Fact Sheets 2013 - Chessington World of Adventures

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Chessington World of Adventures was officially opened as a theme park
in July1987 by HRH Prince Edward, the same year that the M25 opened.
Chessington World of Adventures opened as a theme park and animal
adventure park with rides including Old Crock's Railway, Chessington
Railroad and Safari Skyway. Safari Skyway is still a feature of Chessington
today and is a fantastic way to view our Zoo!
In 1987, Smuggler’s Galleon (now Black Buccaneer) was the UK's highest
swinging boat ride reaching heights of 20 metres!
Vampire was the UK's first suspended coaster when it launched in 1990
and the world’s only coaster to fly above tree height. When the ride was
revamped and reopened in 2002, it again broke new world records by
being the first ever swinging, suspended rollercoaster.
The fastest ride at Chessington is the spin-sational Dragon’s Fury
rollercoaster, which climbs steep loops of up to 15 metres. The slowest
and highest ride is Peeking Heights; an 80ft observation wheel.
There are a total of 40 rides and attractions at Chessington World of
Adventures suitable for tiny tots to experienced adventurers, as well as
over 1,000 animals and a SEA LIFE centre!
Young Adventurers are offered a ‘first’ rollercoaster experience with
Dragon’s Fury and the KOBRA being available for those over 1.2m and
the Vampire available for those over 1.1m!
2013 saw the launch of ‘ZUFARI: Ride into Africa!’ an off-road safari truck
adventure. For the first time ever, a theme park adventure and an array
of wonderful live safari animals—including White Rhino, Giraffe and
Grevy’s Zebra—come together in one amazing attraction. Adventurous
guests can get up close and personal to a whole host of amazing African
animals roaming along side them as they embark on a thrilling journey
onboard amazing off-road safari vehicles, but they had better beware of
the hidden dangers they may encounter along the way…
With the ZUFARI development equivalent in size to 15 football pitches,
came the creation of brand new state of the art enclosures for exciting
new species including White Rhinos and rare Rothschild Giraffes as well
as Flamingos, Nile Lechwe and Blesbok. Add to these our existing
collection of African animals—Zebras, Ostriches, Oryx and Sitatungas;
‘ZUFARI: Ride into Africa’ brings a taste of Africa to the heart of Surrey
and unites the theme park and zoo together in one amazing attraction.