Toyland Tours: The Magic, Music and Memories

Back in 1994, a toy factory called 'Toyland' opened right in the heart of Cred Street in Alton Towers!

This factory started doing tours and opened its doors to the public, allowing anyone who entered it's doors a sneak peak into the toy making magic!

What attraction am I talking about?..

Of course... its.... Toyland Tours!

Yes today we are going to be having a quick look into the wonders that was this attraction!

Let's Go!

The Tour 

As I mentioned at the top of this atricle, the ride's narrative was a tour around a charming tour factory. A magic one at that! where all the toys come alive and have a party! 

This was a boat ride manufactured by Mack rides! 

Taking guests on a slow and wonderfully colourful journey through the various departments! 

The park even managed to include Sonic The Hedgehog! 

The building in which the ride was housed was HUGE! 

It was an impressive investment for the park, costing almost £2 million. It was a decent length too, with ride times running up to 5 mins for a full circuit of the ride path! 

The only similar style attraction in Europe,  at the time, would have been Pirates, at Disneyland Paris! 

The Magic

I feel, what really captured the magic of this attraction was the dedication and time that had gone into building those physical set pieces and animatronics! 

This is honestly, something that I fear is getting lost in modern theme park rides and experiences! 

Throughout the ride, the animatronics varied in size, structure and character! 

It had such an iconic feel, it had a typical style of Tussauds at the time. Something, which upon reflection, was so organic and had so much heart put into it! 

The Music 

We can not mention this ride without talking about the rides wonderfully bouncy soundtrack! 

It was composed in it's entirity by Graham Smart! A musical master, who has since gone onto create other famous soundtracks for theme park attractions around the world. 

But Perhaps most famously he also produced, the other 'Marmite' style soundtrack to Prof Burp's Bubble Works, at Chessington in 1990! 

Some people loved the soundtrack of Toyland Tours, while others loathed it, but, it's Safe to say we can all agree they were good old fashion family fun! Which to many has lead to fond memories and in turn, when listening to these back, pure nostalgia! 

Wrap Up 

For its 16 years of operation, this ride has created some fantastic child like whimsy, which proudly sits in the history books of the park. 

But most importantly, this attraction will always live on in our hearts! 

The Toyland Factory, kept it's doors open, giving tours until 2005. The attraction was replaced with a 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' ride!

Which now has been replaced for the 'Alton Towers Dungeon'

Thank you for checking out the first in our series celebrating Alton Towers!

Keep your eyes peeled for more blogs coming out Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. All about the nation's number 1 theme park!

Did you enjoy Tourland Tours? Do you have great memories?

Leave a comment below or get involved on our Insta @coastersamblog

But until next time,

See ya!

Sam x