Duinrell or Efteling: Which Is Better for Families?

Duinrell or Efteling: Which Is Better for Families? If you’re planning a family holiday to the Netherlands, there are two places that will probably keep popping up in your research – Duinrell and Efteling. We’ve visited both with the kids and, although they’re often mentioned together, they’re actually quite different. Efteling is a huge fairytale-themed theme park and somewhere you could easily spend a couple of days exploring. Duinrell, on the other hand, feels much more like a family holiday park that just happens to have an amusement park and huge waterpark on its doorstep!

So, if you’re trying to decide between Duinrell and Efteling, here’s how we found them and which I think is best for different types of family holiday. I’ve compared rides, accommodation, age suitability, length of stay and more!

Duinrell or Efteling – Which is better for families?

What is Duinrell?

Duinrell is a family holiday park in Wassenaar, South Holland, around 40 minutes from Amsterdam. What makes it a little different from your typical European holiday park is that it has its own theme park AND waterpark. The amusement park has everything from little kids’ rides to some surprisingly big thrill rides, including Falcon, which has a vertical drop and loop, and the family-friendly Dragonfly coaster.

Then you have the Tiki Pool, a huge indoor waterpark with more than 1.5km of waterslides, plus a separate outdoor waterpark during the warmer months. The waterpark is the main reason we’ve visited Duinrell twice – Lola absolutely loves waterslides and they are fabulous there! We’ve stayed at Duinrell twice as part of a proper family holiday rather than just visiting for the day, and I think that’s where it really comes into its own.

There are two options for booking a stay so check out my full reviews for booking directly with Duinrell or booking a Eurocamp Duinrell stay for everything you need to know before booking. (My comparison article on Duinrell: Eurocamp vs Booking Direct may also be a good place to start if you’re still undecided!)

What is Efteling?

Efteling offers a completely different experience – it’s much more of a traditional destination theme park. The whole place has a magical fairytale feel to it, with beautiful themed areas, the huge Fairytale Forest and some brilliant rides for both younger children and thrill seekers. There are some big rides including Baron 1898 (Finn and Lola’s favourite!), Python and Joris en de Draak, but there are also loads of attractions that the whole family can enjoy together, including Symbolica, Droomvlucht and Fata Morgana.

We found that Efteling is as much about wandering around and taking everything in as it is racing between rides. The theming is fabulous and it offers a full day (or more) of fun – it’s one of the best theme parks for families in Europe. Queues are quick – we visited in August and wait times were 5-40 minutes – and we had such a fabulous day. and You can read my full Efteling Review for loads more information about the rides, food, costs and what we thought of the park.

Duinrell vs Efteling – which has the best theme park for families?

Efteling wins this one. Duinrell’s amusement park is brilliant, particularly when you consider it’s included as part of your holiday, but I wouldn’t say the actual theme park compares with Efteling. Efteling is on another level when it comes to size and atmosphere. It also boasts considerably more large-scale attractions. There are huge dark rides, rollercoasters, shows and beautifully themed areas, plus the Fairytale Forest which you could easily spend a couple of hours exploring on its own. It also feels much more immersive. You feel like you’ve gone somewhere specifically to visit a theme park rather than visiting the amusement park attached to your holiday resort.

That’s not necessarily a criticism of Duinrell, though. In fact, one of the things we love most about Duinrell is how relaxed the site feels. When you’re staying on site, you don’t have to cram everything into one day. We could pop in for a few rides, head back to our accommodation for lunch and then wander back later. It’s also well set up to have something for kids of all ages – probably offering the most for primary-school age children. For a dedicated theme park day, Efteling wins. As something included as part of a family holiday, Duinrell is brilliant. If you’re staying at Duinrell, unlimited access to the theme park attractions is included during your stay.

Which is better for younger children?

I’m undecided on whether Duinrell or Efteling is better suited to families with younger children – they both cater to little ones well. At Efteling, the Fairytale Forest is absolutely lovely for younger kids and there are plenty of gentle rides and attractions that families can enjoy together. There’s loads to see even if your children aren’t tall enough for the bigger rides. Duinrell also has plenty for little ones, including smaller rides, soft play and play areas. Plus, the Tiki Pool has dedicated areas and smaller waterslides for younger children. If you’ve got a mix of ages, Duinrell works particularly well because there’s something for everyone. I think this one might be a tie!

Which is better for older children?

