A NEW themed land could soon open at one of the UK’s top theme parks, if plans are given the go-ahead.
Last year, Chessington World of Adventures was named the UK’s best theme park at the UK Theme Park Awards.
And the theme park could soon renovate two of its pre-existing areas.
The project, called ‘Refresh and Renew’ hopes to see Wild Asia, one of the theme park’s oldest areas, undergo a huge revamp.
According to the proposal, Wild Asia will be replaced by a new themed land have a range of immersive experiences like play areas and sensory environments.
A new rollercoaster with both indoor and outdoor elements is slated to feature in the new themed land too.
Kobra, one of Chessington’s most popular rides, will also undergo a makeover, according to the proposal.
A new indoor ride and an outdoor play area are included in the plans as well as new food and drink outlets and a retail shop.
The new themed land will also make use of the Explorer Glamping Area, which has yet to open at the London-based theme park.
Another proposal being considered called Project Play.
Project Play will see Mexicana, a ‘ramshackle western town‘ that opened in 1987, also undergo renovation.
Chessington hopes to transform Mexicana into a themed land that’s similar to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers.
Attractions outlined in the proposal include a My First Rollercoaster, a themed playscape, a meet-and-greet area and several children’s rides.
A themed food and beverage station and a themed retail area are also part of the plans.
The plans are currently undergoing public consultation, which means they are liable to change.
It is not yet known when renovation work will commence or when the new themed lands will open at the theme park.
Sun Online Travel have contacted Chessington World of Adventures for comment.
The new themed lands aren’t the only new attraction that’s set to open at Chessington World of Adventures, with the resort confirming a waterpark will be added to its line-up.
Announced last year, the waterpark, which hopes to rival the likes of Disney, will have a wave pool, infinity pools, slides and a water play area.
A safari ‘beach’ and spa will also feature, along with a splash pad and adventure river, with the theme park extending its Safari Hotel as part of the expansion.
A spokesperson for Chessington previously said the new attraction is needed to give a “strong boost” to both London and the tourism industry following the pandemic.
They said: “Visitors’ demands and expectations of leisure and tourism attractions are constantly evolving and growing.
“These are influenced by experiences abroad where the likes of Disney and Universal Studios are able to accommodate guests on site for extended periods, to enable visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience of the themed areas and attractions on offer… without investment visitor numbers will decline.”
If the plans are given the go-ahead, the new attraction could open as early as 2025.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Caroline McGuire recently visited Chessington – here’s what she thought.
I mutter a series of expletives as the 42mph ride, in the theme park’s brand new ‘World of Jumanji’ land, tosses me every which way as it reaches its 55ft peak at the top of a jaguar shrine.
Then shout them louder as the shuttle rollercoaster, which is Chessington‘s first inversion ride and the world’s only Jumanji ride, repeats itself backwards.
The ride is the jewel in the crown of the new themed land, which has been several years and millions of pounds in the making.
But equal amounts of attention and care have been paid to everything else, including the other two rides – Mamba Strike and Ostrich Stampede.
For the little ones who can’t meet the 1.2m height requirements, there are plenty of quirky Jumanji-themed activities positioned around the land, including a maze of pathways styled like the original boardgame.
My 4-year-old loved playing one of the side stall games, which involved trying to knock down bugs with a ball and there is some great themed merchandise for all ages, from stuffed toys to clothing.
For those looking for a Jumanji-style snack, there are also giant turkey legs, foot-long hotdogs and jungle stampede cupcakes on offer.
The themed fun doesn’t have to end there though, as Chessington’s Safari hotel also has six new Jumanji hotel rooms.
The bedrooms, which can sleep up to five people in a double bed, a bunk bed and a pull out single, are brilliantly styled to make you feel like you’re entering the jungle.
A new £300m theme park could soon open in the UK – despite not having any rides.
Meanwhile, a new indoor theme park could open in Europe next year, with a huge castle, a water flume and a family rollercoaster.
