9/19: Another Land, Part I

[Al Lutz]

Guest columnist Tonny Schonewille offers a photo tour of Holland's De Efteling theme park, Part I. Discuss it here!

Full Story Here

[tloolgb]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Nice photos, its nice to see some of these parks that don't have too many photos online getting shown.

[Dustysage]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

De Efteling looks like an AMAZING park. So much detail and such a beautiful setting. Can't wait to see the rest of the park in part 2.

For those who haven't read this update yet, don't miss out, it is a real treat.

-Dusty

[Alchimedes]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Next time I'm over there to see my cousins, Aunts and Uncles, I need to check this out. I had heard about it, but we were there for a limited time. Love the gardens. Beautiful!

[barfownz]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Pretty clean update!

[jcruise86]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Thanks for the tour, Tonny!

Your eloquence in English is further proof that you Dutch are the world's best at using languages!

And that is a beautiful park! Many American parks forget that they are parks and they neglect their trees, lawns, gardens, etc. The once beautiful Cedar Fair in Ohio, for example, will probably get rid of ALL their trees in order to keep up with the awful Six Flags Magic Mountain in their stupid roller coaster competition.

[MrTaste]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

wow... an amazing looking place... would love to see much more..thanks for the fine photos and text...

[Melonballer]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

NIce article. I look forward to seeing more.

[Domimickey]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

A history lesson ... (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about anything)

How Wonderfull to read about our own beautifull Efteling park!
I'm always trying to get foreigners to visit this park if they want to feel authentic Dutch atmospheres. The park really represents (in Disney speak): a history of Holland that never was and always will be...

The reason I think this variation of the line from the dedication tile for the MGM studios also aplies to the Efteling is: Anton Pieck (1895 / 1987).
Anton Pieck was the dutch artist that designed the initial fairytale forest in the Efteling. His work is legendary in the Netherlands and he was particularly famous for his farytale style drawings that often showed an idealistic historical view of Holland.

At first Anton Pieck was not very enthousiastic about designing something for an amusementpark... in the end he agreed to take the assignment with the condition that everything he designed would be build with real materials instead of temporary cheap stuff. Anton continued working on the Efteling for many years and was known to be a big influence on the way things where done. Being a perfectionist in many ways, he tend to tell the builders of his fairytale designs to have a little drink before going to work so they wouldn't build it too straight and nicely.. he liked things to look as old and crooked as he had drawn it..

There is much to tell about the Efteling, but the story above is the base of why the Efteling looks and feels and smells and breethes like the best that Holland has to offer.

I'm looking forward to the second installment of this two part efteling series. (to see some of Anton Piecks designs for the efteling check out: http://home.wanadoo.nl/kleineboodschap/ )

Kind regards

Dominique

[Thriller]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Thanks for the kind words everyone
It's true indeed, Anton Pieck has played an enormously important role in the history of De Efteling. And yes, more internationals should visit the park

[shrunken ned]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

love Anton Pieck, great illustrator. Thanks for the report.

[Spidergrrrl]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Thank you for that beautiful report and photos. What gorgeous grounds - would love to visit one day!

[Baloo]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

beautiful park. The amount of foliage really make this a remarkable and one of a kind park.

[tiktok]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

Thanks for the great photos Tonny. My family and I visited Efteling many times when we were living in Antwerp from 1997-2001. The grounds are terrific -- greenest amusement park in all of Europe! We even visited Efteling during the Christmas break -- lights everywhere. And our favorite -- an ice skating rink with pine trees planted here and there surrounded by booths sellling hot drinks and frieten.

Also enjoyed what we called "demonic" carrousel because it moves so fast. The kids still talk about the "dancing fountains" timed to music and the talking trash bins.

[Lady_Ivory_Rocks]

Re: 9/19: Another Land, Part I

I would really enjoy visiting there it is so beautiful; those pictures really helped capture that!
Also, this has a connection to Holland, only slightly: I lived in Germany for three years; a word to describe Germany: freezing.