For older children, perhaps age 7-11, I think Duinrell might just come out ahead. It has a good selection of family-friendly rides and coasters (fun without being too crazy!) as well as extras like bumper boats, the toboggan run, playgrounds and fairground style rides. With the waterpark offering plenty of fun alongside this, I would say Duinrell is well-suited to this age range. Having said that, Efteling has plenty to offer children of all ages too and there are some fun rides like Max & Moritz and the Piraña River Rapids that would appeal to primary age kids.

Which is better for teenagers?

This is a tough one – Efteling wins for thrill rides but the Duinrell waterpark is fantastic for teenagers – I can’t decide again! Let’s break it down. Efteling has some brilliant rollercoasters for thrill-seekers – Finn and Lola had a fantastic day and rode their favourite rides multiple times. It has a great selection of rides for adults and teens, and definitely wins on that respect compared to Duinrell. Efteling is on a much bigger scale and the kids said the coasters there were some of their new favourites (and we’ve been to a lot of theme parks!).

On the flipside, Duinrell is a more family-friendly theme park with a sprinkle of scary rides for teens (the Falcon ride is the only coaster with a steep drop and inversions). But, having said that, my two still love the splash ride, toboggan run and some of the tamer coasters there. However, it’s the Tiki Pool that really stands out for teens. There are lots of very speedy flumes – and tons to choose from – so the pool area is extremely well-suited to older ones. Finn and Lola love the waterpark so much that even after two holidays at Duinrell they’re still discussing coming back!

👉 For big thrill rides, I think Efteling is the clear winner but if your teenagers are more into waterparks then Duinrell is definitely worth a visit – and the theme park there is still great fun!

Duinrell Tiki Pool makes a BIG difference

The waterpark is probably the biggest perk that Duinrell has that Efteling doesn’t. The Tiki Pool is a proper attraction in its own right rather than just a swimming pool attached to a holiday park. There are loads of waterslides, indoor pools and children’s areas, plus an outdoor waterpark during the warmer months. If your kids love swimming and waterslides as much as mine do then this could genuinely be the thing that makes you choose Duinrell over Efteling. It’s also not weather dependent as the main waterpark is indoors – making it suitable for year-round visits. Just remember that Tiki Pool access depends on how you’ve booked your Duinrell holiday and where you’re staying. Check out my Duinrell Eurocamp vs Direct Comparison before booking.

Duinrell or Efteling – which has the best accommodation for families?

This really depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for. Duinrell has much more of a traditional European holiday park feel. You can stay in Eurocamp holiday homes, book Duinrell’s Duingalow holiday homes, go glamping or even bring your own tent, caravan or motorhome. There are some much bigger and more luxurious Duingalows too, so you’re not limited to basic mobile home accommodation.

Efteling’s accommodation feels much more like an extension of the theme park experience. You can stay at Efteling’s hotels or holiday villages, including Bosrijk and Loonsche Land, for easy access to the theme park. Plus, staying in Efteling accommodation includes entry to the theme park on all days of your stay, including your arrival and departure days. For a theme park short break the Efteling accommodation wins but for a longer family holiday I’d choose Duinrell.

Which is better for a week-long holiday?

Duinrell easily wins for a week-long family holiday. This is where I think it’s important not to compare the two purely as theme parks. I could happily spend a couple of days at Efteling, but I wouldn’t personally choose to spend an entire week’s holiday just visiting the theme park. Duinrell works much better as a base for a longer Netherlands holiday. You’ve got the amusement park and Tiki Pool on site, but you can also have slower days around the holiday park or head out and explore. Wassenaar beach isn’t far away and you can plan days out to places including The Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam. That gives you a much better mix if you’re staying for five nights or more.

Having said that, you can also book a holiday park stay for your Efteling visit to get the best of both worlds. There are some incredible places to stay just a short distance from Efteling with swimming pools, kids’ clubs and activities, waterslides, playgrounds and all sorts! Booking self-catering accommodation can also be a great way to save money and it typically works so well for families giving you space to spread out and plenty of bedrooms. Marvilla Parks Kaatsheuvel is just 10 minutes from Efteling whilst Lake Resort Beekse Bergen is around a 20 minute drive – both are fantastic resorts for a week-long getaway with the kids. For even more options, check out my article on the 10 Best Places to Stay Near Efteling Theme Park with Kids.

Which is better for a short break?

