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Review CARO Show Efteling

Review CARO Show Efteling

Review CARO Show Efteling – while staying at Efteling we booked to see their new show CARO. Having looked on their website I thought it would be a good gap fill. Since we were there for an overnight stay anyway and so it would be something to do in the witching hour before bed. I am so glad I did it because the show deserves way more than this. It is a magical mix of storytelling and circus performances for the whole family. With huge moving animals, it really captured the boy’s imagination. Even the three-year-old stayed glued to the visual show. CARO is performed in the Efteling Theatre. This is near the entrance to the park an international short-break destination.

AD – We were gifted accommodation entry into the theme park and tickets to the show to write this blog post – Review CARO Show Efteling. We paid for our own meal.

All images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved

Eating in Pinokkio’s

Since we were there all day I booked a pre-theatre meal in their pizza and pasta restaurant Pinokkio’s. Our meal was booked for 4.30 pm with the show beginning at 6.30 pm. This worked perfectly for us. We had planned to nip outside to see the water fountains around 6.15 pm when they started. Because there was such a long queue to get back into the theatre. We watched the fountain show through the windows to the bar. The area directly outside the theatre bar is roped off. I expect they open the doors in the warmer weather so that you have a chance to see both the water show and the theatre show.

Review CARO Show Efteling

Review CARO Show Efteling

Pinokkio’s is located inside the theatre and has a reasonably simple menu with a handful of options. This is in keeping with the other restaurants we tried. I really liked that the kid’s menu was basically the adults but in smaller portion sizes. This worked well for Monkey who is not a fan of children’s menus generally. The layout of the room outs a stage at the centre. Here they had placed squash urns. For 4€ the kids could have unlimited drinks in a souvenir plastic cup with a lid, which could be taken through to the theatre. The boys really enjoyed filling them up with all the different colours.

The price of the food

Our meal came to 82€ with a half litre carafe of wine, two beers, unlimited soft drinks for the boys and two starters and four main courses. The starters on the adult menu were between 5-10€ and main courses 9.50€-14€. Children’s prices for mains were around 50% of the adult price. When you compare this to the price of a meal in London even on a theatre deal it’s not bad value considering we also had alcohol.

Entering the theatre

I was confused by our tickets that had consecutive even numbers. We were a little concerned that this meant that we wouldn’t be sitting next to each other. Of course, we need not have worried, one side of the theatre is even numbers and one side of the theatre is odd numbers. You will need to make sure you enter through the right door. The stage is in the centre of the room so no matter where you sit you get a good view of that is going on.

All images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved

Review CARO Show Efteling

The story is about the circle of life and is designed around a Carousel. The main character Oscar being part of the audience initially. He finds the key to the memory carousel and travels back through time to all the beautiful moments of life.

From the story..

We see Oscar and his friend Eva. They play, dance and laugh their way through life. Time passes. Oscar and Eva watch themselves growing up in the big mirror. They become teenagers, Oscar goes on a journey into the great wide world. But in the end he returns to his true love Eva. They get married and welcome their daughter Kate..

Time passes by. The young family is busy. Eva can’t cope with the merry go round of life anymore… and then silence. Little Kate comforts her father. Dancing along, they try to pick up their lives again. Kate grows up. She makes Oscar happy with a grandson who’ is the spitting image of him. The circle of life has gone the full circle. Oscar is grateful. The memory carousel has shown him the beauty of his life..

All images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved
Images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved
All images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved

Our experience

The show obviously touches on some significant life events. The family bereavement was very well portrayed and Harry did ask the question of where the mummy had gone. But only in passing. Although it is something to be aware of with young children but should not distract from the rest of the fantastic show. Which is jovial and full of humour with lots of acrobatics and dancing it reminds me of Cirque du Soleil. The music, costumes and special effects really add to the experience. Many of the carousel members looked like they had stepped right out of the festival of the masks in Venice. Some school children were guests of the show and got to perform in the show itself. Unsurprisingly it got a standing ovation from the international audience.

