efteling theme park in the Netherlands should be at the top of your list. The Dutch do Winter so well and Efteling is on our doorstep, being just over an hour from Amsterdam airport or half an hour from Eindhoven airport. Should you choose to drive then it’s just over an hour from Rotterdam or 3 hours from Calais, so totally doable as a short break.
We love to visit Efteling whatever the season but can confidently say, that for us, visiting in the winter months is just as exciting and fun-filled. The darker days and cooler temperatures just add more magic to a visit at this time of year. Each day we wished we had more time to soak up the winter atmosphere – we really didn’t want to leave!
If you’re wondering if one day is enough for Winter Efteling we wouldn’t hesitate recommending staying longer if you can. There’s something really cosy about wrapping up and enjoying the frosty air and although we experienced some drizzle throughout our stay, it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits!
Every visit to Efteling feels like we are entering a magical world with attention to detail in each and every nook and cranny and performances that just pop up, rides which blend seamlessly into the surroundings and EVERYTHING is beautifully themed. You really do feel like you’re walking around a magical world where everything and anything can happen.
We love that it extends to all ages which we witnessed ourselves. From grandparents visiting with their grandchildren, young families and groups of friends, to families like ourselves, there is something for everyone, and with pram parking areas awash with little trundle trucks and buggies, we’d confidently say, this is a theme park where younger children are having the time of their lives too!
So hang on! What about this winter theming! Well, let us share what we experienced. We’d say you need to take your time to truly appreciate the finer details that have been included in this transformation, so don’t race by and miss out.
The iconic musical toadstools in the fairytale forest are capped with snow and have icicles dripping from them and there are so many twinkling lights in the park that it’s like walking under a bed of stars. There are special winter treats, snow-topped trees and winter-themed pieces of art. And then there’s the whole winter garden (De Warme Winter Weide) where you can sit around the campfire, play fairground games, enjoy warm cinnamon rolls or local sausage breads, and hire ice skates before taking a photo opportunity in the sleigh.
This is not the only area with a campfire and with special winter-themed shows and performances; the festive sparkle fills the whole park. And as darkness falls, the dusky pink glow of the Python ride snakes through the park and through the misty air.
Each winter, Efteling has different speciality snacks and before we arrived we’d already heard about the glittering, glowing candyfloss which we made it our mission to find! We were equally as excited for this as our girls and even scheduled getting it around the rides to make sure it would be dark enough to see it shine fully. A super cool treat and lots of fun. Plus, a flashing glow stick to take home after!
This was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the wide array on offer and we simply didn’t have enough time or toothpaste to try everything! We did discover some other yummy snacks such as the Eigenheymer potatoes, known in our homes as the ‘swirly whirly potatoes’ and which are a tradition for us when at Efteling, the speciality stroopwafels with winter sprinkles, warming glühwein, flavoured hot chocolates and cinnamon sugar churros, each delicious and greatly enjoyed. We also spotted warm cinnamon whirls, savoury cheesy treats and regional sausages and, had we had more time, we would have certainly given more of them a go.
Efteling has a huge range of places to eat, from sit down meals, Polles Keuken pancake restaurant which is like an attraction in itself, stalls dotted about and buffet restaurants, together offering an enormous array of food for all tastes and appetites. And in typical Efteling style, the food and décor of each restaurant matches the area of the theme park and rides they are situated by.
We popped into the Fabula restaurant a few times, once for a snack and again to have a more hearty lunch. What is super cool about this location is that there’s a large indoor play area to the rear with slide, climbing nets, hidden tunnels and wonderful visual displays to enjoy. Each time we visited we saw a gathering of parents with babies and toddlers making great use of the interactive floor mat where they could get their children out of their prams and have a good crawl around whilst interacting with the images projected onto the floor.
It’s no exaggeration to say that our girls had been planning their list of must-do rides for months and top of their list was the Baron. They are real thrill-seekers and were delighted to ride Joris and the Dragon, Vogel Rok, the Python and other high speed, shriek-inducing rides, emerging from each with a huge smile, ready to go again!
They loved ice skating in the winter garden and returned each day for another stint and a giggle. The little penguins available for less confident skaters were a big hit too.
Some rides at Efteling are simply unmissable for us, Droomvlucht being one of our all-time favourites, and Symbolica another. We just love being transported into their magical worlds.
We took time to wander through the fairytale forest, recognising familiar characters and stories as we passed by. You can easily spend hours here, exploring the interactive and child-sized houses, the little shows and of course a stop by ‘Eezeltje strek je’ where you pop a 50 cent coin in and the donkey wags its tail and shoots out an Efteling coin. You’d be amazed at the delight this brings the children and the anticipation of taking their turn.
For this trip we stayed at the GuestHouse Hotel which is under a 10 minute walk to Efteling. Did you know you can book a Little Clogs Efteling package here with 2 days Efteling tickets and breakfast included, or stay overnight with a discount using our code LITTLECLOGS2025?
We always enjoy staying at this child-friendly hotel, the rooms are so comfy and some have the bonus of fitting up to 8 people. The atmosphere felt very festive with the addition of Christmas trees and lights, the fairytale winter scene at the entrance, and the garland which extended up the stairs from the ground floor.
