The 43 best things to do with kids in Chessington

A tame little indoor river ride themed around the Gruffalo. It's nice, but not really thrill seeking. You almost certainly won't get wet unless you touch the sprayers.

Love this little geuffalo theamed boat ride, nice and chilled and you dont get overly wet. Nice opportunity to have a cute photo taken.

It would have been 5 stars, had there not been ‘technical difficulties’ that made us late to the coach by 20 mins. Apart from that, very good, would recommend

Not the best experience here was the told the queue was closed just after I entered even though there was no sign or notice to explain this absolutely strange the ride close at 2:30pm and the assistant in charge of the ride gave the most pathetic excuse it’s like children trying to run this park. At the end of the day people pay a lot of money to come to this park to be hit with you can’t no longer jump on this ride. I visited on the 28th July 2025.

A beautifully themed indoor boat ride that brings Julia Donaldson’s beloved story to life. You follow the mouse through the deep dark wood, floating past animatronic scenes featuring the fox, owl, snake, and of course, the Gruffalo himself. The storytelling is strong, with atmospheric lighting, sound effects, and clever use of projections that make each scene feel immersive. The queue area is well designed with interactive elements to keep kids entertained, and the ride itself is gentle—perfect for younger children but still charming for adults. The final splashdown is mild but adds a fun surprise, and the Gruffalo Crumble projection at the end is a sweet touch. Wait times can get long (often 45–60 minutes during peak hours), so it’s best to ride early or use Reserve & Ride if available. The ride is a retheme of the old Bubbleworks, and while some fans miss the original, the Gruffalo version is a worthy successor. Overall, it’s a must-do for families visiting Chessington—especially if your kids love the book. It’s not a thrill ride, but it’s packed with heart and detail.

When I went to Chessington World of Adventures Resort, I went to the new Gruffalo River Ride Adventure! The boats went past the characters in the story: the Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox, Owl and Snake! During the boat ride, my favourite part was looking up at the Gruffalo holding up the mouse by his tail above a light! (Woof! Bosh!)

Slightly scary for the little ones but we all loved it. Best ride here

Great rides and wonderful staff making your experience so much fun

Nice little walk through Great collection including sharks

More concerned with the amount of space there was for certain species of fish and their habitat. I didn't see much in terms of genuine plant life except for a few near the end, most of em looked like fake coral formations and plants. It was a little dark too for anyone with vision issues, hold onto someone or stick to a wall. Otherwise it was a fun experience, teens and kids would love getting a close up look at some beloved species (except clown fish, all the aquarium friends are here). I just wish the space was bigger for both fish and guests.

Fantastic time here once again.Something for everyone.See you soon

I find the space well congested although it wasn’t a busy summer holiday time so I was wondering how claustrophobic this could become. Sea creatures and fishes were amazing to watch, staff was friendly but spaces must be extended to avoid people walking over each other. :)

We went on the 30th December with my 2 year old, she loved it. It was busy but not un bearable. They had lots here and of course a tunnel which she loved too. Great little gift shop at the end too.

A visit to Sea Life Chessington is very informative and interesting and useful for adults and children as well to know about marine life. Exploring different species of fish, their habitats and behaviors, and the underwater ecosystem within the tank can spark a child's curiosity. This can often ignite a new love for learning about marine life, biology, and environmental science. This is the easy way to visit the marine life without venturing into marine waters. We can visit with family and bring children and have them watch, learn and begin to appreciate nature. As they mature, they will make informed decisions on how to interact and respect nature as well as caring for our environment. Sea Life Chessington meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide a fun, safe, and educational family experience. They seem to dedicate a huge amount annually to support and maintain. Visit atleast once and enjoy your weekend with your children.

Not really much animals to see but still good experience. We didnt have the chance to see a giraffe because you can only see them when they go out of their place, and that randomly happen.

We loved our visit here. The perfect mix of animals to see and rides to go on. We were lucky enough to stay over in the on site hotel and this was the icing on the cake.. perfect location and allowed us to enter earlier the next morning after breakfast. Staff were kind and helpful and the park was clean and well maintained (a few rides broke down but the maintenance team were soon on the case). For breakfast there was a buffet of food with enough choice to suit everyone. We also bought a refillable cup for use all day at the park for £15 which was brilliant for us, you can refill every 10 minutes if you need to. The second day we payed to reuse the cup £9 and did that again for the day. If you have a blue light card or merlin there were discounts to be had around the park but we didn't have one. Hope this helps.

Disappointed. Their Google listing is saying they are open until 5pm. That is false. They are open only until 3pm. After driving 40 minutes to get there, we only got to see Sealife Aquarium. And you can't take a stroller inside, so we had to leave it outside. I've seen many daddy's sacrificing themselves to guard valuables. What a shame.

Here’s a polished version of your message that you could use as a review or thank-you note: We thoroughly enjoyed our day from start to finish. The theme park is beautifully designed and thoughtfully laid out, with a great mix of animals and attractions. It’s an ideal place for families, especially those with children entering their teenage years, as the rides are perfectly suited for that age group. The staff go above and beyond to make your day special. A special thank you to Beth and Ian for going the extra mile to help with my wife’s birthday present — your kindness made the day even more memorable. 🎁 Let me know if you'd like it to sound more formal, casual, or personalized!

Brilliant superb fantastic fabulous excellent service friendly staff great service worker make sure get merlin passes and fast track pass unlimited before going to any marlin attractions keep u waiting in the long queue do in advance or one day before going

Great place for all ages , lots to see and do , took a picnic with us but overall a great family day out , cheers to everyone , U guys made it a special day ❤️

Visited with my family on a less than ideal day. The ticketing, security and check in staff was very friendly. 🐆 Zoo have a number of animals but guess it’s recommended to not to visit during winter days as most of the animals were tucked in :) 🚗 Adequate parking spaces onsite.

