For parents of young children, playgrounds are often among the most welcomed attractions in a crowded theme park. There's nothing better than turning your kids to run free around a playground for a while after they've spent hours waiting in queues for other rides and shows in the park.
But for parents of children with disabilities, theme park playgrounds can be just one more frustration in middle of a challenging day. Fortunately, a major theme park is developing a new playground attraction with inclusiveness in mind.
Next summer, Dutch theme park Efteling will open Nest, an inclusive play area that will be accessible to children with a variety of disabilities.
The new play area will include a wheelchair slide, raised sandboxes, and a "calming area" for kids to find some peace and quiet after playing. The playground will be themed to Efteling's roller coasters, so younger children can feel included in the experiences that their older siblings might be enjoying. Nest will be located near Python and the De Vliegende Hollander and will replace the Polka Marina spinner ride.
Here is a preview from the park:
Polka Marina will close on November 30, with construction for Nest beginning in January. The new play area will open next summer.
* * *
We wanted you to read this article before we make our newsletter pitch, unlike so many other websites. If you appreciate that — and our approach to covering theme park news — please sign up for our free, three-times-a-week email newsletter. Thank you.
Fantastic, well done. My son is on the spectrum and while he loves theme parks, he can easily get overstimulated. A calming zone is a great call.
This is awesome. I know U.S. amusement and theme parks do accommodate those with special needs in most of their attractions, but this is the first time I have heard of a play area within a park that does so.
They have included the trees in the design of the play area. So as few as possible trees will be cut down. I think they are gonna plant extra trees because in that area there arent even that much trees.
This is a great step by Efteling. I remember when I was in the United States theme park, my disabled brother had a lot of fun there. We listened to Mac Miller songs in his concert and he also distributed his merch to the disabled fans. Efteling is doing a wonderful thing in this way.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Efteling could learn a lot from American theme parks regarding serving people with disabilities and special needs. It's not regulated in the Netherlands unfortunately.
But this is a very positive step in the right direction. Unfortunately many of the parks trees will be cut to create this and that is a sensitieve topic (as it should be).