Jokie & Jet-hot-air balloon
Efteling
Jokie and Jet, the cheerful globetrotters from Carnaval Festival, travel the world in a hot-air balloon. Commissioned by Create, we brought that balloon to life for Efteling, producing the polyester components of the balloon itself. The result is an eye-catching outdoor feature that instantly transports visitors into the adventurous world of the beloved duo.
It’s exactly what great theming should do: tell a story before visitors have even read a single word.
Outdoor theming: taking on the elements
Outdoor scenic features have to withstand a lot. Sun, rain, wind and changing temperatures take their toll throughout the year, while thousands of visitors come up close, many stopping to take a photo.
Outdoor features therefore need to retain their colour, withstand the weather, remain safe and be securely anchored, all without compromising the bright, polished appearance you’d expect from an Efteling character.
This is precisely where our expertise in composites and plastics comes into its own: creating durable scenic elements that maintain their appearance outdoors for years to come.
For this balloon, we also took a smart approach to production. We divided the structure into ten sections: five upper sections and five lower sections. To produce them, we created two moulds, one for the top and one for the bottom. Each mould was then used to produce five identical components, which together form the complete balloon.
The story starts outside
Great theming doesn’t stop at the door. In fact, it starts outside. Jokie and Jet’s hot-air balloon welcomes visitors into the world of Efteling before they even step inside Carnaval Festival.
Curious to see what we created indoors? A second balloon hangs above the bed in the Jokie & Jet Suite at the Wonder Hotel. You can read all about it in our blog on the suite.
