Efteling Announces “Princess and the Pea” for Fairytale Forest
(eap) The Dutch theme park Efteling has announced a new fairytale for 2025. Construction work on the edge of the fairytale forest between the “Troll King” and “Mother Hulda” is due to start this fall. A new, royal pavilion is to be built there, where Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” will be brought to life. At Efteling, the princess sleeps in a heavenly bed with twenty mattresses and down comforters, under which a pea is hidden.
Sander de Bruijn, Chief Designer and Head of the Design & Experience department at Efteling, was inspired by a sketch by Anton Piek for this fairytale scene: “His way of working and perfection are still the starting point for new designs in the world of Efteling,” he explains.
Located on the edge of the Fairytale Forest, the new fairytale scene will be set against the backdrop of the Efteling Grand Hotel, which is also due to open in 2025 (see EAP News of 9 Nov 2023). “To emphasize something small in the foreground, Anton Pieck often placed a large backdrop behind it. We are applying this principle here too. The impressive hotel forms the perfect backdrop for the new pavilion, which will be a royal wing of the Efteling Grand Hotel. With the same stylistic elements and matching design, the connection to staying overnight is immediately established – bedded down like a princess,” explains de Bruijn.
After the “Six Swans” in 2019, the 31st fairytale in the Fairytale Forest will open in spring 2025 with the Princess and the Pea. The opening of the new highlight attraction “Danse Macabre” – an innovative motion-based ride from Intamin – is still scheduled for fall 2024 (see EAP News from 1.2.2024). ■
