Ready-made Netherlands in one hour.
This is Holland is a slick mix of quick history and a 5D flight simulation that drops you over windmills, canals, and big Dutch engineering. I like that it’s not just a ride—you get a short set of shows first, then the flight ties everything together with wind, mist, and scent effects. One thing to plan for up front: it’s not for everyone, with clear safety limits (including pregnancy, heart/circulation issues, epilepsy, and certain recent back/neck surgery).
I really like two parts most. First, the pre-flight storytelling gives context fast, so what you see over Holland isn’t random eye candy. Second, the 5D part feels physical—your hands and feet dangle freely inside the dome, and the special effects make the visuals feel oddly real. My only drawback: the whole experience is short, and the flight time can feel brief if you’re hoping for a longer “stay in the air” moment.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth your attention
- Why a 5D flight beats a quick canal cruise
- Inside This is Holland: what happens before the flight
- The sphere ride: how the 5D flight actually feels
- What you fly over: windmills, canals, flowers, and big engineering
- Sensory effects: wind, mist, and scent
- Where it is and how to time your visit near Central Station
- Photo rules and the “what about my camera?” problem
- Price and value: is $28 for 1 hour fair?
- Who should go (and who should skip it)
- Should you book the Amsterdam This is Holland 5D flight?
- FAQ
- How long is the Amsterdam This is Holland 5D Flight experience?
- Where do I meet for This is Holland?
- Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
- Is a camera allowed during the flight experience?
- What sites will I see during the 5D flight?
- What age and height limits should I know about?
- Is it safe for pregnant visitors or people with heart conditions?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
Key highlights worth your attention

- 5D flight over UNESCO-linked Holland: Kinderdijk, Amsterdam’s canals, flower fields, the Delta Works, Rotterdam, and more Dutch landmarks
- Hands-and-feet-in-the-air setup: You’re in a sphere screen with your body moving with the film
- Sensory effects: Wind, mist, and scent are part of the illusion (yes, it’s that kind of ride)
- Short, structured shows first: A set of entertaining presentations leads into the flight
- Camera-free experience: You’ll need to skip photos during the main attraction
- Frequent start times: A new flight experience begins every 15 minutes, so you’re not locked into one rigid schedule
Why a 5D flight beats a quick canal cruise

Amsterdam is easy to love. But if all you do is canal sights and bikes, you can miss the bigger Dutch story: land reclaimed, water managed, and communities built around wind and sea.
This 5D experience is built for that bigger picture, without asking you to commit to a full day trip. In about an hour, you get a fast tour of major Dutch sights—especially the places that define Holland’s identity—followed by the part that most people remember: the simulated flight over Holland’s landmarks.
Also, it’s good for mixed-age groups. If one person wants history and another wants thrills, you can satisfy both in the same ticket.
Inside This is Holland: what happens before the flight

The flow is simple: you enter This is Holland, learn the history of Holland through four entertaining shows, and then you step into the 5D flight segment.
Here’s the logic that works: the shows set up why Holland looks the way it does—water control, windmills, canals, and the role of major ports and coastal engineering—then the flight “replays” those themes visually. That makes the flight more meaningful than it would be as a standalone gimmick.
One small heads-up from real-world pacing: the lead-in can feel a bit on the slow side for people who want only action. But if you’re even mildly interested in how the Dutch built their world around water, that early context helps you recognize what you’re seeing as you fly over it.
The sphere ride: how the 5D flight actually feels

The main attraction is a simulated flight in a sphere-shaped screen. You don’t just sit and watch. During the 5D segment, you’re effectively hanging inside the dome, with your hands and feet dangling free.
As the visuals move, you’ll feel like you’re floating above Holland—because the ride coordinates motion cues and special effects with what’s happening on the screen.
This is also where the experience becomes physical. Depending on your comfort level, the ride can feel exhilarating. If you’ve ever gotten motion sick on a simulator or during fast-moving attractions, consider that this one is designed to feel lifelike.
What you fly over: windmills, canals, flowers, and big engineering
The flight doesn’t try to cover everything in the Netherlands. It focuses on iconic, recognizable areas and key engineering stories. From the information provided, you should expect to see:
- Kinderdijk windmills (a classic Dutch postcard scene, but now viewed from above)
- Amsterdam’s canals (a very different perspective than what you get on foot or by boat)
- Flower fields (the bright, flat geometry of Dutch farmland from the sky)
- The Delta Works (major water-management engineering that helps protect low-lying areas)
- Rotterdam’s port (a shift from quaint icons to modern shipping and industry)
- And other Dutch landmarks connected to the same “water + land + people” theme
The value here is that you don’t have to choose between “pretty countryside” and “Dutch engineering.” The flight blends both.
Also, This is Holland puts emphasis on official UNESCO World Heritage areas—so even when you’re just enjoying the view, you’re also getting a quick map of what makes these sites globally important.
Sensory effects: wind, mist, and scent

