25 years on, Toverland poised for expansion
Dutch theme park to transform into destination resort
Efteling may be the most well-known theme park in the Netherlands, but it’s not the only one. Toverland, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is investing €98 million for a major expansion. Plans call for new attractions along with the park’s first on-property hotel. With the introduction of accommodations, Toverland will become a destination resort.
The new Ithaka Resort will be located within the park. The 744-unit, Greek-inspired property, which will include rooms, villas, and suites, will be adjacent to Toverland’s Greek-themed land, Ithaka. Scheduled to open in summer 2027, it will feature restaurants, a pool complex, and a wellness facility among its amenities. Some hotel guests will be able to see Troy, the park’s 105-foot wooden coaster built by Great Coasters International, from their windows.
In addition to encouraging multi-day stays, on-property accommodations allow guests to leave the everyday world and more fully immerse themselves in the park experience. The larger Efteling offers four hotels at a variety of price points and with different themes.
The first land that guests enter at Toverland is Port Laguna. According to the park, the tropical harbor village is slated to get a big-budget, new dark ride along with other attractions. The rides are slated to debut in 2027 as well, although they may not open until late in the year. Toverland has not released any details about the dark ride, but it will likely feature the homegrown characters featured in the land, which include a parrot named Ivy and other members of the Magistralis family.
Other smaller attractions planned for Port Laguna are a demolition derby-themed car ride and a pint-sized log flume for younger guests. Elsewhere in Toverland, Maximus’ Blitz Bahn, which is a bobsled ride in a metal tough or chute that is sort of a cross between a roller coaster and an alpine mountain coaster, has been retired. It will be replaced later this year with what the park promises will be an even faster, more aggressive bobsled ride that will include swinging cars. It appears that passengers will have some control over the speed of their individual vehicles.
Among Toverland’s other highlights is Fenix, a B&M wing coaster that climbs 131 feet, hits 59 mph, and includes three inversions. Themed to the mythical firebird, it includes a brief confrontation with the creature just before the train leaves the station. The boat-based attraction, Merlin’s Quest, includes a dark ride sequence in which guests encounter the Arthurian wizard. There is also Djengu River, a themed river rapids ride with tunnels and fog effects. It features the Dwervels, playful characters that live along the riverbanks of Magic Valley and enjoy splashing passengers.
Do you enjoy staying on property at theme park resorts? Have you visited (or heard of) Toverland?