Posted September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321711 Big news from Chessie then. https://www.cwoa-consultation.com/ TL;DR Wild Asia to be rethemed with a new coaster. Kobra survives. The Glamping binned off too as seemingly only on temp permission anyway. Mexican (but not Rattlesnake) killed off for a land akin to CBeebies. Other stuff like Lodges (when did that happen) and Water Park are on-going.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321713 Wow, this was a bit out of the blue wasn't it! Great news. Hopefully the coaster has a good throughput. With all this and the waterpark hopefully coming soon, Chessington has a good few things to look forward to, as long as they can keep some rides open occasionally.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321716 Good news, very much needed. A new family coaster will be a great addition. I’m shocked but pleasantly surprised that Rattlesnake is staying. No monkey swinger is a great loss though. I know it’s a simple flat, but the water makes it good fun and is one of my favourites there.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 Author comment_321718 Did the water even work on it last few years? 25 years old would you believe (if memory serves). Yet not the oldest attraction (or buildings, something weirdly pointed out in the detail) in the park either.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321721 4 hours ago, Benin said: Other stuff like Lodges (when did that happen) Glad I'm not the only one thinking this. With it mentioned, I have a very vague recollection of it being mentioned. But still, that was a surprise. Consultation suggests Wild Asia replacement full plans will go to the council next month. So potentially a Spring 2026 opening. So if Merlin are on a major investment cycle strategy, that suggests maybe we're looking a big theme park investments every 3 years? Purely conjecture on my point though. The new coaster gives off strong "Studio Tour at Movie Park Germany" vibes for me. Simply because that also has a minor outdoor section. For those unaware, that is an Intamin multidimensional coaster (other examples being Th13teen, Uncharted at Port Aventura, technically Gringotts coaster, etc). In short, a coaster with trick tracks. Something like that would be great at Chessington, but they don't typically have amazing throughputs. Still, designed well it could knock around the 700-900pph mark, which would surely be the best coaster on park for throughputs? The Mexicana replacement sounds fine. However, I confess myself a bit confused by the idea to replace Wild Asia. There's parts of the park which I would consider requiring more attention, both in terms of quality and age. Seems like getting a boob job when you need a knee replacement. Looks nice but you're still hobbling about.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321728 2 hours ago, Benin said: Did the water even work on it last few years? 25 years old would you believe (if memory serves). Yet not the oldest attraction (or buildings, something weirdly pointed out in the detail) in the park either. Yeah it does, certainly worked on my visit last season and I've seen clips of it on this year. Don't think they have it on year round though. Also was quite surprised to see the decision to replace Wild Asia. Shame to lose that theme too its always been one of my favorite areas at the park.
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321735 One interesting to note is that the area almost perfectly aligns with a square grid.. Wonder what sort of theme would warrant that 🤔
September 19, 2024Sep 19 comment_321736 Not nearly ambitious enough. I say this as someone who wears red tinted glasses when it comes to Chessington. I think it's mad to replace Wild Asia. This is a park that cannot afford to run Tiger rock and Rattlesnake on quieter days. So they knock down Wild Asia. An the rumoured replacement theme fills me with a sort of mehness.
September 20, 2024Sep 20 comment_321744 Agreed. Wild Asia being bulldozed is bizarre to me when you have Tomb Blaster which is past it (both ride and building). In my mind, would have made more sense to rip out Tiger Rock and Tomb Blaster since Merlin don't like flume rides and it's also pretty old. Wild Asia is one of the best themed areas in the park IMO.
September 20, 2024Sep 20 comment_321749 It also feels fairly new to me. I know I’m old, but it really does feel like only a few years ago Wild Asia and Scorpion Express opened. In my mind they’re among the “newer” things at Chessington 🤷♂️ Perhaps there are other plans for the likes of Tomb Blaster tba? I agree with the comments about tiger rock - although they’ve only just tarted that up haven’t they 🙄
September 21, 2024Sep 21 Author comment_321753 Wild Asia was 2010. Since then it's been Zufari, Croc Drop, new Carousel, the random Pirate flats, a mini flume & a few rethemed rides until Jumanji last year. Still feels new purely down to the crap levels of investment.
