In the heart of the park, in the legendary Sleeping Beauty's castle, a mysterious new resident is expected, with their arrival planned for March 2024. This development marks another milestone in the evolution of the Fairy Tale Forest, one of the park's central attractions.
Extensive Maintenance Work: A Castle Transformed
Since September 2023, the iconic Sleeping Beauty's castle has been undergoing a phase of intensive maintenance. Surrounded by scaffolding and construction equipment, the historic building is being carefully renovated and prepared for its new role. From March 2024, visitors will be able to admire not only the restored castle, but also a brand-new figure that will enrich the traditional fairy tale experience.
Innovative Accessibility and a 360-Degree Experience
A key aspect of the redesign is the improvement of accessibility. A new, wheelchair-friendly path, running to the left of the castle, allows all visitors to experience the castle and its new residents from an entirely new perspective. This path offers a 360-degree view of the castle, allowing visitors to fully enjoy every facet of this fairy tale structure.
The Mystery of the New Resident
The identity and appearance of the new resident remain a closely guarded secret of Efteling Park. Anton Pieck, known for his detailed fairy tale illustrations, has already designed various guardian figures for Sleeping Beauty's castle. It is expected that the new character will be created in a similarly creative and imaginative manner, complementing the magical atmosphere of the Fairy Tale Forest.
Safety and Aesthetics in Focus
The renovation work includes not only aesthetic improvements but also important safety updates. The paths around the castle have been revamped to minimize the risk of slipping and to ensure the safety of visitors. Additionally, the castle walls and facades have been carefully restored to preserve their historical charm.
Landscaping: A Dreamlike Environment
In addition to the structural changes, the surrounding landscape is also being enhanced. The expansion of the pond, the addition of waterfalls, and the planting of new trees all contribute to creating an even more idyllic and inviting environment. These landscape modifications are designed to intensify the fairy tale experience at Efteling.
Future Projects in Efteling
The renovation of Sleeping Beauty's castle is just the beginning of a series of planned projects in Efteling. Following the reopening, the renovation of “The Little Mermaid” is next, followed by the demolition and reconstruction of Hansel and Gretel's Witch's Cottage. These projects are part of an extensive maintenance program that will bring further highlights to the Fairy Tale Forest throughout 2024.
A Park Embodying Tradition and Innovation
This latest development at Efteling underscores the park's commitment to combining tradition and innovation. Through continuous renewal and improvement of its attractions, Efteling offers its visitors new and enchanting experiences time and again. March 2024 will not only be a reunion with familiar fairy tale characters but also the exciting unveiling of a new, magical character. For fairy tale enthusiasts and park visitors, this is an event not to be missed.
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