Despite having a clear theme – a 17th Century Dutch town – Huis ten bosch has an identity crisis. When it opened, its Dutchness was enough to attract visitors – over 3 million in its best year in the mid-1990s. People were happy to simply stroll along the brick lanes admiring crenelated rooflines, or ride along the canals to reach a variety of shops and restaurants. To be clear, this theme park is more about “theme” and less about “park.” The target audience was mature enough to not care about roller coasters or silly cartoon characters. Repeated economic failure has forced the park to add tenants and attractions that have no connection to the Netherlands, leading one to feel as if the whole park is a jumbled mess at times.

Take, for instance the addition several years ago of a Thriller Fantasy Park. This hodgepodge of haunted houses (and haunted public bathrooms) seems to be inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video. One can step into a casket and imagine stepping out as a vampire, or be photographed behind bars in a jail cell adorned with fake spider webs. What any of this has to do with the Netherlands is beyond me. This zone has taken over the entire “neighborhood”, which might be popular around Halloween, but which was completely empty during the 10 minutes I walked around.

Dracula-style coffin and outdoor jail

Or, what about the launching in 2011 of the Thousand Sunny cruise ship, based on a popular manga/anime One Piece. The boat looks as if launched from the imagination of a child. The front of the boat imagines that the sun burns in the shape of a teddy bear’s face. Onboard one finds framed still images from the program, as well as life-size reproduction statues of the main characters. The cruise is only around 30 minutes long, during which one can take photographs with one’s favorite characters and enjoy the scenery. There is no connection to 17th Century Dutch life.

A fantastical vessel

Sharing the deck with characters

Do those eyes see a sustainable economic future for HTB?

Unspoiled coastline is a highlight of the cruise

Returning to HTB from the sea

Or, finally, the opening in 2012 of an Adventure Park that includes an aerial obstacle course and Japan’s longest zip line, which flies over one of the park’s otherwise placid canals. Any connection to the Netherlands? Anything?

Junior high students checking in for their adventure

While all of this may seem harmless, it makes one wonder what the point of a theme is, especially if one can simply drape over it whatever additional, unrelated attraction one can think of.