Editing Efteling (section)

== History ==
[[File:Geeuwende gijs.jpg|thumbnail|Paper gobbler ''Hollow Bulging Gijs'' - classic Pieck design]]

Efteling is one of the oldest theme parks still in existence. Its roots go when the R. K. Sport en Wandelpark was inaugurated.<ref>{{cite web|title=The history of Efteling| publisher=efteling.com|url=https://www.efteling.com/en/about-efteling/history|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=fr|title=Information de presse 2011| publisher=efteling.com|date=2 May 2012|url=http://www.efteling.fr/media/Pdf/DEF-Persmap-Frans-april-2011-b.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502205131/http://www.efteling.fr/media/Pdf/DEF-Persmap-Frans-april-2011-b.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 May 2012|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref>

In 1950, Efteling Nature Park Foundation (Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling) was founded by the mayor of Loon op Zand, R.J. van der Heijden, filmmaker [[Peter Reijnders]], and designer artist [[Anton Pieck]] (1895-1987). The foundation was named after a 16th-century farm named Ersteling.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} Efteling officially opened on May 31, 1952,<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Efteling|publisher=Efteling|date=July 12, 2010|url=http://www.efteling.com/EN/EN-Home/EN-Home-Over-de-Efteling.html|access-date=July 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719055633/http://www.efteling.com/EN/EN-Home/EN-Home-Over-de-Efteling.html|archive-date=July 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> when the [[Fairy Tale Forest]] (''het Sprookjesbos''), designed by the famous Dutch illustrator Anton Pieck, was opened to the public. Initially, the Fairy Tale Forest was home to some 10 different fairy tales, all of them brought to life using original drawings by Pieck alongside mechanics, lighting and sound effects designed by the Dutch filmmaker [[Peter Reijnders]]. The life-sized dioramas, displayed together in an atmospheric forest, were a tremendous success. Efteling welcomed 240,000 visitors in 1952 alone.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaatsheuvel 1952|publisher=[[VPRO]]|date=2010-07-12|url=http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/plaats/37792180/|access-date=2010-07-12|language=nl}}</ref>

Since 1978, the park has been expanded and grown to become one of the most popular theme parks in the world. In the same year, English singer [[Kate Bush]] performed in the park in ''De Efteling Special'', which was broadcast on 11 May 1978. In early 1978, the amusement park's Haunted Castle was completed and the opening was scheduled on 10 May that year. Bush, who just had a big hit in the Netherlands with "[[Wuthering Heights (song)|Wuthering Heights]]", made her debut on Dutch television in the special. Her popularity was used to draw the attention to the Haunted Castle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2017/05/10-things-you-dont-yet-know-about-the-efteling-theme-park/|title=10 things you didn't know about the Efteling theme park - DutchNews.nl|work=DutchNews.nl|access-date=26 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2010, Efteling announced plans to remain open year-round. From November through about February, the 'Winter Efteling' theme remains in place. However, attractions that involve water, such as the rapids ride 'Piraña' or the water coaster 'Vliegende Hollander' (Flying Dutchman), are closed.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

Gisela Williams, a reporter for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', wrote a review of the park in early 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Efteling, a European Alternative to Disney | publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=2014-10-01 | url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304632204579339311984384386}}</ref> Williams praised Efteling but criticized the [[teacups]]-style ride Monsieur Cannibale due to ethnic stereotypes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.looopings.nl/weblog/2233/Amerikanen-begrijpen-Monsieur-Cannibale-niet-Walgelijke-discriminatie.html |title=Amerikanen begrijpen Monsieur Cannibale niet: 'Walgelijke discriminatie' |date=2014-02-02 |website=Looopings.nl |language=nl |trans-title=Americans angry at Monsieur Cannibale: "Disgusting discrimination" |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610163925/https://www.looopings.nl/weblog/2233/Amerikanen-boos-om-Monsieur-Cannibale-Walgelijke-discriminatie.html |archive-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> Her review was later mentioned in ''[[De Telegraaf]]'', a daily newspaper in the Netherlands, and drew several angry comments from its readership. Williams also received her first death threat for her comments about the controversial attraction.<ref>{{cite web|title=American journalist gets death threat for Efteling racism comment| publisher=Dutch News |date=2014-07-02 | url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2014/02/dutch_newspapers_and_commentat.php}}</ref> In recent years, activists have repeatedly requested the Efteling to remove or re-theme the attraction. In June 2021, the park closed the ride for an extensive renovation including a re-theme.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 24, 2021|title=Monsieur Cannibale verdwijnt uit Efteling: 'Iedereen moet zich welkom voelen'|url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/editienl/artikel/5238129/monsieur-cannibale-verdwijnt-uit-de-efteling|url-status=live|access-date=October 23, 2021|website=|publisher=[[RTL Nieuws]]|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624090228/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/editienl/artikel/5238129/monsieur-cannibale-verdwijnt-uit-de-efteling |archive-date=2021-06-24 }}</ref>

The park received its 123,456,789th guest on June 19, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Efteling receives 123,456,789th visitor| publisher=efteling.com|date=19 June 2015| url=https://www.efteling.com/en/press/efteling-receives-123456789th-visitor/|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> The Efteling opened the trackless darkride [[Symbolica]] in 2017. With a price tag of 35 million euros, it is the most expensive investment in Efteling history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: Symbolica at Efteling| publisher=leparcorama.com|date=24 January 2018| url=http://www.leparcorama.com/2018/01/24/review-symbolica-at-efteling/|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> Beside the theme park, the Efteling operates two hotels, a theatre, and two holiday villages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discover all accommodation locations at Efteling |url=https://www.efteling.com/en/overnight-stays/locations |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Efteling |language=en}}</ref> The Efteling inaugurated its 30th fairytale in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Efteling theme park opens new fairytale-themed attraction and it's magical| publisher=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=9 October 2019|author=Julie Delahaye|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/europe/efteling-theme-park-opens-new-20543926|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref>

In December 2020, the park was forced to close in compliance with the new [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]] restrictions introduced by prime minister [[Mark Rutte]] and the [[third Rutte cabinet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Efteling niet meer open in 2020 |url=https://www.efteling.com/nl/blog/nieuws/20201214-derde-tijdelijke-sluiting |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=www.efteling.com |language=nl}}</ref>