Chessington is a great family day out and we were really pleased to spend some time there to find out exactly what is has to offer. This is our Chessington World of Adventures review.
Buy your skip-the-line tickets in advance here.
Table of Contents
Overview – Chessington World of Adventures review
This is a theme park which really lives up to its reputation. We were overwhelmed with the amount to do for families here.
It delivered thrills, smiles and fun for all.
There’s so much to see that it would be impossible to cover it all in one post but here is our round-up of our favourite bits.
This is largely around seven-year-olds and under but that would suit all the family.
The different areas of Chessington
The good news is that there’s plenty on offer for smaller children.
The adventure park is split into ten themed areas, which each have been created to look like different parts of the world. These include old England in the Market Square, the Mystic East, Ancient Egypt in the Forbidden Kingdom and a Land of Dragons area which has a fantasy theme and rides for younger children.
This is one of the brilliant successes of Chessington, because it kept the enthusiasm and excitement levels up for our children. They were always wondering what was around the next corner.
The rides & shows – Chessington World of Adventures review
Chessington is a really big theme park and could easily provide enough entertainment for a whole weekend.
Our children were really keen to try out the rides and see the shows.
Scorpion Express
One of our first stops was the Scorpion Express ride, which is a relatively tame roller coaster for children.
Our seven year old really enjoyed the ride. Our younger children looked on as the train soared and dipped and the passengers got sprayed with water, much to their amusement.
As with many rides, there are height restrictions. So we found it best to pre-warn our children that there were some rides which they wouldn’t all be able to go on.
Tomb Blaster ride
Our seven-year-old enjoyed the Tomb Blaster ride. This mixed a good old-fashioned ghost train, with a futuristic laser shoot-em-up complete with zombies and skeletons.
It even keeps score on how many skeletons you’ve blasted. Needless to say, this is not a ride for younger children.
Madagascar Meet & Greet
In the Market Square we took part in a “meet and greet” with some of the characters from the film ‘Madagascar’. This was followed by an energetic Madagascar Live! show.
The performances were really entertaining. Our children loved the songs and interaction with the audience.
Traditional carousel
Our five and two year olds did love taking trips on the big wheel and the traditional carousel.
Camper Van ride
There was also a spinning ride in the Mystic East on a crazy camper van. This turned us around like a washing machine (I turned slightly green on this one but the three children loved it).
Zufari
One of the newest parts of the World of Adventures is ZUFARI. It includes a bumpy safari-style drive around the 22 acre site spotting animals including flamingos, giraffe, white rhino, and Zebra.
There was quite a queue for this and our two year old was too small so we didn’t go on it this time.
Walking around the safari park – Chessington World of Adventures review
Instead we took the walking route to an area where you can get up close with a variety of animals such as Meerkats.
And Ostrich.
More things to do at Chessington World of Adventures review
There is plenty more to see at Chessington and we can’t wait to get back later this year to continue the adventure.
Whether it is meeting the Octonauts or getting soaked on the Dragon Falls water ride, it’s a packed day out with lots of fun for all.
Find out more about Chessington at their website here. Checkout our 20 top tips for visiting Chessington to help you plan your own trip.
Buy your skip-the-line tickets in advance here.
Oooh, haven’t been to Chessington World of Adventures for years – looks like lots has changed since we last went -about 8 or 9 years ago – so not surprising really!
So glad to read that it’s a nice family friendly park and has something for everyone, may have to pay a visit very soon!
Yes I think it really has grown so much over the years and they’ve managed to make sure there’s something for all the ages. Hope you get to visit soon!
Don’t think I’d like to get that near an ostrich. Otherwise looks fab fun
Ha ha!! No he looks a bit scary doesn’t he?! Thank you for reading!
I have never been before, but your review makes me want to, I love the ostrich selfie!! It looks so clean there too.
Yes we thought it was a lovely park, really recommended.
Great review! I am always wary of taking my two to theme parks as they are still quite young and I worry there won’t be much for them to do. It is nice to see that there is lots to do at Chessington for the whole family.
Thank you! And definitely, I think there really is something for everyone at Chessington.
I hadn’t ever considered Chessington for small children so this is really interesting. I always thought it was for teens/adults and the same for Alton Towers!
No there’s loads to do there for little ones….we didn’t even get to most of the animals or all of the rides!
We have never been to Chessington and I know my mini thrill seekers would love it
I bet they would – mine really want to go back!!
I haven’t been for about 15 years or more! It looks like it has changed so much in that time! Hope to take the kids there one day x
Hope you get to visit – it’s such a fun day out!
Oh my, that ostrich looks a bit scary! Other than that it looks like a fab day out. I’ve not been since my pre children days so its time I had another visit.
He does doesn’t he?! It’s a great place to visit – really good fun.
We have never been but it looks great. I can’t wait for Baby to be a bit older so we can go x
Thank you for reading – we loved it – definitely a good one to plan for!
I think I last went to Chessington when 18yo was about 9. I think 6yo would enjoy this soon.
I’m sure your 6 year old would! It’s really good fun – let me know if you get there and what you think!
We’ve never been to Chessington, it looks great 🙂
It was our first time too – definitely recommended!
I was fortunate enough to have a annual pass for all the Madame Tussuards attractions for years as a young child and teenager, Chessington is one of my favourite parks simply because of Mr Bubble Works! The last time we went was to check out the new Zufari ride, but Spud was so scared I missed half of the animals on show! x
We have never been to Chessington but keep thinking to visit…your post has made me more determined to make the effort to go!
Ah thank you! Hope you get there soon, it’s a great trip out!
We went to chessington last year and the kids loved it. It still sticks in their mind as the bubble works broke down and we got stuck under the fountains and got drenched!
Oh no!!! I hope it was a hot day! Poor you! We didn’t make it to bubble works….next time, next time!!
I haven’t been to Chessington in about 15 years and it looks like it has changed a lot in that time. Are the height restrictions for the rides on the website? I wonder if my little one would be tall enough to go on any of the rides yet?
I’m not sure if the height restrictions are on the site but there were rides my 2 year old could go on, with a companion, so there should be enough…just some of the scarier or faster ones wouldn’t work for really small ones.
That looks great for the younger ones – sometimes there’s not much for them at places like this as the focus is more on the thrill rides x
That’s so true – I think Chessington have done really well to make sure there’s something for everyone.
I’ve never been to Chessington world but will definitely have to sometime when Amelia’s a little bit older 🙂
It’s a brilliant trip out – thank you for reading!
We always stick to Legoland so it’s good to read about somewhere else to viist.
We thought it was brilliant and the little ones are desperate to return!
We went to Chessington twice last year and really enjoyed it. It’s great for variety, especially if you’re not that big on rollercoasters. The Zufari ride is really good but it does tend to attract big queues.
Yes I think I’d go to the Zufari first next time so we can plan the time in. I agree though, it’s great for variety. Thank you for the comments!
I went to Chessington when I was younger and loved it. I can not wait for Maxwell to get a little older so we can go together and make magical memories there. x
Hope you get there soon! Thank you for the comments.
Oh yes, this looks like a lot of fun!
Every child dream I guess.
We went there a few years ago with a 6 and 3 year old and found there was plenty to do!
They’ve done really well at making sure there’s something for everyone haven’t they? Thank you for reading and commenting!
This looks like such a fun day out, F would have loved meeting the penguins from Madagascar! x