what was the meaning of the boat ride?

I don't know if it meant anything outside of pure entertainment value. Had Willy Wonka looked more like an episode of How It's Made it just wouldn't have the same appeal.

A world of fantasy.

To make kids in the audience shit their pants.

I think it means he's not meant to be interpreted as a goofy comedy figure, but as someone slightly dangerous and morally ambiguous. Funny, but also slightly unnerving.

IDK but I loved it

It means what may seem normal can be anything but normal!!!

I think the idea was to show that the factory and the things Wonka was working with were indeed dangerous if handled carelessly, a foreshadowing of the fact that he is trying to select an heir. He needs to see how well the kids handle it and that they don't just loose it. It was a test to see who had the presence of mind to not let the magic get out of control or control them.

What does it mean? Simply because things are normal does not mean they are normal.

I have no idea. It was very out of place, and made absolutely no sense whatsoever.

😎