The Chessington Story
Before we delve into the day, let’s talk first about how Chessington came to be the incredible theme park it is today. In 1931, animal enthusiast Reginald Goddard opened Chessington Zoo, which was unfortunately later shut down in 1939 by World War II restrictions. The Tussauds Group, formerly the Pearson group, bought the theme park in 1978. They continued to expand the park before merging with Merlin Entertainments Group in 2007. Since then, the park has gone from strength to strength and is now home to over 40 rides and attractions, including a zoo and SEA LIFE centre.
Rides and Attractions
You will need to pre-book a ticket to guarantee entry to the park, which includes access to the majority of the rides and attractions, the zoo and SEA LIFE centre. On arrival to Chessington, we discovered that there are 12 themed lands across the park, ranging from Wild Asia and Land of the Dragons to Adventure Point and Forbidden Kingdom.
More than 40 rides and attractions are split into three categories:
- The Little Rangers. Targeted at little ones, these include the two-storey Temple of Mayhem playground, the widely popular Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and the Adventure Tree Carousel.
- Family Explorers. With something for both big and little kids, these include the laser shooting Tomb Blaster, the mine train Scorpion Express and the thrilling off-road truck journey Zufari: Ride into Africa.
- Brave Adventurers. For those seeking a real adrenaline rush, these include the swinging roller coaster Vampire, the ride with dizzying twists and turns Dragon’s Fury and the exhilarating log flume with resident Amur tigers, Tiger Rock.
Although compact enough to explore everything in one day, planning your visit is vital to maximise your time there. It’s best to make an early beeline to the rides that accumulate longer lines quicker than others, such as Vampire and the new rides in the World of Jumanji.
Top Tip:
Chessington has a free app, which shows up to date queue times, reminders for presentations and talk times as well as a park map.
The World of Jumanji
Whether you’re fans of the original or are welcoming the new wave, a world of excitement has just opened up in Chessington with the world’s first Jumanji theme park experience. We headed here first, keen to see what the outcome of the eye-watering £17 million investment was…and safe to say, we were not disappointed. From the theming to the new rides, it’s a must-visit attraction even if you haven’t seen the films.
Key among the three new additions is the world’s first and only Jumanji themed coaster, The Mandrill Mayhem. So good we had to go on it twice, the ride swings you upside down, much like the Mandrill primates themselves. The further two rides, Ostrich Stampede and Mamba Strike, keep the adrenaline pumping, while also giving you the opportunity to appreciate the new land from a bird’s eye view.
Zoo & SEA LIFE
What’s great about Chessington is that it’s so much more than a theme park, it’s also a zoo and SEA LIFE centre.
SEA LIFE
Chessington is also home to a SEA LIFE centre. The 250,000 litre aquarium can be split into various sections:
- Shoreline: seahorses, rays and starfish
- Reef: clownfish, eels and cleaner fish
- Ocean Tunnel: pufferfish and horn sharks
- Amazonia: turtles and piranhas
There are also fun exhibitions, interactive rock pools, daily talks and feeding sessions to entertain all guests.
The Zoo
The perfect post-lunch activity while we waited for our food to go down, Zufari: Ride into Africa is an off-road truck safari. The 22-acre site is home to animals such as giraffes, rhinos, zebras and much more. Along the way, there’s pre-recorded commentary telling you all about the animals, including fun facts - did you know that giraffes sleep for just 5 minutes a day? After disembarking the truck, we continued our wildlife spotting at The Trail of the Kings. The most popular area of the zoo, the trail houses all manner of animals, including tigers, gorillas and lions. Although we didn’t manage to time it right ourselves, the best time to visit the trail is during feeding times. Yoohoo Children’s Zoo is the family-friendly zoo where guests can pet lots of farm animals, such as pigs, lambs and goats.
The Park
Shows
Proving once again to be far more than a theme park, Chessington has many shows and activities running each day. Although subject to change, performances include a Cocomelon dance-a-long with JJ and a meet and greet with The Gruffalo. There’s also numerous animal talks and feeds, where you can learn more about the incredible resident animals.
Events
There’s also a jam-packed calendar of special seasonal events throughout the year for the entire family to enjoy. Giving adventurers a taste of New Orleans, Mardi Grrra! runs from the end of May to the end of June, before the family music festival Wilderfest hits all the right notes during summer. Things get spooky every October during Howl’o’ween and magical during Winter’s Tail, when the park turns into a winter wonderland.
FAQs
Where is Chessington World of Adventures Resort located?
Chessington World of Adventures Resort is located in Chessington, Surrey, England. By car, Chessington is just two miles from the A3 and M25 but fear not, it’s well signposted! It’s also within 35 minutes from central London with regular train services from Waterloo, Clapham Junction and Wimbledon. There’s also a regular bus service from Kingston and Epsom.
What are the opening hours of Chessington World of Adventures Resort?
The opening hours vary depending on the season and day of the week. It is best to check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Is there an age restriction for the rides and attractions?
Although catering to visitors of all ages, some rides and attractions may have height or age restrictions for safety reasons. It’s best to check either in advance or on the day, there’s notice boards with any height restrictions.
Is there parking available at Chessington World of Adventures Resort?
Yes, there is parking available at the resort for a fee. There are designated parking areas for both cars and coaches, and parking attendants are available to assist visitors.
Ready to visit?
Now you’ve heard all about Britain’s wildest adventure, check out all the experiences we offer at Chessington World of Adventures Resort!
