There is something about Christmas that invites us to slow down. The year draws to a close, the days grow darker, and suddenly there is space to look back before rushing forward again. For me, that moment of pause always brings me back to the same feeling. Gratitude.
Gratitude for the places that brought joy.
Gratitude for the people who shared it.
Gratitude for the stories we experienced together.
If you are reading this, this letter is for you.
Thank You for Being Here
Over the past year, what has stood out most is not a single ride, announcement, or expansion. It is the people. The conversations. The messages. The shared excitement when news breaks, the thoughtful responses to a post, the quiet recognition of someone who simply understands why these places matter.
Everyone who reads this, comments, shares, or just quietly follows along is part of that. You may never meet each other, but you are connected by something simple and powerful. A love for wonder. For storytelling. For moments that make life feel lighter.
That sense of community is something I do not take for granted, especially at this time of year.
Thank You for the Joy
Theme park joy is rarely loud in the way people expect. It lives in small moments.
The first step into a park on a cold morning.
Warm lights against winter skies.
Music drifting through an empty walkway.
A shared smile in a queue.
That feeling of anticipation just before something begins.
This year was full of those moments, and they remind me why I keep coming back, not just to parks, but to the stories around them.
Thank You for the Future Ahead
There is also something deeply hopeful about theme parks.
New lands, new parks, new expansions. New stories waiting to be told. New reasons to gather. New memories that do not exist yet, but will one day feel familiar.
Looking ahead feels especially meaningful at Christmas. It reminds us that joy is not only something we look back on, but something we are allowed to anticipate. Dreaming about what is coming next is part of the magic.
A Christmas Wish
As this year closes, my wish is a simple one.
That you find moments of warmth.
That you allow yourself to slow down.
That you keep choosing joy and share it with the people around you.
That you carry a little of that theme park wonder with you, wherever you go next.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for sharing the joy. And thank you for making this community what it is.
Merry Christmas,
from one theme park lover to another.
GET TWO E-BOOKS JUST FOR SIGNING UP
When you sign up for our email list, you receive two e-books for free created y me (Jolanda) to help you enjoy theme parks with less stress and more confidence.
You will receive
- The Ultimate Theme Park Packing List Europe Edition
and the
- Theme Park Basics The No Stupid Questions Guide
Both e-books are based on real experience and written to support you before and during your visit, whether it is your first time or your fiftieth.
A perfect theme park day does not come from a spreadsheet. It comes from understanding how parks actually work, how crowds move, how energy shifts, and how to make smart decisions without turning your day into a checklist.
This e-book guides you through:
-
What truly makes a day feel successful;
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How crowd flow works;
- Using theme park apps without letting them take over and more.
"Hi I'm Jolanda and every Sunday, I sit down with a cup of coffee to write about the place where wonder meets reality: theme parks. This blog is where I share the stories behind the magic, the rides, the people, the memories, and the lessons they leave behind. If you believe theme parks are more than attractions, welcome home and hope to see you again next week."
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Comments
Thank you for everything you do and for making our trips to Efteling just that little bit more magical. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a New Year that brings you everything you want. x