We didn't have especially great time here as wheel chair users, some of the rides were closed or had technical issues, as my mobile data didn't work, we relied on the WiFi which also didn't work well so couldn't download the Chessington app nor the application for disabled pass so only ended up going on 2 rides. We arrived there late because didn't know which carpark had blue badge car parking. When we worked out the parking, it was full. So had very little time to navigate, queue up for the rides. In hindsight, we wish we knew all about these things to make our lives easier to navigate the park. So any wheel chair users wanting to visit the park, get your pass well in advance, download the app in advance and get there when it opens. As we came from a distance and logistically couldn't get there at 9 am, we suffered greatly with all this. Even the wheelchair access line is busy as it's the same line for fast track passes. We queued in one line that said on the board 15 minutes wait, it was more like 30 minutes. The food served which cost £19 and more per dish was not great value for money either (curly fries were over cooked and dry). I'm very disappointed about spending around £70 per person to visit here and got this experience. (There was 6 of us altogether that went). You need to pay for parking too which is another £12.50 on top of £32 entrance ticket and £25 for a meal and drink. 3 hours drive in bad M25 traffic, I can't come back here again. It's a shame, as it we known about the logistics of coming here, we would had a much better experience. It's mainly got rides for young children so not really suitable for adults with disabilities.

I’ve been visiting Chessington ever since I was a kid, and now I get to bring my own children here! The park has retained much of its charm from when I was younger. My daughters are 8 and 2, and there are plenty of rides and attractions suitable for both of them to enjoy. It’s great to see the park continuing to evolve with exciting additions like the Jumanji area and the upcoming Paw Patrol attraction. However, I do feel that some of the older rides could use a bit more attention — we got stuck on the Gruffalo ride, and the Vampire ride (my very first rollercoaster!) was unfortunately closed. I was really looking forward to sharing that nostalgic experience with my daughter. Overall, Chessington is still a fantastic family day out and a place full of wonderful memories. We’ll definitely be back once the new areas and rides open up!

A very good family theme park. There is a wide variety of attractions, including a good selection of rollercoasters for those wanting rides of the slightly more thrilling type. There are also many younger oriented rides.

The atmosphere was wonderful, we recommend going here with your family as there were multiple child friendly rides and zoos. There were a few rollercoasters for adults and teenagers too however 3 of the rides were malfunctioning and took quite a while to function again. It was a nice experience, my kids enjoyed it a lot.

Very good theme park with a good range of rides for all ages. The park is tidy and well themed. The queues were often quicker than advertised at the ride entrance/ on the app. Queues ranged from 25 to 60 minutes. Ride availability was excellent on the day we visited.

I visited Chessington World of Adventures today with my family and had a really good time. The weather was lovely, which always helps, and I was impressed with how easy it was to get on the rides. Most of them had little to no queue at all, so we could go straight on, which was fantastic with young children. The kids really enjoyed themselves and there was a nice mix of rides suitable for their ages. On the downside, some of the rides could definitely do with a bit more cleaning and maintenance, as a few looked quite worn. I also noticed a bit of a rat problem near some of the bins, which was unpleasant to see. Overall though, we had a very enjoyable day out and I would recommend it to families, especially if you can go on a quieter day like we did.

Lovely day with the children, my only criticism is the time it takes to get onto the ride, the cost to upgrade is just too much, but the time wasted on getting people off and on I think could be improved to speed things up. The guys in the ticket office were brilliant after some issues with my tickets not coming through they sorted it very quickly.

A charming and well-crafted walkthrough experience based on Julia Donaldson’s beloved book. Set inside the historic Burnt Stub Mansion, the attraction blends animated footage, physical sets, and interactive elements to bring the story to life. You follow the witch through a series of rooms, meeting the dog, bird, frog, and dragon along the way. The effects are impressive for a non-ride attraction—smoke, lighting, projection mapping, and even water splashes from the bubbling cauldron. Kids are encouraged to help the witch by searching for her lost items and interacting with the scenes, which adds a nice layer of engagement. It’s dark in places, so younger children might need a hand to feel comfortable, especially when the dragon appears. But overall, it’s gentle, magical, and ideal for families with toddlers and primary-aged kids. Queues can build up on busy days, so it’s worth visiting early. It’s not a thrill ride, but it’s a lovely, story-driven experience that adds variety to the park’s lineup.

Really well done interactive telling of the story. Small groups at a time and good effects to entertain the kids.

Doing a walk-through without taking into account the age of the children is quite disappointing. We did this ride two times and both times, everything was going so fast. We were always in small groups but always too many people to try the interactive things. In the end, we didn't see the last scene and because there is no automatic reset, we were asked to leave the ride without seeing the amazing broom. Here is another example why walk-throughs are not good for such big theme parks...

Good for all young kids of any size. Nothing scary here.

As a match for the Gruffalo Ride, I also went to the Room on the Broom: A Magical Journey walkthrough attraction, and I even met the characters in this story: Witch, Cat, Dog, Bird, Frog and Dragon! For a second match, my 'Dadda''s favourite part was the mirror maze. (WOOF! BOSH again!)

budapest scoring Orchestra Plays Room On The Broom A Magical Journey

great

They are really bad and impolite 🙂

A very fun place to go that poses interesting physical challenges. Friendly staff and a wide variety of altitudes to climb at makes this place a great place to bring kids and adults alike. For more experienced climbers there are "Extreme" options that pose an extra challenge if you wish to try it. Wear clothes that you don't kind getting dirty as the zipping will drag you along the ground if you are not careful.

It was awesome! My son was invited to a birthday party. He had a fantastic time.!

Brilliant staff, great facilities, safe and slick organisation, highly recommend. Our Ben loved Instructor Ben who was incredibly kind and encouraging. We’ve been twice this week as our kids enjoyed it so much. Worth getting the annual pass if you’re nearby enough.

Chessington Go Ape is a fantastic place for both children and adults to enjoy a truly memorable adventure. We recently visited as a family, and I have to say it exceeded our expectations in every way. The kids had an incredible time exploring the junior courses, which are safe, exciting, and perfectly suited for their age group. They were full of smiles and laughter the whole time, and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they tackled each obstacle. For adults, the high ropes and the more challenging course are absolutely brilliant. The zip lines, rope bridges, and climbing challenges are thrilling and give you just the right mix of adrenaline and fun. The tougher course pushes you a bit out of your comfort zone, but in a very enjoyable way, and completing it feels really rewarding. The whole site is well designed and very spacious, with excellent facilities. There is ample parking close to the entrance, clean toilets, and areas where you can grab refreshments or take a break. Everything feels well organized and safe, with staff who are friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. Overall, Chessington Go Ape offers an amazing outdoor experience where kids can have fun and adults can challenge themselves. It’s well worth a visit if you’re looking for a day full of energy, excitement, and adventure. Highly recommended for families, groups of friends, or anyone wanting to try something new!

