*This blog has very few photos as we just didn’t find this park had as many photo opportunities as Legoland, this may be partially due to the fact we spent a lot of our time quite lost.
Our second trip started a little calmer than our legoland trip. The car this time did not break and we left on time, although given that we had had a busy week already we got up and left a little later than we had planned for legoland.
We all bundled into the car, choosing not to fill up the window bottle this time, and we were off on time. We had a OK run down the motorways and arrived at Chessington at 11am. We were sent up to the hotel to park (blue badge) but do wish other drivers would be a little more careful, as they were so intent on getting a space close to the entrance they weren’t looking at road markings or other cars coming and almost wrote me off twice. The real kicker, the spaces were all for blue badges which they didn’t have so they had to move anyway. Sorry rant over. Anyway, all parked up, wheelchair out and we were off to the entrance.
Note here: we only took Riley’s wheelchair, thinking I could rest when needed and go as slow as needed, this was a huge mistake. Chessington sucks for navigating around (personal opinion) and we ended up getting lost a lot and backing and forthing. It nearly killed me and I was broken for weeks after, a big mistake.
It took a little while to get through the entrance but the kids handled it really well. Once through we were checked at security, quick check of the bag but super friendly and chatty, then up to guest services, which is behind Room on a broom to the right.
Having had my worst merlin experience at chessington in 2016 I was a little panicky I must admit. However considering they were busy and some customers were being less than pleasant, they were friendly, efficient and patient. They talked me through the process, sorted Riley’s day pass, set us up and we were off.
Immediately outside of customer services is Adventure tree carousel, the children of course wanted to go on this. Now this is a spinny ride which automatically means this is a Momma ride not a Dadda or Lela ride.
We then spent the next 20 minutes walking around desperately lost, physical maps are no longer available at chessington you must use the ones around the park on boards or your app, this is not great for children like ours who have a need to hold a map and plan our route as we go around (in future I will print them off at home).
We stumbled across tomb blasters, which again we all enjoyed (using RAP, as it avoids the stairs) as we are super competitive. Whilst randomly walking around hoping for the best we stumbled across Zufari:ride into Africa.
This is cute and Riley got to see rhinos so his day was made but when you have been to Disney World and done their versions of these rides you are left feeling a little wanting (saying this desperately trying not to sound snobbish). Luckily this was a walk on as if we had waited an hour+ we would have felt disheartened.
After this we got lost again, running theme for the day, and were beginning to get snarky with each other. We decided it was best to stop for lunch. We decided to go to the pizza pasta restaurant as it is easy and we are almost guaranteed the kids will eat something. We ended up with a really good deal as not only did we get annual pass discount but we also got £5 off per person via a voucher we were given on entry to the park. The pizza was better cooked here and they did garlic slices rather than balls which were better. Everything was fresh and tasty and we left full and happy. Riley struggled a little in here as it was busy and loud so had to use his MP3 player as a distraction as we had forgotten his ear defenders.
Back outside, refreshed from lunch, we decided our first ride should be a little gentler so we opted for Room on the broom, I think i was more excited for this than the kids given that I have read the book so many times, as most parents have, that I can recite it word for word.
Not so much a ride as a walk through but so sweet nonetheless. Our two loved it (although I appreciate most neurotypical 12 year olds probably won’t appreciate it) as did the adults.
On to more exciting rides Samantha and Rich went on Croc drop, Riley was going to but decided at the queue entrance it wasn’t for him. They enjoyed this but Samantha said it was a one and done for her.
Next up we stumbled our way to Scorpion express, we were excited to be on this, yes it was only a runaway train but it was our first roller coaster in 3 years, it was a big moment for us. We all enjoyed it but were thirsty for more.
We made our way over to Dragons fury, Riley’s first grown up roller coaster. We really weren’t sure how this was going to go, he was either going to love it or shut down for the rest of the day.We used RAP for this so Riley didn’t have much time to think about it. It was touch and go for a moment, he came off shaky but ultimately he loved it. Running on Rileys adrenaline we headed straight for Vampire. This was as close to an adult coaster as we could get without sending him upside down. He watched it, he wanted to go on. We went round the queue with its creepy noises, winding him up but he was still up for it. We strapped his tiny little body in, which although past the height requirement, barely appeared in the chair and soon we were off. He squealed a lot going round and frankly looked horrified but apparently he loved it. It cost me a vampire softie from the gift store but he thinks it was worth it.
Next up the adults wanted to ride Cobra and the kids fancied giving it a go. We all really enjoyed this again minus the smack to the spine as you’re pinned in place by your seat.
We were now entering the last hour of opening of the park and needed to decide what was most important to us.The vote was in for Dragons fury, we used RAP for this again. Riley was a little unsure of it this time as he spent more time facing backwards but said he would ride it again another day. We still had time so we sped walked it (as quickly as you can with broken people in your party) back to Vampire, where we managed another go, which we all enjoyed again.
With ten minutes before park close we thought we would give it a go and try to end on a calmer note. We attempted to ride the tomb blaster. We walked through an eerily quiet queue, noting the huge amount of stairs we had to traverse (we will use RAP in future) and made it to the last tomb train of the day.
Rich and the kids had a look around the gift shop while Lela and I had a quick chat with guest services about a problem which was quickly dealt with, again friendly and efficient.
We were going to get an ice cream on the way out but the shop had closed, short sighted on their behalf. I understand the staff want to go home but let your guests leave happy with an ice cream at the end of the day, it’s an extra half an hour’s pay for your staff.
Overall we had a good day however there were few problems. Although the staff at guest services were friendly and efficient, the staff in the rest of the park were inattentive, dismissive and almost rude. The lack of maps was a disappointment, I get saving the planet but they should have some printed for people specifically requesting them. They also needed better signage as the whole park was difficult to navigate especially with the building work they have going on at the moment and we spent a lot of time backing and forthing, getting lost and as a result snarking at each other. We had a good day and we always make the best out of what we are given but overall this was not our favourite day. We will however, given that we have merlin passes for the year, return for another go.
