Chessington History 2021

2021 would in terms of recent years be a quieter year for the park yet still had a lot going on! Brand new for 2021 was the replacement for Rameses Revenge…

Croc Drop, the SBF Visa drop tower opens in Forbidden Kingdom. This is the tallest ride Chessington have ever operated and provides new views, but mainly new family thrills which weren’t available through Rameses.

Also new for 2021 was Blue Barnacle, the new swinging ship was due to replace Black Buccaneer in 2020, however due to the lockdown this project was delayed. The ride opened after the season started in April but has proved popular. Although not as big as the Black Buccaneer still provides and excellent ride experience. The ride opens with a 1.1m height restriction which was higher than Buccaneer on 1m. The ride also changed height restriction before even opening, with persons under 1.2m needed to be accompanied in 2020 changed to under 1.3m in 2021.

A trail for Vampire was setup so you could get a Vampire 30 pop badge, again this was delayed until 2021 sure to the lockdown restrictions.

On the food front a few changes could be seen in 2021. Just Chicken changed to Drop N Chicken in Forbidden Kingdom to compliment Croc Drop. Nitrogenie was removed from all parks after the lockdowns, Chessington’s was replaced by Dragon Delights. Some shops didn’t make it through either, that includes the new Treetop Shop and the Tiger Rock shop. Although a new shop was opened at the exit to Croc Drop.

The park map was redesigned for 2021 and was the first time it had been tilted to reflect the fact most people enter through the Explorer gate. The map was far more user friendly and accurate than before. This is only the second time ever you’d have to pay for a map, with everyone now directed to the app.

In the Animal department a few changes could also be seen. With the Skunks and Racoons moving into the old Capybara area in AMAZU towards the end of the season, with enhancements over in the Rainforest to include better enclosures to see Sulcata tortoise and new platforms placed above River Rafts for Coati to roam above you.

Something big is coming to Chessington with work starting at the end of the season.