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Coordinates: 51°20′51″N 0°18′56″W / 51.34750°N 0.31556°W / 51.34750; -0.31556
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{{Short description|Dark water ride}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Update|date=April 2017}}
{{Update|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Primary sources|date=November 2019}}
}}{{italic title|string=The Gruffalo}}
⚫
{{Use British English|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
⚫
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox attraction
{{Infobox attraction
| name = The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure
| name = ''The Gruffalo'' River Ride Adventure
| logo =
| logo =
| logo_width = <!--Default is 250px-->
| logo_width = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image =
| image =
| imagedimensions = <!--Default is 250px-->
| imagedimensions = <!--Default is 250px-->
| caption = Ride exterior in 2017
| caption = Ride exterior in 2017
| location = Chessington World of Adventures<!--Must not be linked.-->
| location = Chessington World of Adventures<!--Must not be linked.-->
| section = [[Transylvania area|Wild Woods]]<!--Should be linked.-->
| section = Wild Woods
| coordinates = <!--Use ONLY if attraction is at one park. Use {{coord}}-->
| coordinates = <!--Use ONLY if attraction is at one park. Use {{coord}}-->
| status = Operating
| status = Operating
| cost =
| cost =
| soft_opened =
| soft_opened =
| opened = 18 March 2017
| opened = 18 March 2017
| previousattraction = [[Bubbleworks]]
| previousattraction = [[Bubbleworks]]
| type = [[Dark ride]]
| type = [[Dark ride]]
| manufacturer = Mack Rides
| manufacturer = Leisure Tech / WGH - (Lifts replaced by Garmendale)
| designer = Merlin Magic Making
| designer = Merlin Magic Making
| model =
| model =
| theme = [[The Gruffalo]]
| theme = [[The Gruffalo]]
| music =
| music =
| height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqft = <!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqft = <!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqm = <!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqm = <!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce =
| gforce =
| capacity = 1,000
| capacity = 1,000
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicles = 28
| vehicles = 28
| vehicle_type = Tubs
| vehicle_type = Tubs
| riders_per_vehicle = 4
| riders_per_vehicle = 4
| rows =
| rows =
| riders_per_row = <!--Only use if rows has been specified.-->
| riders_per_row = <!--Only use
if rows has been specified.-->
| participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| participants_per_group = <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| duration = 6 minutes
| duration = 6 minutes
| virtual_queue_name = Fastrack
| virtual_queue_name = Reserve and Ride
| virtual_queue_image = Merlin Entertainment Fastrack availability.svg
| virtual_queue_image = chessington reserve ride.jpg
| virtual_queue_status = available
| virtual_queue_status = available
| single_rider = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| single_rider = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| pay_per_use = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| pay_per_use = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| accessible =
| accessible = yes
| transfer_accessible = yes
| transfer_accessible = yes
| assistive_listening = yes
| assistive_listening = yes
| cc = yes
| cc =
}}
}}
⚫
'''''The Gruffalo'' River Ride Adventure''' is a [[dark ride|dark water ride]] that opened in March 2017 at [[Chessington World of Adventures Resort]] in [[Greater London]], [[England]], developed by Merlin Entertainments. It takes riders through scenes based on ''[[The Gruffalo]]'' franchise. The scenes consist largely of digital projection and include clips from the 2009 animated film ''[[The Gruffalo (film)|The Gruffalo]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chessington.com/2017/explore-the-ride/|title = Chessington World of Adventures Resort: UK Theme Park & Zoo}}</ref>

⚫
'''The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure''' is a [[dark ride|dark water ride]] that opened in March 2017 at [[Chessington World of Adventures Resort]] in [[Greater London]], [[England]], developed by Merlin Entertainments. It takes riders through scenes based on [[The Gruffalo]] franchise. The scenes consist largely of digital projection and include clips from the 2009 animated [[The Gruffalo (film)|Gruffalo film]].<ref>https://www.chessington.com/2017/explore-the-ride/</ref>


==Ride experience==
==Ride experience==
The ride utilises the original Bubbleworks exterior repainted, plus an added green screen photo opportunity in the queue. The riders then enter a redecorated station, with details such as leaves on the ceiling and a stage-flat backdrop.
From the entrance, riders then enter a station decorated with stage-flats and leaves suspended from the ceiling.


