A European theme park resort has unveiled plans for a major new thrill ride set to debut at the end of the decade.
Representing a substantial capital investment, the upcoming attraction at Efteling will introduce a ride system previously unseen at the destination, featuring an immersive scientific narrative designed to welcome guests upon arrival at the resort. The development marks the final piece of a prominent themed land located near the Dutch park‘s main gates.
Efteling has confirmed the development of Missie Luminar, a suspended launch coaster scheduled to open in 2029. The project represents a 50 million-euro investment for the Dutch theme park, introducing a ride type in which passenger vehicles are suspended beneath the track rather than sitting above it.
The physical ride experience will last 123 seconds. During this time, the trains will hit a top speed of 80 km/h, though park officials note the sensation of speed may feel even faster due to the specific vehicle design. The layout is designed to be filled with airtime and multiple moments of weightlessness, alongside several surprising elements.
The adventure begins with a launch from a themed scientific institute. The story tasks riders with a mission into the unknown, with the ultimate goal of breaking through the light barrier. Surrounding the coaster’s footprint, the park is developing a heavily themed environment intended to immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the 19th century. This area will draw visual and narrative inspiration from historical voyages of discovery, scientific experiments, and remarkable natural phenomena from that era.
Strategic placement
The new roller coaster will be situated adjacent to the theme park’s main entrance, acting as the final addition to the Island of the Five Senses themed area. This zone currently features the House of the Five Senses, the Efteling Grand Hotel, the Efteling Theatre, and the Aquanura water show. Efteling envisions this completed area as a vibrant place of travel, arrivals, and departures, where every visitor will find something to discover.
Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling, outlined the operational strategy behind the new hardware. “Missie Luminar will be a fantastic addition to our collection of thrill rides,” he stated. “This type of roller coaster is new to Efteling. The top speed reaches 80 km/h, but it may feel even faster.”
Jurgens highlighted the strategic placement of the attraction and its visual impact on arriving crowds. “All of this creates excitement from start to finish. It will be a truly unique and distinctive experience, even more so because of its location,” he explained. “Missie Luminar completes the Island of the Five Senses themed area. Visitors will see the vehicles racing past as soon as they enter Efteling, setting the tone for their day at the park.”
Acknowledging the extended three-year timeline for the project’s delivery, Jurgens added, “We still have a little while to wait, but we’re looking forward to seeing our visitors’ first reactions.”
Although the attraction is not scheduled to open for a few seasons, the ride has already been tipped by the park as ‘the launch coaster of the century’. By placing a high-thrill coaster right at the entrance, Efteling aims to immediately capture the attention of incoming guests and set an energetic tone for the day’s experience. The integration of a 19th-century scientific aesthetic also continues the park’s tradition of detailed, narrative-driven environments while expanding its appeal to coaster enthusiasts seeking high-speed, dynamic ride elements.