September 21, 2024Sep 21 comment_321762 Wild Asia isn’t the first area that comes to mind, when it comes to redevelopment. However there’s no denying there needs to be some work done and building a major coaster/indoor ride there makes a lot of sense. However monkey swinger’s likely demise makes me rather sad. Mexicana and the Children’s Zoo area redevelopment seems very predictable, especially given the need for a coaster for young families and Scorpion seemingly being kaput. The plans are relatively exciting, but when the rest of the park comprises an ageing flume/dark ride, suspended coaster, kids rides and cheap (new) flat rides, more needs to be done really.
October 6, 2024Oct 6 comment_322183 I'm thinking that Monkey Swinger has the potential to relocate somewhere. This would either be somewhere in the park (I'm thinking Old Rodeo/Jumbos site behind Croc Drop) or another park such as Thorpe Park or Alton Towers where it could fill a gap in their line ups. I think the Dodgems will be retired due to it's age/reliability and Jungle Bus will be relocated to Project Play.
November 7, 2024Nov 7 comment_322959 Pretty much confirmation that the new area will be Minecraft themed.
November 21, 2024Nov 21 comment_323077 Today must be the day of planning applications as the full planning application has gone in for Project Refresh & Renew. I think it's going to Minecraft themed.
November 21, 2024Nov 21 comment_323080 Some pictures of plans: https://x.com/AttractionSc/status/1859605164950184303
November 22, 2024Nov 22 comment_323092 A new rollercoaster is great news, perhaps this is a bad take but is this not just Merlin copying Universals homework with what essentially seems to be Mario world themed to Minecraft. I’m going to be able to buy an interactive wristband, where have I seen that before.
December 23, 2024Dec 23 comment_323405 Chessington have submitted plans to replace Scorpion Express, the games areas and children's petting zoo. A new area will be created with a new coaster (Zierer Force One) and 3 children's rides, one of which will be Jungle Bus relocated from Wild Asia: A key thing to note is the park are going to move the animals to the Wanyama Village and Reserve part of the park, and intend to do so with all their animals eventually. The application also states the park are still well below pre-Covid numbers in terms of guest attendance.
December 24, 2024Dec 24 Author comment_323411 "Exciting" isn’t probably what an adult would be terming these plans.
March 3Mar 3 comment_324106 Chessington have put out a social media video to address the development coming soon, and part of that video was about the fact Wild Asia will be closed this season.
March 3Mar 3 comment_324109 Obviously all for development, new attractions, etc. But having two parts of the park closed and under development (Wild Asia and Scorpion Express) does hit and feel pretty significant, even if Scorpion has been closed for years. It's a shame it all has to happen at once, especially given the reduction in Entertainment offering. Hopefully the park have plans to compensate for a good chunk of the park being a construction site. Does risk causing some people feeling short changed otherwise
March 4Mar 4 comment_324112 Big loss having Wild Asia closed for the season, especially for a park that really struggles with capacity. Hopefully with Wild Asia being closed for the season they'll keep all other rides open off peak days...
March 4Mar 4 comment_324115 I think that given how much of the park will be closed now, there needs to be visible construction taking place on both sites asap. If Wild Asia is left in situ with everything closed for several months, it’s shameless cost cutting. If it’s actively being worked on however, I think people will see the positives in that there is a lot of work happening to improve.
March 4Mar 4 Author comment_324117 Is Minecraft Land for 2026 or 2027? That will make a massive difference.
March 4Mar 4 comment_324122 54 minutes ago, Benin said: Is Minecraft Land for 2026 or 2027? That will make a massive difference. Minecraft is 2027. Apparently. It's why they've closed Wild Asia a season earlier than they probably needed to. Too much capacity at Chessington. Needed sorting.
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