June 14, 20214 yr comment_273782 A different ending to Zufari, on Roblox. One choice is the cave, the other two, either an extended expedition or chasing poaches. Would anyone like that? Please? Edited June 15, 20214 yr by 08newmanb
September 12, 2024Sep 12 comment_321580 Another cut... So it seems rather than being closed on off peak days, it looks like Zufari is now closed for the remainder of the season (or forever?) Its been updated on the ride availability page as just 'Closed' and has been removed from the app entirely
September 12, 2024Sep 12 comment_321581 Oh dear, that is worrying - they haven’t even said it’s til the end of the season or “until further notice”… Zufari would be an odd one to close permanently because all the animals are there anyway, they might as well have an attraction showing guests around for what it’s worth? It was odd enough closing this on off peak days this year as it was! I know it’s been around for a long time now but Zufari still feels like a new attraction to me somehow. And actually quite a staple attraction, given the theme of the park with the animals etc. Will be odd if that goes. Are Merlin in a lot of financial trouble? They seem to be shutting up shop.
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321587 7 hours ago, Inferno said: I know it’s been around for a long time now but Zufari still feels like a new attraction to me somehow. I guess it's 11 years old now, but - until Jumanji - it was the newest big thing. So that gives it this feeling of being new-ish still. Bluntly put, the experience was a bit rubbish. I wonder if there's a logic of "this ride scores lowly in guest reviews, let's close it to increase the average guest experience and save money". But then of course, as Inferno says, they still have to tend to the animals anyway, so they're a sunk cost if the whole attraction is closed. There have been rumours that the park are considering scaling back in the zoo / animals on park. A closure of Zufari, leading to the associated animals being moved elsewhere, would therefore fit in with that. The thing with the removal of animals is that whilst it would save on running costs, the park still need to fill the voids they'd leave, which would also be very expensive. It's certainly an...interesting time at Chessington.
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321589 Was one of the worst designed rides in Merlin's ownership. Not helped by having no budget for the finale, which presumably was wasted on the god awful interactive preshow. Chessie's future does seem at a crossroads mind. Probably realising how much of a drain on finances the zoo is. However to remove that would remove the history of the park's roots and require a LOT of clever replacing. Can't exactly put a coaster right by the hotels.
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321590 Its worth noting that the normal entrance through the bridge by croc drop has been closed for a while as they're doing maintenance to the bridge. You have to go a long way round to get to the ride, near the hotels I believe. Maybe this has had an impact on ridership and therefore isn't worth opening? I do agree the experience is crap though and it seems they've just given up with it, when is the last time anything in the cave has actually worked? Last few times I've been on you just drive through it nothing happens ... Will be interesting to see what happens next year.
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321592 3 hours ago, Benin said: Can't exactly put a coaster right by the hotels. They should just do a Phantasialand and put a roller coaster through the hotel
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321594 Oh, definitely... Zufari is, and always has been, dreadful. I totally get why this would be towards the bottom of the list of 'rides worth running' (apparently such a list actually exists for Merlin's parks). Ditching the animals is an odd one, as it's quite a big part of the whole theme. One of the main selling points for the hotels is the views over the animals and all that sort of stuff so that'll take some doing to still make it unique and appealing (if they're bothered about that sort of thing anymore, who knows). It would be expensive and awkward to move away from all that, and re-theme things, but SeaWorld are managing it well. Not long ago the idea of SeaWorld not having any killer whales would be a ridiculous concept, but it's happening.
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321595 2 hours ago, JoshC. said: They should just do a Phantasialand and put a roller coaster through the hotel Would be great, but alas we are not in Phantasialand. Imagine the complaints Chessie would get for testing it in the morning!
September 13, 2024Sep 13 comment_321601 7 hours ago, Benin said: Imagine the complaints Chessie would get for testing it in the morning! Naa, it would be one of those new-fangled “seasonal attractions”, so would only open in August, and that would be from 14:30 👌🏼
March 3Mar 3 comment_324107 The sign for Zufari featured in a social media video today from Chessington while they spoke of ride upgrades etc. Perhaps there has been some work?
March 4Mar 4 comment_324116 11 hours ago, JoshC. said: Well they can't make it any worse tbf. I think you severely underestimate Merlins ability to make things worse.
March 4Mar 4 comment_324118 12 hours ago, JoshC. said: Well they can't make it any worse tbf. Bringing back THAT pre-show. 😬
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