Efteling As A Wheelchair User: A Fairytale With Fewer Buggies

I’ve just wrapped up a whirlwind 10-day theme park tour across Europe, taking in the sights, screams, and snacks at Efteling, Europa-Park, and Disneyland Paris. First stop? The wonderfully weird and whimsical world of Efteling in the Netherlands.

Two smiling adventurers basking in the glow of a Dutch fairytale sunset – or maybe just excited to be first in line for pretzels. The iconic Efteling entrance looms behind like the world’s most dramatic thatched wizard hat.

This was the only park where we bought tickets on the gate – a bold move, I know. Disabled visitors get a €2 discount, with an extra €2 off for their companion if you’ve got the right paperwork. I used my UK Access Card (the one with the plus-one symbol from Nimbus) and had no trouble getting the discount.

If I had to sum up Efteling in one word, it would be unique. It’s easily the most chilled-out theme park I’ve ever visited – like if a fairytale fell asleep under a tree with a coffee and some stroopwafels. That said, the calm vibe doesn’t mean it’s lacking in thrills. Efteling really holds its own when it comes to rides and attractions – all killer, no filler.

Accessibility: From App to Action

Ahead of our visit, I applied for a facility card through the Efteling app. The process was a breeze – no evidence of disability required, just a few questions about your access needs (think Disneyland Paris’s Priority Pass style). Because I can’t evacuate using ladders, there were three rides I couldn’t access: Max and Moritz, Danse Macabre, and Droomvlucht. Thankfully, two of those had alternative experiences. Max and Moritz? Not so much – maybe I’ll just run around in a circle next time and call it even.

Now, my legs don’t bend easily, so ride seating can be a bit of a challenge. But Efteling surprised me – the only real squeeze was Joris en de Draak. Most rides had clearly signposted accessible entrances, usually with handy arrows saying “this way to the magic.” The staff were friendly, patient, and spoke excellent English.

That said, we did have a minor hiccup with Danse Macabre. The staff member on our first attempt insisted I couldn’t take my powerchair through the queue. When I asked how far I’d need to walk or be pushed, he couldn’t say – so we bailed. The next day, a different staff member waved us through without issue. Turns out, he probably mixed up mobility scooters (which aren’t allowed in queues) with powerchairs. Understandable mix-up – but still a little baffling. After all, what’s the point of an “accessible experience” if you can’t actually get to it?

Alternative Experiences: A Tale of Two Rides

Of the two alternative experiences, Droomvlucht came out on top. It featured a VR headset and quality headphones that really immersed you in the ride – it felt thoughtful and well-executed. Danse Macabre, on the other hand, involved a cinema screen and not much else. It didn’t quite capture the ride’s essence, which was a shame considering it’s a brand-new attraction. Still, I have to applaud Efteling for offering these alternatives at all – something I’ve never seen in UK parks.

Let’s Talk Thrills

The thrill rides here were top-tier. Joris en de Draak was a chaotic delight – a duelling wooden coaster with a surprising kick. Python delivered smooth loops, De Vliegende Hollander gave me my first taste of water coaster drama, and Baron 1898 was a drop coaster dream – smooth, scenic, and just scary enough. Transfers onto most rides were stress-free and done at a human pace, not the usual “you’ve got five seconds – GO!”

Two water rides – Fata Morgana (a dark ride) and Piraña (rapids) – used turntables with 30-second transfer windows. Staff offered manual wheelchairs to bridge the gap and made it clear they could pause the turntable if needed. Shoutout to them for not treating access like a ticking time bomb.

Getting Around (and Free Pretzels)

Efteling is flat (hallelujah!) and easy to navigate with the app. The wide paths and generous spacing made for an stress-free ride around the park. On our first evening, we caught the water show and ducked into the bakery for a chocolate pretzel and a coffee. As we were leaving at closing time, the staff handed us a whole tray of pretzels to take away. Who says fairy tales aren’t real?

Serving sun, smiles, and serious postcard energy. Two happy faces and one very scenic backdrop of Efteling’s Middle Eastern-inspired palace – the perfect place to pause before getting mildly soaked on the rapids.

Shows: Spectacle and Storytelling

We watched the Raveleijn park show and also booked tickets for the evening spectacular Caro. Both were high quality, although mostly in Dutch. Raveleijn was a bit tricky to follow (unless you speak fluent “knight in distress”), but Caro was much more accessible thanks to its musical storytelling and snippets of English narration. It’s definitely worth catching once you’ve explored the park, as it weaves in nods to several rides – like a theatrical ‘greatest hits’ album.

The calm before the theatrical storm. A glowing stage surrounded by red velvet seats and magical clockwork-themed walls – aka: proof that Efteling even makes waiting for a show feel enchanting.

Final Thoughts: Would I Return? 100% Yes.

Efteling is perfect for anyone looking for a theme park experience with less chaos and more charm. It has all the magic, storytelling, and atmosphere – but without the endless parade of shops or the need to elbow toddlers out of your way every ten minutes.

From an access perspective, I’d give it a solid 7/10. Staff training was generally great, accessible entrances were clear, and the alternative experiences were a real win. A few small tweaks – like some adaptive ride vehicles that allow you to stay in your wheelchair – and it could go from excellent to exceptional.

Also, did I mention the pretzels?

Forget Disney snacks – this is the real fairytale ending. A perfectly swirled chocolate-drenched pretzel resting on a napkin like it’s auditioning for Bake Off. Bonus points: we were given a whole tray. Best plot twist of the day.

Stay tuned for my accessibility review of Europa Park! Quite a different vibe…