Great day out. Had no idea what to expect but ended up having a great day out. My 7 year old loved it. The instructors we're brilliant and so patient with us. Will definitely be going again. There is a discount for Go Ape users if you've booked to go to Chessington theme park (but not the other way round).

Fantastic team building experience at Go Ape for 19 team members. The Go Ape staff at Chessington were extremely helpful, knowledgeable, supportive, kind and enthusiastic. The couses themselves were very well designed, and with the right amount of challenge (we visited both the Adventure and Challenge courses). Our instructor Ben was brilliant! He was happy, very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, extremely entertaining and thorough with his instruction. In fact, the whole team was wonderful and they couldn't have done more to support us (including encouraging a very reluctant team member down from one of the challenges). Fabulous day out!

That was awesome! We've done a bunch of Go Ape places near London, and we totally loved it.

This is a pretty terrible restaurant. The meals are extortionate, as is always the case with theme park food outlets. The food wasn't particularly great considering the price. It was pretty bland and very dry. The restaurant itself is pretty drab and not the most cleanliness. It's in desperate need of some renovation work. Although it probably is one of the cheapest we found, I wouldn't recommend it

Food was overpriced rubbish. £16.25 for a burger drink and fries, I can normally get two of all that at my local burger place for that price and of better quality too. The burger was so dry, like it had been cooked hours ago and sat in a warm box. The fries were decent and the drink was the same old stuff you get anywhere, no need for the hefty price tag except to take advantage of people. Atmosphere? There was none, while the restaurant was themed it had no atmosphere it was just a big empty space with stuff that looked confused and sad. I'd avoid this place not just because of the price because it was the worst meal I had during my weekend at Chessington.

Terrible food quality. One of the worst burgers I have ever had and it cost £11.90. I had a Ratatouille moment where I had a flashback when biting into the burger of when I was young and bit into a sickly school dinner burger and felt disgusted. They use a grill that is not cleaned very well which stained the burger with remnants of older cooked food and gives the patty a nasty aftertaste. Burnt patty, stale taste, no sauce. Just pure rough. Fries have no flavour. To add to this, slow service due to minimal staffing. Better to starve for the day than eat this food. They should pay people to take the food with how bad it is. I don't generally go to places that have below a 4 star on Google but this place is deceptive because a lot of the reviews are for the ride and not the restaurant.

The beef burger is very bad, dry, nothing in the bun but the patty and cheese with few salad leaves, chicken burger is a bit better but they don’t worth the price. The staff are good but the burgers are bad.

This place has a large seating area but no heating, and it's a mess. We all sat in coats having lunch. There are around 6 buyers to choose from. Meals are £13 which include a burger, small chips, and small drink. Touch machines to place orders and a collection point. The burger patty was very poor, chips pipping hot, but overall wouldn't return. The food arrived quickly despite it being busy. I remember when it used to be a burger, King and Miles better. Toilets next door.

Food was okay, portion sizes ok, nice themeing inside. Kids meal deals are decent price for a theme park/zoo.

Friendly and quick service. Staff are faultless. However…food (if you’re vegetarian) is awful. Probably the worst vegan burger I’ve ever had. £15 for a vegan chicken burger meal. Yikes.

Truck is a bit of fun for the kids as is a bit bouncy as it goes round the track, get to see the animals close up, also saw the Rhino but didn't get a picture. Queue for it was only about 25 mins.

Unforgettable once in a life time experience. Never to be repeated again! Over 1hour waiting time followed by 5min ride, with hardly any animals. What a disappointment

Nice ride around the bigger animal at Chessington zoo could be a much bigger site ,think parking charges are a ripoff as you need to drive to get to Chessington so entry price should inc parking not extra , plus inside the ulez so more expense if not compliant.

Terrible little ride, simply plays an automated prerecorded voice as you travel around which clearly falls apart when the animal it says you should be seeing isn't actually there. I expected better to be honest, hosts with actual knowledge of the animals and responding to what we actually see would have improved this little ride massively!!

Long queue, but worth it getting close to some of the animals. Would be better if the ride was longer. We also had the fast pass which gets you on the rides almost instantly, but with this ride it's still about a 20mins wait

**Disappointing Experience – Poor Staff Attitude on a Special Day** We visited the park for the third time to celebrate our daughter’s 4th birthday, specifically so she could finally go on the safari ride she had been eagerly waiting for. The previous two times she wasn’t tall enough, but now — measured at exactly 1.01m by our pediatrician — she finally met the requirement (the ride allows children from 1m and above). At the entrance, staff measured her and confirmed she was tall enough, so we were allowed in. We waited patiently in line under the sun like everyone else. When it was our turn, we stood at the designated gate with another family. Just before boarding the jeep, a female staff member called the other child over to re-measure him, and then asked to re-measure our daughter as well. Although she had already been measured and approved, this staff member insisted she was just under the height limit. She said that she was less than 0,5 cm shorter but its still under the line.Other parents nearby also commented that she was not under the line of 1 meter, but the staff member pressed down a metal bar firmly on her head, seemingly trying to make it appear like she was too short — and not even measuring properly from the top of her head. Right after that, she measured the other child from the same family at our gate. He was clearly taller than 1 meter, and yet she continued to measure and re-measure him multiple times, pushing down the metal bar again and again — almost as if she was trying to disqualify him too. This wasn’t about safety; it felt unnecessarily harsh and unfair. Another staff member also came to us and he was just repeating that they have the right to remesure multiple times. Only one staff member was polite and tried to explain that, for safety reasons, children under 1m could not board, which we completely understand. However, I pointed out that our daughter had already been approved at the entrance. He admitted the contradiction but said there was nothing he could do. What was most upsetting was not the final decision — which we might have accepted — but the unprofessional and aggressive attitude of the female staff member. She raised her voice and said, word-for-word, “You are *not* getting in there,” with no attempt at empathy or respect. When I asked how the front gate could allow us through if the height was insufficient, she snapped that the staff there are untrained and the measuring equipment is inaccurate. This is unacceptable for a park that claims to prioritize safety and family experience. A polite explanation and an apology for the confusion would have gone a long way. Instead, we were treated with arrogance and zero courtesy. She even ended the conversation by rudely saying she wouldn’t deal with us anymore and would call the manager — whom we never saw. This was supposed to be a joyful day for our daughter. She had been looking forward to it for months, and instead left disappointed and confused. It’s a shame that what could have been a great memory was ruined due to poor communication and a lack of basic respect from a single staff member. We won’t be coming back. There are other theme parks where staff treat families with care and professionalism — especially on a child's birthday.

