This text originally appeared on Business Insider.
A “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” last weekend turned out to be a complete lot less satisfying than people had hoped.
The event was staged by the House of Illuminati in Glasgow, Scotland. It was advertised as a “place where chocolate dreams turn into reality” with an enchanted garden, an “Imagination Lab” that promised “mind-expanding projections and optical marvels,” and a “Twilight Tunnel.”
A disclaimer on the very end of its website said: “This experience is on no account related to the Wonka franchise, which is owned by the Warner Bros. company.”
People quickly realized it was removed from what organizers had promised.
Stuart Sinclair, who said he took his children to the event, called it an “absolute shambles.”
In a Facebook post, Sinclair said the event had been described as a “great day trip for the children,” but shortly after arriving, he noticed a line of individuals waiting to complain.
Police were even called and “advice was given,” a Police Scotland representative said, according to Sky News.
X users speculated that the photographs the organizers used online were generated by artificial intelligence. Several of the photographs featured on the web site have telltale signs of AI art, and Business Insider was able to create very similar images using AI.
The House of Illuminati didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment regarding using AI in marketing photos.
Police were called to an ‘immersive’ Willy Wonka Experience after families showed up to an ’empty warehouse’
The event reportedly charged $40 for entry, advertised with AI art, and said it might be a ‘journey stuffed with wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every… pic.twitter.com/udz8KeWVxQ
— Culture Crave ? (@CultureCrave) February 27, 2024
Sinclair said in his Facebook post the corporate was “nothing greater than an absolute con.”
After guarantees of chocolate fountains, Sinclair said his kids received two jelly babies and a small drink. He added that the tickets for the event cost him £35, or about $44, an individual.
Stuart Sinclair called the event an “absolute shambles.” Stuart Sinclair via BI
The House of Illuminati said in a Facebook post on Saturday night: “Today has been a really stressful and frustrating day for a lot of and for that we’re truly sorry.
“Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in lots of areas of our event and tried our greatest to proceed on and push through and now realise we probably must have canceled very first thing this morning as a substitute.
“We fully apologize for what has happened and might be giving full refunds to each and every one that purchased tickets.”