Chessington World of Adventure

[Norman Potting]

After much nagging from the smallest Potting we have decided to go there on Wednesday armed with a selection of Nectar card, Tesco Vouchers and child free vouchers in the hope that they will be so confused that they let us in for nowt.

Any hints on how best to enjoy the day ("go somewhere else" will not be accepted), which rides to prioritise or avoid etc. The Pottings are 53, 47, 10 and 9 respectively. I have had a rummage on TripAdvisor but would appreciate words from the wise heads of NSC.

 

[Garage_Doors]

Be difficult to get in for nowt ,last time I took my lot they relieved me of the best part of £150

 

[Acker79]

Do they still do discounts for those that come by train/bus?

 

[happypig]

At 53 you should avoid everything except the pub.

 

[Iamapen15]

The rides are clearly what the children will want to spend there time on, however it's worth a spending part of your day looking at the animals. The lions, gorillas, sealions and penguins all have a show time which involves feeding. There is a safari style walk which brings you close to zebra etc and a Sealife centre.

When you've done that, then do the rides! If your going during school holidays it's best to get a 'queue jumping pass', otherwise you'll be queing most of the day.

The park is split into several different 'lands' with 3 or 4 rides, or things to see, in each. The old favourites such as Ramises Revenge and Dragons fall (the log ride) will get them wet. The new attraction is Dragons Fury which is actually fairly good.

The sky ride is old a rickety now, but gives a fairly good view of most of the park.

There's a run away train ride, then theres the back buccaneer - a boat swinging stomach churning ride and the vampire ride. All worth at least one visit.

We've got annual passes and find the younger child enjoy the rides in Chessington, but for your children's age, Thorpe Park is a little better. However, there's no animals there these days, it's just a ride based theme park! Enjoy!

 

[Tory Boy]

Get there 30 mins before stated entry. Doors will open early.

Plan to do three or four rides in the first hour.

After lunch queues will be large, might be worth buying front of queue tickets for then.

TB

 

[mune ni kamome]

Blimey. Was just a zoo when I last went.

 

[drew]

The rides are clearly what the children will want to spend there time on, however it's worth a spending part of your day looking at the animals. The lions, gorillas, sealions and penguins all have a show time which involves feeding. There is a safari style walk which brings you close to zebra etc and a Sealife centre.

When you've done that, then do the rides! If your going during school holidays it's best to get a 'queue jumping pass', otherwise you'll be queing most of the day.

The park is split into several different 'lands' with 3 or 4 rides, or things to see, in each. The old favourites such as Ramises Revenge and Dragons fall (the log ride) will get them wet. The new attraction is Dragons Fury which is actually fairly good.

The sky ride is old a rickety now, but gives a fairly good view of most of the park.

There's a run away train ride, then theres the back buccaneer - a boat swinging stomach churning ride and the vampire ride. All worth at least one visit.

We've got annual passes and find the younger child enjoy the rides in Chessington, but for your children's age, Thorpe Park is a little better. However, there's no animals there these days, it's just a ride based theme park! Enjoy!

When were there ever animals at Thorpe Park?

 

[Springal]

When were there ever animals at Thorpe Park?

Defo used to be at least 15-20 years ago

 

[backson]

Reminds me of an Alexei Sayle joke, he was standing outside Chessington World of Adventures, and said "I wouldn't want to bring a child into a World like this"

(I'll qualify that by saying we've taken the kids tons of times, just liked the joke)

 

[Nibble]

Do not get front of queue tickets. Endure a day of queues so that your children end up standing around so much that they NEVER ask you to go back again. It's your only hope. I did enjoy it but I can only imagine what it costs to get a family in there. Take 'em rockpooling in Shoreham.

 

[oldalbiongirl]

As tb mentioned - get there as early as poss as when we went they opened gates 1/2 hour before stated opening. Then head straight to rides, vampire first and then all the big ones. Zoo etc can wait for later when the ride queues are unbearable and then at end of day do the rides that you missed. If you have sent off your clubcard points for chessington vouchers it works out ok. Have fun!

 

[cloud]

but for your children's age, Thorpe Park is a little better.

Thorpe Park is 95% roller coasters though with some pretty scary ones - OK as long as you and the Mrs are both OK with that! I prefer Chessington as I'm a bit of a wuss and they have some gentler roller coaster rides, plus lots of other things to do such as the Aquarium and zoo and train rides.

Take a packed lunch to keep the costs down as the food inside is pretty dire and over-priced.

 

[drew]

Defo used to be at least 15-20 years ago

What sort of animals are we talking about here? It's never had anything like big cats or giraffes and the like. Maybe it had a small petting enclosure but never anything to write home about?

 

[Davey Boy Smith]

Incredible that the descriptions above are exactly how I remember it from 15-20 years ago. Would have thought that there would have been some significant changes? Does it look/feel a bit tired?

 

[cloud]

Does it look/feel a bit tired?

Yes they do look tired (though I would say that Legoland and Blackpool are the worst). The most up-to-date theme park is probably Disneyland Paris.

 

[Withdean11]

Warning! Don't buy fast passes until you get there (and see what the park is like) I Pre paid £80 for these for Alton Towers, only to find that there was no more than a 20 min que for each attraction!

 

[Motogull]

NP, if you are 6 2+, you might want to give Ramises' Revenge a swerve. I found it too uncomfortable.

 

[skipper734]

I went with the Cubs 56 years ago. My Mum made my sarnies and gave me my 1 Shilling pocket money to spend, she said I wouldn't need much spending money as it was a Zoo. Little did she know...........They were just starting to bring in rides, can't remember what the rides were but my Shilling was soon gone, as you had to pay for the rides as you went on them. The kindly Cub lady soon came to my rescue with more funds, thanks Mrs Dovey, I have never been so mortified in my life since as the experience of going to Chessington without enough money!
It so traumatised me that I haven't been back since, fortunately Jnr. Skipper has never been that fussed either. We have however been to Legoland a few times, there it's better to book on-line, to ovoid all the queues to get in, with a million people all arriving at the same time. Take your own food which is the usual advice if you go out anywhere with kids.

 

[Garage_Doors]

At 53 you should avoid everything except the pub.

I'm approaching that age and don't drink so guess I'm f***ed.