/Join the Gangsta Granny at Alton Towers
ALTON Towers has revealed its newest ride will open to visitors in spring. whole area of the park has been transformed ready for the first guests of the season - and it’s dedicated to The World of David Walliams.
Details of the new attraction remained strictly under wraps after the collaboration between the park and Walliams was announced back in October.
But now, bosses at Alton Towers have revealed what fans can expect in this new feature at the theme park.
Dubbed an immersive “new 4D experience”, the new ride is based on Walliams’ hit novel Gangsta Granny.
It will feature “state-of-the-art special effects” plus “3D projection-mapping and animation”, all inspired by the artwork of Tony Ross, who illustrated the book.
The novel tells the story of Ben who discovers that his granny is secretly an international jewel thief. The new 4D ride experience will see guests join the main characters as they attempt the greatest heist in the history of the world - to steal the Crown Jewels.
According to the park, guests will descend with Ben and Granny into the sewers, be chased through the streets of London and even come face to face with the Queen, in the new ride experience.
And it is understood that Walliams himself has worked closely with the team at the park to ensure the experience is as close to the book as possible.
As well as the flagship Gangsta Granny: The Ride, the themed area will feature a host of other rides and attractions where guests can enjoy a number of different features from the books, including Raj’s Shop, the Royal Carousel, Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp and other surprises and twists along the way.
Fans of David’s books can also enjoy the ultimate sleepover with an overnight stay in one of four Gangsta Granny themed bedrooms in the Alton Towers Hotel.
Construction at the Staffordshire-based theme park began in early 2019 with nearly 100 specialists from Alton Towers’ creative team and a group of experts in the latest theme-park technology collaborating to create the attraction.
It is understood it will be located near the Cloud Cuckoo Land area at the resort.
Speaking of the new development, David Walliams said: “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.”
John Burton, creative lead for Alton Towers Resort, 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.”
To celebrate the announcement of Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Alton Towers is also inviting children to bring their granny (or grandpa) for free in 2020.
David Walliams first shot to fame in the early 2000s with Matt Lucas with comedy sketch show, Little Britain.
His children’s books have been translated into fifty-three languages and have spent 150 weeks at the top of the Children’s charts - an achievement no other children’s writer has reached.
For more information on the new ride, visit the Alton Towers website at altontowers.com..