Efteling sets Dec. 1 for Raveleijn's new show and Ravenring

Three months to go, then the gate at Raveleijn opens again. From Dec. 1, visitors can walk the completely renovated city, watch the new park show "Raveleijn: Strijd om de stad" and ride Ravenring. The show is full of spectacular stunts. It has not been seen for almost a year. Today the park named the date and released four sketches and a teaser video.

Raveleijn returns as a fully renewed themed area, with renewed dining, a new souvenir shop and the Ravenring attraction. How the opening will be celebrated is something Efteling will announce later. Anyone who does not want to wait until December can look at the sketches of the new area and the teaser now. The video gives a sense of the atmosphere and the story of the new Raveleijn show.

Since it opened in 2011, Raveleijn has grown into one of Efteling's best-known stories. Five ordinary children pass through a secret gate, become brave riders and must defend the city against evil. More than 15 years after the opening, Raveleijn is waking up again.

The renewal costs 20 million euros. Koen Sanders, director of product, market and image, said: "The set has been thoroughly renewed, and Raveleijn is getting a brand-new show full of breathtaking spectacle with stunts, created in collaboration with the French theme park Puy du Fou. The core of the story remains the same: When evil comes, the heroes of Raveleijn join forces. The total investment in the renewal of Raveleijn is 20 million euros: 10 million euros for the new show, 5 million euros for the renovation of the area, and 5 million euros for the new Ravenring attraction."

The new show is called "Raveleijn: Strijd om de stad," the battle for the city. Ten years after the victory over the dragon Draconicon and the villain Olaf Grafhart, there is peace in Raveleijn. On the day of Thomas and Samira's wedding, a dark force awakens and disrupts the feast. The statue of Countess Halina, patroness of Raveleijn, watches over the square as the battle for the city breaks out. Visitors will find out who wins from Dec. 1.

Outside the city walls lies the camp with Ravenring. To protect the city of Raveleijn in the future as well, new heroes are always needed. In this exciting, rotating flight ritual their courage is put to the test. That is how guests discover which of the five magical elements suits them best. They take a seat in one of the 18 winged vehicles, inspired by the ravens of Raveleijn. Each flight has room for 36 visitors. Dutch ride manufacturer Vekoma developed the completely new attraction.

On the square stands the renewed inn Herberg De Verslaeghen Draek, where heroes and travelers come together. The house serves breakfast, lunch and dinner year-round. The menu is inspired by recipes and ingredients that travelers from around the world brought with them. Visitors can order a piece of Thomas and Samira's wedding cake, among other things.

In the new souvenir shop In den Ravenkorf, visitors find clothing, toys and other Raveleijn products. The heart of the store is a large raven basket. Hidden ravens sit among the wooden beams. It is also possible to have a photo taken with the heroes of Raveleijn.

From Dec. 1 the gate is open again. Efteling will say later how it wants to mark the opening.