Get All Access for $5/mo

Willy Wonka-Esque 'Chocolate Experience' Advertised with AI-Style Images Turned Out to Be in 'Absolute Shambles' Several images featured on the website advertisements have telltale signs of AI art.

By Beatrice Nolan

Key Takeaways

  • Police were called to a Willy Wonka-style event after families were left underwhelmed.
  • Customers criticized the event, saying it failed to deliver its advertised features.
  • The organizers apologized and promised full refunds to ticket holders.
Stuart Sinclair via Business Insider
The House of Illuminati's

This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

A "Willy's Chocolate Experience" last weekend turned out to be a whole 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 become reality" with an enchanted garden, an "Imagination Lab" that promised "mind-expanding projections and optical marvels," and a "Twilight Tunnel."

A disclaimer at the very end of its website said: "This experience is in no way related to the Wonka franchise, which is owned by the Warner Bros. company."

People quickly realized it was far 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 out for the kids," but shortly after arriving, he noticed a line of people 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 images the organizers used online were generated by artificial intelligence. Several of the images featured on the website have telltale signs of AI art, and Business Insider was able to create very similar images using AI.

The House of Illuminati did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the use of AI in marketing photos.

Sinclair said in his Facebook post the company was "nothing more than an absolute con."

After promises 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, a person.

Willy Wonka Chocolate experience

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 very stressful and frustrating day for many and for that we are truly sorry.

"Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realise we probably should have canceled first thing this morning instead.

"We fully apologize for what has happened and will be giving full refunds to each and every person that purchased tickets."

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Personal Finance

This Candlestick Trading Masterclass Can Help You Unlock Passive Income for Your Business

Learn what it takes to make smart investments in the stock market.

Fundraising

Will Investors Bite on a Pizza Wallet? Find Out on the Wild Season Finale of 'Elevator Pitch.'

On the season 12 finale of "Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch," contestants teach investors to look at ordinary things in a whole new way.

Franchise

These Are the Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2024 — And You Can Start One for Less Than $5,000

We evaluated new and emerging brands based on the same rigorous criteria used in the Franchise 500 process, analyzing more than 150 data points.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says the Best Entrepreneurs Are Good at This One Thing

Real estate entrepreneur and investor Barbara Corcoran says a few key traits prove effective when starting a business. Here's her top pick.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Starting a Business

Nearly 50% of America's Workforce Has a Secondary Source of Income or Side Hustle. Here Are 7 Steps You Should Take to Create Lasting Value for Yours.

Today's entrepreneurs have the opportunity to generate long-lasting supplementary income if they take these steps.