Efteling's AI Market Kiosk: Mysterious Stones in De Bazaar

Starting this weekend, the souvenir shop De Bazaar at Efteling will expand with an innovative market kiosk that draws visitors in with Middle Eastern flair and surprises from the Fata Morgana attraction. Traders from the forbidden city will make appearances here, loudly hawking mysterious stones and bringing the atmosphere straight into the store. This new feature blends tradition with modern AI technology.

AI brings two characters from Fata Morgana to life. All-round creative concept specialist Robert-Jaap Jansen explains: “In this new market kiosk, we bring two characters from Fata Morgana to life using AI. Imagine strolling through a bustling souk when suddenly a flap swings open. A market vendor—man or woman—hypes the assortment of mysterious stones in their own quirky way, all in a few seconds. Every so often, a little monkey or even a camel ambles past. Then the kiosk flap snaps shut again. We deliberately chose not to shy away from this new technology but to embrace it creatively—to focus on possibilities and treat the project as an adventurous trial for everyone involved. That's why we pair a real kiosk with AI in De Bazaar, integrate actual objects into the animation, and infuse it with humor. Fun fact: We provided the voices for the man and woman, and even used our own movements to heighten realism. AI lets us experiment with costumes, backgrounds, and sound effects, injecting a fresh creative twist into the souvenir shop.”

This method highlights Efteling's innovative spirit. Director of technology and innovation Willem Roskam stresses: “Innovation runs deep in Efteling's DNA: It's the bridge from today to tomorrow. From this perspective, we explore how technology can enhance our creative vision without sacrificing authenticity. This project's approach in De Bazaar aligns with our goal of constant renewal, making our sense of wonder future-proof.”

In De Bazaar—Efteling's hub for more than 1,001 Middle Eastern-style souvenirs that perfectly complement the Fata Morgana attraction—an extensive selection of mysterious stones clusters right around the market kiosk's flap, amplifying the Middle Eastern vibe. The tall shelf displays larger specimens such as pyrite, rock crystal, agate geodes, rose quartz, and amethyst, available individually for as little as €2. For a personal touch, velvet pouches let visitors fill their own with smaller stones—for €8.50. Visitors can opt for a blue, red, or purple pouch and scoop from the jugs of various stones, leaving enough space to tie it closed. They can pick a pouch brimming with tiny mysterious stones or select from the bigger ones.

Visitors holding a Plus or Premium subscription enjoy discounts at Efteling's souvenir shops upon presenting their pass. The discount level varies by subscription type, making purchases even more appealing.