Only one bus was running, so it was the longest wait of the day. The driver stalled the bus when we started, which caused a significant jolt. Unfortunately, because there was only one bus running, the journey felt rushed and it was all over too quick! It was difficult to see if you were sat anywhere other than the sides because of heads and phones in the way. It very bumpy all the way round and photos, for the most part, were impossible to get the subjects in focus. We wondered why when people returned that they did not look very enthused. We felt it was definitely not worth the wait.

Anyone who wants to ride mandarin mayhem has to do it on a virtual queue system that you do through their website. Love in the new rides and the roller coaster. The only downside is they could have done more hide all the wires and piping around it as it don't look nice at all and if was not on show it would make it lot nicer

Nice place.. and lots of fun to do.. But too many people and to much time to take to get the ride.. long queue. It would be better if u get a boozer no. When it's your turn and go to the other fun ride . So u not wasting your time to queue in just one ride..

With zero shade and little seating/bins to be found, the area feels a lot below what it should be. The Mandrill Mayhem roller coaster has a slow-moving queue so you need to book a timeslot for it (a mobile phone with internet is mandatory for booking it with no alternative). The roller coaster itself is shaky & a little uncomfortable. Dragons Fury & Vampire are better, smoother and more complete roller coaster experiences in my opinion. An area with potential, there's plenty of room for improvement but unfortunately flawed in what it currently is.

It was a really good day out with the family, I love the pre booking for the rides better than standing for 2hr to go on a ride.

Great day out, a little busy but managed to get on most of the rides with our 7 year old. A great start before he reaches 1.4m and can fmgo to a big boys theme park.

Came here on Christmas Eve. No queues and still a great atmosphere. World of Jumaji is an amazing area. Best rides at the whole park. Mandrill Mayhem is awesome.

Love the new rides. Scenery has potential. Didnt really feel like we were 'in the jungle'

A Bavarian themed area of Chessington World of Adventures. Home to Vampire and The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.

Good area fits cwoa very well

One of my favorite Chessington areas as themeing is awesome and it's home to Vampire which is a fantastic ride.

I would give it 1 star simply because of the daft new name of the area. For me it is Transylvania and will always be. The area is the best themed place in the UK.

So this was apart of Chessington's theme park. Was very big clean, large area of theme park. With lots to do. Well worth a visit

Love Chessington.brilliant for children and adults (not really much there for adult rides though)

Chessington is great and I will continue to return year after year, but could be a bit cheaper as it is very expensive.

Love Hocus Pocus, not scary. Small kids will enjoy it.

This is house of mirrors and one of the attraction in Chessington.

Good fun. Well worth a visit

Good

Boring

Tatty and run down

Was pretty good, apart from a few rides that were closed, and shut whilst there. Which with 4 kids is annoying, would be nice for warning before going or money off.

It’s great I like the Guinea pigs I stole one once

The animals here look so good

(Translated by Google) Ehhh... Nostalgia.... (Original) Эххх... Ностальгия....

This makes a visit to Chessington World of Adventures all the more different than many other days out. Not only can you have a great time on the rides, you can see some real tigers enjoying themselves! You'll see the tigers as you explore the Land of the Tiger which includes Tiger Rock, the log flume ride. Take a moment to see how many tigers you can spot, they love to lay out in the sunshine!

Very cool decoration and tiger rock is a blast

Good play area and good animals. The entrance for hotel guests at the morning aswell.

Literally the worst food experience I have ever had and would never recommend it. We only went there because it was the only halal place we could find in Chessington (ie the vegetarian option), but we paid more than £22 per adult and nearly £13 for our four year old daughter. The total came to nearly £60, which was ridiculous considering there were only two items on the menu (not counting the salad, garlic bread and drink, since salads and garlic breads are usually free in many pizza places). The were no chips nor any other sides; for that price they should have added some sides. For £60, at Jimmy's O2 we get about hundred items. Considering this was a buffet, surely they could have offered a few more items or just don't charge so much. Spending that much for only two items just was not worth it, expecially considering the food was rubbish; if I wasn't hungry I wouldn't have touched that food. To be fair, it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't eat it even when I am hungry. The pasta was awful and the pizza was trailing behind Domino's and Pizza Hut, or any local place for that matter. If you're gonna charge so much, then at least make your food worth the asking price. Would strongly recommend against this place. Next time we will just take a packed lunch if halal options are limited.

Went there today to get a takeaway, I asked if they had a menu and options, and they were so miserable the staff, all they had was margaherita and pepperoni pizzas, garlic bread and pasta and the waitress lady who was standing with the man at the till she was just staring at me and giving me looks and non of them understood I had learning difficulties. I walked out and didn't place no order after what happened. They should always have a menu and they do more selections and variety. It needs to be improved

I get that the idea is to make as much profit as possible but surely something better than pizzas that taste like they've just been bought out of Iceland could have been used? For £22 a person I'd expect a bit better

Terrible experience. Arrived at around 3pm was hardly any food , kept asking if more was coming out they just all struggled their shoulders and walked off. Then they started to wash the floors (which were so slippery) and then asked us if they can shut the buffet now at 3.45ish? So we didn't get our moneys worth and the little food there was not great . Asked staff what time they shut as no one was bringing more food out and they said they didn't know ? Awful avoid. Also very unclean and no one tidying up after guests outside and just birds all over the plates

I recently had a very poor experience at Adventure Point Pizza. They wouldn't let us sit inside to eat unless we bought the buffet, even though we wanted to order a pizza and drinks. They directed us to another restaurant for drinks and told us we'd have to stand outside to eat pizza. This seems like a predatory business practice, taking advantage of the fact that they're the only pizza place in the park. The service was unwelcoming, and I would not recommend it.

Bit cheap and boring food and dispencer with "hot soda", told Staff who didnt care. No real coke, just zero/diet coke. Had to pay in advance and didnt see the food-details. And price is higer than mentioned online.

Tried to charge us £60 for what was according to my daughter “the worst pizza I’ve ever eaten”. Should have read the reviews beforehand, clearly most folks have a similar, terrible experience.

