Fred Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Zoo days have gone. Have we seriously gone back to the 07 era? Didn't realise the parks were that screwed up at the moment.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Does that even save money? What did it actually cost to open? They've still gotta feed those animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mer Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 I'm wondering that too! I've never been to a Zoo Day so I don't know what outlets are open etc, but I know that Zoo Hosts (the ones that do the talks etc) are only seasonal. So the only zoo-related staff would be Zoo Keepers, which they would keep anyway because as pluk pointed out, they need feeding etc Having said that, they would presumably have *some* food outlets open, so I guess they save money there, plus admissions staff, cleaning staff etc. Maybe they weren't popular enough to make enough money, no idea, but all I know is even though I love animals, I wouldn't go to a zoo in winter, it's too cold to stand and look at animals! Hmm... Either way, it's a shame to see yet another cut being made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Zoo days usually had at least the Chicken Shack and Pizza Pasta open as well as the central shop... Bit disappointing really, but maybe as well to be considered could be the construction involving Wanyama's Safari thing (if that itself doesn't get cut and cancelled) might affect it, and if they have to shut Wanyama for construction reasons, it might well not be worth bothering opening the zoo for the rest of it... Then again, I don't think these days were ever that popular... Like Chessie during any off peak day really... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Weekends and holidays were popular. Very popular. I highly doubt they needed many people to break even. Bit stupid really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Nooo! Why stop zoo days? They still have to spend money to feed the animals and all that so why not open the park to make a bit of money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfranklin Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I've just read elsewhere about this Zoo Days business - have Chessington made some sort of announcement that they are over? Comment on a different forum is that it was a planning permission condition for Wanyama that it was to be made available to the public all year round - so would they be in infringement of that rule? We tend to go about 3 times a month during the close period / Zoo Days, and it's always a nice trip out. Coaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Hi, I'll be taking my 6 year old on her 1st trip to Chessington on Friday, can't wait to get her on Vampire! Shame she's not quite tall enough for some of the bigger rides, but there's always next time! Anyway... I was wondering, is there a pick up / drop off point in the car park does anyone know? I haven't been for several years and I'm used to going by train, but we're lucky enough to be getting a lift this time. If not, will getting out of the car park be a problem or will we need to be dropped off down the road somewhere? From what I remember Leatherhead Road wasn't suitable for being dropped off on! Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmgpannal Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 ^ There is a drop off & pick up point at the entrance from the main grass car park. It's actually signposted to the right before the car park barriers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Brilliant! Thanks for that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mer Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 An update from the BBC website on Jessica Blake. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18613998 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jom222 Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Good to hear she is slowly getting better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Happy 25th Anniversary to Chessington. Which also means.. Happy 25th Birthday to Safari Skyway, Dragon Falls, Runaway Train and the Flying Jumbos which are the only original rides left at the park. (Unless you want to count Tomb Blaster but it isn't really the same in the slightest these days) tomglazed, Coaster and Tom 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Happy birthday to the Mack Ride system inside the building that houses Tomb Blaster... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon2000 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Shutting at 5pm at the weekend is ridiculous. Really, really busy day at Chessington today. I've never seen so many people still sitting around at closing time on the steps in Transylvania. I know we're in tough times but I think the cost cutting is going a little far now. 60-90 minutes for Vampire straight from when it opened up (late!) right up until closing. 50-80mins for Dragon's Fury all day long. All other rides with huge queues. I suppose Tomb Blaster being shut and Dragon Falls breaking down didn't help either... Not sure how well their Halloween event is going to turn out to be this year. As it is there is only going to be about 1 hour in the partial darkness, which is hardly very Halloween-like. Seeing as one of the big selling points is getting to ride the rides in the dark it's a bit ironic... I'm already dreading the queue times for the event. Might need that 3rd Vampire train... Oh wait, it no longer exists aside from parts... On a positive note my favourite part of my Chessington visits is the 'Children's' Zoo. The baby goat (Willow) and lamb along with all the other sheep, goats, pigs etc are awesome! Really relaxing just to be able to go and stoke some farm animals after a stressful week at work (no pets at home ). Scaffolding all over Tomb Blaster for the queue re-build, though no visible work happening on it today. Chessington still cautious about all other raised wooden queues with Runaway Mine Train and Rameses' using alternative entrance paths. Han30 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBobJones Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 We are getting into queue hell for the next 6-7 weeks, so I guess if you go, you will have to queue or just don't go until September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon2000 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 I think you're missing my main point. If it's so busy, which we all know it will be, why on earth are they not open later than 5? Even the weekends so far this year, where it's not been as busy, still feel way too much of a rush. If it was my only visit for a year I'd be really annoyed that I couldn't get everything I wanted to do done, whereas last year I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 I went to Chessington yesterday. Park was quite busy, and it closed too early - 5pm closing when the park is still full of people is not good enough. Han30 