Hooghmoed at Efteling: Everything we've learned about the new attraction (Opening May 1, 2026)

Efteling never ceases to surprise us. Just as we are coming off a memorable stay testing the Grand Hotel and the new version of Danse Macabre, the Dutch park has just unveiled its next gem: Hooghmoed. Scheduled for May 1, 2026, this attraction promises to transform the Baron 1898 zone into a true narrative complex.

A need for thrills for the whole family

During our last visit (which you can find in our vlog below), we noticed how dynamic the Ruigrijk zone is. However, for families with young children, Baron 1898 can be intimidating, or even inaccessible due to the height requirement. That’s where Hooghmoed comes in.

Located right next to the famous gold mine, this new attraction fills a gap. It is not just a simple drop tower, but an immersive experience designed to offer thrills to the youngest guests (from 90 cm) while telling a deep story, faithful to Efteling tradition.

The story: Between ambition and curse

The name "Hooghmoed" (pride in Dutch) refers directly to Gustave Hooghmoed, the wealthy baron of the neighboring mine. In this new adventure, we are no longer miners, but young chimney sweeps hired to maintain the gigantic gold foundry.

The plot thickens when the "Witte Wieven" (the White Shadows), already well known to Baron fans, come to sabotage the foundry’s elevator. As you ascend to perform your tasks, the mechanism goes wild under the influence of these mysterious spirits. It’s this direct narrative link with the surrounding attractions that makes the experience so rich. Efteling doesn’t just build rides; they create interconnected worlds.

Technical details: What to expect on May 1st

Hooghmoed consists of three 12-meter-high towers. The experience is not a classic and brutal freefall. Passengers will rise up to 9.5 meters before undergoing a series of controlled drops of approximately 6 meters.

• Accessibility: With a minimum height of 90 cm, it is the ideal "thrill" attraction for children.
• Capacity: Approximately 600 people per hour, which should allow for decent flow, even if the attraction will be crowded upon opening.
• Immersion: The park has invested heavily in special effects. Expect thick mist, projections simulating the heat of the foundry, and an orchestral soundtrack reminiscent of the epic themes of Baron 1898.

Integration into "Ruigrijk": An architectural masterpiece

Visually, Hooghmoed will be an extension of the gold foundry. The building will use noble materials: aged bricks, riveted metal structures, and smoking chimneys. The idea is to create a contrast between the verticality of the towers and the massive appearance of the Baron’s mine shaft. During our visit in February, we were able to see the first foundations, and the integration promises to be masterful.

Our last stay at Efteling

Before the arrival of Hooghmoed, rediscover the park’s atmosphere, our full test of the Grand Hotel, and our opinions on the latest renovations in our dedicated video.

In this vlog, we take you to discover the changes on "De Vliegende Hollander" and our unfiltered opinion on the Grand Hotel!

The Park Trips extra: Inclusion at the heart of the project

A point that is particularly close to our hearts at Park Trips is accessibility. Efteling has confirmed that each Hooghmoed tower will have a seat specifically designed to facilitate the transfer of people with reduced mobility. It is a detail that shows the park continues to place the experience of all visitors at the center of its concerns.

2026 Development: A pivotal year

The opening of Hooghmoed is just one piece of the puzzle. In 2026, Efteling will be in full swing with the ramp-up of the Grand Hotel (which we tested for you, with its attic rooms and breathtaking view of the entrance) and the celebrations surrounding the park’s 80th anniversary.

Park Trips' Opinion

For us, Hooghmoed is exactly what was missing from the zone. It is an attraction that allows for waiting or sharing a moment of thrills as a family while the more daring tackle the vertical drop of the Baron. The theme of chimney sweeping and the foundry is original and extends the "Steampunk" universe that we love so much at Efteling.

Our advice: Plan your visit starting in May to enjoy the new addition, but if you want to avoid the crowds, the Park Trips app will allow you to see in real-time the best slots to chain attractions together!