Saturday 8th April 2023
It's been a busy few weeks at Chessington, creatives and workers have been working behind the scenes to finish the area before it opens on May 15th 2023.
Since our last look at the World Of Jumanji, lots of trees and planting have been installed turning the area into a jungle.
All of the green fences blocking views into the area have been removed, at the first weekend of the season a few bits of the green wall were still left standing.
Work on the bazaar market area continues with the games stand almost finished and windows installed.
The snake theming at Mamba Strike has been enclosed by a wicker basket.
More queue line for Mandrill Mayhem has been installed and work on installing the queue for Ostrich Stampede is underway. A queue time board bracket has also been installed outside the entrance for Ostrich Stampede.
Theming around Mandrill Mayhem consists of many trees and plants, however, we've spotted a leg chopper effect has been installed around the circuit near the second launch for the ride. Located on both sides of the track, some spikes coming out of the ground have been installed.
Since our last look at the World Of Jumanji, lots of trees and planting have been installed turning the area into a jungle.
All of the green fences blocking views into the area have been removed, at the first weekend of the season a few bits of the green wall were still left standing.
Work on the bazaar market area continues with the games stand almost finished and windows installed.
The snake theming at Mamba Strike has been enclosed by a wicker basket.
More queue line for Mandrill Mayhem has been installed and work on installing the queue for Ostrich Stampede is underway. A queue time board bracket has also been installed outside the entrance for Ostrich Stampede.
Theming around Mandrill Mayhem consists of many trees and plants, however, we've spotted a leg chopper effect has been installed around the circuit near the second launch for the ride. Located on both sides of the track, some spikes coming out of the ground have been installed.
Thursday 23rd March 2023
The World Of Jumanji inches closer to opening every launch cycle of Mandril Mayhem! The countdown is on for the opening day of the area which officially opens on 15th May 2023.
This is our first time back in the park for the 2023 theme park season and we were shocked to see almost all of the construction fences down for the new area.
At the beginning of the day, the rollercoaster was seen testing by multiple people but unfortunately by the time we managed to walk down to the rid it had stopped testing. However, we did manage to get some photos and videos of Ostirch Stampede testing for the first time!
The area looks fantastic, during the meet the marker event, John Burton said that only 4% of planting had been completed at the time. Since then more plants have been installed around the area. Some palm trees can be seen in some of the photos waiting to be installed.
There's lots of work going on around the area so we thought we would try bullet point the more major things happening.
-The queue line for Mandrill Mayhem has started to be installed.
-Fences for Ostrich Stampede have been installed. The wall is yet to be themed but it should be done soon!
-It doesn't look like Mamba Strike has tested yet. All of the plastic wrapping for the ride can still be seen.
-The bazaar area looks to be progressing well. With some games installed in one of the units.
This is our first time back in the park for the 2023 theme park season and we were shocked to see almost all of the construction fences down for the new area.
At the beginning of the day, the rollercoaster was seen testing by multiple people but unfortunately by the time we managed to walk down to the rid it had stopped testing. However, we did manage to get some photos and videos of Ostirch Stampede testing for the first time!
The area looks fantastic, during the meet the marker event, John Burton said that only 4% of planting had been completed at the time. Since then more plants have been installed around the area. Some palm trees can be seen in some of the photos waiting to be installed.
There's lots of work going on around the area so we thought we would try bullet point the more major things happening.
-The queue line for Mandrill Mayhem has started to be installed.
-Fences for Ostrich Stampede have been installed. The wall is yet to be themed but it should be done soon!
-It doesn't look like Mamba Strike has tested yet. All of the plastic wrapping for the ride can still be seen.
-The bazaar area looks to be progressing well. With some games installed in one of the units.
Tuesday 14th March 2023
Chessington is preparing for its biggest season in a long time, with the opening of World of Jumanji opening on May 15th and the theme park reopening Thursday 23rd March.
