Efteling attraction
By Editie NL·21 minutes ago·Edit: 2 minutes ago
© Melanie MutsersRTL
Many Efteling enthusiasts are thoroughly enjoying the amusement park’s newest addition, the Danse Macabre. But not everyone has positive experiences with the attraction. Music duo Mel and Den were refused because the brace could not close due to Den’s waist size. “It was a very uncomfortable feeling and we also had to cry.”
What should have been a cheerful outing to the Efteling for Melanie Mutsers (Mel) and her partner Dennie van den Bosch (Den), ended in a feeling of humiliation. “We were very excited to go on the new Efteling attraction,” says Melanie. But once they arrived at the cart and were allowed to get in, it turned out that the bracket could not close on Dennie.
They were therefore not allowed to join the ride. “It made us feel very uncomfortable and we also had to cry. We felt very ashamed,” says Melanie. They had checked in advance whether Dennie was tall enough for the attraction. It is 1.40 meters and the minimum length for the roller coaster is 1.20 meters. “In terms of length, he could just fit in.”
Shame
So the problem was not Dennie’s height, but his waist size. At other attractions, such as the Symbolica, Dennie simply fit in the cart. “So we expected him to fit into the Danse Macabre. It was a very unpleasant situation, because we had to walk away again. Then of course you feel ashamed.”
© EftelingThe trolley of the Danse Macabre
Efteling acknowledges that it is an unpleasant situation for Melanie and Dennie, but emphasizes that safety comes first. “The bar must be able to close properly to allow someone to go on this attraction. It occasionally happens at Danse Macabre that the bar does not close for a guest. There is technically nothing that can be done about this,” a spokesperson said. The amusement park will investigate how it can better inform guests in advance about safety standards.
Big boy seat
Drievliet Family Park has a special cart for people with a larger waist size for its Formula X roller coaster, the so-called big boy seat. Danny van der Weel, marketing manager of the amusement park, explains that the carts of specific attractions must meet special safety rules.
Whether safety bars are mandatory at an attraction depends on the so-called g-force of the attraction. That is the force you feel when you move faster or slower. The higher the g-force, the more pressure your body experiences during the ride. Even if, for example, you roll over or are launched, you need special braces that hold you tighter.
View images of the new attraction below:
Although the Danse Macabre does not roll over and does not have high g-forces, you still need to be properly secured with a safety bar because every attraction must meet certain safety standards. “The brace must be able to bear the weight. And a minimum length is important, because you must be able to remain seated if something goes wrong,” says Van der Weel.
Don’t hate Efteling
Melanie and Dennie understand that safety comes first, but are nevertheless disappointed. “What we think is important is that there is a test moment before you have to go through the entire line, so that you know in advance whether you can get in or not. The point is that we couldn’t know now. That made it so painful. ” Yet the duo has no grudge against the amusement park. “We certainly don’t hate Efteling, this was just a bad experience.”
Efteling’s Danse Macabre: A Roller Coaster of Emotions
Ah, the joys of theme parks! You wait in line for hours, your heart racing in anticipation, only to be turned away at the last moment because, well, your waistline is a tad too generous. This unfortunate saga unfolded at the famous Efteling theme park with its latest attraction, the Danse Macabre. And folks, gather ’round because this is a story about excitement, disappointment, and a dose of hard reality.
The Unwelcome Surprise
Meet Melanie and Dennie, a music duo who were all set for a day of thrill and laughter, only to be greeted by a bar not closing—quite literally. Imagine bursting with anticipation as you approach the cart, only to find out that your partner’s waist size has decided to rain on your parade. Sounds like the setup for a stand-up routine, doesn’t it?
As Melanie recounted, “We were very excited to go on the new Efteling attraction.” But excitement quickly turned to humiliation as Dennie was informed that he couldn’t hop on because the safety brace wouldn’t click shut. Now, that’s not quite the magic of Efteling we signed up for, is it? “We felt very ashamed,” she lamented. Poor Dennie thought he was all set until his waistline proved otherwise!
Safety First, Fun Later
Now, let’s talk about safety—it’s a top-notch reason to get shut out of anything, right? But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about height; it’s waist size that matters, too! A spokesperson from Efteling reiterated, “The bar must be able to close properly to allow someone to go on this attraction.” You see, while riding those g-forces might be thrilling, being catapulted into the air only to have your harness fail is decidedly less enjoyable.
But Efteling isn’t alone in this; other parks have caught onto the ‘weigh’ of things, like Drievliet Family Park, which offers a bigger-boy seat for those who can’t squeeze into regular ones. Perhaps Efteling should consider a similar solution? Who wouldn’t want to hop onto a ride designed for the ‘larger-than-life’ amongst us?
Testing Before Taming the Thrills
Melanie pointed out a rather wise solution: a “test moment” before guests commit to the line. Like a little waistline whisper before plunging into the rollercoaster maelstrom! “That made it so painful,” she expressed. Still, it’s heartening to see that despite this setback, they hold no grudges against Efteling. “We certainly don’t hate Efteling,” they declared. Everyone should be allowed a couple of bumps on their amusement park journey, right?
