Alton Towers Resort has announced that “The World of David Walliams” will be arriving in the theme park for spring 2020.
Announcing the partnership earlier today, the Resort have confirmed that the project will centre around the existing Cloud Cuckoo Land area of the Resort and will bring to life some of comedian and author David Walliams’ best-loved characters. Whilst precise details of exactly what will be included within “The World of David Walliams” is shrouded in secrecy, it has been confirmed that ‘Merlin Magic Making’ has been working with Walliams and publisher, HarperCollins Children’s Books, for the past two years to create a unique, ground-breaking headline attraction. Although not confirmed, current speculation suggests that this headline attraction could be located within the former Wobble World building.
The Resort have also revealed that there will be a number of other attractions, and characters brought to life across the theme park, as well as characters featuring within the Resort’s hotels, although it is not currently known if this will be character meet and greets or themed hotel rooms. Construction commenced earlier this year, with walls going up around Wobble World in Cloud Cuckoo Land back in July. Nearly 100 specialists, from Alton Towers Resort’s creative team as well as experts in the latest theme park technology, are currently working hard to meet the spring 2020 opening date.
David Walliams first shot to fame with Matt Lucas in the early 2000s with comedy sketch show, Little Britain. His first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, was published in 2008 and he has since gone on to publish 12 children’s novels as well as short story collections and picture books. Many of his works have been adapted for stage and screen, including Gangsta Granny, Ratburger, and Billionaire Boy, with a musical version of The Boy in the Dress set to debut at the RSC this Christmas. To date, David Walliams’ book sales exceed 33 million copies worldwide and he ended 2018 as the UK’s biggest-selling author for the second year running.
Speaking about the new partnership, David Walliams said:
“It’s a huge thrill for some of my favourite characters to be getting their own attractions at Alton Towers. I can’t wait to experience them for myself, and from all the work that has gone in I think people are going to love it. All will be revealed next year.”
Jamie Walker, Marketing Director at Alton Towers Resort added:
“We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with David Walliams on what promises to be a hugely exciting addition to Alton Towers Resort in 2020. David’s books have really captured the imagination of Britain’s children and their families. So it’s a huge honour to be working with David on this fabulous collaboration for 2020, the year in which we celebrate our 40th birthday as the nation’s favourite theme park.”
As well as announcing the arrival of “The World of David Walliams”, Alton Towers Resort has also released its 2020 Season Passes. Prices for these passes are £58 for a Standard Season Pass which has the usual restrictions for the peak summer season, Scarefest, and Fireworks, and £75 for the Premium Season Pass which, for the first time, will include parking, as well as admission to the Alton Towers Dungeon. Also confirmed is the majority of the 2020 opening dates. The main theme park season is currently set to begin on Saturday 21st March, with the theme park open every day until the start of September, except for off-peak Wednesdays in March, April, and May. From 7th September the theme park will open Thursday-Sunday. Dates for October and November are currently not known, however, the last day of the season is currently stated as Sunday 8th November.
What are your thoughts on the latest announcements from Alton Towers Resort? Are you looking forward to the arrival of “The World of David Walliams” at Alton Towers Resort? Make sure you share your thoughts over on the Attraction Source Forum.
