Matt 236

Highly doubt the admission fee will be cut, if anything it'll probably still go up. Unacceptable approach to business from Merlin here, they are essentially operating their resorts like bog-standard regional parks from what I expect next year. Standards have slipped this year at most parks and on the assumption they may go even further, I am seriously already considering not renewing my pass when it comes up for renewal. The urge to focus more on European & non Merlin uk parks is becoming a lot more apparent. Blackpool & Paultons will be seeing more visits for sure.

Such a stunning ride. Definitely planning to do Phantasia alone for this beauty let alone the other great wonders there.

Yay for Merlin in 2016! I hope they're not closing all those rides. Closing a massive chunk of attractions (most of which are in the family market) is not a good move IMO. If they're trying to get visitors back in to the park, this is not the way of doing so as for me I can see the opposite effect occurring. It makes me more concerned for What Chessie is in for and that more could be happening at Thorpe.

I think refurbishing what they've got so far as the best idea. After all, aside from scorpion, Fury, Wild Asia & Zufari (to a lesser extent), much of the park needs major work not to mention many rides in their current state are on their last legs.

When I said about Edteling being an underrated park, I meant more so in not getting noticed as much as theme parks fans and fanatics as most tend to do the likes of DLP & PA rather than Efteling. On the topic of those who have gone though (including myself), many have rated the park highly after visiting. You're opinions of Ravelijin are similar to my own, as there were times where there was too much to see. Still loved it though. Which Aquanura was it you watched? I think I saw the second/main version I think. I've heard there's s version where Tiesto does a remix to the themes and makes a lot of them sound very clubby. Was that the one? Should have a video anyway of the version I saw online soon anyway. The version I watched on both nights were highly enjoyable.

Oh yea I remember that one (can't remember if I took pictures even there), but that one www really interesting and the effects were very good there as well. That's interesting to note. Must admit there were times when there was a bit too much going on, but none the less it's still an impressive show and wipes the floor with any uk shows at this time.The baron mercy is lush. If they could do that amount with other rides they would have some great stuff available. Can't remember which version of Aquanura we watched but the themes from Flying Dutchman, Joris, Monsieur carnival, dream flight & Villa Volta were used though.

Quite a good list, definitely more open from last year. Going back this year, so hopefully it'll be just as good if not better than last year's.

Damn, and it looked such a nice park (despite the many problems mentioned above) and I though it had such a bright future. It appears to be the opposite. I just hope something can be sorted where the park can be brought up by a new management as thisxfoesntvsou f good at all. Is this the next hard rock park I wonder?

Efteling is more than just about the rides, especially when a large chunk of park comprises of the Fairy Tale Forest. The Fairy Tale Forest is a massive forested area in the park which features a large array of animatronics and models telling the story of numerous fairy tales. There are different types of settings, some that are outdoors, others that are inside and some that are somewhat a mixture of both. Some have said to me how you can spend hours looking around the whole area. Believe me, it's no joke as it took me around two hours to polish the whole area whilst taking everything in from the charm and overall atmosphere of the area and believe me, it didn't feel like a waste of time at all and was an intriguing experience in the wacky yet wonderful world of the Fairy Tale Forest as there was just so much to see. As a result of this, I shall only be showing some of the best fairy tales. if anyone wants to see any more of the missing, just let me know. The iconic tree is one of the main centrepieces. To me, he comes across as wise and intelligent. Could This Dragon be the influence for the creation of Joris? One of the most interesting ones, the Chinese Nightingale. The way they did the carpet on this one still remains interesting today. The Emperors New Clothes, One of the more modern fairy tales in the forest.The effects and animatronics used here were nothing short of impressive. There's some giant bits of theming in here [pun intended]. One of the most famous ones I think, the dancing water lilies I think. The track is included on the park CD. The insppiration for Aquanura surely? On of the more familiar ones, Cinderella. I like how the castle appears at the end. I think Europa park got some influence from this one. One of the more simple but effective ones here. And who could forget this fellow? One of the original ones here [Anton Pieck anyone]? And of course this guy, who is one of the first characters you will encounter in the forest. But there's more than just dozens of fairy tale models and characters in this forest. There's a full scale theatre right in the middle where a puppet show aires every so often. Great show for young families, although the position of the dragon puppet is debatable. But there's more to just the Fairy Tale Forest and the rides. Ravelijan, a full scale live action show featuring numerous impressive live stunts and effects addition to theming and a soundtrack that are superb. Whilst I didn't understand the what was being said, the choreography and everything else was enough for me to know what was going on. Ravelijan as a result of it's greatness is now my favourite theme park show [that doesn't use fountains & projections] and that includes Lights Motors Action too. Amazing show. Like many of the best parks, Efteling features many random wonderful attractions around. One of these is this walk-through which depicts numerous fairy tale diorama scenes. An interesting distraction. There was also an indoor carousel in the same complex which made me think of the long closed Carousel Kingdom at Thorpe Park. Naturally during a busy day out, the need to have a bite to eat becomes inevitable. but Efteling, it's not all 'shove it down your mouth' at the park eateries. Like a lot of the park, it is a unique experience. Polle's Kitchen is a must do on anyone's visit to Efteling. Because they do the most amazing pancakes you've seen and eaten. They do savoury ones. Or sweet ones. Both I had during my trip were absolutely fantastic. It's one the best places I've ever eaten at within a theme park and the theming and turning gears which will speed up and react to the music every so often help significantly. You can also buy pancake mix in the shops and restaurant as well, to yours heart's desire. There's even a small museum in the park dedicated to the history of the park. It may not be for everyone but is nice to see the park keep such a historic addition. Now on to one of the most ambiguous additions in the park, Spooksplot. Which down to interpretation can be seen as a show or an attraction. I see it personally as a show [though maybe not in the traditional sense]. This is because you enter an unguarded entrance way, which adds to the mysterious atmosphere, wait and then enter where you are then shown a series of interesting effects in a spooky gothic setting whilst the music of Dance Macabre [Jonathan [Matt] Creek] plays. Despite it's unknown entrance way, it fits in to the park very well even today as a sign of one of the first stepping stones where Efteling started expanding from the fairy tale forest in to the large world class park it is today. The effects there are still intriguing from the peppers ghost to the moving stairs especially considering this is nearly 40 years old, being the first projected created by the now late Tony Van De Ven, the successor to the park's original creative artist. This attraction was also one of the set pieces to the music video to Kate Bush's first tv appearance [type Kate Bush Efteling in youtube]. But no visit to Efteling would be complete without watching the shows fantastic fountain show Aquanura, the largest fountain show in Europe [third in the world]. It's an absolutely fantastic show, especially how they synchronise all the different fountains and colours to the music which are all ride themes from the park. These include The Flying Dutchman, Joris and Dream Flight, all of which are re-orchestrated to transition better but still retain their original features. And some beautiful night shots to close my Efteling report, because this is one of the most picturesque parks I have ever visited [probably overtaking even Towers on that one]. Efteling is an underrated park. It features some fantastic theming and impressive rides alongside some excellent shows, entertainment and even eateries and as a result is one of my favourite park's I have ever visited. My favourite rides were easily Joris, Dutchman, Baron & Fate Morgana amongst many others. Not many weak rides in this park here, Monseur Carnival comes across as the only ride I did not really like and though Python was a little dull, I did not dislike it. My only criticisms to the park would be the park closes rides at closing times [not the queue like many others], which would be nice if they took up the Towers way of closing things and the merch. Whilst there was some merch there to buy [notably Baron & CDs], I did not find there was a great selection and actually found it quite difficult choosing stuff to buy in the wrong sort of way. If the park could do more ride branded items like pens, mugs, t-shirts and even badges, it would be so much better. Aside from these few floors, this park like Disney [ in it's own way], wipes the floor with much of the current UK offering. A lot of UK parks could learn many things if they took a leaf out of Efteling's book.

