A Ride Worthy of the Legends?
Not knowing much about the Dutch legend (bar the couple of references in the Pirates of the Carribbean franchise) the trouble I initially thought is would I have an idea what was going on. As a non-Dutch speaker, as much as I can appreciate Efteling's own Villa Volta, it is very story driven and only can work out vague parts of the story (much like a non English speaker would not be able to work out what was going on in Hex at Alton Towers). Rides like Pirates of the Carribbean, you do not need to know the native language, you can enjoy it for what it is, so what is De Vliegende Hollander?
After a small outdoor style cattlepen, you find yourself indoors, which is where most of the queue takes place. If both stations are being used, I use the term loosely as it almost because a slow moving walkthrough attraction, through a naval office, a pub before ending up at the docks (i.e. the station), the attention to detail here is phenomenal, if the quick moving queue was not enough to hold your attention, then the themeing and decoration certainly will. As you get closer to the station platform, TV screens tell you a bit of background about the Flying Dutchman, thankfully there is a Dutch version and an English version. Like with Pirates of the Carribbean, it does not matter if you do not speak either (or if the queue moves too quick for you to appreciate it) but it gives you a bit of context before you make your descent down the stairs to one of the two ride stations.
The "boats" are comfy but a little strange, they feel open enough yet very deep and a strange 3 x 4 x 3 x 4 row configuration (still if you are on your own, you are likely to get on the next boat fairly quickly) I also use the term "boats" as unlike Poseidon at Europa Park, De Vliegende Hollander water sections is literally submerged roller coaster track rather than the floating boats of Poseidon. Whilst you get a good view on all rows, the best immersion is definitely on the front row, where you notice a lion is holding a lamp between its teeth.
Once you are on your way, you can tell you are not floating but rolling, as the noise from the wheels underneath you is noticeable. Before you know it, you are in the first scene.
As anyone knows, to get out onto the open sea, you need to first leave the harbour. The track takes you past a huge ship complete with crane loading on its supplies for its next voyage, thankfully we navigate safely past and we are now in the second room.
This is where being at the front gets you the best experience, the music changes from the jolly sailor music into something a bit more sinister and eerie, leaving the port behind, we are now on the open sea with a thick layer of sea mist. Seagulls sound away and all you can see is fog, you hear the sound of another ship but you cannot see it as you delve deeper into that never ending fog. It's a simple effect but much like your car headlights on a foggy day, the light on the boat has the same effect.
Going on as we must, the fog disappears slightly as it turns to rain and we have sight of the ghost ship itself, the Flying Dutchman heading straight towards us. The effect here is a simple water projection but it works surprising well. As it disappears, we're now in the middle of a thunderstorm, with the flashes of lightning showing up the detail of the Dutchman itself. This is now no longer a projection but a fully themed bow of a ship. As we get nearer the lion figurehead appears haunted and starts glowing its red piercing eyes, as the ship seemingly swallows up our little boat.
This is the first drop of the ride taken in virtual near darkness at a steepish gradient. As our momentum runs out, we are now facing upwards at 45 degrees as the storm continues on highlighting a face that soon becomes a skull with a menacing laugh. It is at this point we now start ascending to the tallest part of the ride, with some Dutch being spoken before we leave the indoor section.
A downwards bend to the right follows taking us virtually to lake level, it's quite elongated but not with many forces, as we ascend into a hill that ever so slightly gives us a slight pop of airtime, before we end up in a immelmann style turn. After the speed we took the previous hill, this turn does take a lot of momentum out of our vehicle at the tallest point of this specific turn. We rise up again, this time into a small building, as we enter the midcourse brake run. I get why its there, but much like The Big One in Blackpool, it does take further momentum away. As we descend again, we get our photo taken just before a left hand turn over the lake rises before dropping into the water creating a splash.
The splash itself is more impressive offride than onride. Strangely enough for a water ride, you do not actually get particularly wet on it and the splash itself is more for spectacle. I could imagine if the wind was in the wrong direction I guess it could blow back onto the "boat" but on the four separate occasions I've visited Efteling (including the middle of August), I got wetter in the fog scene rather than the splash and the fog was just more a mist.
As the splash dissipates the boat takes one final mini drop deeper into the lake before an elongated bend to view other people making the same splash you did barely 30 seconds ago and before you know it you are back in the station building where you started the journey roughly five minutes ago.
De Vliegende Hollander is most certainly a ride of two halves, you've got the very atmospheric dark ride section and you've got a fun, yet small coaster section. If it was just the coaster, this would be a very disappointing attraction, however, like with Baron 1898 at the same park, De Vliegende Hollander is an experience. From the elaborately themed queueline, to the dark ride section and the coaster section just being a finale. When added in that you do not really get wet on the ride, not only is this a must in all weathers and seasons at Efteling (take note UK parks!) but one to experience in Europe.
As mentioned though, it depends what you are looking for, for the coaster cred people who are looking for an excellent coaster, De Vligende Hollander is not for you. Equally if you are looking for a relaxing dark ride, it is not for you.
It may be 17 years old in 2023 but Efteling are looking after it and despite a few moments of slower moments on the coaster section, this is one of the finest rides in Europe as the complete package.
The Good:
- Quick moving queue (usually)
- Well themed, indoor queue
- Unique attraction
- Indoor section well themed
- The music
- Not a wet water ride
- Relatively smooth coaster section
The Bad:
- The coaster section doesn't do that much
- Some noticeable transitions when traversing through bends
- If the fog room is not working, you are missing out
The Ugly:
- Rubbish in the queue can detract from the theming
- Sometimes a strange smell in the station area
The Verdict:
5/5
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