๐ OpenYear-round, check dates for seasonal events
๐Getting thereChessington South station nearby, parking on site
๐ขTop ridesRattlesnake & Blue Barnacle, Dragon's Fury, Tiger Rock
๐Height restrictionsTODO: add verified height restrictions. Check the official ride rules before visiting.
โฑTime neededTODO: add time needed after a visit length has been recorded.
๐ฌToby's verdictChessington is a 7 out of 10. Rattlesnake and Blue Barnacle both feel like you are going to fall out, which is the best feeling.
My Review
Chessington is a 7 out of 10 for me. There are some really good rides here: Rattlesnake, Blue Barnacle, Dragon's Fury, Tiger Rock, and the theming in certain areas is genuinely great.
My honest criticism is that there are quite a lot of flat rides and not enough coasters. I am not really into flat rides, so that brings it down a little for me. But the coasters they do have are good, and walking into the Rattlesnake area for the first time and hearing that music is honestly one of my favourite park memories.
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Rattlesnake and Blue Barnacle both feel like you are going to fall out. It's funny.
Rides & Areas
Rattlesnake & Blue Barnacle
Joint favouritesMy favourites
Both of these are my absolute favourite rides at Chessington and both of them feel like you are going to fall out. It is a funny feeling: not scary in a bad way, just that brilliant sensation of being thrown around. My first ride on Rattlesnake and walking into that land for the first time, hearing the music and seeing how good it all looked, is the moment I will never forget from this park.
Dragon's Fury
Spinning coaster
Dragon's Fury always has one of the longest queue times in the park, which tells you something. I have not always managed to get on it, but next visit I am making sure I do. It is on the list.
Tiger Rock
Water rideMy second favourite
That drop at the end is something else. I have not been to Chessington in a while but Tiger Rock sticks with me. That final drop is genuinely brilliant.
Mandrill Mayhem & Jumanji Land
Family thrills
Mandrill Mayhem is quite good, and the other flat rides in Jumanji Land are decent enough. The area has a good atmosphere. Stampede is the one I would skip though: a little bit boring compared to the others.
Vampire
Classic
One thing I would tell anyone who has never been before: ride Vampire. It is not too bad, not too good, but it is one of those rides you should just make sure you do.
What I wish they had
More coasters. They have quite a lot of flat rides which I am not really into, and I think a couple more proper coasters would make Chessington significantly better.
Plan Your Visit
Getting There
Chessington South station is nearby if you are coming by train.
Parking is on site if you are driving. It is pretty well connected compared to some parks.
Tickets & Prices
Book in advance on the official site.
Dragon's Fury queues can be very long, so factor that into your day planning.
I have not been in ages so I cannot give a confident food review.
I think there is a Mexican place I ate at once that was quite nice. Beyond that I would look it up before you go rather than rely on me.
My Tips
Straight from me.
Ride Vampire
If you have never been before, make sure you do it.
Get Dragon's Fury early
Get to Dragon's Fury early before the queue builds.
Take in Rattlesnake
Walk into the Rattlesnake area properly, because the theming and music are genuinely brilliant.
Expect family energy
It is mostly little kids and families, with a bit of something for thrill seekers too.
Honest Take
Who it works for
Mostly little kids and families, but there is a bit of something for thrill seekers too. It is not a dedicated thrill park but the coasters it does have are good ones.
The main downside
Too many flat rides, not enough coasters. That is my honest view. The park would be significantly better with a couple more proper roller coasters added to the line-up.
Moment I will never forget
Walking into the Rattlesnake land for the first time, hearing the music, seeing how good the theming looked, and then getting on Rattlesnake and feeling like I was going to fall out. That and my first ride on Scorpion Express, RIP, which was also brilliant while it lasted.
Watch The Videos
Chessington moments from TobesVerse.
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FAQs
What rating do I give Chessington?
7 out of 10. Good rides and great theming in certain areas, but too many flat rides and not enough coasters for my taste.
What are my favourite rides at Chessington?
Rattlesnake and Blue Barnacle, jointly. Both feel like you are going to fall out, which is the best kind of feeling.
What is my second favourite ride?
Tiger Rock. That drop at the end is genuinely something else.
Who is Chessington best for?
Mostly little kids and families, but thrill seekers get something out of it too. It is not purely a thrill park.
What is the one thing I would tell a first-time visitor?
Ride Vampire. Make sure you do it.
What is the worst thing about Chessington?
Too many flat rides and not enough coasters. That is the honest answer.
Would I rather visit Chessington or Disneyland Paris?
Disneyland Paris all the way. Way more rides and the atmosphere is on a completely different level.
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