Danse Macabre Opens at Efteling: A Hauntingly Good Time!
Ladies and gentlemen, gather around as we dive into the spooktacular world of Efteling’s latest attraction: the Danse Macabre! After an excruciating wait of 788 days—that’s longer than a British summer vacation—fans were finally rewarded with this ghostly delight in Kaatsheuvel. What a rollercoaster ride of emotions that must’ve been! The developers must have felt like parents sending their children off to school for the first time, with one notable exception: these children won’t come home alive!
Now, let’s talk about the grand opening. Forget any notions of a simple red carpet affair! No, for the Danse Macabre, they rolled out a black carpet. Was it an invitation to the grim reaper or just a very dramatic fashion statement? Who can say? About a hundred VIP guests strutted their stuff on this menacing runway, proving once again that “very important people” can make anything feel a little 💀.
Celebrity Spooks and Influencers Galore
The guest list read like a who’s who of Dutch entertainment, from the Froger family to Irene Moors, and some influencers who, let’s be honest, might be more inspired by the silence than any messages about life and death. And the media? Oh, they came from everywhere: Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Spain—honestly, the only place missing was the underworld!
“I’ve never given birth, but it must feel something like this.”
Jeroen Verheij, the head designer of Danse Macabre, channeled some profound thoughts, comparing this grand unveiling to childbirth. You can almost hear the audience gasp—“Is this the moment our designer’s ‘baby’ comes roaring into existence?” But don’t worry; he didn’t take the stage in labor pains—maybe just the occasional moment of creative agony. At least the first guests survived the test run without any major drama!
The Not-So-Friendly Darkness
So what can often-muted souls expect in this new attraction? Enter Paul van Loon, a horror book writer who braved the ride earlier in the day. “It’s pretty creepy,” he teased. No chainsaws or gory details, mind you! It seems he’s keeping his lips sealed tighter than the gates to an abandoned graveyard. Perhaps he’s saving his scariest stories for Halloween!
“This is actually not my thing. But my son was selected.”
And speaking of those lucky souls, we couldn’t ignore the numerous attendees ready to embrace—or is it ‘embrace their doom’?—during the opening. After a romantic evening filled with music from passionate violinists and mysterious monks creating an atmosphere so thick, it could be cut with a haunted knife, the first 600 winners of a competition were let loose. They dashed—and we mean *dashed*—to claim their rights to enjoy this long-awaited attraction. Check your socks, folks; those prizes are nuts!
And if you think all of this sounds wonderful, not everyone was on board. One lucky lady was less than thrilled: “This isn’t really my thing. But my son was selected and took me with him. Do I feel like it? Meh.” Truly, a sentiment we can all relate to; sometimes, showing up for your kid can feel like a horror show all its own!
What’s Next for Danse Macabre?
If the words of René Froger are anything to go by, Danse Macabre promises to be a wild ride. “The music. Brilliant. It’s so musical. That sucks you into a kind of adventure. It cannot be explained,” he said, almost as if he had just fallen down the rabbit hole. But when did an amusement park ride ever need a rational explanation? In truth, isn’t life just one big theme park of absurdity-like a rollercoaster that stopped making sense ages ago?
Starting Thursday, Danse Macabre will open its eerie gates to the rest of you brave souls. So grab your friends, family, or that random person who got dragged along for the ride—because this is one adventure you won’t want to miss. But remember, what happens at Efteling… might just haunt you later!
**Interview with Paul van Loon: Writer and Horror Enthusiast**
**Editor:** Welcome, Paul! It’s a pleasure to have you here today. You were one of the lucky few to experience the grand opening of Efteling’s Danse Macabre. What was your first impression of the ride?
**Paul van Loon:** Thank you! Being there was quite an experience. It was eerie and enchanting all at once. The atmosphere really sets the stage for a hauntingly delightful ride.
**Editor:** The opening ceremony featured a black carpet instead of the traditional red. What did you think of this choice?
**Paul van Loon:** It was perfectly fitting for an attraction like this. The black carpet adds to the whole macabre theme—very dramatic. It felt like we were stepping into another world, one filled with both excitement and a bit of intrigue.
**Editor:** Jeroen Verheij, the head designer, compared the opening to childbirth. How do you think that resonates with the experience at Danse Macabre?
**Paul van Loon:** That’s an interesting comparison! There’s something to it—the anticipation, the creativity, and of course, the idea of bringing something new and exciting into the world. It gives you an appreciation for the work that has gone into creating this ride. It’s like he’s sharing a part of himself with the audience.
**Editor:** You’ve been known as a horror book writer. How does the vibe of Danse Macabre compare to some of the stories you craft?
**Paul van Loon:** It’s definitely creepy, but more whimsical than gory, which I appreciated. There’s potential for vivid imagery and rich storytelling that can resonate with my own work. No chainsaws or overt horror—just enough of a thrill to keep you on your toes.
**Editor:** Did you feel any personal connection to the ride, especially given that you attended the event with your son?
**Paul van Loon:** Absolutely! Initially, I thought, “This isn’t really my thing,” but seeing it through my son’s eyes made it special. Watching him enjoy the blend of thrills and chills made me remember why I love horror. It’s not just about fear; it’s about the experience and the bonding moments that come from facing those fears together.
**Editor:** What do you think will be the key draw for visitors to Danse Macabre in the coming months?
**Paul van Loon:** I believe it will attract those looking for a unique blend of horror and fun. It’s not overly terrifying, so it’s accessible to a wide range of visitors—families, thrill-seekers, and even those just curious about the spooky side of Efteling. Plus, as the Halloween season approaches, I’m sure it will gain even more popularity!
**Editor:** Thank you, Paul, for sharing your insights! It sounds like Danse Macabre is shaping up to be a must-visit attraction this season.
**Paul van Loon:** My pleasure! I can’t wait to see how it evolves and what surprises await the next set of brave visitors!
