Just got back from the Efteling/Netherlands and definitely struggled to leave (quite literally because our flights back got cancelled and had to be rescheduled).
Key points from the park:
Park was decorated with lots of little Christmas decorations, from a Vogel Rock Santa hat to several trees and ornaments in the main path
Warm fires and numerous entertainers were scattered throughout the park, including a choir and Live musicians
A large tent (with bar and ice rink) and a small Ferris wheel comprised of additional attractions,
Park was lively on the weekends but literally dead in the week, with queues rarely excieeding 20 minutes (even on Symbolica)
Bob Saw some of the longer queues in the park (probably because it’s getting demolished and has a low throughput)
Villa Volta featured an ‘impressive’ projection mapping show on it’s facade at night (although riders had to use an alternative exit)
Vogel Rock’s audio was ‘experiencing’ some major difficulties, on one train the music didn’t ‘synchronise’ properly whilst on another the music wasn’t working at all
Dutchman and Pirana remained closed during the trip due to maintenance
Apart from Baron, you have to take your bags on all the rides now
Python is now incredibly smooth since it’s retracking
It also snowed on our third (and what should’ve been our final) day, making it the ‘true’ Winter Efteling
Park looked beautiful as always at night. The park’s dark rides as always were simply beautiful (Carnaval maybe less-so). From the magnificent set pieces of Droomvlucht, atmosphere of Fata, Villa’s effects and the ‘sheer perfection’ of Symbolica. A similar ride system at Phantasialand would make a perfect replacement for Geister Riksha (assuming it’s getting ripped out next year).
The Coasters in general are fun and highly enjoyable all around. Baron compensates it’s small drop and layout which immense details and story telling (which makes it one of the better coaster out there), Joris is great and throws a trick or two. Bob for me is probably the weakest coaster, but is still fun and will be missed.