Awful - old , dirty and nothing works This hotel is in serious need of a makeover . We paid 335 sterling / 390 euro approx for 1 night for a room with a view. Dirty windows was not worth it . Staff were clearly disinterested , rude . You couldn’t eat in restaurant (way over priced) without a recreation despite it being half dead at 8. Tv didn’t work- asked reception to come to room and fix with a no show Air con didn’t work - Maintenace was a no show no water water in room Why would someone stay in a sorry shabby old hotel that costs a fortune per night is beyond me A clean modern 2/3 rds of the price hotel uo the road Stayed in august in Aztec

We had really great stay at Chessington Resort. Location is easy to find and free parking is included in the package. The reception staff was very friendly and promptly provided us with the room keys. We were allocated a room in Azteca hotel in the resort and Wanyama view room. Animal theme room kept the kids entertained. Onsite restaurants are decent, the dinner and breakfast was really good. Very importantly, all the staff across the resort were really friendly and accommodating. Resort stay is very recommended for families and good value for money!

I recently stayed at the Chessington Hotel and overall had a pleasant experience. The hotel is ideally located right next to the theme park, which made it incredibly convenient for getting to and from the attractions without any hassle. The room itself was clean, tidy, and well-presented, which added to the comfort of our stay. We also found the food to be very tasty and well-prepared, with a good variety available for both dinner and breakfast. However, there were a couple of areas that could be improved. Firstly, we found the food prices to be quite high, especially considering it’s a family-oriented hotel. While the quality was good, the cost might be a bit steep for some guests. Secondly, there was some confusion around booking a table for breakfast — there wasn't a clear explanation provided at check-in or in the room, which made the process a bit frustrating. Despite these minor issues, I would still recommend the Chessington Hotel for families visiting the theme park.

We visited over the Easter school holidays for one night. The room was well kept and decorated and the children enjoyed the treasure hunt. Breakfast was a mix of hot and continental and more than adequate for our stay. We also had the buffet dinner in the temple restaurant. Our only complaint would be an increase in variety. Not sure about the monkey looking into the shower though.

Excellent value for money. Rooms were spacious enough for 2 adults and 3 children, not that we spent loads of time in the rooms. Breakfast was 1st class. A great selection of hot and cold food and friendly, welcoming staff.

The Aztec Hotel was good value for money. Check in was not until 3pm but I checked in via my phone and got a text when the room was ready. We got our keys printed and headed in with our bags around 1 pm. The space was slightly smaller than previously stayed in Safari hotel but overall decor well suited for the theme. Main bed was comfortable and lots of room in the children's bed. Unfortunately not alot of storage for the children's clothing to be stored. Wardrobe area with limited hanging space - ask for extra hangers if they allow. Iron and ironing board is provided- which is helpful. Hairdryer is also included in the room. The room came with separate TV's in each room , a locked safe in the children's room and a small yet very useful fridge in the main room. The bathroom was clean with a nice deep tub to soak in. It has a rain head shower as well as a detachable on. Bath mat and towels were provided and replace by staff if needed.The cleaning staff were very good and replace towels and linen daily. Hoovered and replace complimentary shampoo and conditioner. Only Negative I would mention is although the room was good there were still some small work to be done. The ceiling was patchy from filling it and painting one patch at a time ( had to be a good 14 spots redone) some the paint and plaster was chipping off in the bathroom but very minor., It didn't effect our stay and overall was a great experience for some R&R after a fun filled day. Downstairs is the buffet style restaurant- Temple Bar which had plenty of food - Carvery and in the morning - Full English & Continental plus extras.

Excellent 2 night stay at Azteca Hotel & 1 day in Chessington! Had a standard Monkey Temple room looking over Amazu. Checked in online & staff were very welcoming to help issue keys on arrival, via key collection screen. Room was lovely & clean, great theaming. Window which opened a little, easy to use air conditioning which was essential when it was 28degs outside. Quiet and temp to 19degs which felt quite cold. Kettle, tea & coffee. Staff are more than happy to provide extra milk if you run out. Fridge under the desk was really handy. Not sure all rooms have this & was a nice surprise. TV had most usual freeview channels & TV in kids bedroom area too. Kids bunks also had a third pull out bed. WiFi was very good compared to other places we’ve stayed at. We ate at the Safari restaurant, lovely with views into the Wanyama area – spot the zebras, ostriches or giraffes! You can also walk around the area & there’s a small kids playground. Ensure you book the restaurant online in peak season. Buffet breakfast was a hot selection (eggs, sausages, beans) , cereals, pain choc, fruit & toast with a selection of jams. Staff were on hand and very helpful. Dinner was fine, it was mainly tea for the kids, bit slow to be served, but food was nice. Hotel guests have access to Chessington park queuing from 8.45am via Azteca gate just by the Temple restaurant. Staff let you in from 9am with ticket and bag checks. A selection of rides are open for guests between 9-10am. We preorderd a photo digipass and found it great for a whole day of ride pics. Activate it at the first photo booth you use, where they’ll issue you a QR for the rest of the day. Azteca Gate closes at 10am, so return to the hotel is via Lodge Entrance. In the evening Amazu play area is open at 6pm until 7 or 8pm. The park will always be very busy over the Summer, the staff were doing their very best to keep things moving and up and running asap if there were any technical problems. Download the app to view ride times and plan what rides are most important. Dragon Fury and Vampire were queuing before 10am. Have fun!

Rattle Rattle drop!! If you're looking for a roller coaster that will take you on a wild and woolly ride, then Dragon's Fury at Chessington World of Adventures is the ride for you. This spinning coaster is known for its intense spinning action, which can be quite disorienting for some riders. But if you're up for a challenge, then Dragon's Fury is sure to provide a thrilling and, er, memorable experience. The ride starts off with a slow climb up the lift hill, giving you a chance to admire the beautiful views of the park. But then, the fun begins. The coaster drops down the hill and immediately starts spinning, and you'll feel like you're being spun around in a washing machine. The spinning gets even more intense as the coaster goes through a series of inversions, including a vertical loop, a corkscrew, and a heartline roll. By the end of the ride, you'll feel like you've been on a never-ending loop, and you may even feel a little bit nauseous. But don't worry, that's all part of the fun! Dragon's Fury is a roller coaster that will take you to places you've never been before. You'll feel like you're flying through the air, and you'll be laughing so hard that your sides will hurt. So if you're looking for a roller coaster that will take you on an adventure, then Dragon's Fury is the ride for you. Just be prepared to be dizzy, disoriented, and maybe even a little bit sick. But hey, that's all part of the experience!

