Danse Macabre

Last August we visited the Netherlands. We based ourselves in Amsterdam and visited a few places and cities around there. I won’t write a review; it would be impossible to convey its beauty, its costs, its uniqueness, and its immersiveness. It was intense. That’s enough.

In the final days of our trip, we reached Efteling, the amusement park just over 100 km from the city. In 2023, it was the second most visited park in Europe after Disneyland Paris, but it typically ranks among the top parks this year. It’s surrounded by greenery, with a fairytale atmosphere and attractions that rival those of the Mouse parks. It was fantastic, and we were happy to end our vacation there.

At Efteling, there’s one attraction that, unlike many others, captivated us. It was the most beautiful attraction I’ve ever seen; it’s the park’s newest and one-of-a-kind. €35 million was spent on its construction: it uses a ride system never before seen anywhere in the world. It’s a revolving platform with six smaller revolving platforms inside, and everything dances, like a coin before it falls, in a gothic atmosphere to the rhythm of unforgettable music. It’s called Danse Macabre.

I almost miss it. Could you say I miss an attraction at an amusement park?

We had some memorable experiences there at Efteling. There wasn’t the “wow” factor of the Disney characters, but each attraction is perfectly themed and has nothing to envy of those of the famous American entertainment brand.

But what is it, a “danse macabre”? It’s a medieval European theme that represents the allegory of death¹: kings and beggars, young and old, rich and poor, all must dance with death when their time comes. Death makes no distinctions.

Death is the same for everyone. And it moves to the rhythm of a sublime music.