News about Python

Looopings reports that Efteling has added a new queue-direction aid at Python. At the entrance to the roller coaster, visitors now find a wheel that shows whether their party should join the line for even-numbered or odd-numbered groups. The split itself is not entirely new: Efteling tested this approach from 18 to 29 May 2026. What has changed is the presentation. The system now uses a themed wheel in Python’s dark red scale pattern, with the numbers 1 through 8 printed on it. When a number is placed in the ring, an arrow underneath points guests to the correct queue. The idea is to balance the flow into the station and reduce empty seats caused by groups being combined inefficiently. For visitors, the main difference is that the decision is made immediately at the entrance instead of later in the queue. The trial fits Efteling’s wider effort to make waiting lines at major attractions easier to manage.

The spring storm of 31 March 2015 affected theme park operations in the Netherlands and Germany at the same time. Looopings reported wind speeds of more than 90 kilometres per hour in the Netherlands, while German reports described the storm as a hurricane, with gusts above 150 kilometres per hour. For parks, safety took priority over offering a full ride line-up.

At Efteling, Pagode, Python and Joris en de Draak were kept out of service for the time being. Toverland closed Troy, Dwervelwind, Booster Bike and the Survival Parcours as a precaution; Maximus' Blitz Bahn was also down because of technical issues. With the ride offering reduced so sharply, Toverland lowered its day ticket from 26 euros to 16.50 euros. Julianatoren decided not to open at all, saying visitor safety could not be guaranteed. Slagharen also reported disruption.

The impact was even heavier in Germany. Holiday Park stayed closed, Europa-Park stopped rides including Silver Star, and Phantasialand kept several attractions grounded. For visitors, the storm meant uncertainty, altered plans and sometimes a cancelled day out. Historically, the report shows how vulnerable tall, fast or outdoor attractions are to extreme weather: when conditions turn severe, responsible operation matters more than popularity.