US News: Chocolate Adventure in LA, Inspired by Wonka, Draws Crowds Similar to Glasgow Event
A similar event inspired by a Willy Wonka-themed experience in Glasgow, which caused children to cry and led to calls to the police, has now taken place in Los Angeles, attracting a crowd of curious fans.
The original “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” in Scotland, priced at £35 per ticket, gained attention and generated numerous memes when images surfaced showing a nearly empty warehouse with minimal decorations and a bouncy castle.
Families were promised an unparalleled “chocolate fantasy,” but parents criticized the event as “chaotic” and “awful,” with many demanding refunds.
Willy’s Chocolate Experience Glasgow . Pic: Stuart Sinclair
Willy’s Chocolate Experience Glasgow. Pic: Stuart Sinclair
Following the controversial Glaswegian event, organizers crafted a replica in Los Angeles, mimicking the lackluster decorations and underwhelming stalls, including AI-generated artwork.
The one-night-only pop-up experience was hosted in a similarly dreary warehouse, with a few candy cane props along the rumpled green carpet entrance.
Guests were encouraged to “immerse themselves in a world of pure imagination at Willy’s Chocolate Experience Los Angeles, where chocolate fantasies come alive,” and received two complimentary jelly beans with each $44 (£35) ticket.
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Kirsty Paterson, a 29-year-old actress and yoga teacher who gained viral fame as a sad Oompa Loompa at the Glasgow event, was also a prominent figure at the Los Angeles rendition.
Kirsty Paterson was a key part of the experience. Pic: Angela Yang / NBC News
Another highlight of the event was a local actor portraying “The Unknown,” a villain from the Glasgow event who infamously frightened children by emerging eerily from behind a mirror.
‘The Unknown’ went viral after spooking children
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Wonka actor reveals behind-the-scenes ‘bonkers’ experience
NBC News, Sky News’s US partner, covered the event, noting its adult-oriented nature with Golden Ticket holders being offered THC-infused cotton candy and Oompa Loompa-themed cocktails, along with more explicit performances.
Pic: Angela Yang / NBC News
The event also featured local food vendors, musicians, and actors from the Los Angeles area, as well as a small cinema trailer where guests could watch silent films.
Organizers have stated that the proceeds from the Los Angeles experience will be donated to the US charity, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