Wow! That's some of the best theming we've received in the uk since I can remember. I really hope this a new era for the park and they can start competing with the big parks. If I don't get this park next year I will be very disappointed.

This is crazy expansion here. Three new additions in one year is already heft but four new additions? That's mayhem! One thing that does concern me though is, what happens when they've run out of development space? Those things are all happening the following year Nintendo replaces all those kiddy things in 2019 Dr Doom replaced in 2020 Potter mk3 in 2021. Unless they buy more land, I don't know where they can go from there. Sure they've got it though.

Part 2 of my Efteling VLOG is now up. In this part, much of it involves seeing the Fairy Tale Forest, which was a very interesting place.

A mack spinning mega coaster would be an interesting and unique concept, though I don't really want it implemented on fire I case it ruins the experience on that one. Could be Walibi Holland that receives it though as they're supposed to be getting a mega coaster next year. Walking dead dark ride sounds interesting, wonder which park is getting one?

Lift, uni workload and money depending, I'll try and do this one as I've always wanted to see the TPM shenanigans I hear things about on these Guildford meets.

Well, part 1 of the VLOG is now up for you all to enjoy.

via Imgflip Meme Maker Looks like we may be in for some serious Merlin bashing times in 2016.

Dragon Falls will surely be the uk's tallest (operating) Log Flume. If flume shut, not many would be upset, but if Loggers was (forever), then many would be (me included) unless something like Chiapas happened.

I have always wondered why Merlin have pulled back from the Thorpe hotel previously, especially that we would receive plans but then nothing would happen. Would like to know where the setback is there especially Towers will be getting a third hotel alongside the Enchsnted Village, Chessington getting glancing (ugh) aside their two hotels & Legoland building a second one for 2017. Not to mention further rumours suggest Towers receiving yet another hotel near 2020, Legolsnd likely getting an eco village (on newly bought land) and Chessington likely doing at least another hotel or Enchsnted village equivalent.

Didn't seem to notice it massively but admit the music did seem a little out of the ride. Hopefully somewhere like Efteling (where there is not many areas badly run down) will fix this.

Park is going to remain closed until (and including) Tuesday the 17th. Source- Inside DLP. Very understandable during this difficult time and respectful to an extent too. Paris will be tense place to be and may well take months before it reaches the vibes the city had until this year. The Sleeping Beauty castle is also showing it's respect to last nights tragedy too.

Surely we are going to see rides closed st all parks likely. Loggers is going at Thorpe. At Towers we ćould lose Flume or Ripsaw & Blade (all three are a possibility too). Chessington, I can see Tombs closing permanent,y until a new ride opens there and maybe the same for Skyway (which barely works anyway). Legoland will probably not be affected being in a different budget area and currently is doing well (however Dinosaur will likely close next year for the second hotel).

My thoughts go to all the victims in this terrible attack. The attackers themselves are less human than a plastic bag and are the satanic tumour of this world. 2015 has certainly been an awful year for France and I hope they can get back on their feet again.

I had a feeling it was, I enjoyed both rides a lot.