Deep into this year, it was about time to swing and sway again. With the carnival makeup off, the costume washed, and the horn back in the suitcase, it was the perfect moment to fill one of the last free days of the carnival vacation with a trip to Efteling.
There was, in fact, a very good reason to head to Kaatsheuvel. Not that it would lead to a new rollercoaster credit, but the “Danse Macabre” that opened last year I had only seen under construction.
Recalling Memories#
After a smooth drive, with no traffic for a change, we were already waiting in front of the gate at Bäckerei Krümel just before 10:00. Initially, I had planned the day for myself. Under the motto of unwinding after a long weekend of carnival celebrations. But, as it turned out to be more fun together, colleague Ralf joined. Unfortunately, his ski vacation to Austria didn’t go through, and soon after, a #daretoask message popped up asking if he could join. Of course!
Upon entering the park, we briefly discussed the “plan of action.” A ride on “Vogel Rok” had been a long time coming, so when the gates opened, we headed to the back of the park for the first rollercoaster ride of the year. So early in the morning, we hopped right on, and a few seconds later, the familiar music played through the speakers, and we were heading up the lift hill in the dark.
And a minute later, once the brakes kicked in, you realize how quickly you get spoiled. Sure, Vogel Rok remains a fun ride. But aside from a wonderful nostalgic feeling from the past, you really notice now that it’s quite a tame ride. I also feel that over the years, the lighting of the birds and snake tunnel during the ride has gone from nice illumination to a more candlelight level. It’s now quite a dark ride. In recent years, Efteling has been doing a great job renovating old attractions and making improvements. Hopefully, the old bird will get some love in the future as well.
Since we were in the area, a round on “Carnaval Festival” was the logical next choice. Also, under the motto, “at least we’ll have enough time to get that tune out of our heads.” From there, it was straight to swinging and swaying again with a ride on “Python” and then the water ride of “Joris & De Draak.” Both are still delightful rides, and especially the Python is great for recalling memories. Even though you could argue that with the retracking, it might not be the same rollercoaster anymore, the Python will always be my very first rollercoaster. Childhood nostalgia.
Danse Macabre#
With the first few highlights of the park behind us, it was time for the newest one. Well, that was of course the big question for today. Would Danse Macabre live up to the hype? Is it a worthy successor to the Spookslot? In less than an hour, we would know. Because with a queue of about 40 minutes, the answer to these questions would take a little while to arrive. Fortunately, the queue wasn’t a punishment to stand in. The old animal pens were a thing of the past. Instead, there was a very atmospheric queue area. A courtyard, a cemetery, and a path through the Huyverwoud took us to the chapel in the end. Particularly the cemetery is a feast for the eyes. Because you’re grouped together for a bit while the story behind Danse Macabre is told, you have all the time to examine the details. Gravestones, a kind of tabernacle, the ominous tomb of Joseph Charlatan, and a spouting water feature – there was so much to see.
However, the Huyverwoud part didn’t have quite the same effect during the day. The sun was shining beautifully, so it didn’t feel much like a spooky forest. The growling of the Unknowable here and there from the bushes tried to keep the creepy atmosphere, but unfortunately, it didn’t succeed. I can imagine, however, that in winter or in the evening when the sun has already set below the horizon, the horror vibe would certainly be there.
As light as it was outside, it was just as dark inside. Through an extremely dark corridor, we quickly found ourselves in the chapel itself. Atmospheric lighting and Charlatans directing us to our seats with their candelabras immediately gave us a wonderfully creepy feeling inside. With everyone safely in the six church pews and the doors slamming shut around us, the ride could finally begin.
With a flash of light, the Unknowable made its presence known. The seemingly innocent little cat, which had been keeping a watchful eye on everyone at the start of the queue, had transformed into a monster. As it moved around us in the pitch darkness, you could even feel its footsteps through the vibrations in the floor. Then it fell silent… too silent…
And like a thunderclap, the dance began. Accompanied by a penetrating chord on the organ, the conductor Joseph Charlatan suddenly appeared in the air. And as the chord faded, he began the Danse Macabre. A round of applause for this animatronic. The conducting movements are superb and even in sync with the music. Kudos for the technology behind it!
After the introduction, the fun could really begin. Slowly swaying to the music, the floor and benches began to rotate through the chapel. At times swaying faster, at others a bit slower. And more and more, the chapel started to come alive around us. The familiar wobbling balustrades from the old Spookslot. Crypts opening, and up in the windows, more and more musicians appeared. From a harpist whose head could magically move through the strings, to a pianist whose head movements would fit right into The Exorcist. And after a deafening crescendo, we ended back in the dark, with just before the lights came back on, a nice finale with a short freefall. Then the final violin tones submerged the chapel back into twilight and silence. The dance danced.
There’s so much to see around you that “Danse Macabre” is definitely worth multiple rides. And with that, I think the earlier questions are answered. It definitely lives up to the hype and is an incredibly beautiful addition to Efteling. A winner in atmosphere, theme, and ride. Wow!
One Fairytale After the Other#
After the day’s highlight, we continued with a descent into the mine of “Baron 1898,” and it was time to satisfy our hunger with a delicious healthy sandwich at “Station De Oost.” After that, we took the steam train to the other side of the park to drift away in “Droomvlucht.” And hopefully, this attraction will also get some love in the near future. Really, the entrance through the side kitchen door and the consecutive winding pigsty under the sky of plastic Intratuin plants just doesn’t work anymore. The ride itself remains beautiful, and even after so many years, you still discover new details.
Then, it got really nostalgic. We stood for a moment wondering what to do next, and soon enough, we figured it out. “I actually haven’t been to the Fairytale Forest in years,” Ralf confessed. So, off we went along the many fairytales. And yes, even a round in the most useless attraction wasn’t skipped. A ride in “The Six Swans” naturally had to be included when you haven’t been in the Fairytale Forest for years. Hearing behind me in the swan, “Huh, what, is that really it, really, why, huh?” was more than worth it.
With a lovely visit to the forest behind us and a quick look around “The Efteling Museum,” the clock was already slowly ticking toward closing time. With just under an hour to go, we knew exactly how we would end the day… Danse Macabre! After being conducted through the chapel by Joseph Charlatan again, another visit to what is undoubtedly the most beautiful theme park in the Netherlands came to an end.
