On May 14, Efteling in Kaatsheuvel sprinkles some fairy-tale magic with Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse in its Märchenwald. Picture a princess tossing and turning on a sky-high pile of mattresses, all because of one tiny pea. Flemish star Geike Arnaert sings her story, and a gorgeous pavilion steals the show. Oh, and hotel guests? You’re getting your own VIP entrance. Who’s ready to dive into this enchanted world?
A Fairy-Tale Party in the Märchenwald
Mark your calendars—May 14 is the big day! Efteling’s Märchenwald rolls out the red carpet for its 31st tale, Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse. Tucked between the quirky Trollkönig and Frau Holle’s shimmering well, our princess wrestles with sleep on a wobbly stack of twenty mattresses and plush duvets. That sneaky pea? It’s her worst enemy. Lackeys are hustling, lugging mattresses left and right, while the Märchenwald crew buzzes with excitement for their new royal guest. The Efteling Grand Hotel towers in the background, looking like it jumped straight out of Hans Christian Andersen’s sketchbook. Pure magic!
A Story That Sings to Your Soul
Hold up—this isn’t your grandma’s fairy tale. For the first time ever, the Märchenwald gets a sung story! Geike Arnaert, the Flemish songstress, spins the princess’s tale with a melody that’ll give you chills. Efteling’s music wizard René Merkelbach teamed up with Karel Willemen for lyrics that hit right in the feels. Want more? On May 16, Efteling drops a three-song EP, including this gem, on Spotify. It’s a whole vibe, totally different from Wieteke van Dort’s classic narrations for Rotkäppchen or Die sechs Schwäne. Trust me, you’ll be humming along.
A Pavilion That Screams Royalty
Can we talk about this pavilion? It’s next-level! Sander de Bruijn, the design genius, took a page from Anton Pieck’s playbook, crafting a romantic hideaway that vibes perfectly with the Efteling Grand Hotel’s grandeur. That hotel in the background? It’s like a fairy-tale castle, making the whole sleep-struggle scene pop. Pieck’s secret sauce—sticking something epic in the back—works like a charm here. The pavilion feels like a cozy royal retreat, begging you to snap a pic or two.
Hotel Guests, You’re in for a Treat
Hey, Efteling Grand Hotel guests, listen up! Starting this summer, you’ll strut through a swanky new gate right into the Märchenwald. It’s the third entrance, and it drops you smack at Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse. Talk about VIP treatment! One minute you’re sipping coffee in your room, the next you’re living a fairy tale. Bet you’re already packing your bags.
The Tale That’s Got Us Hooked
You know how it goes. A prince is on a mission for a real-deal princess. One wild, stormy night, a soaked girl in a ripped dress bangs on the palace door, swearing she’s royalty from some far-off land. The queen’s not buying it, so she slips a pea under twenty mattresses and duvets. Next morning? The girl’s groaning—no sleep, thanks to “something hard.” Boom, she’s legit! The Märchenwald brings this story to life, and it’s as captivating as it sounds.
Spot the Princess, Score a Dream Stay
Here’s the fun part: Find the Princess on the Pea in the Märchenwald, and you might just win a stay at Efteling! While trolls and fairies catch their z’s, our princess is wide awake, cursing that pesky pea. Starting May 14, swing by, soak in the fairy-tale vibes, and maybe walk away with a magical getaway. Don’t miss this—it’s too good to snooze through!
