The Dutch theme park De Efteling aims to be net zero in 2030 and by 2032 climate
positive. With this ambition in mind, daily efforts are made to build more sustainable
installations, generate energy, and reduce waste. Efteling is also taking sustainable
steps in the field of lighting.
Lighting is an important aspect of the visitor experience at Efteling. In this context,
we are specifically referring to lighting used for shows and scenery. For years,
Efteling has had a clear vision that ensures it will achieve its sustainability goals
without compromising the park’s signature look and atmosphere.
During the past decades thousands of incandescent, halogen and gas-discharge
lamps were used to illuminate the park and its themed attractions atmospherically,
both indoors and outside. It is a huge task converting all that into an energy-efficient
solution, while maintaining the park's unique style.
As Efteling's dedicated lighting partner, Full AVL Distribution B.V. has been involved
from day one in the transition towards sustainable lighting for both the decorative
and show lighting elements at Efteling. “When we began working with Efteling almost
17 years ago, the technology was nowhere near where it is today,” emphasises
Patrick Leijten, director of Full AVL. “Professional LED lighting has come a long way.
The colour of light used in Efteling is essential since you want to achieve a true-to-
life representation of all the beautiful sets found throughout the park. In the early
stages of LED development, this wasn’t easy to achieve. Together with Efteling, we
drove that development, encouraging manufacturers to create better products and
collaboratively exploring beautiful and creative lighting solutions. Specifically for
Efteling, Full AVL teamed up with its manufacturers to develop products that were not
yet available, but for which there was demand both within Efteling and the wider
market. New spotlights were developed by Full AVL in collaboration with the Italian
manufacturer DTS Lighting S.R.L..”
This European manufacturer DTS Lighting, develops and produces everything in-
house, in Italy. Making themselves a good choice for Efteling when sourcing goods
locally, another relevant aspect regarding their social and sustainability objectives.
The transparency of a supply chain and the values that suppliers place on corporate
social responsibility are definitive factors that Efteling considers in sustainability
decisions.
In response to Efteling’s needs, DTS Lighting developed HQS technology (High
Quality Spectrum). HQS fixtures pay special attention to light quality, resulting in
extremely natural colour rendering. Efteling's dark ride ‘Droomvlucht’ (Dreamflight),
still one of its most loved attractions, underwent a major renovation in 2023.
Ensuring guests could enjoy it for years to come, one of the most noticeable
changes for the public was found in the lighting. More than 540 traditional halogen
spotlights were replaced with modern LED fixtures using HQS technology, installed
by Koninklijke Hoppenbrouwers Techniek, Efteling’s dedicated installation partner.
Immediately after ‘Droomvlucht’ reopened, guest reactions poured in, commending
the new LED lighting that made the colours of the dreamlike world even more
beautiful. Additionally, the new dynamic techniques impressed observant guests who
saw the subtle sunrise and sunset in a short space of time.
At the ‘Aquanura’ fountain show, another major maintenance project that took place
recently. Alongside technical installation maintenance, new LED lighting was added
in cooperation with installer Koninklijke Kuijpers from Helmond. More than 800
spotlights needed to be replaced. Custom-made fixtures were used to retrofit the
installation with the latest generation of LED lighting. Almost 500 white halogen
spotlights were replaced by LED retrofit modules from Canto USA. In addition, 350
custom DTS Lighting LED fixtures were installed that offered superior light colour
and output compared to their predecessors. Robin van Dongen, project leader with
Efteling noted: “Thanks to the custom fixtures from both Canto USA and DTS
Lighting, we were able to reuse the original underwater housings of the old
installation. Obviously, that’s more sustainable than replacing everything, which
saved time and significantly reduced costs.”
Efteling lighting designer Eric Brekelmans has worked intensively to make the show
lighting in the park more sustainable, confirming that “Full AVL really is a partner to
us when it comes to innovative and creative lighting solutions. They are deeply
involved in our work. We share the same passion for light and enjoy making Efteling
more beautiful with every step,” Brekelmans continues, “In our Fairytale Forest, still
the heart of Efteling, you’ll find many classics. Projects that were once created by
legends like Anton Pieck or Ton van de Ven. When you change something there, it
has to be done in the spirit of those designers. We’re not just keepers of fairy tales,
but also guardians of the park’s history and we therefore want to honour those
original designs. When I recently got the chance to redesign the lighting for our walk-
through show ‘The Indian Water Lilies’, I paid extra attention to enhancing the beauty
of the original design, raising the visitor experience to the standards seen at Efteling
today whilst also meeting the sustainability requirements. It’s great that our fans
were delighted after its reopening, speaking fondly of a ‘polished gem.’ That makes
me proud.”