The scenes throughout the ride depict the Gruffalo story, using screens, ambient lighting, projections and some animations. The ride ending retains the two smaller of the three sets of fountains, from its predecessor ''Prof. Burp's BubbleWorks''.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzrXS0LJFgA</ref>
The scenes throughout the ride depict the Gruffalo story, using screens, ambient lighting, projections and animations. The ride ending retains the two smaller of the three sets of fountains from its predecessor ''[[Bubbleworks]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzrXS0LJFgA|title=Gruffalo River Ride Adventure - Chessington World of Adventures|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

An [[on-ride photo]] is taken as the boat drops down a ramp into the final scene.


==History==
==History==
{{Main article|Bubbleworks}}
{{Main article|Bubbleworks}}
The original ''Prof. Burp's BubbleWorks'' ride operated for fifteen years, before being redesigned for a sponsorship deal at the end of 2005, without the involvement of the ride's original designers. During this refurbishment, the ride's factory theme was changed to suit the new sponsor [[PZ Cussons|Imperial Leather]], with most the animations and effects removed. By 2014 the Imperial Leather sponsorship had expired and so the brand logos were removed, but the ride remained in a poor condition. On 6 September 2016, the ride closed and the remaining props auctioned off.
The original ''Prof. Burp's BubbleWorks'' ride operated for fifteen years, before being redesigned for a sponsorship deal at the end of 2005,<ref name="themeukhistory">
{{cite news
| title = History of attractions / timeline: Chessington
| url = http://themeuk.net/Chessington_Site/?page_id=1414
| publisher = Chessington UK
| accessdate = 9 June 2023
| url-status = dead
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131017184951/http://themeuk.net/Chessington_Site/?page_id=1414
| archivedate = 17 October 2013
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref> without the involvement of the ride's original designers. During this refurbishment, the ride's factory theme was changed to suit the new sponsor [[PZ Cussons|Imperial Leather]], with most of the animations and effects removed.<ref name="2006Review">
{{cite news
| title = 2006 IL BubbleWorks Review
| url = http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/bubbleworks_main.htm
| publisher = Coaster Kingdom
| date = 26 March 2006
| accessdate = 10 June 2017
}}</ref><ref name="Wardley Q&A">
{{cite news
| title = John Wardley Q&A BubbleWorks discussion
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt2S8lBJFMs&t=11m35s
| publisher = YouTube
| date = 15 March 2014
| accessdate = 10 June 2017
}}</ref><ref name="seasonpass">
{{cite news
| title = John Wardley Bubbleworks discussion at 12:30
| url = http://podbay.fm/show/268430539/e/1272521520?autostart=1
| publisher = The Season Pass Podcast
| date = 28 April 2010
| accessdate = 10 June 2017
}}</ref> By 2014 the Imperial Leather sponsorship had expired and so the brand logos were removed, but the ride remained in a poor condition. On 6 September 2016, the ride closed and the remaining props were auctioned off.


On 1 January 2017, Chessington announced that ''The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure'' would replace Bubbleworks.<ref>http://www.gruffalo.com/what-s-happening/news/the-gruffalo-river-ride-adventure-%E2%80%93-a-uk-first-h</ref> The new ride was produced by Merlin Magic Making and officially opened on 18 March 2017, with the surrounding Transylvania area renamed 'Wild Woods'.<ref>https://www.chessington.com/2017/gruffalo-at-the-resort/</ref>
On 1 January 2017, Chessington announced that ''The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure'' would replace Bubbleworks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gruffalo.com/what-s-happening/news/the-gruffalo-river-ride-adventure-%E2%80%93-a-uk-first-h|title = The Gruffalo - the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure – a world first - has landed in the Wild Woods at Chessington Worl}}</ref> The new ride was produced by Merlin Magic Making and officially opened on 18 March 2017, with the surrounding Transylvania area renamed 'Wild Woods'.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chessington.com/2017/gruffalo-at-the-resort/ |title=The Gruffalo has arrived at Chessington World of Adventures Resort |access-date=1 April 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081727/https://www.chessington.com/2017/gruffalo-at-the-resort/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Many of the Bubbleworks sets were simply screened off behind partition walls, since the building space had been designed to accommodate the original larger scenes than those in the new ride. ''The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure'' features far fewer animations, props and scenic detail than the original ''Prof. Burp's BubbleWorks'', instead employing TV screens and projected images on to whited-out sets, with the remaining spaces shrouded in darkness to hide blank spots.
''The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure'' features far fewer animations, props and scenic detail than the original ''Prof. Burp's Bubble Works'', instead employing TV screens and projected images on to whited-out sets, with the remaining spaces shrouded in darkness. Since the building was built to accommodate the original larger and more detailed scenes from Prof. Burp's Bubble Works, most of the Gruffalo sets were simply built in front of the old scenes. However, smell pods were added to give a better effect for the forest at one point which were received well.


