Gian Steinbusch
A new type of dining experience appears to be taking shape in Elstal near Berlin, combining a restaurant, a ride and immersive storytelling. Karls is working with German ride manufacturer MACK Rides on the project. A joint press conference at IAAPA Expo Europe, which begins in just a few weeks, is expected to reveal further details. For now, however, much about the project remains unknown.
The first concrete indication of the previously unannounced project came from Karls Managing Director Robert Dahl. In a LinkedIn post around a month ago, he revealed plans for a standalone dining experience on the site between the existing Karls Erlebnis-Dorf and the Bibi & Tina theme park currently under construction.
“A world-first is currently taking shape between the Bibi & Tina theme park and Karls Erlebnis-Dorf Berlin-Elstal: a standalone, immersive dining experience where gastronomy, storytelling, architecture, attractions, ride and retail merge into one complete experience.”
Robert Dahl via LinkedIn (translated from German)
At the time, Karls was looking for an architect with experience in the theme park, themed entertainment or hospitality sectors. Dahl also described it as a project intended to “set new standards worldwide.” According to the post, the experience was scheduled to open within approximately ten months.
Exactly what lies behind the new concept has yet to be officially revealed. However, a recently announced joint press conference by Karls and MACK Rides provides a strong indication of the project’s technical side.
Joint announcement from Karls and MACK Rides
MACK Rides and Karls have announced a joint press conference for September 22, 2026, during IAAPA Expo Europe in London. IAAPA officially lists the event under the title “Press Conference: Mack Rides x Karl’s.”
The announcement describes the project as a new “dark ride dining experience” for the entire family. This marks the first official indication of a collaboration between Karls and MACK Rides on a new concept combining dining with a ride experience.
It has not yet been explicitly confirmed whether the press conference will focus on the exact project Robert Dahl described for Elstal. However, the similarities are striking: while Karls has announced a standalone dining experience for Elstal that will combine gastronomy, storytelling and a “ride,” Karls and MACK Rides are now preparing to unveil a “Dark Ride Dining” experience together just a few weeks later.
Details about the ride system, design, name or exact location are therefore likely to be revealed during the press conference.
Concept draws comparisons to Eatrenalin at Europa-Park
Based on what is known so far, the concept bears some similarities to Eatrenalin, which opened at Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort in Rust in 2022. The experience combines a multi-course menu with an immersive journey through a series of themed rooms, synchronizing food with multimedia, music, scents, haptic effects and movement.
At the heart of the experience is the so-called Floating Chair. Developed and patented by MACK Rides, the ride system transports guests almost freely through the different rooms while they dine.
This makes the concept significantly different from a conventional themed restaurant. Instead of remaining seated at a fixed table, guests travel through a series of immersive scenes throughout the experience. At Eatrenalin, the journey takes guests through eight rooms accompanied by a coordinated eight-course menu.
The fact that MACK Rides and Karls are now explicitly announcing a “Dark Ride Dining” concept suggests that the project in Elstal could similarly combine dining with an actual ride experience. However, it is currently unknown whether the attraction will use Eatrenalin’s Floating Chair system or a different or newly developed technology.
The Karls project is also likely to differ considerably from Eatrenalin in terms of its overall concept. While Eatrenalin was designed as a premium fine-dining experience and has since been awarded a Michelin star, IAAPA explicitly describes the new project from Karls and MACK Rides as an experience “for the entire family.”
New experience to be built between Karls and the new Bibi & Tina theme park
Robert Dahl identifies the site between the existing Karls Erlebnis-Dorf Elstal and the new Bibi & Tina theme park as the location of the project. The new theme park is scheduled to open on July 1, 2027, and is currently being built across an area of approximately 36,500 square metres. Karls is investing around €60 million in the development. In addition to eleven rides, the park will feature more than ten food and beverage outlets, a flagship store and its own themed hotel.
The Bibi & Tina theme park itself is only one part of the long-term expansion of the Elstal site. Karls refers to the wider development as “Karls Welt” and aims to transform what has traditionally been a day-trip destination into a multi-day resort.
According to Robert Dahl, the long-term plans include the Bibi & Tina theme park as well as “Karls Planschtheater,” a combined indoor and outdoor water park, and the planned “1000-Sterne-Resort” featuring several themed hotels and holiday homes. In the long term, Karls is planning around 4,000 beds across the 79-hectare site. Further restaurants, manufactories, stages and attractions are also planned.
The newly revealed immersive dining experience would therefore become another component of this major expansion.
Announcement expected in just a few days
Further details about the still-secret project could be revealed very soon. Karls is currently teasing the announcement of a new project in three days across its social media channels. Whether this announcement will indeed concern the “Dark Ride Dining” experience being developed with MACK Rides has not yet been confirmed.
More information is expected at the latest during IAAPA Expo Europe in London. Karls and MACK Rides have scheduled a joint press conference for September 22, 2026, where the new “Dark Ride Dining” experience is set to be presented.
Images: Karls, Mack Rides, IAAPA
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