Gangsta Granny: The Ride is a fun-filled, family-friendly indoor dark ride located in The World of David Walliams at Alton Towers Resort. Officially opening on May 17, 2021, this multi-sensory 360° attraction brings the bestselling children’s book by David Walliams to life as riders board royal carriages to pull off the greatest crown jewel heist in history!
Gangsta Granny: The Ride at Alton Towers Resort
Housed inside the grand Royal Alton Hall building, the adventure begins as a peaceful tour of the Crown Jewels. However, things quickly go hilariously off-track when Granny and her grandson Ben recruit riders to break into the Tower of London vault! Featuring 360° spinning ride vehicles, vibrant projection screens, special effects, and physical set pieces, this immersive dark ride delivers explosive family fun for visitors of all ages.
Planning a trip to Alton Towers? Discover where it fits on our guide to the Top 10 Alton Towers Rides and Attractions, and uncover hidden resort secrets in our Alton Towers Secrets Guide.
Gangsta Granny: The Ride Statistics
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- Theme Park: Alton Towers Resort
- Location in Park: The World of David Walliams
- Year Opened: May 17, 2021 (Originally scheduled for 2020)
- Ride System Manufacturer: Garmendale Engineering
- Turnkey Development & Concept: Merlin Magic Making (Lead Designer: John Burton)
- Media Production: Holovis & Seeper
- Musical Score: Seeper & Richard Wilkinson
- Technical Installation: Holovis, Seeper & Dave Lascaut
- Type: Tracked 360° Interactive Dark Ride / Car Ride
- Vehicles: 8-seater Royal Carriages with 360° rotation
- Min Height Requirement: 0.9m (Riders between 0.9m and 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult 16+)
- Capacity: Unknown
- Original Cost: £Unknown
- Estimated Cost Today: £Unknown
Secure the best ticket deals by visiting our Alton Towers Offers Page, or book direct via the Official Alton Towers Gangsta Granny Page.
The Storyline: The Greatest Jewel Heist in History
The ride storyline follows young Ben, who discovers that his seemingly boring grandmother is actually an international jewel thief known as the “Gangsta Granny.” Guests enter the queue for the Royal Alton Hall Crown Jewels Tour, where author David Walliams welcomes visitors via video monitors.
Before long, Granny and Ben hijack the tour! Riders board royal carriages and zip through London sewers, explosive vaults, and high-speed chases. Along the way, you’ll encounter iconic characters from the book, including Raj the shopkeeper, Flavio Flavioli, and even Her Majesty The Queen as you try to snatch the Crown Jewels and escape before the Feds catch you!
Behind the Scenes: Design & Technology
Designed by Merlin Magic Making lead designer John Burton in direct collaboration with David Walliams, the attraction relies heavily on authenticity to the original books. Walliams personally voiced multiple characters in the ride soundtrack and participated in the animation review process.
The custom ride system was manufactured by British engineers Garmendale. Each 8-passenger royal carriage features controlled 360-degree rotation, allowing the vehicles to turn dynamically toward 3D digital projection screens produced by Holovis and physical set pieces crafted by Seeper. Originally slated to open in 2020, the opening was delayed to May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving the team extra time to fine-tune physical effects, lighting, and media transitions.
Gangsta Granny Themed Hotel Rooms
For the ultimate David Walliams experience, Alton Towers Hotel features specialized Gangsta Granny Themed Rooms.
Perfect for super-fans, these uniquely decorated rooms showcase Ben and Granny sneaking off with the jewels. Guests can even solve hidden clues around the room to crack the vault code and reveal a special surprise inside during their stay!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Gangsta Granny: The Ride scary?
No, Gangsta Granny: The Ride is a lighthearted, comical family attraction designed to entertain children and adults without scary elements or intense drops.
What is the height restriction for Gangsta Granny: The Ride?
Guests must be at least 0.9m tall to ride. Children between 0.9m and 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over.
Where is the ride located in Alton Towers?
The ride is the flagship attraction in The World of David Walliams themed area (formerly Cloud Cuckoo Land), located near CBeebies Land.
Are there themed hotel rooms available?
Yes! Alton Towers Hotel features official Gangsta Granny themed rooms complete with hidden code-cracking challenges for kids.
What other dark rides are at Alton Towers Resort?
Alton Towers is home to two other world-class dark rides: Hex – The Legend of the Towers inside the historic ruins, and The Curse at Alton Manor in Gloomy Wood.
Explore More Dark Rides & Alton Towers Guides
Check out our comprehensive visitor guides for Alton Towers Resort and UK dark rides:
- Alton Towers Resort Directory Guide
- UK Dark Rides Master Directory
- Top 10 Alton Towers Rides & Attractions
- 10 Alton Towers Secrets You Didn’t Know
- Alton Towers Insider Tips & Tricks
- Alton Towers Live Queue Times
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