For a couple of nights specifically built around visiting a theme park, I’d choose Efteling. Staying on site gives you the chance to spread the park across more than one day rather than trying to squeeze everything in. It also means you can enjoy Efteling at a slightly slower pace, which I’d recommend because there is so much detail around the park that it would be a shame to spend the whole day rushing – particularly if you’re visiting at a busier time of year. Plus, you’ll have access to the theme park for your entire stay. My Efteling Review is a great place to start if you want to see on-site accommodation options or places to stay nearby.

Which is more like Disneyland Paris?

Definitely Efteling – although I wouldn’t describe it as a Dutch Disneyland. It has its own completely different style. What they have in common is the feeling that the theme park itself is the destination. There’s loads of theming, storytelling and attention to detail, rather than it simply being a collection of rides. Duinrell is much closer to the sort of family holiday you might have at a big Eurocamp park – except there’s a theme park and waterpark attached!

Duinrell Pros and Cons

What we loved:

👉 Amusement park included when staying on site
👉 Huge Tiki Pool waterpark
👉 Brilliant for kids of all ages
👉 Lots of accommodation choices
👉 Works really well for a week-long family holiday
👉 Easy to combine with other Netherlands days out
👉 You don’t feel pressured to spend an entire day in the amusement park
👉 Camping and glamping options available

Things to consider:

👉 The amusement park isn’t as impressive or immersive as Efteling
👉 Tiki Pool access isn’t necessarily unlimited
👉 What’s included depends on your accommodation and how you book
👉 Some of the accommodation is fairly typical holiday park/mobile home style
👉 You need to compare direct and Eurocamp prices to find the best deal

Efteling Pros and Cons

What we loved:

👉 Beautiful theming
👉 Brilliant mix of family rides and thrill rides
👉 Loads for younger children
👉 Fairytale Forest is completely different to anything at Duinrell
👉 Plenty for teenagers
👉 Feels like a proper destination theme park
👉 Staying on site lets you spread your visit across multiple days
👉 Lots of attractions the whole family can enjoy together

Things to consider:

👉 No waterpark like Duinrell’s Tiki Pool
👉 I’d see it more as a short break than a week-long holiday
👉 You may want more than one day to see everything
👉 If your kids aren’t particularly interested in theme parks, Duinrell gives you a bit more variety

Duinrell or Efteling: Which is better for families and which do we prefer?

This is actually a difficult question because we love both of them for completely different reasons. If you asked me which has the better theme park, I’d say Efteling. The theming is fantastic, there are some brilliant rides and it’s one of those places where there’s something interesting around every corner. But if you asked me which I’d choose for a family holiday, I’d pick Duinrell. Having the amusement park and Tiki Pool right next to your accommodation gives you so much flexibility, particularly if you’re staying for a week.

However, option number three is also work thinking about – there are plenty of fabulous holiday parks near Efteling so you can still enjoy a week-long break alongside your theme park fun if you want the best of both worlds! Or, just to give you waaaaay too much to think about, you could also head to both – you can just visit Duinrell for the day so you could pick a resort in driving distance of both theme parks if you can’t decide! 😂 Or, look at a multi-stay holiday if you’re road tripping. (Too many options – sorry!)

My verdict would be:

👉 Best theme park: Efteling

👉 Best for a short theme park break: Efteling

👉 Best for a longer family holiday: Duinrell (or book a holiday park near Efteling!)

👉 Best for younger children: Either works

👉 Best for older children: Duinrell

👉 Best for teenagers: Efteling for the rollercoasters but Duinrell for the waterpark

👉Best for waterpark lovers: Duinrell

And if you have the time? Do both! They offer such different experiences that I wouldn’t say visiting one makes the other unnecessary at all.

Which would we book again?

We’d happily return to both but for different types of trip. For a Netherlands summer holiday, Duinrell would be our first choice. We love the freedom of having the amusement park and Tiki Pool available without the whole holiday revolving around theme park days. For a shorter two night break where the theme park is the main event we’d choose Efteling. Or, for the best of both worlds, a holiday park stay nearby works well alongside an Efteling visit. We stayed at TerSpegelt to facilitate our day at Efteling – allowing us to enjoy the theme park and still have a full week of family fun. 😍

I hope this hasn’t confused you even more! 😂 But, in all honesty, you’re likely to have a fabulous time whether you pick Duinrell or Efteling because they both have so much to offer families. Check out my reviews and guides to find out more about what it’s actually like to visit each with kids. This lot are a great place to start…