Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Stats and Facts

Installed - 2006
Height Limit - must be at least 1.0m unless accompanied by an adult

Alton Towers Discovered Opinion

Intensity Rating
Theme Rating
Adrenaline/Thrill Rating
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Entertainment Rating
Overall Rating

How long is it worth queuing?

First Time - 30mins
Repeat Ride - 10mins

       Charlie and the Chocolate Factory : The Ride arrived at Alton Towers in 2006, following the makeover of the aged Toyland Toys. The ride is situated at the very back of the park, next to Cred Street McDonalds - you will not miss it, the front exterior is eye-catching and identical to the frontage you would expect from the book and cartoon pictures. It makes for an impressive first opinion and the queue winds around the front of the building, from where you can join it and then into the building.

As you enter the building, the queue continues, where projectors display pre-ride videos to entertain the family. You approach the boarding station and are probably impressed, the theming having been good so far. You will be directed towards a boat by a ride assistant and your ride of the chocolate river begins! The boat ride takes you through numerous sections including Augustus Gloop, the Inventing Room and the Juicing Room.
There are some nice touches, like a mirror section and waterfall which is timed to stop as you go beneath it, but a lot of the ride is quite bare with gaping gaps.

The short boat rides finishes before it really gets going and you are directed towards a batching area to watch a Mike TV video and then through to one of the 'Great Glass Elevators' - the finale of the ride. The elevator is simialar to a 3D simulator, with screens located on walls and the ceiling. The ride is bumpy and quite enthralling, but still leaves that feeling that it could have been better.

Although Charlie and The Chocolate Factory has revitalised Cred Steet, its no great shakes and could have been a lot better!