Dutch fairytale theme park Efteling has launched its new Danse Macabre dark ride and new themed area Huyverwoud Forest.

Inspired by the orchestral piece with the same name by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the Danse Macabre ride has been developed with Swiss ride manufacturer Intamin and is described as a “thrill ride with immersive show technology”. It consists of a turntable 18m in diameter topped by six smaller turntables, each with choir stall seating for 18 people. The large turntable rises, tilts and ‘spins like a coin’ before falling flat.

Danse Macabre replaces Efteling’s iconic Spookslot haunted castle attraction, which closed in September 2022.

Speaking to Attractions Management, Efteling CEO Fons Jurgens described Danse Macabre as: “Unique in the attractions industry … spectacular, creepy, exciting, thrilling, immersive and overwhelming – a haunted spectacle full of dark twists.”

The attraction sits with the new Huyverwoud Forest themed area, which was inspired by the original Spookslot haunted house attraction and houses themed catering, retail and entertainment. Visitors enter Huyverwoud Forest via an abandoned and derelict abbey square, and pass through an ‘ominous gateway’ and ‘grim graveyard’ as they queue for Danse Macabre.

‘It’s the first time at Efteling that we are realising a completely new themed area in one go, adding hospitality and retail in addition to a major attraction,” said head designer Jeroen Verheij.

“The entire themed area has been designed with great respect for and inspired by the iconic building of the Spookslot Haunted House. I am proud that my drawings were brought to life so beautifully by all the skilled people involved. Efteling visitors those who dare of course – will be completely immersed in a spooky world at Danse Macabre."