Since our last look at the World Of Jumunji during the meet the maker tour, lots has changed including the installation of the mandril heads on the trains, more theming has been installed, and a jeep has been installed. A huge entrance feature for Mandril Mayhems queue line has been installed, including posts for the queue line for the rollercoaster. Unforcetnly we didn't we get to see the ride testing on Sunday but the site was definitely alive with workers checking the launch fins on the second launch near the jaguar theming element.
With the opening date for World Of Jumanji now announced signage around the park has also been updated.
In the areas open to the public during the zoo days, we've noticed lots have changed to improve the appearance of the park. Including new signage on the entrance archway into the park, the entrance plaza has also been re-pathed along with a lick of paint and some dark green animals added to buildings. The dount shop as you exit the park has also been given a lick of paint over the past few weeks.
Over at the mini stage, a new animal topiary is being installed along with the flooring for the show venue being replaced. In Shipwrecked Coast, sea storm is still in the process of being put back together, and the foundations for Trawler Trouble are still being remade. The boat and ride mechanics can still be seen sitting in the courtyard near The Gruffalo.
Inside Adventure Point the compass in the middle of the area has been updated with World Of Junaji added to it along with Shipwrecked Coast which was new for 2022. The sweet shop is also having work done to it with a new patio area being built, is this the end of Ben and Jerry's for Chessington? New signage can also be seen advertising Coke freestyle refill stations being based inside the sweet shop. During our adventures, we managed to fine a refill station near Croc Drop, Room on the broom and the sweet shop. There will of course be more locations around the park.
The old Chessington water wheel has also been replaced during the closed season. Rocks around the area have now been repainted to fit in, it won't be long until this pond is filled up again and the water wheel is once again working.
Tiny Truckers has been put back together, with a Mack Rides box spotted in the window. The painting of Dragons Fury looks to have finished, with a grey section still left above Tiny Truckers.
The mane stage has received a new green sign and banners have been added to the stage for one of the shows performed daily.
Work on Dragons Fury continues with the cars for the ride spotted around the area. With some wrapped up and one is on the track ready for testing. The old maintenance shed for the ride has also been replaced with a huge new purpose-built maintenance building. All is still work in progress but it should be finished by opening day.
Tiger Rock has finished its closed-season maintenance with the trough and lake refilled. The ride was also seen testing throughout our visit, no guests yet but it won't be long now.
In Wild Asia, it looks like the Banyan tree in the centre has had some work done to it. The entranceway into the area also still remains under scaffolding. No news on what they are doing but during the meet-the-maker tour a few weeks ago the structure was just steel. So it could be a complete rebuild?
It won't be long until Chessington reopens! And we can't wait to see all of the changes that have happened around the park.
Since our last look at the World Of Jumunji during the meet the maker tour, lots has changed including the installation of the mandril heads on the trains, more theming has been installed, and a jeep has been installed. A huge entrance feature for Mandril Mayhems queue line has been installed, including posts for the queue line for the rollercoaster. Unforcetnly we didn't we get to see the ride testing on Sunday but the site was definitely alive with workers checking the launch fins on the second launch near the jaguar theming element.
With the opening date for World Of Jumanji now announced signage around the park has also been updated.
In the areas open to the public during the zoo days, we've noticed lots have changed to improve the appearance of the park. Including new signage on the entrance archway into the park, the entrance plaza has also been re-pathed along with a lick of paint and some dark green animals added to buildings. The dount shop as you exit the park has also been given a lick of paint over the past few weeks.
Over at the mini stage, a new animal topiary is being installed along with the flooring for the show venue being replaced. In Shipwrecked Coast, sea storm is still in the process of being put back together, and the foundations for Trawler Trouble are still being remade. The boat and ride mechanics can still be seen sitting in the courtyard near The Gruffalo.
