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Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Visited the park yesterday for the first time in about 15 years and had a nice day. Operations on some of the rides were not good though with trains being sent out with empty seats. Mandrill Mayhem would be a good ride if it wasn’t so bouncy - it’s horrible at the front on an outer seat going backwards.
 
I’ve had confirmation that chessingtons lions and tigers are moving to jimmys farm and wildlife park. I do wonder what is going to happen with land of the tiger. Next month, a tiger themed area won’t have any tigers!
Thanks for this info. It’s been rumoured for a while now that the big wigs at Merlin want Chessington to move away from animal-based attractions, so I can certainly see this happening.

Tiger Rock, apart from adding the tiger enclosures was literally just a cosmetic overlay, rather than a major re-theme. Like with Scorpion Express, the aesthetics were re-done, but nothing was done with the ride itself, meaning we have a 38 year old ride masquerading as something newer. I expect it to be replaced soon.
 
Thanks for this info. It’s been rumoured for a while now that the big wigs at Merlin want Chessington to move away from animal-based attractions, so I can certainly see this happening.

Tiger Rock, apart from adding the tiger enclosures was literally just a cosmetic overlay, rather than a major re-theme. Like with Scorpion Express, the aesthetics were re-done, but nothing was done with the ride itself, meaning we have a 38 year old ride masquerading as something newer. I expect it to be replaced soon.
I'm sure Tiger Rock can run without Tigers for a season 😉
 
Just posting this if anyone has missed out on this, Euro Theme Park Archive uploaded a POV of the original 1987 Vartiant of The 5th Dimension a while back.


From: https://youtu.be/-nDvPvCUn0s?si=HfdGyz_aHTwaZLCL


Looking back on it, I'm really impressed with the quality of the animatronics, from moving eyes, blinking, etc. For a UK dark ride, made in 1987, it really does hold up well compared to what the UK offers currently.
 
Just posting this if anyone has missed out on this, Euro Theme Park Archive uploaded a POV of the original 1987 Vartiant of The 5th Dimension a while back.


From: https://youtu.be/-nDvPvCUn0s?si=HfdGyz_aHTwaZLCL


Looking back on it, I'm really impressed with the quality of the animatronics, from moving eyes, blinking, etc. For a UK dark ride, made in 1987, it really does hold up well compared to what the UK offers currently.

Didn't really fit Chessington theme does look great. Partly why it was removed in favour of Terror Tomb
 
Just posting this if anyone has missed out on this, Euro Theme Park Archive uploaded a POV of the original 1987 Vartiant of The 5th Dimension a while back.


From: https://youtu.be/-nDvPvCUn0s?si=HfdGyz_aHTwaZLCL


Looking back on it, I'm really impressed with the quality of the animatronics, from moving eyes, blinking, etc. For a UK dark ride, made in 1987, it really does hold up well compared to what the UK offers currently.


Used to love this so much. Peak Chessington for me, when it felt like the place was truly a world class theme park. This, Runaway Train, Vampire and Bubbleworks, magic.

Will never understand why Wardley got phased out. If I was an eccentric billionaire he’d still be first call to help design my park.
 
Interesting, how exactly?
I'm trying to remember where I've read it, but I believe although Wardley designed the initial layout for Nemesis Inferno, Tussaud's went in a different direction and Wardley wasn't particularly happy about it. I'm sure others will be able to shed some light on this one.

In a recent conversation with @Poisson, he led me to believe that the brake run was a particular point of contention.
 
I read in Making Thorpe Park that Tussauds actually wanted to call the ride Nemesis, and the only reason it was called Nemesis Inferno is because John Wardley was aghast and forced them into a compromise.

I can’t imagine John was too happy about the way Tussauds wanted to use the Nemesis brand at Thorpe.
 
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