Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo

Location	Chessington, England
Address	Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NE, United Kingdom
Website	www.chessington.co.uk
Owner	Nick Leslau, leased to Merlin Entertainments
Opened	7 June 1987
Previous names	Chessington Zoo
Operating season	Theme Park: March - October Zoo: Year round
Rides	26 total 4 roller coasters 2 water rides
Slogan	Dare you take the Chessington Challenge?

Chessington World of Adventures is a family theme park and zoo located in South-West London, England. It lies twelve miles from Central London, close to the A3 and M25 (junction 9 or 10). Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total 130... Merlin Entertainments is the biggest attractions operator in Europe and currently the second largest operating globally after Disney. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Giraffes in Sydneys Taronga Zoo A zoological garden, zoological park, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures and displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total 130... Central London is a much-used but unofficial and vaguely defined term for the most inner part of London, the capital of England. ... The A3 is a trunk road in Southern England, connecting London to Portsmouth. ... The M25 motorway looking south between junctions 14 and 15, near Heathrow Airport. ...

The park has a wide selection of attractions, ranging from the Dragon's Fury roller coaster, down to family-oriented rides such as the Bubbleworks. It also has a large number of animals, many of which can be seen from the rides. There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The word Animals when used alone has several possible meanings in the English language. ...

Park Guide

The park is split into ten lands. Each land has its own individual theming and can be known as a World within the Adventure.

Chessington Zoo

An area of the park that is a tradition that harks back to the days of Chessington being a zoo. This area contains most of the animals that are kept in the park, and they are divided into two different sections. The West side of the park has the famous 'Trails of the Kings' attraction: this walkthrough takes you up close to big enclosures where animals such as Gorillas, Tigers and Lions are kept. The East side of the park features smaller animals. These include Otters, Capybaras, Monkeys, Birds, Goats, and Pigs. Species Gorilla gorilla Gorilla beringei The gorilla, the largest of the primates, is a ground-dwelling herbivore that inhabits the forests of central Africa. ... Binomial name Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) Tigers (Panthera tigris) are mammals of the Felidae family, one of four big cats that belong to the Panthera genus. ... Binomial name Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) Capybara range The capybara (also capibara), Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Water pig) is a semi-aquatic herbivorous animal. ... For the TV show Monkey see Monkey (TV series) Cynomolgus Monkey at Batu Caves, Malaysia A monkey is any member of two of the three groupings of simian primates. ... For other meanings of bird, see bird (disambiguation). ... For the animal, see goat. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

There is also a sealion enclosure, in which there are shows several times a day, and 'Creepy Caves', a reptile house. Zookeepers on site care for the animals, many of which are endangered, and there is an active breeding programme.

Beanoland

Beanoland (themed around The Beano comic) was introduced in 2000. The area opened with only two rides. These rides were: Roger the Dodger's Dodgems, and Billy's Whizzer; a wave-swinger thrill ride with water fountains that squirt guests on the ride. These attractions still operate today. This March 2007 does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... See comedian Stand up comedian List of Comedians List of British comedians comics comic book comic strip underground comics alternative comics web comic sprite comics manga graphic novel List of comic characters This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the... Bumper car at a small town fair Bumper car is the generic name for a type of flat ride consisting of several small electric cars that draw their power from an overhead grid, which is turned off by the operator at the end of a session. ...

In the following years, Dennis's Madhouse and the Bash Street Bus were added. Dennis's Madhouse is another attraction for the younger adventurers.

Housed inside a building, visitors shoot each other with soft foam balls. This attraction also used to be Timekeepers from the Millennium Dome. Although these two additions are not major rides, they are still popular with visitors. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In general, Attraction is a force, that moves one object to another. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...

Forbidden Kingdom

Themed loosely around Egyptian/Aztec, this area is home to two rides. Tomb Blaster (previous rides on the site include 'The 5th Dimension' and 'Terror Tomb'/'Forbidden Tomb') is an interactive laser-shooting attraction. Riders fire laser guns at targets which earn them 100 points per target. This attraction is more of a game between friends or families. Although not intense, it is certainly one of the best rides within the park. Chessington World of Adventures is a family theme park located in Surrey, England. ...

Rameses Revenge, the other ride in Forbidden Kingdom, was introduced in 1995. Made by German manufacturers 'Huss Rides', Rameses Revenge is a thrilling 'Top Spin'. It usually has a short queue and several different ride settings to experience, and is without a doubt one of the most intense rides in the park. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... HUSS Rides is a German-based amusement park ride manufacturing company. ... It has been suggested that Thunderhawk (Worlds of Fun) be merged into this article or section. ...