Inside Adventure Point the compass in the middle of the area has been updated with World Of Junaji added to it along with Shipwrecked Coast which was new for 2022. The sweet shop is also having work done to it with a new patio area being built, is this the end of Ben and Jerry's for Chessington? New signage can also be seen advertising Coke freestyle refill stations being based inside the sweet shop. During our adventures, we managed to fine a refill station near Croc Drop, Room on the broom and the sweet shop. There will of course be more locations around the park.
The old Chessington water wheel has also been replaced during the closed season. Rocks around the area have now been repainted to fit in, it won't be long until this pond is filled up again and the water wheel is once again working.
Tiny Truckers has been put back together, with a Mack Rides box spotted in the window. The painting of Dragons Fury looks to have finished, with a grey section still left above Tiny Truckers.
The mane stage has received a new green sign and banners have been added to the stage for one of the shows performed daily.
Work on Dragons Fury continues with the cars for the ride spotted around the area. With some wrapped up and one is on the track ready for testing. The old maintenance shed for the ride has also been replaced with a huge new purpose-built maintenance building. All is still work in progress but it should be finished by opening day.
Tiger Rock has finished its closed-season maintenance with the trough and lake refilled. The ride was also seen testing throughout our visit, no guests yet but it won't be long now.
In Wild Asia, it looks like the Banyan tree in the centre has had some work done to it. The entranceway into the area also still remains under scaffolding. No news on what they are doing but during the meet-the-maker tour a few weeks ago the structure was just steel. So it could be a complete rebuild?
It won't be long until Chessington reopens! And we can't wait to see all of the changes that have happened around the park.
Monday 20th February 2023
As of February 2023, Chessington World of Adventures is making exciting progress on its new Jumanji-themed expansion. The construction site is buzzing with activity as the park works to bring the magical and adventurous world of Jumanji to life. Themed structures and attractions are taking shape, promising an immersive experience for visitors when the area opens. Fans of the Jumanji franchise can look forward to a range of exciting rides and interactive elements that capture the spirit of the beloved adventure. Stay tuned for more updates as the project moves closer to completion!
Saturday 18th February 2023
Big news coming out of Chessington this evening, Mandrill Mayhem the new B&M rollercoaster has begun testing and commissioning!
More photos and videos coming soon...
UPDATED 19th February - more photos and information
The first test began at 15:22pm when the train was launched backwards up the spike and then rolled back into the break run outside the station. Met with a huge gasp as we all watched on this might sound like not much but this is a huge step forward for the World Of Jumanji.
The train then reserved in and out of the station a few times as engineers worked out what we expect to be parking sensors and other technical bits.
We shared our video on social media last night but what we didn't say was that later in the evening the train completed the full layout, up the spike, through the inversion and up the helix!
The ride was only testing going up the spike 3/4 times and as we were about to give up and go home we waited for one final launch which just happened to be a full circuit test. The sounds this rollercoaster makes when it's testing is amazing, from what we can hear it doesn't sound like the ride is sand filed like other new B&Ms? The track doesn't have round holes in it like The Swarm at Thorpe Park does.
Very exciting times at Chessington!
More photos and videos coming soon...
UPDATED 19th February - more photos and information
The first test began at 15:22pm when the train was launched backwards up the spike and then rolled back into the break run outside the station. Met with a huge gasp as we all watched on this might sound like not much but this is a huge step forward for the World Of Jumanji.
The train then reserved in and out of the station a few times as engineers worked out what we expect to be parking sensors and other technical bits.
We shared our video on social media last night but what we didn't say was that later in the evening the train completed the full layout, up the spike, through the inversion and up the helix!
The ride was only testing going up the spike 3/4 times and as we were about to give up and go home we waited for one final launch which just happened to be a full circuit test. The sounds this rollercoaster makes when it's testing is amazing, from what we can hear it doesn't sound like the ride is sand filed like other new B&Ms? The track doesn't have round holes in it like The Swarm at Thorpe Park does.
Very exciting times at Chessington!