==References==
==References==
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*{{Official website|https://www.chessington.com/2017/}}
*{{Official website|https://www.chessington.com/2017/}}


{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Chessington World of Adventures Resort}}
{{Chessington World of Adventures Resort}}
{{British dark rides}}
{{British dark rides}}
{{The Gruffalo}}
}}


{{coord |51|20|51|N|0|18|56|W|type:landmark_region:GB-KTT|display=title}}
{{coord|51|20|51|N|0|18|56|W|type:landmark_region:GB-KTT|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, The}}
[[Category:2017 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2017 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Chessington World of Adventures rides]]
[[Category:Chessington World of Adventures rides]]
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[[Category:Amusement rides based on film franchises]]
[[Category:Amusement rides based on film franchises]]
[[Category:Animatronic attractions]]
[[Category:Animatronic attractions]]
[[Category:Cultural infrastructure completed in 2017]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2017]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2017]]
[[Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2017]]
[[Category:Donaldson and Scheffler]]

Latest revision as of 21:35, 21 February 2024

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure
Chessington World of Adventures
AreaWild Woods
StatusOperating
Opening date18 March 2017
ReplacedBubbleworks
Ride statistics
Attraction typeDark ride
ManufacturerLeisure Tech / WGH - (Lifts replaced by Garmendale)
DesignerMerlin Magic Making
ThemeThe Gruffalo
Capacity1,000 riders per hour
Vehicle typeTubs
Vehicles28
Riders per vehicle4
Duration6 minutes
Reserve and Ride available
Disabled access Wheelchair accessible
Must transfer from wheelchair
Assistive listening available

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure is a dark water ride that opened in March 2017 at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Greater London, England, developed by Merlin Entertainments. It takes riders through scenes based on The Gruffalo franchise. The scenes consist largely of digital projection and include clips from the 2009 animated film The Gruffalo.[1]

Ride experience

[edit]

From the entrance, riders then enter a station decorated with stage-flats and leaves suspended from the ceiling.

The scenes throughout the ride depict the Gruffalo story, using screens, ambient lighting, projections and animations. The ride ending retains the two smaller of the three sets of fountains from its predecessor Bubbleworks.[2]

An on-ride photo is taken as the boat drops down a ramp into the final scene.

History

[edit]
Main article: Bubbleworks

The original Prof. Burp's BubbleWorks ride operated for fifteen years, before being redesigned for a sponsorship deal at the end of 2005,[3] without the involvement of the ride's original designers. During this refurbishment, the ride's factory theme was changed to suit the new sponsor Imperial Leather, with most of the animations and effects removed.[4][5][6] By 2014 the Imperial Leather sponsorship had expired and so the brand logos were removed, but the ride remained in a poor condition. On 6 September 2016, the ride closed and the remaining props were auctioned off.

On 1 January 2017, Chessington announced that The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure would replace Bubbleworks.[7] The new ride was produced by Merlin Magic Making and officially opened on 18 March 2017, with the surrounding Transylvania area renamed 'Wild Woods'.[8]

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure features far fewer animations, props and scenic detail than the original Prof. Burp's Bubble Works, instead employing TV screens and projected images on to whited-out sets, with the remaining spaces shrouded in darkness. Since the building was built to accommodate the original larger and more detailed scenes from Prof. Burp's Bubble Works, most of the Gruffalo sets were simply built in front of the old scenes. However, smell pods were added to give a better effect for the forest at one point which were received well.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chessington World of Adventures Resort: UK Theme Park & Zoo".
  2. ^ "Gruffalo River Ride Adventure - Chessington World of Adventures". YouTube.
  3. ^ "History of attractions / timeline: Chessington". Chessington UK. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  4. ^ "2006 IL BubbleWorks Review". Coaster Kingdom. 26 March 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. ^ "John Wardley Q&A BubbleWorks discussion". YouTube. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. ^ "John Wardley Bubbleworks discussion at 12:30". The Season Pass Podcast. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. ^ "The Gruffalo - the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure – a world first - has landed in the Wild Woods at Chessington Worl".
  8. ^ "The Gruffalo has arrived at Chessington World of Adventures Resort". Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
[edit]

51°20′51″N 0°18′56″W / 51.34750°N 0.31556°W / 51.34750; -0.31556

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