Sven

you're welcome. The theme of Baron 1898 is quite unusual in themeparks, a lot parks using a steampunk or western approach when they do a mining theme. After Christmas the park was beautifully wrapped in a blanket of snow, not all the rides opened like all the outdoor coasters. They worked really hard to get as many attractions as possible operational. People who visited the park on Saturday, December 27th. Got free tickets to visit the park another day due to the many closed rides. Here is a link to some great pictures of the park this weekend made by a Belgium podcast and Photo website. www.fotogalerijen.be/20141228efteling/index.htm

I 've said it before, this ride will not have a steampunk theme. The theme is based on real Northern European mining companies. The industrial revolution in the United Kingdom had a very big impact on Northern Europe. Not only the scale and technique was influenced by the United Kingdom but even the architecture. Nearly every big mining structure build in Northern Europe in the end of the 18th century or begin 19th, is build with red brick work and lots of iron work. You can even find in those buildings some Victorian details or influences, while the Victorian architecture is very rare in the Netherlands or Germany. I'll show you some pictures of Northern European mine buildings wich are not located in the UK. Zeche Zollverein Germany. Belgium (eftelist.nl) Belgium (eftelist.nl) Belgium (eftelist.nl) The theme of Steampunk finds its roots in the steam-driven industry with its Victoran architecture and feel but combines it with future and science fiction. The building and ride of Baron 1898 will be themed as a real Northern European mining company. The story is about a working mine and the visitors will be the new employees of the company. Because Efteling is a park of telling stories, they combine these 'real' working mine with an old legend about white ghosts that live (according to folk tales) into the soil. So they combine real history with ancient myths and sagas which has nothing to do with future perspectives of SciFi. So this ride will not be Steampunk.

Open in the video the youtube settings > subtitles > choose your language. Subtitles are available in English, French, German and Dutch.

And here is the answer why there is still no new track parts being installed. They just need all the space for scaffolding in order to build the walls inside. After finishing these walls we could probably expect some more new track. Image made by eftelingfan http://www.vijfzintuigen.nl

Unfortunately this ride wil open summer 2015. The combination of a thrill ride and the theming will make this ride unique and special in the area. In the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg) there are few independent parks like Efteling. I still think independent parks in Europe are the most interesting parks to follow, they invest and come with exciting projects.

Efteling used themed uniforms in the past but they had some safety issues. Second reason, with uniform costumes it's more easy to switch from working station.

A new update of the building site. The construction of the station and queue/pre-show grows steadily. Overview with the tunnel in front. A look at the station from above. Station loading area. Train storage and transfer. Indoor queue/pre-show entrance. http://themepark.nl/ubb/ubbthreads.php/topics/2170195/22/Bouwfoto_s_November_2014.html

Yes Efteling uses the same uniform across the park, even the major rides don't have themed uniforms. There are some rumors this ride wil have themed uniforms but nothing has been confirmed. And about the steampunk uniforms, this ride has nothing to do with steampunk.

The first pieces of track arrived at Efteling today. I really do love the color, https://twitter.com/SfinxVideos/status/529950175008395264/photo/1 https://twitter.com/SfinxVideos/status/529947561390768129/photo/1 https://twitter.com/koen1804/status/529958461820637185/photo/1

For every tree they chopped they have to replant at least 1 new tree. The new trees does not have to be planted on site. In this case it was almost a field surrounded by trees. So now it becomes a plain field to get better access to the building site. On Dutch Fora they discuss a lot about this new coasters because the Efteling don't share a lot of information about this coaster. What we know is: a B&M Dive Coaster, Opening summer 2015, first drop will be 37,5 meters, the track is going to be longer and more coaster as Krake (HeidePark). Speculation say it will have a Mining industry theme like old Dutch, Belgian and German coal mines. An other speculation tells that the lay-out is going to have elements never seen before on a Dive Coaster.

Some more pictures of the area atm. They removed a lot of trees and they have drained the pond next to the area. The Dive Coaster will be close to Georges and the Dragon. And next to the Flying Dutchman. The drained pond. And here we see the building site. And here wil be the stationbuilding. Thanks to: http://www.vijfzintuigen.nl

The Disco part of the ride is inspired by a Mexican tradition called: Día de Muertos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Wow wow wow, this park is getting better every year.

Today I visited Efteling again. The weather was great, plenty of sunshine and no rain at all. Here some pictures of today, I made the pictures by mobile phone. 'Droomvlucht' 'Droomvlucht' entrance 'Raveleijn' entrance 'Villa Volta' 'Droomvlucht' entrance inside 'Villa Volta' 'Raveleijn' show Forest of the fairy tales Palace of the Carousel queue of 'Joris en de draak' 'De Vliegende Hollander' 'Pirana' 'Vogel Rok' Indoor coaster -AQUANURA- the new fountain show of the park. Frog the building of 'Fata morgana' I even made a short video of a part of the show

Thanks. Great to hear you loved the park. Yeah it's quite big and a lot to see.

