On Wednesday, May 14, something magical will happen in Efteling’s enchanting Fairytale Forest (Sprookjesbos). A new royal guest is about to make her grand debut: The Princess on the Pea becomes the 31st fairytale to join this beloved corner of the park, offering visitors yet another charming story brought to life in true Efteling style.
👑 A Tale of Sensitivity and Suspicion
The classic tale, first penned by Hans Christian Andersen, is one of clever simplicity. A mysterious girl in tattered clothes shows up at a royal palace during a stormy night, claiming to be a princess. The queen, skeptical, devises a test—hiding a single pea beneath a towering stack of mattresses. Only a true princess, with extraordinary sensitivity, could feel it.
As the story goes, the next morning, the girl complains of a sleepless night caused by something hard under the bed. Her sensitivity proves her royal lineage, and she wins the heart of the prince. It's a fairytale that blends charm, wit, and the eternal search for authenticity.
🏰 A Royal Backdrop with Efteling Elegance
Tucked between the well-known stories of Mother Holle and The Troll King, the new scene is as atmospheric as it is whimsical. Head designer Sander de Bruijn, also manager of the Design & Experience department, took inspiration from a sketch by legendary Efteling artist Anton Pieck.
Pieck's technique of using large background elements to draw focus to foreground scenes is beautifully applied here. The Efteling Grand Hotel forms a majestic backdrop to the princess’s royal garden pavilion—designed as a luxurious annex to the hotel. It’s the perfect nod to a story all about sleep… or the lack thereof.
🗓 Dutch Theme Park Network Will Be There First!
We at Dutch Theme Park Network are thrilled to announce that we’ll be attending the exclusive preview on Monday, May 12 as annual pass holders. We’ll get a first look at the new fairytale experience and will share all the magical details, behind-the-scenes insights, and our first impressions in our next news update. Stay tuned!
Are you going to spot the princess who couldn’t sleep?
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