Efteling is set to densify the attraction lineup within its popular Ruigrijk area, offering a new intermediate thrill experience that bridges the gap between its gentle family offerings and high-intensity coasters.
Scheduled for the 2026 season, the addition aims to capitalise on the immersive world of one of the park’s most distinctively themed rides.
On May 1, 2026, the Dutch theme park will debut Hooghmoed, a new drop tower attraction situated directly adjacent to the Baron 1898 dive coaster. This expansion is designed to flesh out the narrative of the existing mine complex. While Baron 1898 focuses on the gold mine itself, Hooghmoed introduces visitors to Baron Gustave Hooghmoed’s gold smeltery.
The attractions will serve as the first thrill ride at Efteling accessible to children from 90 centimetres tall, provided they are accompanied by a guest of at least 130 centimetres. This strategic addition ensures that younger thrill-seekers have a viable alternative if they find the dive coaster too intense or do not yet meet its height requirements.
Narrative-driven engineering
True to Efteling’s reputation for storytelling, the hardware is heavily disguised by thematic elements. The structure represents the smeltery’s tall chimney, which requires regular cleaning. Guests take on the role of young chimney sweeps who must ascend the tower to perform this maintenance.
The experience involves being lifted to a height of 9.5 metres, where the gondola spins to provide spectacular views of the surroundings. The ride sequence is driven by the park’s lore, specifically the Witte Wieven (Wailing Women), supernatural entities associated with the Baron 1898 storyline. According to the backstory, these spirits appear to sabotage the machinery, causing a steel cable to snap. This triggers a controlled plunge of several metres into a pit of mist and smoke, simulating a mechanical failure.
Operational specifications
The Hooghmoed facility comprises three distinct drop towers, each standing 12 metres tall, clustered around a central 14.5-metre scenery element representing the chimney. This configuration allows for flexible operations, with each tower featuring its own ride sequence lasting approximately 1.5 minutes.
Each of the three towers accommodates 10 passengers, resulting in a total capacity of 30 guests per cycle. Park officials estimate an hourly throughput of 600 guests. The ride system features a maximum drop height of six metres, utilising sound and fog effects to heighten the sensation of the fall without relying solely on physical forces.
Accessibility and inclusion
In an effort to broaden the park’s usability, Efteling has ensured that each of the three lift towers includes a seat specifically modified for guests with disabilities. The design requires guests to be able to transfer independently from a wheelchair or mobility scooter to the ride seat.
By integrating this smaller-scale attraction into the existing footprint of the dive coaster, Efteling aims to contribute to capacity distribution in the Ruigrijk area while matching the atmospheric quality of its larger neighbour.
