Karel Willemen Explained

Karel Angèle Antonius Willemen (born May 15, 1967 in Dongen) is a Dutch designer. He is mainly recognized for his contributions to the fantasy-themed amusement park Efteling, located in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands.

Willemen started at Efteling in 1988, after completing the Royal Academy for Arts and Design in Den Bosch, as a Senior Modeler, Sculptor and Decorator. In 2001 he moved completely to themes & design, and since 2005 he has been working as a Senior Designer for conceptual experience and theming.

Efteling-portfolio

• Fairy Tales

• Fairy Tree^[1]

• Cinderella

• animatronic for The Castle of Sleeping Beauty

• model for the animatronic of Tom Thumb

• contributed at Rumpelstiltskin

• contributed at The Chinese Nightingale

• several contributions at The Wishing-Table
• Rides:

• Flying Dutchman

• theme for George and the Dragon

• contributed at Dreamflight^[2]

• contributed at The People of Laaf

• side entrance and other contributions for PandaVision

• design for new Python trains

• design for new Bob Track trains

• new waiting area and other contributions for Bird Rok
• Other creations:

• Forest Realm

• East Station (Station de Oost)

Notes and References

1. http://kogeloog.nl/efteling/ontwerpers/karel-willemen partly portfolio list
2. http://www.product-online.nl/document_download.php?module=ts&database=archief&table=articles&field=pdf&id=260 Interview in Product 9/2007 by Drs.Hoppenbrouwers