peep

I just checked the application website, found this... So you'd be quite right to expect a new expanded Penguin area. The show upgrade would make sense too. Seems a bit weird for them to have a countdown just for that though? Oh sorry, just remembered we're talking about Chessington so we'd be lucky to get the upgraded Penguin area and a new show.

I believe it's a combination of both. Low throughput in terms of Disney attractions but it's something the whole family love so people flock to it in droves. I personally don't get the insane popularity, it's ok but not worth the long waits. I'd semi-hate to see it come to Paris, there's so much more they could do before getting Midway Mania. In terms of the rest of the article posted, it's a big mix of old rumours and new ones, nothing is confirmed but it has certaintly made being a Disney goon become more interesting. The fan forums have lit up in mass debates in regards to the truth behind it etc etc. I can certainly see a fair few things on the list becoming true. Do I believe the stuff about Soarin'? Nope, I'd personally hate to see Paris waste their money on it too. It costs a lot of money, has an awful throughput and I think it's a rather boring attraction (I know I'm fairly alone with this opinion). It'll be interesting to see how much of the Marvel stuff is true (I kinda hope all of it is), Marvel is such a hot IP right now and for Paris to cash in on it will do wonders for the resort. Same goes for Star Wars. Actually, with Star Wars I read another interesting rumour today that Autopia could potentially be on the chopping blocks for a Star Wars ride, I doubt it but it throws up interesting questions. Either way it'll be interesting to see how things develop at Paris over the next 3-6 years.

I heard it has been getting stuck in the same postition since the start of the season but they're able to fix the problem quicker as they installed some small features over the closed season which allow them to get it back down and unload it (without the long waits etc).

I wonder if the new price is to do with over-feeding the lorikeets? Several times I've been in there the birds didn't want to eat any of the nectar as so many people had clearly already fed them. One theory anyway. Might be thinking about the annual pass discount? As far as I can remember it's always been £1 and 70p (?) with the discount. If they're still doing stuff to Amazu then why open it in the first place? It was mainly closed when I went through last month a week or so after it opened and there's no visable work being done to it.

If this be true then this be very awesome news. Imo it's not people's opinion on the staff, it's their opinion on the stupid levels of audio. Did you experience the stupidity of the loudness of Vampire's PA? I felt like my ears were bleeding, didn't really help that the operator was screaming down it like a screaming banshee on fire either.And yeah, not being able to hear safety announcements (not like anyone really pays attention) on Tuk Tuk was probably against some sort of H&S rule so yeah, very glad they sorted it out.

I'm sorry but if they were so traumatised by it, who took the photos? If you didn't want your kids to see it why stick around long enough to capture the entire event in pics, rather than taking your child to see a different enclosure. In my mind these guests were just idiots and they're trying to get attention and make Chessington look bad in the process. It's sad that the event happened and I'd love to know how the feck the babies escaped and so I do think that needs looking into.

I still don't understand what everyone else is on about. I've seen the characters about interacting with guests for ages now. It's only the two dragons which stand around doing nothing on their little podium at designated times.

WANT NOW

Awesome, can they bring him back as he looks cool.

They had a Lion mascot? Tbh, I don't remember ever seeing one. I'm disappointed that the special guest is from an awful Dreamworks film but it does give the park an excuse to put on a random event.

^They seem to be the only two that are like that though. All the others are usually out for a fair bit of time and are usually very active. The meerkats occasionally appear next to the entrance arch at the concrete car park to greet guests. They also do character breakfasts in the hotel. I've seen the cow around a fair bit this year. They usually just hang around Market Square but when they're out they usually have a lot of interaction with the guests, I've also seen entertainments staff dressed up in explorers gear with massive nets running round the park telling kids an animal has escaped or something, looks really amusing and fun (only seen them from far away).

Yeah, I wouldn't expect someone who owns a Chessington fansite to realise that they already have 7 characters and a few others for special events. ^That could be quite amusing, having a Jackie Chan impersonator for the new show. I think entertainments can pull off some great events when only given a small budget so I'm really looking forward to this.

I love the sound of this. I wonder if the special guest is a new character?

Urgh that does sound quite disappointing. By the sound of it the Fury staff need to get their act together.

Haha, cool. So that's what the Chessie Facebook and Twitter account was getting so excited about

There were no signs of sponsorship removal on Sunday. Half the rooms didn't have any music. The lights in the finale room have changed to the ones that they put in the fairground scene last year which in this sort of attraction look turd because they haven't been programmed. Bring back the strobes! They were the only thing making that scene fun.The only good thing was new scents in the rooms which were nice, a less over-powering version of walking down the shampoo aisle at a supermarket and the old music in the station which was lovely to hear again. Oh and a few posters in the station have been re-newed due to the sorry state they got in over the last few years.

That is rather amusing

Wow. Firstly..LOL at 1990s Halfords randomness.Vampire looks so different and bare back then but Bubbleworks looks so new and amazing. The zoo looked so much more epic too with polar bears and elephants. Glad the food has improved since as whatever that was in that white plastic didn't look very nice

I went on Saturday and Seastorm was in pieces for maintenance and skyway was dead. Proof:Sea Life changes:New Wanyama Village enclosure construction:

The Great fire of London scene I think it what was there before Bloody mary. I was going to say there is no such thing as 5D but if that's what we're now calling an interactive 4D film with movement then it sounds reasonable. I have to admit that apart from the dodgy CGI it looks awesome and something like that would really add to the Dungeons.

I have to admit I'm finding it hard to figure out the scale of the site. For a 'themed' coaster it looks like a small area. I'm intrigued by this coaster though as we all know so little about it.

As far as I'm aware Merlin has nothing to do with the fireworks. The display is always organised by a company hired by either the Westminster Council or the UK Government. I reckon they just pay Merlin for use of the eye etc. It did look absolutely amazing, but being a massive fan of firework displays it had major downfalls in long pauses, music that was random and fireworks were not in time with said music etc oh and the whole fact they were 3 seconds early

As someone who owns a pass but doesn't use the car parks I couldn't actually care less. However I can understand some peoples anger. Getting used to such a fantastic perk I think this news was always going to be horrific to some pass holders. Due to the mass outcry on Facebook and on all the forums I can see the Merlin marketing team panicking and trying to come up with something to make the pass holders continue to go to the attraction. But yeah, it's an advantage that pass holders have just taken for granted. The passes themselves are still amazing value, how many times have you visited the attractions this year? How much would that have cost without a pass? Yeah, still epic value for money imo.I don't know why people are moaning about Legoland and Blackpool attractions though. Legoland's August restrictions will just be an extension to the already restricted London attractions during that month, which tbh is no big deal as they are horrible places to be in August as they are so busy. And regarding the Blackpool attractions...Oh nos no annual pass holder can go to Blackpool for ONE WEEK, what shall they do?

What ones have you been on then Mr Coasterfreck? I've been on the one at Parc Asterix and although fun (the first time) it takes up so much space and could easily be replaced by a much better attraction. It's made to look like a water ride but it's not, it's just a big dingy where you spin a lot, if the weight distribution is right. I'm totally against your bizarre idea of Chessington getting one due to the fact that it's boring once you've done it once, it takes up a huge amount of space (something in which Chessington lacks) and generally looks horrid as they are hard/expensive to theme.The whole fairground argument is silly, everyone knows (or should know) that theme parks are permanent fairgrounds with added theming to make it a better experience. The rides are (in most cases) looked after better maintenance-wise at theme parks.

Remove Rattlesnake and replace with a magic carpet. Thanks for the laugh.However I do like the suggestion of getting new cars for Rattlesnake with individual lap bars to reduce height restriction.