Efteling in the Netherlands has set an opening date for its 31st fairytale, the Princess and the Pea, in the Fairytale Forest.
Opening on 14 May, the 31st fairytale installation at Efteling is based on the 1835 story by Hans Christian Andersen in which a princess sleeps in a bed with 20 mattresses and 20 blankets – and a pea hidden at the bottom.
As well as announcing an opening date, Efteling has revealed that its new experience will be the first in the Fairytale Forest to feature sung narration.
In the new attraction, Flemish singer Geike Arnaert performs the story to music by Efteling composer René Merkelbach, with lyrics by Merkelbach and Karel Willemen.
The song will also arrive on Spotify on 16 May.
As for the attraction’s pavilion, Efteling’s head designer Sander de Bruijn designed it in the same style as the new Efteling Grand Hotel, which serves as a backdrop.
Sung narration for 31st fairytale
“With the same style elements and design, that connection is immediately made, and the link with overnight stays becomes extra applicable,” De Bruijn said last year.
When it opens this summer, the hotel will have a private entrance for its guests that leads into the Fairytale Forest at the Princess and the Pea pavilion.
The last fairytale to be introduced at Efteling was in 2019. This is based on The Six Swans by the Brothers Grimm and is the theme park’s first fairytale to offer a ride experience.
In more news, Efteling has announced a new family attraction to open in summer 2026, with construction due to begin later this year.
The new free fall ride will be located next to the Baron 1898 attraction, a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster, and will have the same theming as it.
Images courtesy of Efteling
