Saturday 9th March 2019
On March 9th Room on the Broom - A Magical Journey officially launched at Chessington. Room on the Broom replaces Hocus Pocus Hall, which opened in 2003 and has been a family favourite attraction ever since, but in its later years it did become a bit tired and drew less visitors, so something new was definitely in order.
The attraction itself doesn’t look too different from the outside. Apart from a brand new sign above the door (with a broom sticking out of the window above) a much larger queue at the side of the mansion, and a new green screen photo building at the end of the queue, the overall look of the building remains the same.
A full review of the attraction can be found in our reviews section.
Progress continues on Room on the Broom
Sunday 24th February 2019
Room on the Broom is in the final stages of construction, all bar one signs referencing hocus Hocus Pocus Hall have been removed. The main sign for the attraction has been removed and repainted purple to suit the new colour scheme of Room on the Broom. Along with the entrance sign metal work being repainted, all of the pipes on the burnt stub building have been repainted purple to match.
The queue line for the attraction looks to be almost complete with the photo booth before you are batched into the ride now being installed. New paving slabs have been installed in the queue, it would appear the park is expecting this ride to get quite a lengthy queue when it opens! In previous posts, we said we expected Room on the Broom to have its own dedicated shop. It would appear that the old Amazu Shop is going to be converted into a Room on the Broom shop. A large mmm poster on the door and the work going on in the shop seems to confirm these thoughts. We look forward to seeing what the inside of the attraction looks like.
Sunday 3rd February 2019
The replacement for Hocus Pocus Hall, Room On The Broom is set to open in 35 days. Work is continuing on the outside of the building with the queue line for the attraction set to be extended around the side of the Burnt Stub Building.
Wooden posts have been installed in a small section of the patio area outside the Smokehouse BBQ restaurant. A section of the patio that used to be accessible via stairs has been bricked up and looks set to be infilled to create more space for queue line. A large concrete slab has been installed where a small interactive section was for Hocus Pocus Hall. We expect this will be turned into a PicSolve photo section. Then at the end of the new attraction, some of the space could be used for selling the photos, along with the chance of a small shop.
Hocus Pocus Hall Removal Continues
Tuesday 11th December 2018
Work continues on removing Hocus Pocus Hall at Chessington. Although not much can be seen from the outside of the building the queue line for the old attraction has now been removed along with an old shed building that used to make sounds when guests pulled on an old iron Levar. When peering into an open window by the exit of the attraction more of the mirror maze has been removed along with more of the set of Hocus Pocus.
Around the area, goblins can still be seen on lampposts. One of the goblins has a sign-navigating guests towards the attraction. It's delivered that all the goblins will be removed before the Room on the Broom attraction opens next year.
Hocus Pocus Hall Removal Begins!
Saturday 17th November 2018
Work on removing Hocus Pocus Hall at Chessington has begun, the attraction closed at the end of the 2018 season and will be replaced with a new attraction called. Room on the Broom - A Magical Journey.
The premise of the attraction will remain the same, starting in a pre-show then visiting different scenes throughout the attraction. We expect that the route throughout the experience will change slightly.
A bright blue wall has been built outside the Burnt Stub Mansion for work to commence. Some of the walls of the finale to the Hocus Pocus Hall have been removed revealing an old mannequin. A wooden goblin can be seen laid against the wall, probably the last we will ever see from these creatures. The old large wooden chair that guest so famously took photos on has been dumped in the Not Dogs food and beverage unit for storage. We expect this will disappear over the next few weeks.
Room on the Broom New for 2019
Wednesday 17th October 2018
Flying into Chessington Spring 2019, Room on the Broom will be replacing Hocus Pocus Hall. Opening in 2003 the old 4D attraction has become tired over the years and has been in need of a replacement.
Discover our new spellbinding adventure, Room on the Broom - A Magical Journey, New for 2019! Experience the much-loved children’s story coming to life as you visit the enchanted library, the start of your magical journey...
The new attraction looks to be split into 4 sections.
Stormy wind blows. Help the Witch as her hat, bow and wand are sent tumbling to the ground.
Meet your much-loved characters. Encounter the Dog, Bird and Frog on your journey.
Help to find the lost belongings. Search high and low in the trees, fields and reeds.
Watch out for a fearsome foe. Brave the Dragon, who fancies ‘Witch and chips’ for his tea!
More information about the new attraction can be found on the parks website.
https://www.chessington.com/room-on-the-broom/
Hocus Pocus Hall goes on the property market!
Thursday 13th September 2018
The magical home has gone up for sale and is currently on the property website, Rightmove as the marketing starts for Chessington's 2019 new attraction.
The announcement was made via the park's facebook page with a link to the website where visitors can sign up for more information along with a photo of a "for sale" sign from a company called Compass (who are a legitimate estate agents).
After further investigation, we have found the listing for the six bedroom detached house on the property website, Rightmove along with photos inside the attraction and a description that is similar to what is on the Chessington website.
"Situated in the unusual location of a Theme Park and Zoo, the one-of-a-kind Hocus Pocus Hall would make a magical home for a buyer with eccentric taste who is looking to own a piece of Chessington World of Adventures Resort history.
Built in 1348, the 1,373m² foot Hall has some unusual but charming features for a period property, including a spinning tunnel and a mirror maze.
Final offers will be taken up to October 17 and must be over £7,000,000. Our seller has asked to reside in Hocus Pocus Hall until October 31, with the aim to complete the sale by Spring 2019.
For updates on the sale of this unique property, please sign up here https://www.chessington.com/2019/
NB: Goblins included"
As mentioned, the announcement of the "buyer" and therefore further news about the attraction will be revealed on October 17th.