Efteling has published a new book because of its 60 year anniversary. The book is called 'Zijn we d'r al?' and it's even published in English 'Are we there yet?' The text at the online webshop: Holding this book in your hands, you can virtually hear yourself saying 'Are we there yet?'. You can almost feel the excitement generated by a visit to Efteling springing out from its pages. Experience Efteling theme park's fairytales and adventures, sensation and relaxation, amazement and enthusiasm, tranquility and nature, at home on the couch. This unique compilation is packed with beautiful photos and original drawings from the past and the present, enhanced by anecdotes and facts. Each page presents a gift from Efteling. Some of these you can unwrap yourself: stickers, photos, picture postcards, posters, a puzzle based on an original design by Anton Pieck and much more. The very best of sixty years of Efteling, assembled between two covers. Nostalgia and memorabilia for everyone with a fondness of Efteling: children and grandchildren, grandmothers and grandfathers, mums and dads, boyfriends and girlfriends. It gives us great pleasure to invite you all. English - 208 pages - hardcover - 2012 The book is great, great pictures of the history and present. I made some pictures of this book.

Efteling is not in holland, so I looked it up. The southern parts of the Netherlands, were Efteling is, has their break 30th of June till 12th of August 2012. The other parts of the Netherlands later on. Haha LOL my mistaken. I think the difernce between Holland and the Netherlands are so old fashioned. Even Six Flags didn't used 'the Netherlands' I think Holland is even common as the netherlands. Only we know the historicaly diference. And not only people of the southern part of the Netherlands visiting the Efteling. But the answer is indeed: their are no school breaks in the Netherlands at the 22nd and 23th of June.

I'm a big fan of Darkrides. I think it is the best type of a ride attraction even better than a great coaster. Themeparks without darkrides are incomplete. I really love 'Pirates' at Disneyland Paris and the creepy darkrides in Phantasialand are real fun but the park with the best classic darkrides is the Efteling. For me the 'Fata Morgana''is the best, great theme, great music, lots of animatronics and a peacefull ride system. An Impression of the ride: and I found a great onride start at 4:40

Your welcome. Did you ever visited these parks before?

In 2011 I visited Phantasialand with my brother in law. Asian themed area 'Talocan' 'Maus au Chocolat' 3D-shooting Darkride Food Central Plaze with Mystery Castle at the skyline 'Black Mamba' 'Black Mamba' 'Black Mamba'

In 2010 and 2011 I went to Phantasialand. In 2011 I had free entrance thanks to my Efteling annual pass. I think it's an adorable park the unusual layout for me is a real plus. The park is the home for some great and unique rides like 'Black Mamba' 'Maus au Chocolat' and the 2 'Winjas'. The park also contains some strange old creepy rides. Just love this park. lets start with 2010, When I visited Phantasialand with my sister and my brother in law. It was early morning in Brühl 'Mystery Castle' seen from the parking lot 'River Quest' (Rapid River) you may get WET!!!! - BLACK MAMBA- 'Mystery Castle' -WUZE TOWN- 'Winjas Fear and Force' -TALOCAN-

and last 2012. This week I will visit the park again and update 2012. 'Dancing shoes' at the fairy tale forest New restaurant serving Dutch pancakes. I took one with bacon and cheese. The new Restaurant from outside with real snow Fountain

second 2011 'Fata Morgana' first scene 'Fata Morgana' 'Fata Morgana' 'Fata Morgana' belly dance scene 'Fata Morgana' jail scene 'Fata Morgana' 'Fata Morgana' domestic kitten 'Fata Morgana' 'Fata Morgana' 'Fata Morgana' Doomed chamber 'Fata Morgana' outside 'Pirana' (Rapid River) The backside of the Haunted Castle The haunted castle 'Spookslot' 'Droomvlucht' 'Dreamflight' (darkride) 'Droomvlucht' 'Droomvlucht' 'Droomvlucht' 'Villa Volta' (Madhouse) Inside 'Villa Volta' pre show 1 Inside 'Villa Volta' pre show 2 The Park Entance to the right. 'The flying Dutchman' and 'Georges and the dragon' from above. At the skyline you see the city of Tilburg 'Gondoletta' from above 3D-mapping on 'Villa Volta' 3D-mapping on 'Villa Volta' "Do not feed the Yeti" 'Sprookjesbos' Fairy tales in winterdecoration Fairy tale forest Fairy tale forest in winterdecoration 'Raveleijn' park show Entrance of 'Droomvlucht' Sleeping knight at the fairy tale forest 'Little Red Riding Hood' 'Rapunzle'

Here some pictures of the Efteling trough the years. Lets start with 2010 The Flying Dutchman Georges and the dragon The dragon The backside of the Rapid River 'Pirana' Python Trainstation 'Fata Morgana' (Darkride) 'Georges and the dragon' and 'The flying Dutchman' 'Georges and the dragon'

In my opinion you could better visit the Efteling on friday, because the weekends could be crowded. Summer school brakes are in Holland in July and August but in June their may be some schooltrips visiting the park. The Efteling is quite big so it doesn't feel quick really crowded. I don't know the B&B because I live close to the Efteling but it looks fine and it's really close to the Efteling. I guess it will not bee really crowded in Walibi on Saturday.