Efteling is reopening on May 19 after 22 weeks of closure, while Nest! is opening on May 31 as the final piece of play equipment has been installed.
Nest! will be a safe space for young guests and children with disabilities to play together, and will include elements themed to Efteling’s roller coasters.
Accessibility was a key feature in Efteling’s design and production of the play equipment at Nest!, which replaces the Polka Marina pirates carousel.
Nest! will be located in the Ruigrijk area of the park in a small forested area between the De Vliegende Hollander water coaster and the Game Gallery.
The attraction’s dragon tower has two slides, and additional offerings include a large ship and an accessible waterbed in the shape of a compass where children can play.
Nest! will also house several play panels at different heights and in various materials, and the floor around the play equipment is made from a soft rubber called EPDM.
Dutch television presenter and wheelchair athlete Marc de Hond served as a special advisor for Efteling, sharing his ideas about physical accessibility with management and collaborating on Nest!
Accessible and inclusive play area at Efteling
He has also written an inclusive fairytale called ‘De redders van Ruigrijk’, which features children with disabilities. It will be available as a video on the Efteling YouTube channel with an audio description in four languages and a tactile picture book.
Efteling first opened in 1952 and has welcomed more than 130 million visitors. It has grown to become one of Europe’s biggest theme parks, with exciting attractions and a fairytale theme.
Last month, Efteling opened the largest charging park for electric cars in the Benelux in collaboration with Eneco eMobility. It is powered by 100 percent renewable energy from solar and wind power plants in Europe.
Images:Â Efteling
