| Watch the on-ride POV |
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| The exterior of the ride by night | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Manufacturer | Intamin | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Product | Dynamic Motion Stage | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capacity | 108 per cycle | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hourly capacity | 1250 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 20 metres | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cabins | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Danse Macabre is a enclosed Dynamic Motion Stage currently located at Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, North Brabant, Netherlands.
History
The ride was officially announced on 17 May 2022, but it had already been mentioned on 24 January in the closure announcement of Spookslot. However, it wasn't named at this point, and no other details were given either.[1]
The ride type was leaked on 12 June 2022. The ride will feature a round platform containing the seats. This platform is able to move up and down, rotate and tilt in every direction.[2] The ride system and manufacturer were officially confirmed on 31 October 2022. The ride featured a new system made in collaboration between Efteling and Intamin. The ride was branded as a "blend between a dynamic show and a thrill ride".[3] Efteling was looking for an existing ride system at first, but could not find a system that met the wishes of the design team. Multiple manufacturers were then approached to design a completely new ride system, with Intamin eventually taking on the design and construction of the ride.[4] Interestingly, a similar situation occurred with Villa Volta, the first Madhouse by Vekoma.
The ride opened for press on 30 Oktober 2024, being open for all guests a day later on 31 Oktober 2024.[5]
Design
The ride system is branded as a Dynamic Motion Stage by Intamin, featuring 6 cars on a platform. The platform is able to rotate, tilt and rise up and down. The seats itself are also able to rotate and tilt. The system itself is highly customisable, able to fully immerse guests in the world of the supernatural.
Gondolas
6 gondolas. Riders are arranged 6 across in 3 rows, for a total of 18 riders per gondola and 108 riders per cycle. The gondolas are themed to church benches.
Story
The attraction sees guests enter the remains of a ruinous abbey, with the chappel being one of the only parts that is left. This chappel is also the location where an international music competition was held on a Friday the 13th in 1876. This competition was attended by conductor Joseph Charlatan and his orchestra. They would perform the Danse Macabre that was released the previous year in 1875. This rendition of the piece was said to be performed wonderfully, but panic broke out when the entire orchestra vanished not long after finishing their performance. This led to the abbey becoming abandoned and slowly decaying to its current state. The orchestra didn't actually vanish however, but they where killed and doomed by the Unnamable, a shapeshifting creature most often appearing as an innocent black kitten. This prompts them to replay their music piece in the chappel each night, as the Unnamable lures in more victims.
Back in the present, Virginie Charlatan has found the site where her great-great-grandfather Joseph Charlatan had perished all those years ago. She decides to set up camp there with her husband, Otto Charlatan. This is where they repurposed some old buildings to sell tourists merchandise of this haunted place, while still warning people of the innocent looking black kitten.[6]
Theme
The attraction is themed to resemble a ruinous abbey. Parts of the outdoor queue are resembling a cloister, herb garden, graveyard and mysterious forest. Guests enter the main show building into catacombs, which connect to the actual ride. The room in which the ride system is located resembles a chapel. The basement of the chapel, which can be seen during the ride cycle, resembles a crypt with multiple tombs.
References
- ↑ "New hotel and renewed themed area in 2024".
- ↑ "This will be the new Efteling attraction Danse Macabre".
- ↑ "Efteling onthult attractietype Danse Macabre in eerste aflevering Making-of".
- ↑ "Efteling bevestigt attractietype Danse Macabre: draaiende en kantelende koorbanken".
- ↑ "Extra entertainment op openingsdag Danse Macabre in de Efteling".
- ↑ "Report: Giving Danse Macabre at Efteling a Spin".
External links
| The category Danse Macabre contains additional media. |
- Danse Macabre on the Dark Ride DataBase.
- Danse Macabre on Spotify.