Review: Dragon’s Fury is easily one of the best coasters at Chessington. It’s a spinning rollercoaster, so every ride feels different depending on how your car balances—and ours spun like mad. From the first lift hill, you’re thrown into tight turns, sudden drops, and a twisting layout that runs right around the edge of the park. It’s fast, chaotic, and surprisingly smooth for how much it throws you around. The spinning adds a layer of unpredictability that makes it way more fun than a standard coaster. One second you’re facing forward, the next you’re sideways flying into a banked curve. There’s no inversions, but the speed and motion make up for it. The second lift hill halfway through gives it a nice boost, and the final helix is a proper thrill if you’re still spinning when you hit it. Queue time was about 50 minutes, which felt fair for peak summer. Staff were efficient and friendly, and the ride itself looked well maintained. The only downside is the loading time—it’s a bit slow because of the car design—but once you’re on, it’s worth the wait. Overall, Dragon’s Fury is a must-do. It’s intense without being overwhelming, and it’s got that rare mix of fun and adrenaline that works for teens and adults alike.

Easily the most popular ride in the park, the wait is rarely under 30 minutes. But it's a good ride, especially if you manage to get a good spin going. Went on this twice and the first time was good, but the second time we were really spinning and it was fantastic. Definitely a rude you don't want to miss at the park.

We joined the line with the app telling us a 75min wait to ride, whilst in the line the ride broke down twice, that dragged out to waiting in line for 3hr😡 The first time it got shut down for 15min before people were allowed back on the ride. The second time turned into a full rescue plan as there where a family stuck on the cart incline, that took them 30min to rescue and repair the fault. When we asked about getting reimbursed or compensated for time wasted the operators and park management team told us, that we need to speak to park inquiry. Just so we can go waste more time complaining. This is why I am posting about it now.

It's a scary roller coaster that is one of the best at Chessington. Long queues however if you enjoy rollercoasters it's probably worth it

Waited in line for 1 hour got told it had technical difficulty ,came back later waited for 3 hours then had another technical difficulty.Cant use fast pass either on reserve and ride .

Excitement: 9/10 Intensity: 3/10 Theming: 9/10

I stayed here with my daughter, my friend and her son and we stayed in a Premium Glamping Tent. The set out for the glamping was lovely, very family friendly and staff were extremely welcoming on arrival. Entertainment on for the children until 8pm. The toilets and shower blocks were close buy and very clean, we saw cleaners in their regularly throughout our stay. Breakfast was included and was actually really nice, only thing we didn't like was the sausages. Lots of food available and again staff were very friendly. As for the tent it was very spacious with 4 plug socket, heater, lights and free WIFI. The only downside was overnight it was freezing, so I would suggest warm PJs and jumpers. We went when it was 30° heat!! Overall we all had a really lovely stay and will definitely be back soon 😁

Really enjoyed it to be fair. Take some snacks and drinks with you, there's food and drink available but it's expensive. We did buy food and enjoyed it but like i said, it was expensive and don't forget your free breakfast at the explorers cafe in the morning.

Absolutely loved it. Kids were so happy and were even asking if we can prolong our stay. The staff is really nice and friendly. The environment is very nice with an added sense of little adventure sleeping in a tent. The tent has 3 beds (one double and 2 single), a mirror, a chair, LED lantern, 2 power plugs, heater and a fan. Premium glamps have outdoor chairs as well but there are communal benches available too. Toilets and shower rooms are communal and are kept well supplied and very clean. Night gets chilly so suggest keeping the heating radiator on.

Had a wonderful overnight stay with the family. The facilities are spotless, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. You are better off ordering an Uber takeaway for an evening meal and making use of the picnic tables located in the centre of the camp for a more social experience with your fellow campers. The children's evening entertainment was fun, but at the same time respectable in keeping the noise levels down with those without children. All in all, well worth the money!

Good: It's a great set-up, excellent tents and bedding, and shower/loo facilities. Friendly attentive staff with fun and engaging nature-based activities. Room for improvement: The catering seems a temporary afterthought; breakfast at the 'adventures outpost' was like a themed staff canteen, great food, but location requires guests to go into the deserted theme park. Dinner was c/o a burger van - delicious and great quality but odd to be surrounded by tarmac and empty rides. Overall would recommend as so convenient.

We stayed here during the summer holidays as a special treat for our 2 children. We had a great day in chessington and then arrived at the glamping site. First impressions was that it looked great. Evening meals are limited to 2 options inside. We tried to venture out and find a restaurant but was difficult as we didn’t know the area and everything was booked up. Toilets and showers were clean. Get to bedtime and the tent is warm and beds are comfy. Unfortunately during our stay, there were smoke alarms going off in different tents (unoccupied ones) from 4am onwards. The staff did nothing to stop the smoke alarms. So my husband and another camper had to locate the sound (they didn’t know if anyone was in the tents) and try to switch the alarm off. As they did, another alarm would go off. This really affected us as we have a child with special needs. Once awake at 4am, my daughter did not go back to sleep. This resulted in having a terrible 2nd day in chessington. Because we had such an early start, the noise, the crowds and busy ness of the theme park completely overwhelmed my daughter. Anyone who has a child with special needs knows how important it is to plan a day or weekend away like this. We did complain but staff were not interested and offered us £40 in “magic money”. Which I declined as we probably wouldn’t be visiting again for a long time. Was a truly disappointing end to our stay. The trip cost over £300 for 1 night away and was ruined because the staff would not turn off the smoke alarms. I’m sure we were not the only family affected.

This is a great experience for young children up to the age of about 12 I would say. The glamping site is super clean, safe and the staff as well as other glampers are all friendly. Early access to the park is great, although there are not that many rides available for older children. The freedom of the glamping sight is perfect for kids, the tents are well equipped with fans and heaters, somewhere to hang your clothes,and the beds are very comfortable. Shower and toilet facilities are clean and accessible. I would thoroughly recommend. No dogs allowed from what I could see.

So when I went,the ride was closed because of high wind speeds but they reopened and the line only consisted of 10 people,it was thrilling!

