Chessington World of Adventures Resort

I think it might actually be quite cool in a conciously-retrofuturism way now? Of course, it would have had to spend two decades looking deeply dated to come full circle.

 

Yes those photos were on ReRide.net until about 2 years ago when the website disappeared. The second set of photos are from its final ride-through after closing. Although they don't really show it too well being flash photos when it was pretty worn out. It wouldnt have looked that shabby to guests but it's an interesting look

A lot of the ride was very cool, it was big with a lot of animation and detail, those photos don't really show it. The original computer theme would have gotten kinda old, but now virtual reality is all the rage again it could work great with a contemporary twist. It just never really suited Chessington's theme though.

 

There are definitely parts of the original queueline and theming still in place and disused, in what are now sorta dead-space areas behind new stud walls and such. Few other nods to the original theme behind the scenes as well - it's a fascinating building and facility tbf.

 

I am also a sucker for a good dark ride layout. Guilty as charged.

 

It's a fascinating ride and incredible to think its first re-theme was done so well the Egyptian overlay feels like it was always part of the design.
I assume the entire outdoor section of the queue was added after the 5th dimension?

What I've always loved about Tomb Blaster (sadly I didn't ride either of the other versions) is the 3 larger scenes. It's a rare treat to see a dark ride which has large spectacle scenes that blow you away with their scale. The few other examples I can think of are at big budget studio backed parks. It really does show the early day ambitions of Tussauds to be a big player in the amusement industry.
Ironically the parks owners now consider themselves one of the big players, but I could never see them green light anouther attraction quite like this!

 

Yes, for all my love of the fifth dimension the exterior was very much a tin shed with a strong 'sponsored by Hitachi' message.

 

It always surprises me how the Fifth Dimension was kind of left out on its own initially, as I thought the entire original ethos of CWOA when Wardley first designed it was about full themed areas?

 

I guess it was such an abstract theme they weren't sure what could go with it.

Unless I'm mistaken Dragon Falls has supports going through the building so they probebly had to build the two rides together. At a guess I'd say they potentialy planned to expand the area at a later date. Only when the reception for the 5th Dimension was mixed they could have put any further plans on hold until the idea to replace the whole area with an Egyptian theme came about.

 

Unusually there was no planning behind the 5th Dimension's theme, it was done completely separate to the rest the park. John Wardley had nothing to do with the ride's theme and it was never intended as part of a themed area

 

Really? I thought Wardley practically designed the entire park?

 

Is there any pictures/videos of the outside of the 5th Dimension attraction?

 

A rough image



Image taken from this site which I recognize some of TS members on there


https://forum.maniahub.com/topic/2896-the-5th-dimension/

 

Oh, hi!

The building was predominantly the widely corrugated metal seen in the screen grab above. The entry point was the same as it is now, with a canopy as if the front of the building has been pulled open to the front. The pre ride video played from that point on screens through the internal queue which followed the exact same path as the current one.

The building had a large fifth dimension logo on the front, and that was about it! I dontbrecall exactly how the Hitachi sponsorship was plastered across it, but it was certainly prominent.

I know I have at least a photo or two from the early days but haven't been able to able to find them for years. One day they'll turn up I'm sure.

 

A BTS of the park during the winter months the far, including a look at the new observation tower:

 

The social distancing measures (I assume) on that are going to be a claustrophes worst nightmare.

 

Wow! Ride wise that looks awful.

 

Thought the park might've been open in the video at the start, all the food places seemed shut when I went last year.

Suppose the ride will look nice at least with the themeing and draw onlookers. Not exactly thrilling based on the one they've got at Paultons. Biggest issue will be the size of the queues for the thing.

 

I got to admit I still don't like the scenery. Although its impressive that Chessington would do such big scenery for a flat, I think it's been done badly.

The stonework looks grey and bland and the giant croc head really forced / out of proportion. The big green teeth sticking out...random.

Such a ham fisted interpretation of the theme. What does this big blob really add to the ride or the area? Doesnt fit as well as Rameses did.

Especially when Tiger Rock was basically the same approach, 'its tiger themed so stick a big tiger rockwork head on it'.

 

They did the same thing with Air. It's themed to air, so they put lots of air around it.