I visited Chessington World of Adventures on Friday. It was the deadest I've ever seen a Merlin park, every ride was a walk-on all day. That was nice. Newest things first, I started my day riding Scorpion Express - the re-themed Runaway Train that's "new for 2014."
The coaster is in keeping with Chessie's recent leaning towards edutainment rides. In 2013, Zufari taught us all about the vague, watery consequences of ancient cave markings. Now Scorpion Express is an edu-runawaytrain-ment ride that tells us all about how Scorpions express themselves.
Here are some facts that I learnt on board:
1. Scorpions can harness the power of fire twice in one ride cycle. That's 10 times more often than an 'I only use fire when I feel like it' Swarm Alien.
2. Scorpions sit on a cloud of smoke, occasionally moving slightly like they're about to do something impressive, but their's no real animatronic bite to their structural bark.
3. Scorpions will squirt water on you if you sit on the left hand side of them.
4. Scorpions are the only arthropods to have an entirely metal shell.
Coaster-wise, I'm not a fan of those small, powered, figure-8 family coasters like Flying Fish and Runaway Scorpion. They go round the circuit too many times, to the point where I get so bored I just long to get off. But, in all honesty, this coaster is better than what it was before.
Rattlesnake was next, followed by Zufari - where they have removed the benches so you can now walk straight through without watching the annoying pre-show! That's easily the parks best addition this year.
Onto one of my fave sections of Chessington next : Wanyama Reserve. Had a chat with the amazing Ostrich who lives there.
He was expecting a new cred, poor sod.
Honourable mention to the second best animal in Wanyama Reserve:
The Fennec Fox <3
Seen as the park was dead, I had time to watch lots more shows and animal talks than usual. The Madagascar one was actually really fun!
Esmeralda, who is one of Chessington's adorable Binturong, refused to come out for the Animal Antics talk. Whilst I was sad that I didn't get to see her saunter around, I love how Chessington don't force their animals to take part in the presentations.
Really missed the Creaky Cafe when it came to lunch time. Their jacket potatoes were great, unlike those disgusting Pizza Pasta Buffets - does actually anyone like those?!
Whist I'm having a moan, here are some other Chessthingtons that I am disgruntled about:
-The new Market Square is rather bland.
-They still haven't painted over the chipped railings in the Vampire's queue line.
- The new cartoony signage by the Petting Zoo is too bright. It hurt my eyes.
- Dragon Falls is getting bleaker by the year
However, it's Dragon counterpart, Dragon's Furie was great fun. Easily the best coaster in the park, in my opinion. Rode all the other rides, was surprised to see Ramesses Revenge finally up and running again too.
Then headed to the zoo last, because the animals always seem to be more active later in the afternoon. The Lynx were beautiful. The gorillas had tiny babies. Lovely stuff.
As I left the park it struck me how beige Chessington is. I find it hard to distinguish between each themed area, so I've made myself a new map featuring the parks 7 different shades of beige.
Note: Wild Asia has a more grey-based beige, whereas Zufari has a lighter 'natural' beige, and Forbidden Kingdom has a darker share of beige because it's forbidden to climb on the rocks in Forbidden Kingdom.
I really like Chessington, but I don't know why I like it as much as I do. It's one of life's great mysteries. Still, the main thing is: I got a new mug cred. Which makes everything worthwhile.
The coaster is in keeping with Chessie's recent leaning towards edutainment rides. In 2013, Zufari taught us all about the vague, watery consequences of ancient cave markings. Now Scorpion Express is an edu-runawaytrain-ment ride that tells us all about how Scorpions express themselves.
Here are some facts that I learnt on board:
1. Scorpions can harness the power of fire twice in one ride cycle. That's 10 times more often than an 'I only use fire when I feel like it' Swarm Alien.
2. Scorpions sit on a cloud of smoke, occasionally moving slightly like they're about to do something impressive, but their's no real animatronic bite to their structural bark.
3. Scorpions will squirt water on you if you sit on the left hand side of them.
4. Scorpions are the only arthropods to have an entirely metal shell.
Coaster-wise, I'm not a fan of those small, powered, figure-8 family coasters like Flying Fish and Runaway Scorpion. They go round the circuit too many times, to the point where I get so bored I just long to get off. But, in all honesty, this coaster is better than what it was before.
Rattlesnake was next, followed by Zufari - where they have removed the benches so you can now walk straight through without watching the annoying pre-show! That's easily the parks best addition this year.
Onto one of my fave sections of Chessington next : Wanyama Reserve. Had a chat with the amazing Ostrich who lives there.
He was expecting a new cred, poor sod.
Honourable mention to the second best animal in Wanyama Reserve:
The Fennec Fox <3
Seen as the park was dead, I had time to watch lots more shows and animal talks than usual. The Madagascar one was actually really fun!
Esmeralda, who is one of Chessington's adorable Binturong, refused to come out for the Animal Antics talk. Whilst I was sad that I didn't get to see her saunter around, I love how Chessington don't force their animals to take part in the presentations.
Really missed the Creaky Cafe when it came to lunch time. Their jacket potatoes were great, unlike those disgusting Pizza Pasta Buffets - does actually anyone like those?!
Whist I'm having a moan, here are some other Chessthingtons that I am disgruntled about:
-The new Market Square is rather bland.
-They still haven't painted over the chipped railings in the Vampire's queue line.
- The new cartoony signage by the Petting Zoo is too bright. It hurt my eyes.
- Dragon Falls is getting bleaker by the year
However, it's Dragon counterpart, Dragon's Furie was great fun. Easily the best coaster in the park, in my opinion. Rode all the other rides, was surprised to see Ramesses Revenge finally up and running again too.
Then headed to the zoo last, because the animals always seem to be more active later in the afternoon. The Lynx were beautiful. The gorillas had tiny babies. Lovely stuff.
As I left the park it struck me how beige Chessington is. I find it hard to distinguish between each themed area, so I've made myself a new map featuring the parks 7 different shades of beige.
Note: Wild Asia has a more grey-based beige, whereas Zufari has a lighter 'natural' beige, and Forbidden Kingdom has a darker share of beige because it's forbidden to climb on the rocks in Forbidden Kingdom.
I really like Chessington, but I don't know why I like it as much as I do. It's one of life's great mysteries. Still, the main thing is: I got a new mug cred. Which makes everything worthwhile.