​ Thrill Factor: 6/10 Age Suitable Range: 7+ years Theming: 8/10 Ride length to average queue time ratio: 7/10 Worth fast tracking: Yes The subtraction of an over shoulder restraint makes this ride especially exciting, the back lap bar style of harness makes you feel less secure. For us and many others this improves the ride. All reviews are given as a personal opinion and do not give as factual representation of ride facts or statistics.

Great ride for thrill seekers but not for me. Had to try it for the experience. Great for the kids and those seeking adrenaline 😄

Easily one of my favrioue ride in Chessington, I would recommend don't go on this ride at peak time, It might take you a while. It took me around 40 minutes because is was in the cut so I was at the front of the line for a bit which was ok because the ride made up for it.

I loved this ride. The only part I didn't enjoy was the seat restraints as they where fairly painful on my back. Would still recommend the ride.

Good ride, though the seating is way too tight but I forgot about it once the ride started up.

Very fun. Amazing ride. If you know you cant fit into the restaints then please dont ride. Very good themeing

This shooting game ride provides a thrilling and immersive experience. The visuals are captivating, and the gameplay is engaging. While the seats could offer a bit more room, they don't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The game's challenges are well-balanced, offering a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I highly recommend giving this a try for a fun and exciting time.

Should not be allowed for kids under 5 at least. Very dissappointed, that noone takes care of the small kids, what damage it can have on them. It is not a family ride.

I have always enjoyed this ride but there was a rude man who has blonde hair who works on this ride who was shouting at me to put my phone away,i don't like being spoken to like that,he could have asked me nicely and used the word " please" I wasn't doing anything wrong by filming myself on the ride anyway and I have seen loads of people using their phones on the rides,it's very unprofessional and rude to shout at me like that and I had to bite my tongue,he should be fired from his job shouting at me like that,I have Asperger syndrome and I don't take kindly to being spoken to like that,it's got nothing to do with him if I was filming myself on my phone anyway,loads of people do it,I wasn't filming anyone or doing anything wrong,loads of people have recorded the ride too and posted it on Google,he can't go around shouting at people to put their phones away, it's very rude and unprofessional and it's disgusting talking to people like that,we come here on holiday every year, I'm not sure if I want to go on tomb blaster anymore because I don't like being spoken to like that,I have him on record being rude to me before I put my phone away,he was very rude to me in the background,try asking me nicely to put my phone away instead of being very rude to me.

This is a calm but exciting ride. You won't find fast moving twists and turns, and this is something you can enjoy as a family. A maximum of three riders in the back and two riders in the front, means a team of 5 can compete nicely. You will be taken around and need to try and shoot various items including lots of spots on the walls and ceiling. Caution here: You will get a tired trigger finger so try to change which hand you use to fire the laser gun which each round. You'll be taken to other areas on your trip and it is the perfect time to change hands. A big thing people sometimes miss at the end is the scoreboard. Make sure you remember which car you ride in and what number, as these will relate to your scores at the end.

Good, fun ride for all the family. On peak days, expect a moderate to long wait time, however the ride is worth it. However, 2016's refurbishment led to the removal of a lot of scenery that was supposed to be there, and the fluorescent new paint has led to guests being able to see many things that they aren't supposed to.

Good gamily ride for all to enjoy but you probably want your kid to be at least 4 years old as it is dark, loud and a bit frightening in places. Gets competitive with the score trackers! My best is just over 92 thousand.

Whilst the current ride is "ok", it could be so much more. Looking at other reviews, people compliment the scenes and props. However, these were from a far superior ride: Terror Tomb which was bodged in 2002 to Tomb Blaster. The old ride had a proper storyline, better lighting, a soundtrack that followed the ride and was really better as a ride overall. It took you on a journey. So I would like to see the old storyline returned, it would improve the ride and make it one of the best in the UK.

Loved our day at Chessington, but this old part of the original zoo feels dated and needs a rethink. Small enclosures, limited viewing areas and high walls. The new animal themed areas are much better, with big runs, more space and multiple viewing points. I'm sure it will evolve along with the rest of the park. Feels a little forgotten at the moment.

Most of the outdoor enclosures except for the Red Fox were empty when we visited which was a disappointment but seeing the Gorillas at the end was a highlight.

See the lions and gorillas. When I went on the few occasions the lions slept. The gorillas were very active. Fascinating animals

ANIMAL "ENCLOSURE/CAGES" !;; SHOULD B SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER !! LIONS COULD HARDLY WALK AROUND !!!! DISGUSTING PLACE.NEVER GOING AGAIN..CALL UR SELF ANIMAL FRIENDLY.

Kids loved the animals and learning about all the big cats they have at Chessington zoo. Have been many times and would go again, you just can't get bored of it.

The new bush dog enclosure is a massive downgrade of the tiger exhibit. The other areas are good though. The bintorung is rarely active.

I personally think it's a bit small for the poor lions, but they look happy and healthy. You can get pretty close to them as well.

No show on but the lions were swimming and playing with eachother which was nice to see

Really nice area to have a picnic when there's not a show on as it's often very quiet then

Kids loved watching them. They weren't doing any shoes when we visited. I think that was to do with covid 19. As a family we watched them from an observation point underwater and above. They look like such playful creatures. Would love to see a show there with the trainers.

Great show but difficult to find a view. Doesn't help that the sign blocks the view for many on the seated area. But the kids can squeeze in up close.

missed the show but enjoyed the sea lions playing

This experience was wonderful. We really enjoyed watching the sea lions doing their routine. The trainer's were brilliant with them. Keep up the good work!

Loved it but shame so many others do too. Queues are so long for rides. Would be good to have places to sit and things to eat while waiting.

This is easily one of the best rides in the park, we waited 40 minutes the first day of our visit and wasn't left disappointed. You can tell it's a new modern coaster as it was so smooth!

One of the most thrilling roller coasters I've been on! So many surprises and twists just when you think it's going to ease up there's gut wrenching twist or turn. Complete package for the daredevil thrill seekers.

