Flying by Wire™ at the Efteling Grand Spectacle 2025
In September 2025, the Efteling hosted the Grand Spectacle: a large-scale nighttime production in which storytelling, water, light, and movement came together in a truly magical setting. For this special event, Toprek Rigging deployed its Flying by Wire™ system to bring two striking aerial elements to life above the water of Aqua Nura.
One of the most iconic visual moments of the show was the flight of a large inflatable moon, floating gracefully above the fountains. Controlled with precision, the moon moved smoothly through the night sky, becoming a central visual anchor within the spectacle and enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere of the performance.
In addition, Flying by Wire™ was used to fly a performer directly through the dynamic water patterns of Aqua Nura. Passing straight through the fountains, the performer appeared to defy gravity, weaving movement, water, and light into a single, immersive moment. This sequence required exact timing, careful choreography, and absolute control to ensure both visual impact and safety.
The realization of these aerial scenes demanded meticulous preparation, close collaboration with creative and technical teams, and uncompromising attention to safety. All engineering, installation, and operation were carried out in accordance with European entertainment rigging standards, ensuring a reliable and secure execution within the complex environment of water, motion, and live performance.
The Efteling Grand Spectacle 2025 demonstrated how advanced flying systems can elevate storytelling, transforming technical precision into moments of wonder. With Flying by Wire™, imagination quite literally took flight above the fountains of Aqua Nura.