Closing Thoughts
This little episode at the Efteling attraction teaches us more than just the importance of safety regulations. It’s a sharp reminder of how we navigate public spaces and the role our bodies play in those experiences. It’s important that parks are sensitive to all guests, ensuring inclusivity while keeping safety in check.
To everyone heading to Efteling or any amusement park: remember, while the rides might offer thrills, don’t let your waistline go unmeasured! Who knows, that could save you from an emotional rollercoaster just before the real one. And when in doubt, maybe just skip the funnel cake? 😉
The Final Bow
So, as we wrap up this critique, let’s tip our hats to Melanie and Dennie—who might not have had their thrill ride but definitely provided a story worth sharing. Efteling, you’ve got some work to do, but chin up! Not every ride can be a smooth one, but every ride can teach us something valuable. Just ensure your safety bars fit, folks!
Many Efteling enthusiasts are thoroughly enjoying the amusement park’s newest addition, the Danse Macabre. However, the experience was bittersweet for Melanie Mutsers (Mel) and her partner Dennie van den Bosch (Den), who faced a disappointing rejection due to unforeseen safety restrictions. “It was a very uncomfortable feeling and we also had to cry,” Melanie reflected on the distressing incident.
What should have been a cheerful outing to the Efteling for Melanie and her partner quickly turned into a moment of humiliation. “We were very excited to go on the new Efteling attraction,” Melanie shared, but their excitement turned to disappointment once they reached the ride and learned that the safety bar could not close around Dennie. This situation was particularly disheartening as they had made sure to check Dennie’s height beforehand, ensuring he met the minimum requirement of 1.20 meters for the attraction. “In terms of length, he could just fit in,” she noted.
So, the issue was not Dennie’s height, but rather his waist size, a detail they had not anticipated. Melanie mentioned, “At other attractions, such as the Symbolica, Dennie simply fit in the cart. So we expected him to fit into the Danse Macabre. It was a very unpleasant situation, because we had to walk away again. Then of course you feel ashamed.”
Efteling acknowledges the ordeal experienced by Melanie and Dennie, emphasizing the paramount importance of safety. “The bar must be able to close properly to allow someone to go on this attraction. It occasionally happens at Danse Macabre that the bar does not close for a guest. There is technically nothing that can be done about this,” a spokesperson clarified, indicating that they are looking into ways to better communicate safety standards to potential guests.
Drievliet Family Park, in contrast, has implemented a specialized cart known as the “big boy seat” for guests with larger waist sizes for its Formula X roller coaster. Danny van der Weel, marketing manager of the amusement park, explained that certain attraction carts must adhere to specific safety regulations that cater to varying body dimensions.
Although the Danse Macabre does not roll over and does not feature high g-forces, the need for proper securing with a safety bar remains because every attraction is bound by certain safety standards. “The brace must be able to bear the weight. And a minimum length is important, because you must be able to remain seated if something goes wrong,” Van der Weel explained.
Melanie and Dennie understand that safety is non-negotiable but still feel a sense of disappointment about their experience. “What we think is important is that there is a test moment before you have to go through the entire line, so that you know in advance whether you can get in or not. The point is that we couldn’t know now. That made it so painful.” Despite this setback, they hold no resentment towards the amusement park. “We certainly don’t hate Efteling, this was just a bad experience,” they concluded, still hopeful for a future visit.
Ing has acknowledged the incident, emphasizing the importance of safety. A spokesperson stated, “The bar must be able to close properly to allow someone to go on this attraction. It occasionally happens at Danse Macabre that the bar does not close for a guest. There is technically nothing that can be done about this.” The amusement park plans to explore better ways to inform guests about safety standards prior to their visit.
This situation brings attention to a growing need for inclusivity in amusement parks. Drievliet Family Park has taken strides by offering a “big boy seat” on certain rides for those who may not fit into standard restraints. This progressive approach highlights the potential for Efteling to consider similar accommodations, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the thrills without facing embarrassment or rejection.
Reflecting on their experience, Melanie and Dennie expressed disappointment but did not harbor resentment toward Efteling. “What we think is important is that there is a test moment before you have to go through the entire line, so that you know in advance whether you can get in or not,” Melanie suggested. Despite their unfortunate incident, they remain hopeful for future visits, stating, “We certainly don’t hate Efteling; this was just a bad experience.”
In a world where amusement parks strive to create joy and excitement, Melanie and Dennie’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the need for sensitivity and adaptability. As guests navigate these fun but sometimes tricky environments, understanding and solutions like preliminary assessments and adaptable ride options can prevent emotional rollercoasters that leave lasting impressions.
So, while we tip our hats to the Efteling for its enchanting rides and delightful experiences, we also encourage a focus on broader inclusivity measures. After all, everyone deserves a chance to feel the magic, regardless of size or circumstance. it’s all about creating more smiles and fewer tears!
