Chessington History 2013

2013 once again saw some massive investment at Chessington, in-fact I’d argue the biggest since the Vampire as the new Safari Trail “ZUFARI” hits the park. Climbing on board one of the monster trucks you are taken around the other latest additions on the 22 acre ride to see the return of the Giraffes and the welcoming to the White Rhino, see the ride page for more information.

The ZUFARI ride was also located in an all new area for the park, called… ZUFARI… (now Wanyama) however this does now make ten themed areas for Chessington in 2013. Also incorporated in the area is the re-freshed Flying Jumbos, which have been painted grey and a back drop added for the 2013. The ride opened with a 1.1 metre height restriction but after modifications to the trucks (seatbelts to lapbars) this was lowered the first week in June to 1m after a lot of feedback.

2013 also saw the end of the high street eating at Chessington, with Burger King in Transylvania being replaced by the Burger Kitchen. The Burger Kitchen had proved very popular at Blackpool Tower and makes it’s way to Chessington complete with a mini make over for Transylvania. It doesn’t stop there are the areas other main eatery “Refresh” has also been replaced with the Creaky Cafe, now indoors this offers a warmer much more pleasant menu than in previous years. Also the previous sweet shop in Market Square has been removed and replaced with a Hot dog outlet.

Also in Market Square the project to bring the area up-to-date also sees pictures here of the main sweet shop in the process of being completely re-painted and re-shaped, looking much more fresh for the second half of the season.

The 5 million investment plan also kicks in, with rides of focus being Dragon Falls and Runaway Train. Dragon Falls has had it’s rock theme removed as too has Runaway Train which remained closed the season. Also in the Africa pond area added sign and Crocodile has been added, along with Vampires new disabled entrance in Trail of the Kings.

An incident on Rameses Revenge shut the ride on 16th June after all passengers were cut from the ride.