Alton Towers Resort has today announced that a new 4D family dark ride based on the David Walliams story, Gangsta Granny, will be coming to the Resort this spring.
Gangsta Granny: The Ride will invite guests to take a tour of the Crown Jewels aboard a Royal Carriage, but riders will soon find themselves caught up in the audacious adventure of Ben and Granny as they attempt the greatest heist in history. Promising to whizz, twist and spin passengers through a unique re-telling of the Gangsta Granny story, the ride will include 360° scenes with state-of-the-art effects that will allow guests to see, feel, hear and smell the adventure. Through the use of 3D projection-mapping and animation to bring-to-life the characters and scenes inspired by the artwork of Tony Ross, riders will descend into sewers, be chased through the streets of London and come face-to-face with the Queen.
This new ride provides the key-stone attraction for a new area of the park that will be inspired by “The World of David Walliams”. Replacing Cloud Cuckoo Land, the area will see Gallopers Carousel and Frog Hopper be rethemed to the Royal Carousel and Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp. Additionally, a new shop will be added, Raj’s Shop, which will likely contain items themed to the new area, plus the promise of further surprises and twists. No information has currently been given about the future of Cuckoo Cars Driving School and its current link to Cloud Cuckoo Land.
Talking about the new ride, David Walliams said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Gangsta Granny is becoming a ride at Alton Towers. I never imagined it would happen so it’s a real delight to see my characters brought to life in a ride.”
“I’ve worked really closely with the team at Alton Towers to make sure the ride is just as funny and exciting as the book. I think children and their parents … and even their grandparents! … are going to love it!”
Whilst Alton Towers Resort Creative Lead John Burton said:
“David’s stories are full of witty characters, intrigue and exhilaration so it’s been a fantastic challenge to build all that into a new ride experience. It’s the first time we’ve attempted such a complex combination of a physical ride experience, high-tech special effects and brilliant story-telling to ensure guests feel they are with Granny and Ben on every step of their adventure.”
Alongside the new ride and area at the Resort, four Gangsta Granny themed bedrooms will open in the Alton Towers Hotel. Finally, to celebrate the new addition the Resort is running a Grannies (and Grandads) Go Free offer allowing one free adult aged 60+ per full price child ticket, when purchased either online (at the full gate price) or in person (if staying at the Alton Towers Resort Hotels) between 9th January to 20th March 2020 (inclusive). Tickets are valid for entry to the Alton Towers Theme Park only during the 2020 season (from 21st March 2020 until 1st November 2020) excluding any secondary ticket event (e.g. concert), Scarefest, Fireworks or Christmas event.
Gangsta Granny was first published on 27th October 2011 and was David Walliams’ fourth children’s novel following The Boy in the Dress, Mr Stink, and Billionaire Boy, and was his first children’s number one bestseller staying at the top of The Sunday Times top ten for 24 weeks. To date, Gangsta Granny has sold 1.75 million copies in the UK alone, and was also adapted for television by the BBC in 2013, as well as for the stage by the Birmingham Stage Company. with the theatrical production touring until 2017 before transferring to the West End for a 6 week run.
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