Mark9 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Thing is, you say its outdated but then the Jumbos are key important rides at all the Disney Magic Kingdom parks so there quite clearly is a draw there. The problem with Jumbos is something that lies through every Chessington ride. It just isn't looked after. Jumbos could look amazing, everytime they repaint the elephants, they look like new. But they've let the structure fade into a really dodgy green giving the ride this ancient looking edge.As for keeping it, well it is a popular ride. Throughput plays a part in it, but it is terrific for young kids and far more eventful then Sea Dragons or Carousel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenVig Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Thing is, you say its outdated but then the Jumbos are key important rides at all the Disney Magic Kingdom parksBut this isnt Disney, and it's not a key ride...... Will 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 But this isnt Disney, and it's not a key ride......Well done for pointing out the obvious and an excellent use of elipses.And well done for also cutting out the rest of my post that gave the other reason why Chessington will keep Jumbos.In fact, did you even read past the first line of my post? Ricky, Dan9, JoshC. and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles1 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 It's interesting the merlin parks in the uk are all kind of in bad situations.Chessington is surrounded by green belt.Alton towers is in protected woodland, and very strict height restrictions.Legoland has now pretty much swelled to as big as it can get.Thorpe park has the unusual situation of having plenty of expansion space and higher restrictions, but unable to do much because its surrounded by lakes.Kind of a no win situation for all the parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 http://maps.kingston.gov.uk/isis_main/Planning/Planning_DETAIL.aspx?strCASENO=1210008&strHeader=Y According to this, the Safari has been permitted with conditions. Hooray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam T Posted April 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 A source off ttf also reports that Merlin are putting £12 million into the project so I look forward to see how this turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepie Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 Fantastic news. Been having a thorough look through all of the documents; if you haven't done so, I highly recommend; there are some cool mood boards and visualisations (some we haven't seen before) in some of the files, do some digging if you have the time. I wasn't too excited about this project before but after having a proper read and look, this can only be good news for the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 Not created by merlin studios. Interesting. However, what is more interesting is this letter http://images.kingston.gov.uk/images_dellstore/DC/1210008/Image_97.pdf - it states what chessingtons been doing in the past decade, why they've rebranded, that the park has continually had ideas and applications which have been shelved.. It shows they do actually care for the place and need this in order to succeed. Only weird thing is they're planning to maintain visitor numbers through this investment, not increase it. But does show what an arse the local council are to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 A source off ttf also reports that Merlin are putting £12 million into the project so I look forward to see how this turns out! Ahh some investment, I'm happy now all we need is a new rollercoaster like Manta at SeaWorld San Diego and I'm very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 Only weird thing is they're planning to maintain visitor numbers through this investment, not increase it. But does show what an arse the local council are to them. I think that may be a tactical piece of wording. If they tell the council they plan to increase visitor numbers they would probably try and squeeze some infrastructure money out of them, if the plan is for visitor numbers to remain static the council have not got grounds to make such a claim. When visitor numbers exceed those planned everyone is happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 Apart from the council who will take a negative view due to congestion on Leatherhead Road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 28, 2012 Report Share Posted April 28, 2012 And that road already gets a fair amount of congestion... It's horrid around park close... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Well yes, but it's done then isn't it it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 Apart from the council who will take a negative view due to congestion on Leatherhead Road. Just going back here, Leatherhead Road is always busy during the day regardless of whether Chessington is open. During the season when the park is open, the traffic lights at the North entrance have helped ease the flow of traffic. The South entrance doesn't help at all and is quite frankly dangerous but I've travelled to Chessington many a time during November to February and that road is just a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James6 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Just received my Merlin annual pass Magazine thing for the first time and there is quite a good section on Chessington over the years. Although it does say "The resort has changed beyond all recognition" which I think is at odds with what we think, that the park has stayed pretty much the exact same. It does also state that it has received "huge investment" have to say I haven't seen any... Still it is a nice article with some great pictures, and it states that the finale of the Safari Tour next year will be "one of the most spectacular you're ever likely to witness at a theme park." Nemesis also gets a mention as the "coaster king" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmgpannal Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 ^ I agree with Merlin on this. They are writing a history of Chessington over 25 years and the park has massively changed. Firstly in its transformation from Chessington Zoo to Chessington then as the park has developed. Just look at the map from 1987 to see the changes! Granted there haven't been many recent changes but it looks like the Safari Trail will be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam T Posted July 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Credit to Theme Park Guide Here is the website also: http://www.chessington.com/zufari/ Lots of information on their about the ride! UnderItAll 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 That name is just... What? Also, sounds like they got Towers' marketing people on the job with the website Jump aboard the ultimate off-roader truck Nice to see the first official announcement of it though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC. Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Love the name actually; simple and to the point but also quirky. They really seem to put a lot of emphasis on THAT cave as well, hope that all goes to plan. Nonetheless should be a brilliant attract for the resort. On a separate note, the Africa theme is spreading - could that mean that Forbidden Kingdom is going to join in properly with Africa as well? Would create a great, large African area if rethemed to fit in properly.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Problem is that for me, it's too similar to Zafari, granted that's not technically on park, but surely there's a plethora of other potential names? It doesn't have to be short or quirky really, and this name to me just doesn't sound good... Hell just put Safari or Rally in it and then think up something... This is almost Cedar Fair naming style territory it's that bad imo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark9 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Wooo. So they plan to build something this time?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam T Posted September 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Update from Zufari! Lots of groundwork has been done! This thing looks huge! Steal work for the animal houses have also started And stone work has appeared on site! Looking good so far! All credits to Theme Uk for the images pluk and mah boi 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Yay construction at chessington! This has been.. well.. ages. Liking the rocks. If only they could blast deep down with explosives, could get some mighty rocks to decorate your entire park, and maybe find a good ride in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchada04 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 The framework for one of the enclosures now seems complete. Credit to Theme Park guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1hrisin Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Its porbably designed like that but it looks soo rickety Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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