Chessington World of Adventures holding public consultation regarding “current proposals and new developments” - potential new attraction?
- Thread starter Matt N
- Start date
Coaster Chall YouTube
Hyper Poster
Yeah that ride is safe for now. I agree.
When I made my predictions, I would've like a new family or family thrill ride to have replaced Rattlesnake or Scorpion Express - ideally a Frisbee Ride (Cyclonator or Tigeren).
But I guess that's not the plan...
owenstreet7
Mega Poster
Whilst a Gyro Swing of Cyclonator or Maelstrom's size would've been fantastic for Chessington, I think there were bigger priorities for the park such as replacement family coasters. I thought that could've been a ride they added to the World of Jumanji instead of Mamba Strike and/or Ostrich Stampede.
At the same time, I'm not as keen on Chessington getting the same ride models at Paultons Park which Kobra and Croc Drop appear to have done.
I think that a Gyro Swing of the size of Tigeren would fit fantastically at Thorpe Park on the Slammer site next to Hyperia. It could be the perfect supporting ride for Hyperia.
Niles
Giga Poster
Always great to see investment and some TLC, Mexicana does definitely need it.
However for a big refurb I was hoping for a Vekoma SFC Vampire replacement, but ill take a indoor coaster and more. I do think Wild Asia just needed some tlc and would have been fine but if this is what they want to do its fine with me.
However for a big refurb I was hoping for a Vekoma SFC Vampire replacement, but ill take a indoor coaster and more. I do think Wild Asia just needed some tlc and would have been fine but if this is what they want to do its fine with me.
MackMan
Mega Poster
I love the investment and interest Merlin are taking in Chessie recently, I do think the park has brilliant growth in its area. As others have said though, the refresh sounds great but it really feels odd to redo an area that doesn’t feel like it needs redoing. There is so many tired attractions and areas in the park that are crying for the help.
Coaster Chall YouTube
Hyper Poster
I completely understand that tbf.
A gyro would work on Slammer's site perfectly to support Hyperia.
Overall with CWOA, I'm happy with the two main developments as well as the existing projects already in the works. It's gonna be an exciting time.
Tonkso
Hyper Poster
All this screams Merlin realising how far Chessington has fallen behind, IMHO. Paulton's upped their game in recent years and are close enough to be a threat, now Universal is on the scene too which will serve a different market, but raise the bar on quality.
New additions have been good and I think Jumanji is going to look great as the foliage takes over and Shipwreck Coast looks nice and slick, but parts of Chessington are really worn down, and it shows. Even Thorpe is hugely upstaging Chessington now with better operations (seriously, what's happened to Thorpe the past couple of years!?), better food, little details like free suncream... I usually visit both together over a weekend and I find it hard to believe they're run by the same company.
New additions have been good and I think Jumanji is going to look great as the foliage takes over and Shipwreck Coast looks nice and slick, but parts of Chessington are really worn down, and it shows. Even Thorpe is hugely upstaging Chessington now with better operations (seriously, what's happened to Thorpe the past couple of years!?), better food, little details like free suncream... I usually visit both together over a weekend and I find it hard to believe they're run by the same company.
Love how spot on this is.
Fleetwood_Mack
Mega Poster
I actually remember thinking last year that Wild Asia seemed a bit tired and dull looking, and that it generally seemed a bit of a waste of space. It doesn't surprise me that this is happening. It's probably the easiest/cheapest plot of land on site to flatten and redevelop.
Meanwhile... what's going to happen with Vampire, Tomb Blaster and others? It must only be a matter of time before something else does a Scorpion Express and just dies completely. The park is full of tired old rides.
Meanwhile... what's going to happen with Vampire, Tomb Blaster and others? It must only be a matter of time before something else does a Scorpion Express and just dies completely. The park is full of tired old rides.
CineramaMax
Mega Poster
I think Vampire still has some life left in it, it had a renovation a few years ago for its anniversary, but I am concerned about Tomb Blaster and Tiger Rock. While I'm sure this will be a lot of fun, it does seem that a few more pressing priorities have been ignored. Tomb Blaster honestly needs to be replaced and very quickly, it is not fit for purpose.
Having said that, this does fill a gap in the park's coaster portfolio. They definitely needed an indoor coaster, as well as more indoor attractions.
Having said that, this does fill a gap in the park's coaster portfolio. They definitely needed an indoor coaster, as well as more indoor attractions.
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owenstreet7
Mega Poster
Vampire I believe the park will do everything in their power to keep it going for as long as possible.
Tomb Blaster, I'd like to see it get the Curse at Alton Manor treatment at some point.
Tiger Rock, I'm hoping it keeps going for as long as possible. I think the loss of that will be massive as it's the park's main water ride. I think it should be replaced similar or like for like if it goes.
I do wonder if the mid week closures is intended to potentially justify a future closure of Tiger Rock for a new (non-water) coaster.
CineramaMax
Mega Poster
The official planning docs have gone live with more details.
A large themed center-piece in the middle of the coaster's outdoor section.
