A new ‘Chocolate Fantasy’ experience in Scotland has outraged Willy Wonka fans and resulted in kids bursting into tears, the police being called, and the event ultimately shutting down.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka was the biggest film of the Christmas period, grossing more than $600 million worldwide, and sticking around at the top of box office charts for months.
The success of the film has clearly inspired a new interactive experience in Glasgow, where attendees are invited to “indulge in a chocolate fantasy like never before,” for the princely sum of £35.
But families who took ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ up on their offer were greeted by less a fantasy, and more full-on nightmare, with the police being called, and the event getting canceled.
Willy Wonka fans horrified as “awful event” leaves children in tears
On the official Willy’s Chocolate Experience website, there’s talk of a place where “chocolate dreams become a reality.” Split into multiple sections, the Enchanted Garden promises “giant sweets, vibrant blooms, mysterious-looking sculptures, and magical surprises.” While the Imagination Lab is filled with “mind-expanding projections, optical marvels, and exhibits that transport you into the realm of creativity.”
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But those who did head down were instead enraged by the shoddy nature of what they found, with The Guardian reporting that the experience mainly consisted of “a sparsely decorated warehouse with a scattering of plastic props, a small bouncy castle, and some backdrops pinned against the walls.”
With distraught children apparently in tears, and furious families calling the police, the event was ultimately canceled, and attendees were sent on their way.
Paul Connell – an actor hired to perform at the event – told STV News: “My heart sank looking around… I just felt sad because I was aware of how many kids were going to be coming through. We were told to hand the kids a couple of jelly beans and a quarter cup of lemonade at the end.”
Organisers House of Illuminati have since issued a statement apologizing for the event, claiming they were “let down in many areas,” and promising refunds to all customers.