A mum and TikTok travel influencer says she's found a fairytale-themed theme park that's a "cheap alternative to Disneyland".
Known as the Travel Mum, @thetravelmum, the Brit posted all about Efteling theme park which she discovered on a trip to the Netherlands, which proved a hit with her little one. She noted that the food was "well priced", the theming magical and that the park is accessible from a big city.
She captioned a video where she showed the best parts of the park and noted: "If you’re looking for a fun place to go that won’t break the bank, this one’s for you. Efteling is a theme park we’ve wanted to visit for a long time. It is just an hours drive from Amsterdam, making it a perfect addition to a city break."
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In the video, the mum showed off the parks fantastic theming from a giant castle, to cottages, water features and incredible rides – both indoor and outdoor. She claimed they spent hours exploring the magical forest, shows – which are all in Dutch – "big rides" for adults and themed restaurants.
The mum claims that most rides had a wait time of less than 10 minutes which is a massive difference from the hour long queues at some other attractions and parks. Plus, she claims the food was good value and there was no queue to enter the park.
She added: "We have been told this theme park is better and cheaper than Disneyland. Let's go and check it out. Efteling is a theme park in the Netherlands and with no queue to get in, tickets starting at just £34 and these cool little trolleys that you can pull bigger kids around in. I'm already impressed."
She showed the unusual carts that had a space for kids to sit when they get tired that parents can pull their kids around on, and added that as she walked around she was impressed by "all the magic and attention to detail that you get from a Disney park".
Highlights included a series of indoor rides, a fairytale forest "where we spent two whole hours exploring" and a number of themed restaurants. There were shows which she warned were in Dutch, but said that her family still enjoyed them.
The mum added that the theme park was "fantastic value" compared to similar parks – and we have to agree at €38 a ticket – which currently converts to £32.89. If we compare that to other theme parks a ticket to Disneyland Paris starts at £95.39, Alton Towers costs £36 for one day online or £69 on the gate while Walt Disney World Orlando is a staggering £519 as they only offer 7-day or 14-day tickets. Universal Studios Florida offers two park explorer tickets from £329.
Legoland Windsor Resort is another great alternative at £34 a day if you buy your ticket in advance as is Thorpe Park with tickets from £33. Food on offer in the restaurants include pancakes, pasta and pizza with pizza being as cheap as €10 (£8.65), coffee, baked goods, asian food, chimney cakes, French fries, sandwiches , soups, churros and milkshakes.
There are also souvenir shops selling costumes, Christmas decorations, toys and "fairytale items". While major attractions include the scary diving coaster Baron 1898, the wooden rollercoaster Jorus en de Drake which shows a massive dragon devouring riders, the indoor Symbolica ride, a water coaster and multiple children’s rides. There’s even a cursed villa, a Thai temple with panoramic views, river rapids and 4D film adventures.
There’s also a train to take you on a tour of the park, a steam carousel, swinging ships, and plenty of shows such as water shows, sword fights, puppet theatre and character meet and greets. There are even extra seasonal attractions like an ice skating rink and sleigh rides at Christmas time.
If you want to stay overnight at the parks then there’s always the Efteling Hotel which offers 20 themed suites including the Sleeping Beauty Suite or others based on Cinderella, the Flying Dutchman, Snow White, Circus themes, royal suites and Hansel and Gretel – staring from €481(416) euros a night for two adults and two children. Alternatively, there are cheaper non-themed rooms from €365 (£315).
Those after a bargain break can stay in nearby Amsterdam before catching the train to Efteling from around £15, according to Rome2Rio, or catch a bus which costs between £9 to £14 but takes two hours. You can stay in cheap hotels in the city which cost from £111 a night for four people on booking.com.
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In the comments of The Travel Mum's video people were blown away by the theme park. One noted: "It’s my dream to go to this park one day." While another added: "Efteling is amazing when it’s a slow day!"
A third said: "I've been to both Efteling and Disneyland, Efteling is so much better." The Travel Mum added: "t’s definitely a cheap alternative to Disneyland – everything from tickets / parking / food / hotel much cheaper."
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