Alton Towers Resort released a teaser image earlier today, which left Twitter users a little confused –
“There’s something very exciting in the pipeline for 2020…”
However, the intrigue was short-lived, as David Walliams tweeted this an hour later..
“I am delighted to reveal that Gangsta Granny: The Ride will be arriving at Alton Towers in spring along with a new themed area based on my children’s books! I can’t wait!”

So it appears that “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is no more and it will officially become “The World of David Walliams” – I pondered this over when the original announcement came out. It also the old ‘Wobble World’ / ‘House of Monsters’ building will house Gangsta Granny : The Ride.

So what will Gangsta Granny : The Ride be like?
If you’ve not read Gangsta Granny, it tells the story of Ben. He is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his Grandma’s house. To Ben, she’s the boringest grandma ever – all she wants to do is to play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup. However, there are two things Ben doesn’t know about his Grandma. 1) She was once an international jewel thief. 2) All her life, she has been plotting to steal the Crown Jewels, and now she needs Ben’s help…
The image suggests that guests on Gangsta Granny : The Ride will ride on ‘The Crown Jewels Tour’, no doubt while Gangta Granny and Ben are attempting their daring theft of the Crown Jewels. the building the ride is earmarked for is surprisingly large, so there is plenty of room for a decent length of attraction.
Climb into your royal carriage as Granny and Ben enlist your help to pull off the greatest jewel heist in history! Take a spin through the sewers on a 360° special effects-laden wild ride to break into the crown jewels vault! Can you grab the jewels and make an explosive escape? Careful, if the Feds catch you, you’ll be in a right royal mess!
Something that the UK is very lacking in right now is dark rides, and I’m so pleased that Alton Towers Resort is introducing a new one with Gangsta Granny : The Ride!
As well as Gangsta Granny : The Ride, what will The World of David Walliams contain?
At the end of the 2019 season, Cloud Cuckoo Land was home to a Carousel Ride, The Frog Hopper and The Driving School.
Alton Towers have confirmed the line-up of the rest of the World of David Walliams as follows –
- Pick up a crazy bargain in Raj’s Shop
- Race on a regal thoroughbred on the Royal Carousel
- Giggle with delight on Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp
There’s no news about the Driving School as yet – I’m wondering if will be rethemed into ‘Billionaire Boy’s Cars’. There’s also an empty theatre building too – could there be a David Walliams themed show in the theatre? It could even house a 4D Film. I can’t wait to see!
When will Gangsta Granny : The Ride open?
There’s no firm date as yet – currently, Alton Towers Resort are saying Gangsta Granny : The Ride will open in Spring 2020.
Anything else?
Yes! It looks as though the Alton Towers Hotel will be getting some ‘Gangsta Granny’ themed rooms too!
Stay and enjoy a fully immersive Gangsta Granny overnight experience! Guests will be able to stay a uniquely themed room, surrounded by the book’s much-loved characters and hidden treasures.
Alton Towers Resort have put up a page with more information on Gangsta Granny : The Ride and the World of David Walliams here.
Do you have any thoughts on what Gangsta Granny – The Ride could be like? Or what else we might see in The World of David Walliams? Drop a comment below!