In 2014 theme park developer John Wardley had the misfortune of meeting teenage me and generously gave his time to discuss the early developments of Chessington and Alton Towers.
I’ve only kept back some detail on Bubble Works and 5th Dimension for future videos but here’s the extended interview for the first time.
0:00 Career Beginnings
1:35 Developing Chessington
10:31 Designing dark rides, The 5th Dimension and Tussauds Studios
15:54 Transylvania, The Vampire and Bubble Works
22:12 Redeveloping Alton Towers, Katanga Canyon and Haunted House
With special thanks to John Wardley
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Wonderful interview!!
Well this was a nice surprise! Really great interview. So interesting hearing John speak about the different approach to the transit systems; I think it’s brilliant how they did it in Fifth Dimension, with so much potential for great story telling. Unfortunately this is lost in the current lacklustre version of Tomb Blaster. I loved the part when you asked John if he knew Bubbleworks would be a success and he said ‘well I loved it and I knew that everyone else would!’ ☺️ They don’t make rides like this anymore.
I love ur channel it just fascinates me
It’s just perfect timing to have someone with pioneering ideas like John and a company like Pearson / Tussaud’s who trusted John & were willing to build it. Alton Towers is such a special park but I’d just love to see these types of attractions being built again in the UK but not solely at Merlin parks.
For example Tulley’s Shocktober Fest continues to be such a great event because they expand every year and are always thinking bigger and better. Shame that it’s only a seasonal attraction, that team could build a great park.