Ton van de Ven
Encyclopedia
Ton van de Ven is a Dutch
industrial designer. He is best known as the creative director at the Efteling
theme park.
Van de Ven was born in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where he also studied at the Design Academy.
, leading designer at the time, only asked him one question: "Do you master perspective?" Ton bent the truth a little to say that he did. He then started to work with Pieck on various aspects of the park, gradually developing his own style, which never conflicted with the existing styles in the park.
Van de Ven's first project was to work with Pieck on the Indian Waterlilies. After a few sketches Pieck was convinced that he could fully trust the park in the hands of Van de Ven. When Pieck retired in 1975, Ton became the creative director of the park.
Van de Ven's first "own" ride was the Haunted Castle ("Spookslot") in 1978, the first big attraction in the park. He created many of the current Efteling landmarks, of which Fata Morgana
and Dreamflight
are considered to be his master pieces.
In 2002 Van de Ven retired from the park, and he could concentrate on his hobby - creating large paintings and sculptures of women. In Efteling, part of the St. Nicolaas square is renamed to Ton van de Ven square in his honor and his portrait appears in Villa Volta.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
industrial designer. He is best known as the creative director at the Efteling
Efteling
Efteling is the largest theme park in the Netherlands, and as it opened in 1952, it is one of the oldest theme parks in the world. Efteling is located in the town of Kaatsheuvel, in the municipality of Loon op Zand, and has received over 100 million visitors....
theme park.
Van de Ven was born in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where he also studied at the Design Academy.
Work at Efteling
After graduation in 1963, Van de Ven applied for a job at Efteling in 1965. Anton PieckAnton Pieck
Anton Franciscus Pieck , a Dutch painter, artist and graphic artist...
, leading designer at the time, only asked him one question: "Do you master perspective?" Ton bent the truth a little to say that he did. He then started to work with Pieck on various aspects of the park, gradually developing his own style, which never conflicted with the existing styles in the park.
Van de Ven's first project was to work with Pieck on the Indian Waterlilies. After a few sketches Pieck was convinced that he could fully trust the park in the hands of Van de Ven. When Pieck retired in 1975, Ton became the creative director of the park.
Van de Ven's first "own" ride was the Haunted Castle ("Spookslot") in 1978, the first big attraction in the park. He created many of the current Efteling landmarks, of which Fata Morgana
Fata Morgana (Efteling)
Fata Morgana, the forbidden city, also known as 1001 Arabian Nights is a dark ride in amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and Jan Verhoeven and opened in 1986....
and Dreamflight
Dreamflight
Dreamflight is a dark ride in Efteling amusement park in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and opened in 1993.-History:...
are considered to be his master pieces.
In 2002 Van de Ven retired from the park, and he could concentrate on his hobby - creating large paintings and sculptures of women. In Efteling, part of the St. Nicolaas square is renamed to Ton van de Ven square in his honor and his portrait appears in Villa Volta.
Rides
- Haunted CastleHaunted Castle (Efteling)The Haunted Castle is a haunted attraction in the amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and was the first attraction built outside the Fairy Tale Forest.-History and details:...
' onMouseout='HidePop("92032")' href="/topics/Haunted_attraction">Haunted attractionHaunted attractionA haunted attraction is a form of entertainment that simulates the experience of entering a haunted location that might be inhabited by ghosts, monsters, criminals, humorous characters, and other such creatures...
, 1978) - Half MoonHalf Moon (Efteling)Half Moon is a Pirate Ship ride at Efteling theme park in the Netherlands. Designed by Ton van de Ven and manufactured by Intamin, it opened its doors in 1982.-History and details:...
' onMouseout='HidePop("65462")' href="/topics/Pirate_ship_(ride)">Ship swingPirate ship (ride)A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum....
, 1982) - PirañaPiraña (Efteling)Piraña is a River Rafting Ride in amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and built by Intamin, It opened its doors in 1983.-History and details:...
(River Rafting RideRiver rafting rideA river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting.-History:The river rapids ride concept was proposed by Bill Crandall and developed by Intamin AG...
, 1983) - Tin LizziesTin LizziesTin Lizzies is a car ride in amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands.Designed by Joop Geesink and built by Mack Rides it started operating in 1984.-History and details:...
(1984) - Fata MorganaFata Morgana (Efteling)Fata Morgana, the forbidden city, also known as 1001 Arabian Nights is a dark ride in amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and Jan Verhoeven and opened in 1986....
(dark ride, 1986) - Pagoda (Observation towerObservation towerAn observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision. They are usually at least tall and made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches...
, 1987) - The People of LaafThe People of LaafThe People of Laaf is an attraction in the amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and opened its doors in 1990.It is a small village, called “Lavelaer”, inhabited by the so-called “Laafs”...
(1990) - DreamflightDreamflightDreamflight is a dark ride in Efteling amusement park in the Netherlands. It was designed by Ton van de Ven and opened in 1993.-History:...
- Villa VoltaVilla VoltaVilla Volta is an attraction in the amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands. It is a rare type of ride known as a Madhouse, which is a sort of haunted house, where the visitors get the illusion that either the building, the visitors themselves or both are turned upside down. It has been...
(madhouse, 1996) - Bird RokBird RokBird Rok is an Enclosed Roller Coaster in amusement park Efteling in the Netherlands.-History and details:The name of the ride, Bird Rok, refers to the adventure of Sinbad and the Bird Roc from the 1001 Arabian Nights; the extensive theming covers, beside the ride, the building and the queue line...
' onMouseout='HidePop("3523")' href="/topics/Enclosed_roller_coaster">Enclosed Roller CoasterEnclosed roller coasterAn enclosed roller coaster is a roller coaster built inside a structure intended solely for the ride. This structure often imparts a theme or houses special effects...
, 1998)
Fairy Tales
- Snow White (revision with Anton Pieck, 1975)
- Long neck (revision, 1978)
- Hansel and Gretel (revision with Anton Pieck, 1978)
- The Flying Dragon (1979)
- The Gnome Village (extension, 1980)
- Sleeping Beauty (revision, 1981)
- Flying Fakir (revision, 1987)
- Troll King (1988)
- Tom Thumb (1998)
- Rumpelstiltskin (1998)
- The Nightingale (new version, 1999)
- Rapunzel (2001)
Other
- Various variants of Holle Bolle Gijs (1980-1988)
- House of the Five Senses (entrance, 1995)
- Efteling Theater (2002)