5 stars easy my first roller coast I was crying in the line literally then it was the best ride I've ever been on I also recommend dragons fury

Review: Mandrill Mayhem is easily one of the most unique coasters I’ve ridden in the UK. It’s a launched shuttle wing coaster, which means you’re flung forwards and backwards through the same track, twisting around a giant Jaguar shrine in the centre of the new Jumanji-themed area. Visually, it’s stunning—lush theming, bold colours, and a layout that wraps around the whole zone. The ride starts with a reverse launch that sends you up a vertical spike, and if you’re in the back row, it genuinely feels like a drop tower—your stomach lifts and you get a proper rush. Then you’re launched forward through the station, into a banked turn, a hang-timey inversion, and a second launch that powers you into a tight helix. It’s short, but intense, and surprisingly smooth for a shuttle coaster. Each seat gives a different experience—front row is scenic and floaty, back row is wild and disorienting, and the outer wing seats are the most intense. I rode twice and both felt completely different. The only downside is the queue system. It’s virtual-only, and while it lets you explore the park while you wait, it’s confusing at first and the ride’s low capacity means slots fill up fast. On busy days, you’ll need to book early or risk missing out. Overall, Mandrill Mayhem is a brilliant addition to Chessington. It’s thrilling, well-themed, and brings something genuinely fresh to the park. Not the longest ride, but definitely one of the most memorable.

One of maybe the best ride in the park but not as good as other theme park rides at different parks

Excitement: 10/10 Thrills: 2/10 Intensity: 2/10 good ride i love it helped me get over my fear of inversions

Excitement: 10/10 Intensity: 2/10 Theming: 7/10

Just your normal flying jumbos, you can get some good views of dragons fury

fun for younger kids really short queue every time

The only ride my daughter wanted to go on again and again. We went on it at least 20 times

Excellent for the small children and babies

It's Elmer!

Excitement 4/10 Scenery 8/10 Overall 5/10 It’s just your normal carousel with really good theming. The best seat in my opinion is the teacup and you can actually spin very fast.

Carousel 🎠 my little baby loved it

Old school carousel, what's not to like

Its a carosel

Awesome!

Great

Walk thru with free flying lorikeet parrots - purchase nectar at £2 per cup which you can feed the birds from - tip - cover the cup with your hand until well inside the enclosure to avoid being inundated by birds! enjoyable for all the family and the birds are really colourful with great photo opportunities.

Amazing. A must visit at Chessington.

Love how they land on you.

Theming is excellent, buildings and rides really well tied in together - rare for a UK park! Would be nice to have more shade though - really noticed it coming from the other parts of the park.

Nice section of the park with plenty of rides and a bird area

My favourite area. It’s theming is very good

This is very good place to bring kids.

Awful condition. Complete dump. 21st century and doesn't even have a toilet. But that's no problem as the single set of steps up and down to the single overgrown, graffiti'd, litter ridden platform stinks of human waste so prob best to just follow others and take a leak there Great impression for visitors to the local theme park. Complete dive of a place.

Quirky end-of-the-line struggle, but always get a seat heading into central London. Half hourly trains (04 & 34 past hr) to Waterloo, service not most reliable especially when disruptions on rest of network or over running weekend engineering works, this line nearly always gets sacrificed in favour of Guildford line, turning it into an hourly or even worse service. Most downtrodden commuters take Bus to Surbiton or Taxi to nearest Tube Morden or Wimbledon. Platform has some graffiti and platform opposite is disused, overrun by Ivy & weeds, however trains are reasonably clean. Part time staff in Ticket Office. Oyster & contactless reader on platform, and self serve, ticket machine at station entry. Lots of stairs, but there is a step free, long ramp along side of the shop. Watch out though, when it rains, as stairs get slippery and wet from leaky roof, sometimes flooded to a few inches at bottom of stairwell. Often better value to use contactless debit card as in TfL Zone 6. No public toilets, but there is a cash machine and cycle racks outside. The station needs a major refurbishment. Note that as of May, 2025, South Western Railway is now owned by the UK government - let's see if that improves the station, train services & reliability.

Shocked that this is the station for Chessington World of Adventures, what a poor first impression. Station is run down, graffiti, no staff in sight, no lifts, rubbish blowing about on platforms, dirty, slippery stairs with a dodgy leaky roof. Platform opposite looks like a scene from day of the triffids.

Good enough station, about 15 minute walk to Chessington World of Adventures. Newsagents and pizza place just outside.

Ideal for Chessington World Of Adventures

Views 8/10 Fun things (Tunnels, Ropes etc) 6/10 Good fun play area where you can get good views of Dragons Fury (and project Amazon😉) Not going to lie the ropes didn’t feel that safe, but oh well

It takes 10 minutes to get people on the ride. 5 minutes to get them off it and the ride lasts 2 minutes. I swear they do this on purpose. Make you qué as long as possible to entice you to buy a fast track pass.

mid ride, much less exciting then i hoped.

(Translated by Google) The ride itself is nothing special, but it's fun if you like this kind of ride. There are similar rides in almost every amusement park. What was very surprising was the long transfer times. This ride is parked for a very long time and runs very little. Getting on and off took much longer than at other attractions, about five minutes, where the ride only lasts one to two minutes. This makes the wait times very long, even with a short line, and the wait time posted at the entrance is also inaccurate. (Original) Die Fahrt an sich ist nichts besonderes, aber macht Spaß, wenn man auf diese Art von Fahrgeschäft steht. Es gibt ähnliche Fahrgeschäfte in fast jedem Freizeitpark. Was sehr verwunderlich war, sind die langen Umsteigezeiten. Dieses Fahrgeschäft steht sehr lange und fährt nur wenig. Das Ein- und Aussteigen hat viel länger gedauert, als bei anderen Attraktionen, ca. 5 Minuten, wo die Fahrt nur 1-2 Minuten dauert. Dadurch sind die Wartezeiten auch bei kurzer Schlange sehr lang und die am Eingang angegebene Wartezeit stimmt auch nicht.

My 2nd favourite area

Excitement 2/10 Thrills 1/10 Intensity 1/10 Overall 3/10 Just a small kids ride with dragons over the water going around and around. Good ride if you just want a rest from thrills.

It’s so scary at a whopping 2 mph and those bumps give you so much air time more then any other coaster in the world

My family enjoyed

Nice indoor softplay area for the kids, great to keep them out of the hot sun or rain

Great little new area.

Excitement: 4/10 Thrills: 1/10 Theming: 6/10 Good fun kiddie tracked ride where kids can sit inside and adults on top. You have your own steering wheel that you can turn aswell.