In terms of sustainability, a lot has changed over the past few years. Many
attractions and fairytales have been seamlessly upgraded with LED lighting. LED is a
fully-fledged replacement with even more versatility. For example, the sunset in
‘Droomvlucht’s’ castle realm would never have worked without today’s technology. All
these changes have contributed to Efteling's reduced energy consumption in recent
years. Since lamps no longer need frequent replacement, regular maintenance of
these systems has significantly decreased. We can conclude that with the availability
of traditional bulbs rapidly declining, making the switch to LED is not only a
sustainable choice, but soon an inevitable one.
LED lighting has also resulted in major changes in control systems. Where a
spotlight once used a single control channel, today it's often used with ten or more
channels per fixture. This complex technology makes it much harder to detect errors
in lighting. In the past, a lamp either worked or it didn’t. With modern lighting, many
more factors must be monitored. Efteling wants to create an A+ experience for its
visitors and this includes the lighting. That’s why Efteling’s engineering department
worked with Full AVL and Dutch manufacturer Visual Productions B.V. on a system in
which the lighting control can also check if all fixtures are functioning properly. Any
(upcoming) malfunctions are detected in time and can be quickly addressed. Stan
Dingemans, Efteling's Show Technology Engineer, explains: “By enabling a complete
network of control systems, all areas of show technology can now communicate with
each other. Video, audio, lighting and even the ride system’s movements, all work
together to create true show synergy. This is an intensive process, and we continue
to take steps toward better information sharing within the system. We can detect
issues much faster and proactively provide solutions.”
Full AVL is more than just a distributor; thanks to their added value, they work closely
alongside their clients and partners, such as installation companies. The installers
receive extensive support, guidance, and training on the specific technical aspects of
lighting related products provided by Full AVL.
The positioning, focusing and programming of theatrical lighting is handled by a
specialised team, affectionately known as “De Lempkes Crew.” This team, consisting
of Efteling staff and external partners, works together toward the final result. Joep
van Iersel, Business Technology Manager at Full AVL, as one of “De Lempkes Crew”
states: “The Efteling team is amazing to work with, there’s a wealth of technical
expertise. Good cooperation is essential, because different areas of expertise must
come together to achieve the right outcome. That’s why I stay in close contact with
our manufacturers. Together with the engineers at Visual Productions, we keep
innovating, especially in the area of fixture monitoring. It’s complex stuff, but that’s
exactly what makes it interesting. When everything works as the Efteling designers
envisioned, I’m proud to contribute to a new attraction or a beautiful renovation of a
classic that I admired as a child.” Van Iersel has now worked on various Efteling
projects on behalf of Full AVL for ten years. “It never gets boring, it’s an amazing
field.”
Patrick Leijten concludes: “Pride is something you encounter often among Efteling
staff, everyone is passionate about their work. Even though we’re an external
partner, our involvement is no less significant. When I’m asked about my work at
family gatherings, Efteling usually comes up quickly as one of our most cherished
clients. It’s a privilege, creating inspiring environments with the help of technology is
what we do every day, and of that I’m very proud.”
Full AVL is not only involved in the sustainability efforts for renovations at Efteling,
but they have also worked on new projects like ‘Danse Macabre’, a haunted
spectacle where lighting is an essential part of the overall experience. Full AVL has
also contributed to attractions such as interactive family dark ride ‘Symbolica’, dive
coaster ‘Baron 1898’, wooden rollercoaster ride ‘Joris en de Draak’, and many more
over the past 17 years. As a result of proactive thinking with maintenance and future-
proof solutions, Efteling’s magic and visual quality remain at the highest level.
Full AVL supports AV companies with high-quality audiovisual solutions. As an
exclusive importer and distributor of leading brands for the Dutch market, they supply
installers, system integrators and rental companies, enabling them to serve their
clients with confidence and peace of mind. Thanks to their efficient logistics, direct
lines to manufacturers, and service without compromise, Full AVL is a reliable
partner for all AV professionals and lighting specialists.
The Full AVL team works seamlessly behind the scenes enabling their clients to
shine in the spotlight. Driven by a passion for technology, honest advice and
transparent communication, they build long-term relationships with customers and
suppliers alike. Knowledge sharing and creative solutions are at the heart of their
approach. Those seeking a supplier who can turn inspiring ideas into technical reality
will find the ideal partner in Full AVL.
