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Original poster

Chessington World of Adventure

19 replies

BethanyGilbert · 27/08/2019 11:59

I’m taking DD 22 to Chessington tomorrow.

We have done Peppa Pig World and LEGOLAND and she’s enjoyed them. Any tips for Chessington tomorrow? Or we ideas where we could for dinner afterwards. We are staying at Heathrow. TIA

OP posts:

IhaveALooBrush · 27/08/2019 12:13

Fast pass.
Buy fast passes. The vampire ride had a 2 hour queue.
In 7 hours last week we only managed four rides, we felt thoroughly ripped off.

jackparlabane · 27/08/2019 12:27

Agree if you are 2 adults wanting to go on rides, get fast passes.
And arrive early and bring your own food.

BeanBag7 · 27/08/2019 12:28

I wouldnt bother with the "Room on the Broom" experience. We weren't impressed with it at all - you go through as a group and of you're not at the front you miss everything.

There arent that many rides that a 2 year old is able to go on (no where near as many as at Peppa Pig World) but the zoo and aquarium bits were popular with our toddler.

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SuperDuperJezebel · 27/08/2019 12:33

I'm guessing you mean 22mo? I have an annual pass so I've been about 6x in the last few months w my 2year old so I feel like I've got it down to a fine art. I would suggest you either book express parking or get dropped off by that gate. It's £10 but the main carpark is carnage and the entrance to the park on that side is mayhem. Last year it took my friend 1h just to get out of the carpark. The express parking gate is much quieter. Get there before opening and be ready to go in, head straight to the gruffalo ride as that can be a really long wait otherwise. We went at 10 on the dot on sun and the queue was 5 minutes. At midday it was 70 minutes. The app is great and will give you up to date queuing times (helps to choose which ride to go on next) and walking routes. Griffin's Galleon (the pirate ship) is really out of the way and so almost always totally dead (if your dd is 90cm or more). We had lunch at the pizza pasta buffet place, was nice to get respite from the sun and because it's a buffet the food is there immediately. Under 3s eat free and you can have unlimited drinks as well.

Original poster

BethanyGilbert · 27/08/2019 12:42

OMG DD is 2 not 22 😹😹😹😹! Sorry everyone.

OP posts:

SaltedCaramelEverything · 27/08/2019 13:50

We loved room on the broom! Yes if not first you don’t see it but can hang back and everything repeats. DS is 2 and I think he felt he was IN the book he just loved it, we did it twice and all he talked about going home.

Gruffalo was great but darker than I expected. Have heard friends say their children were a bit scared.

Get there for opening. As in 15 mins before as there’s a walk from the car park to the entrance. Don’t always trust the app and queue times, was quite inaccurate which was annoying. Mr Toad’s cars always had a short queue (bit old and ropey but DS just loves a steering wheel).

Have fun!

confusednorthner · 27/08/2019 13:53

Personally I'd wait a week till schools have gone back!

Pascha · 27/08/2019 14:02

There's a Beefeater just outside which is OK if you want reasonable food before you go back to where you're staying. Within the park itself it's all a bit expensive and not great quality.

There is a drinking water fountain hidden out of the way tucked into a corner just up from the ramesses revenge on the left as you head towards Tiger rock. Remember it when you need an easy bottle refill.

The gruffalo ride queue looks long but actually moves pretty fast and is under a roof for a large part of the time.

The soft play area has a cafe right outside if you want a coffee. Theres a. Little boat ride next to it which is perfect for little ones.

Bibidy · 27/08/2019 14:10

Have to agree with the comments above - I would wait until the schools are back if possible.

We went a couple of weeks ago and only managed 5 rides the whole day as the queues were so long, it was a joke and a proper waste of money.

I'd also say DON'T download the app to check ride queue times - I think everyone does the same thing and tries to head to the rides showing the smallest queues on there, so by the time you get there the queues are massive again. You're better off just wandering and getting on rides as and when you pass them.

Rustadad · 27/08/2019 14:51

It's always worth downloading the Chessington app which allows you to view current waiting times and is great to plan your day in advance. Visiting on a Sunday is generally quieter as people may not be willing to travel due to work/school commitments. There are also plenty of places to eat and you can get entry, meal and refillable drink option when booking online. Fast passes can be generally quite an expensive add on and not always worth the money but parent passes can be a good option if there are toddlers in the group that are unable to ride the larger rides which are available from guest services (restrictions apply).

Alexandra07 · 27/08/2019 15:00

Download the app to see how long the queues are. It works only once you are there. My dd is almost 2. She loves the zoo there. Check once you arrive what time the gorillas are fed, worth seeing that.

My dd loves the gruffalo ride. It's less busy when the gruffalo party show is on(several times per day, worth seeing). She doesn't like the room on the broom.a few baby rides have no queue and the soft play area for babies is tiny bit almost always empty.

There is a beefeater close by with free parking.
It's less busy during term time.
Try to find the path that takes you through the animals e.g. giraffes.

I hope you enjoy your day!

Original poster

BethanyGilbert · 27/08/2019 16:46

Thanks for the tips. I work as a teacher so we can’t go in term time unfortunately

OP posts:

WhenDoISleep · 27/08/2019 17:13

If you want a better choice of food after you are not far from either Epsom or Kingston.

WhenDoISleep · 27/08/2019 17:14

There are also restaurants in the Chessington hotels which can be accessed from the park.

LadyR77 · 27/08/2019 18:26

We went yesterday and didn't use fast passes. Still got on 12 rides, and DS and DH did one of those 4 times, so 15 actual completed rides in total! We also had time to explore the zoo part and for DS to go in the soft play. You can get individual fast passes for specific rides if you need to, but we managed without. Definitely download the app, and take a picnic.

KindergartenKop · 27/08/2019 21:03

There's loads of cute little rides for little ones with very short queues. The zoo is good too. Take a picnic!

KindergartenKop · 27/08/2019 21:04

Take socks for the soft play!!! For you too.

Sandsnake · 27/08/2019 21:11

If your DD is up for it then I’d try to stay there until the park closes. I’ve found that rides aimed at younger children like Gruffalo and Room on the Broom really empty out after after about 4. The pasta / pizza buffet at the park itself is OK if you’re after something quick and easy - it’s also free for under 3s to eat there so you’d only have to pay for yourself. Have fun!

JuneFromBethesda · 27/08/2019 21:33

If you don’t mind leaving the park to eat, I highly recommend the Chessington Garden Centre which is a minute’s drive or a 10-minute walk straight down the road from CWoA. Delicious fresh food, lots of variety, a million times better than anything you’ll get at the theme park.

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