Land of the Dragons

Land of the Dragons was a new area in the park which was opened for the start of the 2004 season. This dragon-themed zone contains mostly children's rides, which are contained within an area with only one entrance, so that parent can let their children run around without worrying about them getting lost.

Also contained within the area however, is a spinning roller coaster called Dragon's Fury, manufactured by Maurer Söhne. Designed as a family roller coaster, the 4-man cars are allowed to spin freely as they complete the course. The track is 60ft high and reaches a top speed of 45mph. Like the vampire, it has two chain lifts. The circuit also features an Immelmann turn, an airtime hill and a downwards helix. In a recent poll of the best steel roller coasters in the world, Dragon's Fury ranked 30th. Maurer Söhne is a steel construction company and roller coaster manufacturer. ...

Market Square

Market Square is a central area within the park. It is home to a selection of shops, video arcades and food stalls. Certain outlets include KFC, Pizza Hut, a Donut stall and the parks main retail shop. The land also contains the entrance to 'Safari Skyway', a monorail opened in 1987, which takes you upon a guided tour of the Zoo. KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a fast food restaurant chain based in Louisville, Kentucky. ... Previous Pizza Hut logo This image is a candidate for speedy deletion. ...

'Hocus Pocus Hall' was added to Market Square in 2003. Hocus Pocus Hall is an indoor walkthrough experience for younger adventurers. Visitors wear 3D glasses while walking through the attraction. Stereoscopy, stereoscopic imaging or 3-D (three-dimensional) imaging is a technique to create the illusion of depth in a photograph, movie, or other two-dimensional image, by presenting a slightly different image to each eye. ...

You can also find some lockers, an events stage and the parks Guest Services within Market Square. Look up locker in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Mexicana

Themed around a Mexican environment, Mexicana is home to an assortment of rides. The 'Rattlesnake' (built in 1998) is arguably the main roller coaster in this area. It features a mixture of sharp un-banked turns, sudden drops and rigid brakes, but it is all over rather quickly! The word turn can mean: Look up turn in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A series of logistics vehicles operated by the British Army. ... For the type of ferns known as brakes, see brake (fern). ...

With a minimum height restriction of 1.4 metres this is one of the few rides in the park that only older visitors can ride. It is also notable for being dug into the ground due to local planning restrictions. In mathematics, a function is a relation, such that each element of a set (the domain) is associated with a unique element of another (possibly the same) set (the codomain, not to be confused with the range). ...

The other ride in Mexicana is the 'Runaway Train'. This is a powered roller coaster made by Mack, and is aimed at the whole family. The train usually completes a number of circuits each time, but varies according to visitor numbers.

Mystic East

Mystic East is an oriental-themed area. It is home to the expansive 'Dragon Falls' log flume. The ride, opened in 1987, takes riders around the general Mystic East area and features two drops. The first drop takes visitors inside the mouth of a Dragon. The bigger second drop gives riders a chance to buy an on-ride photograph. It has been suggested that European dragon be merged into this article or section. ...

As of 2005, an observation wheel called 'Peeking Heights' also resides in this area. Peeking Heights features 18 pods that slowly rotate round. This gives riders a panoramic view of Chessington from the air. Singapore Flyer (under construction) The British Airways London Eye observation wheel on the banks of the River Thames near the Houses of Parliament, London, England Five capsules of the London Eye observation wheel. ...

Mystic East is also home to 'Panning for Gold'. A game where visitors sift through sand to find gold pieces. A certain amount of gold pieces will let you purchase a medal. Patterns in the sand Sand is a granular material made up of fine rock particles. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Standard atomic weight 196. ...

Pirates Cove

Pirates Cove is a small land adjacent to Transylvania. This area is home to the 'Black Buccaneer', a swinging pirate ship installed in 1988 and manufactured by Huss Rides. This swinging ship is larger than many pirate ship rides found in other theme parks. The ride offers a considerable amount of airtime in full swing.

The 'Seastorm' is a small circular ride where riders sit in small boats that bob up and down as they are rotated round. Installed in 1995, the boats turn backwards at some point during the course of the ride.

Pirates Cove is also home to a food outlet named 'Chips Ahoy', and several games units combined together to be called 'Treasure Chest'.

Toytown

Toytown, situated in the centre of the park, adjacent to Market Square. It is home to a number of gentle rides for the tiny tots. These rides all have low height restrictions and can attract some long queues in the summer.