All images © 2018 – Robert Aarts Photography – All rights reserved

You are not allowed to take pictures or videos during the visual spectacle. Efteling has supplied the photos included in this post. It lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and there are no intervals. We really did enjoy the show and I would take the children to see it again. It is essential that you book both the show and restaurant, by staying on site then you can do this online. Theatre tickets only cost 7.50€ per person for those staying at one of the Efteling accommodations. After seeing the show is an absolute bargain. Alternatively, you can buy combined theme park and caro tickets for 57€ or show tickets alone for 25€. Booking can all be done on the Efteling website.

Have you seen the CARO show? What did you think?

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32 Responses

  1. What a wonderful story, I bet you were all amazed, I know I would be. Love the photos of the show.

  2. It sounds like the whole evening was wonderful.

    Great value for the meal and also the theatre.

    I imagine it was quite moving but spectacular x

  3. There is so much more going on than when I visited a very long time ago and that is a pretty amazing show

  4. This show sounds spectacular! I’ve never gone to a show like this but its definitely something I want to do! Caitylis x x

  5. This looks like a spectacular show for the entire family. Love the pictures and all of the bright colors and that pizza looks delicious too!

  6. The show looks amazing and you took some great photo’s.

  7. It looks fabulous.I like the pictures, especially the acrobatics! Food and drinks look fab too!

  8. Sounds like a really wonderful show. I like that it isn’t too long and that’s great for children.

  9. Reading your reviews of Efteling I’m surprised at how affordable it is – the food in particular. It justifies going even more!

  10. This looks like an amazing show, the costumes reminded me of Circle du Soleil! I would love to check this one out.

  11. Looks like a great show but my 6 year old is very sensitive so not sure how he’d cope with the mum dying. I really love that the children’s menu offers similar to the adult menu, I always find kids menus so samey, it would be nice to give the kids the opportunity to try something new. Glad you all had a fun time xx

  12. This looks like the ultimate show! I would love to visit Efteling one day.

  13. I’ve heard so much about Efteling, I’d really like to visit some day. The show looks amazing.

  14. That looks like a beautiful show, I am sure my kids would love it and great that it touches on real life events too

  15. We love watching the circus when we travel and would love to watch the Caro Show as it is interesting how they have incorporated the memory carousel story around the show

  16. Wow this looks like an absolutely incredible show. They really went all out with the production value! Looked like a fantastic time.

  17. The show looks like it would be a lot of fun to go to. If we every make it out there I will have to be sure to take my daughter.

  18. Show looks so magical and some tasty food

  19. How colourful and fabulous. I had not heard of it previously. Always pleased to read your excellent reviews with great tips.

  20. I have not seen the Caro show but it looks great, I love the effect of the rain!

  21. Wow that show looks really colourful and wonderful. Perfect for all the family. That pizza!!! Yummy

  22. Looks like a great show very entertaining I’m sure my family would love this

  23. We would definitely book to see this show if we make it to Eftling. I’m a huge fan of live circus anyway and this looks like a wonderful show to see

  24. Amazing place to visit – so much joy for all

  25. What a great looking show! Never hear of Carp before. Cor that food looks good too!

  26. This sounds like a fun way to spend some time in the evening.

  27. It has been some time since I visited Efteling. We also thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Thanks for the video :- Wonderful!

  28. This sounds like it was a lovely evening watching CARO Show Efteling and having a nice meal, This sounds like it was a interesting show, I love a good theatre show! 🙂

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  • Welcome to Mudpie Fridays where I share our travels. Both here in the UK but also across Europe and further afield. My name is Clare and I am married with two mischievous boys, Charlie aged 11 and Harry who is 7. Read along as we find hidden gems, pack as much holiday time in as possible, while working a 9-5 and find amazing and unusual experiences. Proving travel can be fun, educational and hugely rewarding with kids. Grab a coffee and come and join us on our latest adventures.



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