This is the part that turns a good video into a memorable attraction. The 5D effects include:
- Wind
- Mist
- Scent (including floral moments like roses, based on guest descriptions)
- Water splashes at sea/around water sequences (again, mentioned in guest feedback)
Why it matters: sensory cues help you “lock onto” what’s happening on-screen. Instead of passively watching a flight simulation, you feel like you’re traveling through conditions that match the visuals.
It’s not subtle. Plan to experience it as a full attraction, not a quiet museum-style exhibit.
Where it is and how to time your visit near Central Station

The meeting point is at This is Holland, directly across from Amsterdam Central Station on the north side of the city. You’ll use a free shuttle ferry across the IJ harbor (it runs 24 hours a day).
What I like about the location: it’s easy to work into an Amsterdam day without needing extra planning or complicated transit. You can pair it with nearby neighborhoods before or after dinner and still keep the logistics simple.
Timing tip: a new flight experience begins every 15 minutes, so if your schedule is tight, you generally have options. The total experience is listed as 1 hour, which makes it a friendly fit on travel days when you don’t want to commit to a long outing.
Photo rules and the “what about my camera?” problem

Cameras aren’t allowed inside the flight experience. So if you’re the type who wants to capture every moment, you’ll need to adjust your expectations.
What you can do is enjoy the ride without trying to film it. It’s clearly set up as an in-the-moment attraction rather than a content-collecting experience.
There’s also typically a photo-and-souvenir ecosystem around places like this. Your ticket doesn’t include photo, and drinks aren’t included either. One guest noted there are picture frames used and download/print options for a fee—so if you want a keepsake, plan on paying extra.
Price and value: is $28 for 1 hour fair?
At about $28 per person for a 1-hour experience, this isn’t a bargain attraction. But it can be good value if you think in terms of what you’re buying:
- You’re paying for a complete package: short history shows plus the 5D flight
- You’re getting premium “effort” effects (wind, mist, scent, and water splashes) that many attractions can’t replicate
- You’re covering multiple iconic Dutch scenes in one place, without changing locations or buying separate tickets for each stop
Where the math gets tricky: if you hate rides that feel fast or physical, or if you only care about one small slice of Dutch sights, you might feel it’s too short for the price.
But if you want a memorable overview—especially early in a trip—this often lands as money well spent because you leave with context.
Who should go (and who should skip it)
This attraction is wheelchair accessible, and the format works for many ages. But there are strong safety and height limits you should take seriously.
Not allowed:
- Pregnant visitors
- People with a history of heart and/or circulatory complaints or hypertension (including pace makers; cardiovascular diseases)
- People recovering from back or neck surgery
- People with epilepsy
Height/age limits:
- Visitors shorter than 100 cm (3 ft 3 in) aren’t allowed
- Children under 4 aren’t allowed
- Visitors 5 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult must sit next to the child on the same bench
- Visitors between 100 and 130 cm must be accompanied by an adult, sitting next to them on the same bench
I also recommend you think about ride comfort. One guest mentioned feeling a bit sick afterward. If you’re sensitive to motion, go in knowing this is a simulation designed to feel real.
Should you book the Amsterdam This is Holland 5D flight?
Book it if you want an efficient Netherlands overview that mixes history with a genuinely sensory 5D flight. It’s especially smart as an early-trip activity because it gives you a framework for noticing windmills, canals, dykes, and major water-management themes later while you’re exploring on your own.
Skip (or reconsider) if cameras are a must for you, if you dislike simulator-style motion, or if you fall into any of the listed safety categories. Also, if you already have a strict preference for long, deep sightseeing tours, you may find the experience short.
If you’re trying to make Amsterdam feel more like the whole Netherlands story, this one-hour flight is one of the cleanest ways to do it.
FAQ
How long is the Amsterdam This is Holland 5D Flight experience?
It lasts about 1 hour total.
Where do I meet for This is Holland?
Meet at This is Holland, directly across from Amsterdam Central Station on the north side of the city. You can use the free shuttle ferry across the IJ.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Is a camera allowed during the flight experience?
No. Cameras are not allowed.
What sites will I see during the 5D flight?
The experience includes major Dutch highlights such as Kinderdijk windmills, Amsterdam’s canals, flower fields, the Delta Works, and the port of Rotterdam, plus other Dutch landmarks.
What age and height limits should I know about?
Visitors younger than 4 are not allowed, and visitors shorter than 100 cm are not allowed. Children 5 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and that adult must sit next to them. Visitors 100 to 130 cm also must be accompanied by an adult who sits next to them.
Is it safe for pregnant visitors or people with heart conditions?
Pregnant visitors are not allowed. People with a history of heart/circulatory complaints, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, or epilepsy are also not allowed for safety reasons.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.


