Given Efteling's history as a family based park, it was never going to be an absolute thrill ride, anyone with the expectation of that would be bitterly disappointed by a ride like Baron...
For Holland (and Efteling itself) though, Baron is perhaps a new benchmark and turning point in their side of the industry, since the biggest ride really prior to it is Goliath, and that was when Six Flags owned Walibi! I certainly know that when it was announced I thought it was a joke, "How could Efteling fit a B&M into their park?" I said, with people concuring with me about that question... By the looks of things, they've managed to do what many thought was less likely than Hartenhof being built this century...
I often think as enthusiasts that our well-travelled side of life often does get the better of our opinions... There might be bigger or more intense variants on Baron (certainly none look as well themed as it mind), the layout might be 'dull' comparatively to other parks who have the space or don't particularly care about the overall aesthical effect a towering ride might have on the nearby area... But do the locals care about a bigger Dive Machine ride hundreds of miles and £3'000 worth of holiday away?
Krake is probably my favourite example of this issue, and perhaps is why I like the ride so much... It's because of the atmosphere it created with the guests, something I didn't experience with Sheikra or Griffon, there was a tangible excitement about Krake, lots of spectators getting excited over the prospect of riding it, and many enthusiasts would probably go "why get excited over a tiny Dive Machine?"...
If other rumours are to be believed though, Efteling were very impressed with B&M over the construction of Baron (when originally rumours were said that the higher management weren't particularly impressed with the idea, what with the whole massive clash of ideals), so impressed they might consider them again... If Baron means more B&Ms in Holland, then it is perhaps the best addition that country will ever see...