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackR Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Visited Chessie for the first time in a good few years today and needless to say, it was a great day out! I forgot how much I loved it there and despite the hot weather, there was minimal queues. Also had a cheeky shout-out over the mic from a mysterious stalker on Cobra... I was pretty shocked when they were saying my full name and commenting on my hair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Also had a cheeky shout-out over the mic from a mysterious stalker on Cobra... I was pretty shocked when they were saying my full name and commenting on my hair! Haha, I had that happen to me on my latest visit. I genuinely thought I was hearing things when I heard my name in that snake-like voice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidders Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Haha, I had that happen to me on my latest visit. I genuinely thought I was hearing things when I heard my name in that snake-like voice... Visited Chessie for the first time in a good few years today and needless to say, it was a great day out! I forgot how much I loved it there and despite the hot weather, there was minimal queues. Also had a cheeky shout-out over the mic from a mysterious stalker on Cobra... I was pretty shocked when they were saying my full name and commenting on my hair! Was probs Sheepie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackR Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Yeah I guessed it was him when I heard a distinct voice say: ''EVERYBODY STOMP YOUR FEET!'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon2000 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Really frustrating day at Chessington yesterday. There is still lots that make it a really charming park to visit, improvements are being made in places (e.g. Tomb Blaster lighting looking good) and I have a ton of fond childhood memories of the place. It's interesting to see the other thread pop up regarding whether Chessington needs another major ride. We all know the answer (and have done for many years now) - of course it does! Vampire & Dragons Fury just simply don't have enough capacity to fulfil demand. If one goes down, everything really does go to pot. The park still don't have a grip on the selling of fast tracks. Over-selling to the extreme this week it seems. Arrived at 9.45 yesterday, got on Dragons Fury by 10ish, by the time we got to Vampire after going to the loo, member of staff basically stood blocking the queue entrance stating it already had an hour+ queue! The mind boggles... Staff stood in front of it all day giving the bad news of how long the queue is, when we went back in the afternoon they estimated a mind-blowing 2 hours. Honestly was a bit doubtful and thought, no way, that can't be right, so gave it a go. Stood in the same spot in the queue for 15mins, all while trains going overhead. Then moved (no joke) 2 meters. Stood in that place for another 5mins. Gave up as they were indeed right, it would have taken 2 hours at that pace... Speaking to member of staff at entrance who said they (like me) had also been to Disney recently where things are operated so much better, and admitted fast tracks had been over-sold, but they had just stopped... I know it's perhaps a little harsh to compare against Disney but if Merlin are aiming to be one of the best in the world I think it's fair: Seriously, Disneyland can keep the queue for Big Thunder Mountain down below 70mins all day standby in the peak week of the year and they have what 3x(?) the visitors a day that Chessie gets? Even Crush's coaster at the Studios managed to stay at 70mins and they must of had twice Chessie's visitors when we were there last week - compared to 75mins for Fury all day yesterday. You know when crowds seemingly thin out in the last hour of most days? Wake up Chessington - this does not happen in the summer or at weekends! You need to extend opening to 7pm like Thorpe. Fury queue dipped down to 50mins on its entry sign at about 5.45pm and we were going to join for a 2nd ride of the day. Guess what - break down! Cars stopped all over the course, good way for the ride to end the day . Mooched off to Vampire for 5.55pm where staff still outside trying to warn people away and saying queue is still over an hour. Waited it out and ended up moving a bit faster than our attempt earlier in the day - theory: staff wanted to get home! Took an hour. Ended up on very back of the train which is rare nowadays due to exit riders, was good! I'll also say this - it's not nice for guests to not only have to wait hour+ in queues for staff to roll their eyes or moan about how there are still loads of people in the Vampire station/queue and they can't leave yet. Goodness knows what happened to the poor people who waited in the Fury queue in case they managed to get it open again, all other rides would have shut their queue lines at 6pm - Fury cars were still stuck on the MCBRs when we left the park at 7. Final moan for today, and backed up by the number of similar feelings on the facebook page: How they have the nerve to charge £2 to park in that grass/gravel car park I'll never know. They've just said they inspect and make repairs to it each day. They must be having a laugh. The craters in the surface only get worse on each of our visits to the extent off being car-damaging; and it took us 45mins to get out of the car park! I thought that Disneyland would be a ton more stressful during the peak of summer and having to cope with all those people, rather than familiar old Chessington. I was wrong - compare: *Disney: 8am-11pm openings, 2 theme parks, free fast passes meaning you can plan your day with no queueing, 6 parades a day, night time spectacular display, and I didn't even get bothered by a single wasp during a week! *Chessington: 10am-6pm openings; 1 park with annoying upsellers, 'sideshow-basketball-annoying-people'; fast tracks which cost £5 a pop and cause the standby queue to feel 2nd-rate citizens and not move anywhere, 3 Madagascar shows a day, wasps attacks, and you have to pay to leave the park and still have to add an hour to your day getting out of the damaging car park... Sort it out. Tom, Sidders, Coaster and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insider9150 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 What you have to remember, its your joice to pay for the Fast Pass even though realisticly is not needed, and you will find the £2.00 for parking your car, is far cheaper than parking your car at disneyland despite the condition of the surface. Also this is Merlin with a limited budget, not disney with an unlimited budget (within reason!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Chessie is piss awful over the summer. Seriously awful. Doesn't help that they don't generally care about operations too much anymore either. It just doesn't cope with busy days. Poor park. Needs investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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