After a day enjoying the wonders of Efteling there’s something really enjoyable about relaxing into the evening in the cosy bar/lounge area. Our children had the freedom to roam and enjoy the air hockey and pool tables whilst we ordered some drinks and snacks from the bar menu. Apparently, ice lollies are also perfect after a day in a winter theme park according to our daughters!
In the lounge area you will also find a low, enclosed area with interactive toys for younger children and there’s even a roof terrace with oversized connect four and a crazy golf course. The roof terrace has a large seating area with blankets and heaters so you can sit out whatever the weather.
We ate dinner in the GuestHouse Hotel FoodBar which is also where the copious breakfast buffet is served. If you visit, you must try the pancake machine, it got a 10/10 from our girls. Again, the relaxed nature, something the Dutch seem to do so well, was perfect here for our girls (9/10 years) as they popped in and out of the restaurant to try the chair swing in the entrance or to go upstairs to play a game of pool by themselves.
We each stayed with our daughters in a BunkHouse Room 4 which was spacious with very attractive, Scandi style décor, excellent storage solutions and VERY comfortable beds. The double bed (with 2 single mattresses pushed together and separate duvets which is great if you have a wriggler!) has 2 single beds stored neatly underneath which can be pulled out at each side to accommodate 4. Some of the BunkHouse Rooms sleep 6 and have the first 6 person beds in the Netherlands! We slept so well and “Mummy, how does the GuestHouse Hotel make the beds be so comfy?” was heard several times!
We liked the little bedside baskets to store any bits in or leave your phones in while charging and the long wooden desk complete with a tea and coffee making area and a safe. In the bathroom, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are all provided and smell lovely.
As we meandered through the fairytale forest a sweet scent wafted our way, a signal that we were almost at the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel. This attraction has had a make-over and the pastel coloured sweets, stepping stones and coloured water fountains all help transport you into the temptation-filled world of this classic tale. Even the tiered desserts on the gateposts smelled of actual cakes.
We were keen to watch the new Aquanura show and have always found it to be the perfect way to wrap up a day of adventures; the music and water evoke such warming emotions and a sense of happiness. The whole show is captivating, no part is better than another, and the introduction of four large lanterns raised above the water, enhance the experience by projecting familiar Efteling images to match the music being played.
The journey you take through the new Aquanura show is like a summary of your day as you’re transported through some of the most popular park attractions. We can only imagine how spectacular this is going to be when you can watch it from some of the Grand Hotel rooms! One bit of advice we would suggest, is to put your phone away during the show and soak it all up!
We couldn’t visit without taking a ride on the brand new Danse Macabre. Having opened on Halloween there is a big draw to try it out which naturally meant longer queues. But in true Efteling style, even queuing was an experience in itself, as you wander through winding passages, amidst forest, and along stoned-walled paths. If you look around you there are details to enjoy and the scene is set for the ride itself.
The suspense builds through passages in the darkness and as we took our seat in the grand abbey we all realised we didn’t know what we might be in for, and then, the entire room plunged into darkness. Minutes later, after spinning in all directions, higher and lower around this spooky ride, we had survived, mere mortals that we are. This ride is suitable from 1m20 but it’s worth noting that even our daredevil daughters were a little cautious when it went dark.
The Efteling App is really useful for keeping you up to date with show times, ride waiting times and to help you navigate around the park. We loved the feature where you can request to be notified if the waiting time for your desired ride is within a certain period of time.
If a member of your group needs to use a facility card then this is now downloaded to the Efteling App and therefore saved for future trips and means you don’t need to carry a paper version. It is worth remembering that the entrances for disabled and facility card holders are not fast-track lines.
The GuestHouse Hotel told us that the majority of their menu can be made in lactose and gluten-free versions and that they will accommodate all dietary requirements that are made known to the receptionists.
The new luxury hotel at Efteling looks to be nearly ready and we are waiting with baited breath to learn when it will be opening and when it can be booked. This latest addition to the Efteling Resorts and Hotels will be the 4th and largest on-site place to stay and will have 140 luxury rooms and suites, spanning over 7 floors. Located right at the entrance the rooms will either overlook the Fairytale Forest, the Aquanura show, the spectacular entrance building or Pardoes Promenade. There will also be a pool and spa facilities.
Talk about finishing 2024 on a high! Our weekend was the perfect way to bring our year to a close and to further fuel our enthusiasm for 2025. Our winter escape was unforgettable, filled with magical moments, festive fun, and cosy memories. From sipping warm glühwein by the campfire to thrilling rides under twinkling lights, the park’s winter transformation exceeded all expectations, wrapping us in festive cheer and a sense of childlike excitement.
Winter Efteling is a must-visit destination and the perfect place to escape into a fairytale world. One visit simply isn’t enough, and we can’t wait to return for more magic, memories, and frosty fun.
If you too would like to visit Winter Efteling, it continues until 2nd February 2025 and of course will return for winter 25/26. Please contact us for any advice or to book your stay.
This was a press trip and we would like to thank Efteling and the GuestHouse Hotel for facilitating our visit.
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