Today, the Dutch Council of State ruled on the development plan 'Wereld van de Efteling 2030' and the appeals against the plan that were submitted. The appeals have been rejected, which means that the development plan can go ahead.

Details of the plan were first confirmed in 2018, with a new attraction set to open in 2020, but when appeals were made the project had to be delayed. It will now be delivered in three phases, with the final stage complete in 2030.

Giant step towards the future

Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling:

"In 2015, in cooperation with the municipality of Loon op Zand, we started with the first sketches for the development plan 'World of Efteling 2030'. Since then, there has been much and careful consultation with local residents, the municipality and nature organisations. The fact that the development plan is now definitive makes me very proud. For us, it really feels like the first giant step towards the future that we have in mind for the World of Efteling that we have in mind."

Construction probably from next year onwards

Despite the positive ruling, construction will not begin immediately. Due to the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, large investments such as this will only begin from next year onwards. The first step planned by Efteling is the expansion on the eastern side of the existing theme park.