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Mexicana Removal at Chessington Progressing Well
Saturday 29th March 2025
Work on removing the Mexicana area at Chessington World of Adventures is continuing at a steady pace, with the deconstruction of Scorpion Express still ongoing. A major milestone has been reached as the control booth that once stood over the ride has now been taken down, leaving just the remaining structure.

Additional construction fences have been installed along the pathway connecting Zufari to the area near Tomb Blaster and Croc Drop, signaling further work to come. The iconic Rameses Eye is also set to be removed in the coming weeks.

For now, the surrounding buildings and the zoo remain untouched, but it won’t be long before this area is completely transformed. With the new development set to open in 2026, Chessington is gearing up for a fresh and exciting addition to the park!

Project Play Construction Begins at Mexicana
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Construction work on Project Play is officially underway, bringing major changes to the Mexicana area. Construction walls have gone up around the site, marking the beginning of a long-anticipated transformation. The popular Scorpion Express has already been removed, and heavy construction vehicles have been spotted onsite, signaling the start of early groundwork.

While no major demolitions have taken place just yet, it's only a matter of time before key structures, including some of the larger buildings and the beloved children’s petting zoo, are cleared to make way for the new development.

Farewell to Mexicana at Chessington as Construction Walls Move In
Saturday 8th March 2025
Change is on the horizon at Chessington, as construction walls move in around the old Children’s Petting Zoo and Mexicana area. This marks the beginning of a major transformation, and it won’t be long before this part of the park looks completely different.

Scorpion Express now appears to be fully removed, with only the old operating booth still standing as a final reminder of the ride. A crane has been spotted on-site, signaling that demolition is imminent. Soon, these once-iconic buildings will be torn down, clearing the way for construction to begin on an exciting new area.

While it’s always sad to say goodbye to a beloved part of the park’s history, there’s plenty of anticipation for what’s to come. We can’t wait to see this space evolve into something fresh, bringing new adventures and experiences for future visitors to enjoy!

Project Play Plans Approved at Chessington World of Adventures
Monday 3rd March 2025
Exciting changes are on the horizon at Chessington World of Adventures, as the park has officially confirmed that Project Play has been approved. This major development will bring significant changes to the Mexicana area, including the removal of Scorpion Express, the Children’s Zoo, and much of the existing theming.

A Chessington spokesperson shared the news, stating:"We've just received planning permission for a new land – keep your eyes peeled for an announcement very soon!"

Visitors heading to the park this spring will begin to see construction taking shape in the Mexicana section. As part of these changes, the animals from the Children’s Zoo will be relocated to new homes within the resort. However, young guests will still be able to visit their favorite animals in the Wanyama Village and Reserve.

While an official theme has yet to be revealed, rumors suggest that the new land will be themed around Paw Patrol, featuring several new flat rides and a children’s rollercoaster. If true, this would mark an exciting addition to Chessington, bringing one of the most beloved children’s franchises to life in a thrilling new way.

Chessington Scorpion Express Removal Begins as Track is Cut Up and Removed
Saturday 22nd February 2025
With the approval of plans for Project Play, the removal of Scorpion Express has officially begun. Work started on Thursday, with cranes spotted in the area as sections of track were swiftly dismantled. In just a few short days, a staggering 20% of the rollercoaster’s track has already been removed, signaling that no time is being wasted in the deconstruction process.

Though access to the site is limited, the photos we've managed to capture give a glimpse into the dramatic changes taking place. It's incredibly bittersweet to see this classic Mack runaway mine train being taken apart—its removal marks the end of an era for many fans and visitors. From the photos, it appears the track is being laser-cut into sections before being craned out of the area. This method closely resembles how Sky Rider at Legoland Windsor Resort was removed, showcasing the efficiency with which the ride is being disassembled. With the speed at which the process is moving, it won't be long before the entire rollercoaster is gone.

A worker was seen on-site today carefully removing panels from the bridge structure. In just a matter of hours, the entire bridge frame had been cleared of panels, and it is expected that the bridge will soon be fully removed as well.

Goodbye, Scorpion Express / The Runaway Mine Train—your legacy will live on, and you’ve given us many fun memories along the way!

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