Danse Macabre: Efteling‘s New Thrill Ride and Financial Fantasies
Well, folks, hold onto your hats because Efteling is not just dipping its toes into the waters of thrill and terror; they’re doing a full-on cannonball into the pool of amusement with their latest attraction, Danse Macabre. It seems this new ride has sparked as much excitement as a rumor about free donuts in the staff room. According to Efteling’s latest annual report, “In 2024, Danse Macabre will add another phenomenal experience”. And who doesn’t want a few more “phenomenal” experiences while waiting in line for four hours?
Bull’s-eye
The anticipation was palpable as hundreds of eager visitors flocked to the gates, some even showing up at 6 a.m. to snag a good spot. I mean, nothing says “we’re all in this together” like watching someone who’s camped out for hours only to find that the ride is, quite literally, “a little too late.” As if standing in line for four hours wasn’t enough of a rite of passage, complete with a kilometer-long wait. That’s right—a full kilometer. At that point, you could run a marathon just to *experience* the queue. Talk about dedication!
Twenty Times More Expensive
Now, let’s talk cash. The price tag for Danse Macabre? A staggering €35 million! That’s right, folks; it’s more than twenty times the cost of the dearly departed Spookslot. When it opened in the illustrious year of 1978 for a humble 3.5 million guilders, people were thrilled just to have a ride that didn’t involve waiting for the dial-up internet to connect. But here we are, 2023—where rides cost more than some small countries’ GDP! Efteling is clearly swinging for the fences, with massive investments like this and the soon-to-be-opened Efteling Grand Hotel. I suspect that in the future, “Do you want fries with that?” may just evolve into “Would you like an upgrade to a €35 million ride?”
People First
In a move that might just earn them a “Good Guy Award” in the amusement park community, Efteling chose to retain their staff during the pandemic shutdown. Board member Hans Janssen stated, “if you are allowed to open again afterwards…” – a sentiment we can all resonate with. After all, it’s not every day you find a theme park prioritizing the well-being of its employees over cranking out another ride. So, kudos to Efteling for having enough foresight to recognize that people matter, especially when it comes to ensuring your park doesn’t become a ghost town.
A Cash Box Full of Money
Now, for those of you thinking that Efteling must be one misfortune away from bankruptcy, let me put your worries to rest: they are financially fit! Last year, Efteling reported record profits of €37.7 million, driven by a whopping 5.6 million visitors. I suppose when you create an amusement park where every experience is “phenomenal,” people won’t mind dropping a few extra bucks for that thrill. Efteling’s innovative strategies are clearly paying off, as they aim for a bold goal of attracting 7 million visitors annually. If they keep this up, they’ll have so much cash that they could practically fund the next Avengers movie—if only the Hulk would take a ride on Danse Macabre first.
So, as we prepare for 2024, keep your eyes peeled for more “rare” experiences at Efteling, and make sure to grab a good spot in line. Because who knows, maybe next year’s attraction will feature virtual reality queues, so we can wait in comfort at home while still pretending we’re part of the action!
“Would you like a themed experience with your ticket?”
Interview with Efteling Alex Reed, Lisa van der Berg
Interviewer: Hi Lisa! Thanks for joining us. What do you think about the upcoming Danse Macabre attraction in Efteling?
Lisa: Hi there! I’m really excited about Danse Macabre! I’ve always loved spooky attractions, and Efteling does such a great job with storytelling and theming. It sounds like it’s going to be an incredible experience!
Interviewer: Absolutely! The investment in the attraction is quite significant—€35 million. How do you feel about that price tag?
Lisa: Honestly, it’s quite steep, but if it delivers a fantastic experience, I think it’s worth it. The anticipation and the thrill of new rides are part of what makes visiting theme parks so special! Plus, it’s nice to see Efteling investing in new attractions.
Interviewer: You mentioned excitement! Have you ever stood in line for a ride before? What’s your longest wait time?
Lisa: Oh yes, I remember waiting for over two hours for a roller coaster last summer! It becomes part of the fun—you chat with friends, take photos, and soak in the atmosphere. With a kilometer-long queue for Danse Macabre, I’m curious how they’ll manage the crowd!
Interviewer: It will definitely be an experience in itself! Do you plan to be one of the first in line when it opens?
Lisa: Totally! I might just bring a sleeping bag and camp out overnight! I don’t want to miss out on the thrill everyone’s been talking about!
Interviewer: Sounds like a plan! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lisa. We’re all looking forward to Danse Macabre!
Lisa: Thank you! Can’t wait to scream my heart out on that ride!
