Dutch theme park Efteling is following on from the launch of its Baron 1898 dive coaster in 2015 with the announcement of Symbolica: Palace of Fantasy – a €35m (US$38.1m, £26.6m) dark ride which represents the largest ever single investment by the park.

Sitting in the centre of the park, the family friendly indoor attraction has been set an opening date of Q3 2017 and will “revolve around the interplay of reality, dream and fantasy”, according to the park.

Once inside the ride, up to six people will enter a single carriage, choosing one of three different routes. On each of these routes will be an alternate story with different adventures and interactive elements in each.

“By constructing Symbolica, we are renewing and expanding our range of attractions en route to becoming an international destination with five million visits per year,” said Efteling president and CEO, Fons Jurgens.

“This dark ride will help Efteling to maintain its distinctive edge and its position at the top of the list of European theme parks – not only through unique and characteristic storytelling and theming, but also through our close attention to detail in every aspect of the attraction.”

In addition to Symbolica, Efteling is also developing a €30m (US$32.3m, £22.8m) holiday village, which will border the theme park, Efteling Golf Park and the Loonsche Land nature district. Both developments are expected to be completed in 2017 in conjunction with the park’s 65-year anniversary celebrations.