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Efteling closes ‘Spookslot’ haunted house, making way for new attraction

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efteling spookslot closure

Efteling’s new scary area will offer retail, dining, entertainment and an indoor attraction.

Efteling in the Netherlands has closed its iconic ‘Spookslot’ haunted house, making room for a new eerie area and indoor attraction called Danse Macabre.

The ghosts of Spookslot “danced one last time to the unforgettable music of Camille Saint-Saëns and the monks shuffled their last metres through the haunted ruins”, Efteling said.

“We are closing a beautiful attraction where many visitors have become acquainted with the creepy side of Efteling that is a unique memory that often stays with them forever,” said Fons Jurgens, general manager of Efteling.

efteling danse macabre

“These memories were made possible by the efforts of the employees of the Spookslot,” he added. “Therefore, they were given the honour to experience the very last show exclusively in a closed environment, in order to say goodbye to their workplace.”

Efteling’s new spooky zone will feature themed retail, dining and entertainment. It will cover an area of 17,000 square metres and be anchored by an indoor attraction. It is scheduled to open in 2024.

Danse Macabre is named after French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ tone poem. Efteling designer Jeroen Verheij said he was inspired by the original sketches for the Spookslot attraction.

After enjoying the final Spookslot show, Jurgens said the Efteling team has “mixed feelings about this farewell, because it is a great pity that the haunted house cannot be preserved”.

Danse Macabre to open in 2024

“Where our attractions and fairytales are experienced from generation to generation, the building from 1978 is in very bad shape, both inside and outside,” he added.

“Therefore, we have chosen for a whole new area at this location, where things will become even more exciting. We will honour the creepy side of Efteling once again.”

In more news, Efteling is opening a new hotel called Efteling Grand Hotel in 2024. It will be the theme park’s largest hotel, and the first to be located within the destination.

Images: Efteling

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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