• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Completely agree with all of the above. Removing the Zoo from Chessington World of Adventures would be as unthinkable, and third rail, as removing access to the Towers, or neglecting The Gardens, at Alton Towers.

There's absolutely, categorically, no way that any clued up operator would negatively impact a park's legacy and identity in such a way.

Oh.
 
If they removed the zoo, I think they’d need to do some serious work to change the image of the place and give it a new USP.

Unlike other UK parks with animals, the animals are too fundamentally baked into the identity of Chessington for removing them all to be an easy transition. Half the rides are themed to animals, the hotels are themed to animals, the upcoming waterpark looks like it might be animal-themed, the marketing is heavily animal-centred, the events are animal-themed… the zoo and the animals are fundamentally baked into the park’s identity.

The combination between zoo and theme park is also arguably what makes Chessington work and be successful at present, and the weaknesses of either of the individual elements are obscured by the fact that both coexist in one park. If the zoo were removed, I think the weaknesses of the theme park would become apparent, and if the theme park were removed, I think the weaknesses of the zoo would become apparent. It would arguably struggle to hold its own within either market individually, but the fact that it has both put together gives it a USP within both markets.

The question the park would need to ask themselves in the event of the animals being removed is; without the animals, what is Chessington? How does it stand out within the UK theme park industry, particularly within the saturated South East? Thorpe Park has thrills covered, Legoland has the Lego, and Paultons has Peppa Pig. Without the animals, where does Chessington fit into that equation? What is its niche? I think that’s the important question they need to figure out before they even think about removing the animals.
 
Only some of the bigger animals are going reading in between the lines. Let's not forget they had camels and polar bears years ago so if they lose the gorillas and Lions (whose enclosures are no longer fit for purpose) it will still be a 'Zoo' but maybe smaller animals all bunched up in Wanyama and Zufari areas freeing up space in the park for more IP!
 
Matt N said:
The question the park would need to ask themselves in the event of the animals being removed is; without the animals, what is Chessington? How does it stand out within the UK theme park industry, particularly within the saturated South East? Thorpe Park has thrills covered, Legoland has the Lego, and Paultons has Peppa Pig. Without the animals, where does Chessington fit into that equation? What is its niche? I think that’s the important question they need to figure out before they even think about removing the animals.
Click to expand...
There is the possibility that Minecraft might very well be that USP.

I'd say the animals could be condensed into Wanyama rather than removed totally if anything so they may keep that USP.
 
Went to Chessington today for a few hours. Sadly my son didn't last till nightfall so a Vampire dark ride remains elusive for another year.

Ops seemed really good today, noticed Vampire was going up the lift-hill at the same time the other train was going round, don't see that very often! Pirate ship lad was smashing it out solo too.

Weirdly when we left they'd put the sign out saying today was a free returns day! I have no idea why, the weather was absolutely perfect and i didn't see a single ride go down the time we were there, which admittedly was only a few hours but evidently something had occurred during that time or prior for them to make that decision.
 
owenstreet7 said:
There is the possibility that Minecraft might very well be that USP.

I'd say the animals could be condensed into Wanyama rather than removed totally if anything so they may keep that USP.
Click to expand...

Maybe they should get rid of the animals, or at least the "big" ones. The habitats are not exactly upmarket by modern zoo standards when you look at what eg Chester Zoo and Yorkshire Wildlife Park have; I always feel sorry for the tigers whenever I see them.
 
It’s not a bad idea to keep the smaller animals. People are right about the lions and tigers though. Even the enclosures at Flamingo Land are bigger.

It’s interesting to hear that the new CEO (I forget his name) isn’t keen on animals in captivity yet he’s inherited a bunch of Sealife centres. Perhaps they’ll start with the big animals and work their way down. That’s a lot of money Chessington will lose with the VIP experiences, but maybe we’re getting to the stage where zoos, in the traditional sense anyway, have had their day. Merlin should be ahead of the curve, as opposed to simply reacting when it gets to the point where they have no choice.

I believe that Merlin got rid of Gardaland’s dolphin show more than ten years ago, so I guess you could argue that the process has already started.
 
Tbh the last 3 visits to chessington we havnt seen an animal. And the areas around the animals when we have walked past havnt seemed that busy so i wouldnt mind if some of the animals are removed and the area used for ride expansion.

I beleive that in the next 10 years AT, Thorpe and chessington will.be sold off as most of merlins growth comes from the rest of the world. Why would they continue to invest millions into these parks when attendence figures dont really change. The same can be said for warwick castle all the money they must spend on the upkeep and restoration it cant be that profitable.
 
lee2804 said:
I beleive that in the next 10 years AT, Thorpe and chessington will.be sold off as most of merlins growth comes from the rest of the world. Why would they continue to invest millions into these parks when attendence figures dont really change. The same can be said for warwick castle all the money they must spend on the upkeep and restoration it cant be that profitable.
Click to expand...
I'd be very surprised if Merlin sell the theme parks due to the success of the annual passes coming from the theme parks.

I understand the annual passes are a money-spinner and it'd hit the probability of the annual passes if they sold their star attractions.
 
Rumour is tigers, lions and gorillas will go. The lions and tigers will go once.the animals pass away, as they are quite old. Assume gorillas will be moved on. The lions and gorillas enclosures aren't big enough, not sure when that law kicks in, but assume the big 3 animals will be gone by then.

Rumour: It's possible that over winter they are extending the zufari road to go into the zebra field so it goes through an extra area. This is something i have always felt they should do, so I hope it happens.
 
AT86 said:
I assume the free return was due to the water issues discussed further up the thread.
Click to expand...
Whatever happened to a good reliable cesspit?

On the thoughts of keeping the animals, I think they should, but those poor sods need upgrades. The gorillas live in a postage stamp, and the lions seem to be forever pacing up and down their tiny little enclosure. I don’t think this is new either, the enclosures have been the same since the place opened. I think the tigers almost have enough real estate to tiger about in, but for it really to be satisfactory they probably should’ve taken down a building or two for more enclosure space.

I think the animals are an essential part of the globe-trotting theme (however I doubt that is going to last, no matter how much I like it) but to be frank, if they can’t keep them in an adequate enclosure I don’t want them here. They are alive at the end of the day, and gorillas and lions are quite clever, and they deserve better. Unfortunately, I don’t see them putting in the money, so for the well-being of the animals, get them gone.
 
Tiger Rock is a reliability nightmare, and operated far more poorly than it was in its past life. It really is crying out to be replaced by an Aquatrax instead. :p
 
The Big Mack said:
Tiger Rock is a reliability nightmare, and operated far more poorly than it was in its past life. It really is crying out to be replaced by an Aquatrax instead. :p
Click to expand...
Merlin needs Intamin to do a package deal for some modern water rides 🤞🏻

Alton Towers - Chiapas Style Flume and a Rapids overhaul
Thorpe Park - Chiapas Style Flume and a Infinity Falls Style Rapids
Chessington - Biberburg style flume

A Mack water coaster wouldn't hurt though 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top