Efteling!

We finally made it to Efteling, AKA Dutch Disneyland! I'd wanted to go since I'd heard of it, but wanted to wait until the kids were old enough/big enough. We thought to go last year for Jude's birthday, but, pandemic. Mid May, the NL announced that outdoor attractions were allowed to reopen after 6 months of closure. We had a Monday holiday the following week and no plans, so we booked it and invited our friends who with kids around the same ages/sizes, which seemed important when it came to rides. 

The forecast was not great, but we doned our rain gear, made the best of it and had a great day! Only outdoor attractions were open, so even though the numbers were limited, wait times were still up to 45-60 minutes for the big rollercoasters. We entered just at opening and walked onto the kid friendly roller coaster, which we all enjoyed (though Maeve told us at the end of the day that it made her stomach hurt and she didn't want to do it again). From there, we walked onto the white water rafting ride, rushing to put on water proof clothes! The boys were game for a big rollercoaster. Sara took the girls around to games and car rides and the rest of us waited the hour for one minute of super thrills- two upside loops and two corkscrew twists. Really fun! The kids loved it. 

We all went up the pagoda and got a bird's eye view of the park. From there, we headed to area for little kids- maze, tea-cups style ride, carousels, swings. The kids could be really independent and waits for short so the adults had a little down time (4 beers and 3 french fries= 20 euros, gotta love the Dutch). 

Rode a sweet monorail with my girl through a fairyland. 

The sun came out and we meandered through the huge Sprookjesbos. Throughout the park, the rhododendrons were in full bloom- so pretty! 

I got on this romantic swan ride with Pete, having no idea that it was 1 minute long! 

At the end of the day, this one needed a pick me up! Maeve couldn't be convinced to do anymore rollerocasters so she and I went back to kiddie paradise and rode carousels over and over again. The boys got to finish the day with two big rollercoasters. We all met up at the water/light show to end the day! The park was only open until 6pm, but Maeve and I couldn't have walked anymore if we'd tried! Poor kids, the next day back at school they were both limping! Looking forward to going back next year and hopefully getting to see the indoor attractions as well! 

Efteling is known for its trash cans, strange statement I know. They talk to you, asking for your trash and thank you when you've deposited it. Hillarious what happened when Maeve tried to throw away a beer can!