Chessington History 2017

2016 saw the end of the Bubble Works, one of Chessingtons most famous and popular rides was closed to make way for a new ride experience in 2017, The Gruffalo. The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure replaced the Bubble Works following the success at the park in previous years and it is a fantastic addition to the park. Keeping the same layout an all new theme with lighting and special effects has been installed as you go hunting for the Gruffalo.

Also departing the park after 20 years is the parks Carousel, located previously by Tiny Truckers a new Carousel will replace it but in the centre of what is now Adventure Point. The new Carousel will sit on the space of the old donut shop and will be animal themed called the Adventure Tree Carousel.

As stated there are some area changes also for 2017 with one of the oldest areas of the park Market Square is no more and has been replaced with Adventure Point, a central gathering area for the park. That wasn’t the only change with the biggest being the removal of Transylvania replaced with the Wild Woods to compliment the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.

Also closing for 2017 is the Mexicana eatery which has been boarded off along with Creepy Caves, the parks insect house although has been re-painted has been closed for 2017 with no re-location.

Sea Lion Bay has had an overhaul for the year, with a surf like theme being placed with a double backdrop used from the old Skyway supports fro the Sea Lions and Trail of the Kings.

Joining the park following Alton Towers and Thorpe Park is Nitrogenie Ice Cream, the big brand Ice Cream is located opposite Dragons Fury. With Adventure Point now in place the donut stall once where the Carousel is has been moved into the old Hotdogs next to the Sweet shop, its also been upgraded to sell other donuts. With the Hotdogs swapping over by the games building where the shooting gallery was which has been moved into the games building. The shop was renamed Adventure Point Shop with the old Carousel site being replaced with a game.

Vampire has had a new sound system installed along with some new theme around the queue line area with a new theme in Africa also taking place. The removal of the Penguins has meant the bouncers are now just known as Treetop Hoppers with the stage re-themed to Gruffalo meet and greet along with it showing Gruffalo films through out the day. In the same area towards the end of the season the long standing pond was removed and grassed over.

2017 also saw an updated sign for AMAZU for the 30th anniversary of the park, along with a small event (see extras page) Before the shock move that Mystic East would close in September to make way for a new development…