The rides include a Carousel, 'Flying Jumbos' and the 'Berry Bouncers'. There are also two car rides within Toytown. The first car ride is named' Tiny Truckers' and includes trucks going at a slow speed around a circuit several times. The other is called 'Toadie's Crazy Cars'. This ride is themed around The Wind in the Willows. Carousel in Bobbejaanland, Belgium] (Bobbejaan Schoepen Archive) A carousel (or carrousel) is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers. ... Ratty and Mole, as interpreted by E. H. Shepard The Wind in the Willows is a classic of childrens literature written in 1908 by Kenneth Grahame. ...

The area also contains a small Cadbury's Castle shop, a rectangular pond and a weather house. Cadbury Schweppes plc (Cadbury Trebor Bassett) is a chocolate and beverage company with its headquarters in London, UK. Jacob Schweppe developed a method to make mineral water in Geneva, Switzerland in 1783. ...

Transylvania

Transylvania is home to two rides. The main ride in this area is the Vampire. This roller coaster uses suspended swinging cars as it glides round the track featuring two lift hills, and tight corners. With a relatively low height restriction, and a maximum speed of 45mph, this is a perfect family roller coaster. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

The second ride in this land is the 'Bubbleworks'. Sponsored by Imperial Leather, the 'Bubbleworks' takes you upon a tour of a soap factory. Similar to the old version (a fizzy drinks factory), you can see the several stages of the production, from the initial idea to the development and experiments.

Future Developments

2008

• Phase 2 of the zoo expansion will see the 'Trail of the Kings' attraction relocated to the site next to 'Creature Features' (behind the Hotel). There are also plans to introduce an interactive play area to Animal Land. Also, are the "Round-Up" and "Topple Tower" rides
• The arrival of Samurai from Thorpe Park.

This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Thorpe Parks rides and attractions from across the lake. ...

2009

• Phase 3 of the zoo expansion will see the staff facilities building and workshop relocated onto the former site of 'Trail of the Kings'. The space created from these projects will be used to create a new safari area featuring Giraffes, Zebras and other animals.

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Past Rides

• 'The Fifth Dimension' was closed at the end of the 1993 season. A total revamp of this ride saw the birth of the 'Terror Tomb'. Some of the remains of this ride can still be seen today.

• 'Chessington Railroad' left at the end of 1996. Although still a popular attraction, it was deemed in the way of future developments. Another issue instrumental in the ride's closure was the fact that long stretches of the route were on open pathways, considered a safety risk.

• 'Magic Carpet' was closed and left the park at the end of the 1998 season. In its place the following season was the mighty 'Samurai'.

• The 'Fun City Show' was demolished in 1999 to make way for Beanoland to open the next season.

• The 'Toytown Roundabout' was also removed at the end of 1999. In its place lay the Carousel.

• The 'Clown Coaster' left the park at the end of the 2000 season to make way for the new Berry Bouncers ride which took its place in 2001.

• Forbidden Tomb was re-themed during the 2001/02 closed season. Open in the new season was 'Tomb Blaster'. Gone was Abdab and friends, an interactive ride currently runs in its place.

• 'Action Man Critical Mission', a kids' adventure playground type attraction, was demolished during summer 2003 to make way for the Land of the Dragons area, new in 2004.

• 'Samurai' moved to Thorpe Park at the end of the 2003 season, this was a key factor in attracting the right target audience into the park.

• The 'Rodeo' spinning round ride was closed at the end of the 2004 season. The ride remained in the park, dismantled, prompting many to believe the ride would one day be operating again. However in early 2007 the ride was removed from the site.

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Park Opening Hours

The park is only open between March and October, before officially opening in March, the park hosts a rehearsal day, where they host a practice run to allow new employees to get a taste of their new job, on the rehearsal day, families and friends of employees are invited with each employee been given 4 free tickets. The park is open between the hours of 10 AM to 5 PM which gradually increases to 6 PM Then eventually for October, to 8 PM. The park hires new employees throughout the year and they generally post new positions on their website

See also

• List of theme parks in the United Kingdom

Alton Towers American Adventure Barry Island Pleasure Park Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackgang Chine Brean Leisure Park Camelot Theme Park Chessington World of Adventures Crealy Park Drayton Manor Dreamland Margate Fantasy Island Flambards Village Theme Park Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach Gullivers World LEGOLAND Windsor...

External links

• Chessington World of Adventures - Official homepage
• Chessington World of Adventures Insider - The largest independent guide to Chessington World of Adventures
• Chessington World of Adventures at Theme Park Junkies - A guide to 3 UK theme parks
• Chessington World of Adventures at ThemeParks-UK - A guide to the UK's top 5 theme parks
• Chessington Zoo Archive "1931-1987" - Independant site with information on Chessington Zoo's History along with Photo's, Memorabilia & Video Footage from it's days before becoming Chessington World of Adventures in 1987.