Interestingly, what looks to be a tea cups style flat ride.
'Digital dining'?
A large themed center-piece in the middle of the coaster's outdoor section.
Interestingly, what looks to be a tea cups style flat ride.
'Digital dining'?
CrashCoaster
CF Legend
Well I don't think there's much disputing that's an Intamin.
JoshC.
Strata Poster
Couple of points to add:
This isn't the full planning application. This is to see whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required prior to the full application.
So in the grand scheme of things, we're not seeing much more than already seen (the extra pieces of info have already been highlighted), but there will be a further application after this.
As always, never use planning images to totally determine a manufacturer. Whilst I fully expect that this will be an Intamin, planning drawings can sometimes end up (accidentally) being a bit deceptive for who the manufacturer will be.
This isn't the full planning application. This is to see whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required prior to the full application.
So in the grand scheme of things, we're not seeing much more than already seen (the extra pieces of info have already been highlighted), but there will be a further application after this.
As always, never use planning images to totally determine a manufacturer. Whilst I fully expect that this will be an Intamin, planning drawings can sometimes end up (accidentally) being a bit deceptive for who the manufacturer will be.
owenstreet7
Mega Poster
Honestly, I'd be surprised if it's a classic teacups as I'd thought Chessington would've added one by now if they were looking at one. Especially if they're potentially getting rid of up to 2 traditional style flat rides (Dodgems and Wave Swinger).
With the possible Minecraft theme, I'm thinking either a Mack Gameplay Theatre or a Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage could be fantastic for the building. The latter would be especially unique for Chessington and the UK.
Matt N
CF Legend
Personally, I imagine it will probably be an undercover flat of some description rather than a dark ride.Honestly, I'd be surprised if it's a classic teacups as I'd thought Chessington would've added one by now if they were looking at one. Especially if they're potentially getting rid of up to 2 traditional style flat rides (Dodgems and Wave Swinger).
With the possible Minecraft theme, I'm thinking either a Mack Gameplay Theatre or a Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage could be fantastic for the building. The latter would be especially unique for Chessington and the UK.
A Gameplay Theatre is possible, I guess, as I can’t imagine they take up a huge footprint, but I’m not sure how likely an Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage is, personally. I imagine Danse Macabre takes up a much larger area than this “flat ride” seemingly takes up (probably not far off that of the area’s main coaster, I’d imagine), and I’d also imagine that the budget required for two “headline” attractions in one area would be higher than what Chessington can feasibly afford.
Joelpagett
Mega Poster
Do we have any evidence pointing to a Minecraft theme?
On the one hand I can see the sense in it, but on the other hand, it seems really sad to rip out a fairly well-themed land to replace it with a gimmick.
Money talks
On the one hand I can see the sense in it, but on the other hand, it seems really sad to rip out a fairly well-themed land to replace it with a gimmick.
Money talks
Matt N
CF Legend
The strongest piece of evidence is a market research study that was unearthed earlier in the year, where Merlin were testing the waters for Minecraft lands at Alton Towers and Chessington. Perhaps this is the results of that market research study materialising?Do we have any evidence pointing to a Minecraft theme?
On the one hand I can see the sense in it, but on the other hand, it seems really sad to rip out a fairly well-themed land to replace it with a gimmick.
Money talks
People have also pointed to certain visual clues within the drawings, such as a very blocky, square visual language to the area and buildings, as something that’s corroborating this theory further.
In terms of whether it would be a “gimmick”; I personally disagree. I know Merlin has had a mixed success record with IPs, but Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time. It’s also already 13 years old and still has a very strong user base, estimated at 140 million monthly players as recently as 2023, so it’s hardly a flash in the pan. The game is very popular, and I think a land themed to it could be a massive success.
owenstreet7
Mega Poster
With the success of Super Nintendo World, I'm not surprised that Merlin will want to look at a major video game IP for a huge area. Minecraft does sound right for the Chessington target audience and has the potential to really put Chessington on the map along with Project Play which could also be an IP. It also has the potential to grow Chessington's target market slightly.
The success of Super Nintendo World was from how authentic and immersive the area is.
I'm worried that this will fall short. With Sonic Spinball, that seemed like a quick soft retheme of Spinball Whizzer.
I'd love to see a park take on the Sonic IP again to the same level and effort as Super Nintendo World or Minecraft. A clone of the original Blue Fire at Europa Park would make a fantastic headline coaster for such an area with the layout being similar to Green Hill Zone.
Matt N
CF Legend
I think Super Nintendo World is quite a tall order given that the budget for Super Nintendo World was probably 10 times what Merlin can realistically afford.
Hopefully Mojang will hold Merlin to a high standard (with how popular Minecraft is, I think they can afford to be picky), but I think expecting a Super Nintendo World calibre area is an unrealistic ask given the scale of Chessington versus any of the Universal parks.
If they produce something that is high quality and stands out on the regional theme park stage (i.e. not Disney or Universal), I think that’s realistically about as good as we can expect from a park of Chessington’s scale.