I’ve been taking the kids to theme parks since they were about two and a half. We started off small – Gulliver’s in Milton Keynes was our go-to back then. It wasn’t too far from home, the entry prices were reasonable, and it was the perfect way to introduce the girls to the magic of rides and attractions.
As they got older, we graduated to LEGOLAND, which quickly became our default destination. The rides were ideal for three passengers – perfect for just the three of us (and occasionally a few friends). We still popped back to Gulliver’s now and again, but LEGOLAND became our place. We even stayed at the Castle Hotel — you can read all about that adventure here.
Our final LEGOLAND trip in 2024 overlapped with our very first visits to Chessington World of Adventures, and that’s where things really started to change. As the girls edged towards 11, Chessington began to appeal so much more. We did a summer visit, then returned for the October half-term, both times were a huge hit.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m very much a Reserve and Ride kind of person. Queuing for hours with twins? Absolutely not. So when we visit during peak times, I always invest in the Reserve and Ride passes.
This year, though, we decided to do things a bit differently. The girls’ new school has a two-week October half-term, which has been brilliant. I took the first week off, the one where most schools are still open, and booked our Chessington trip then. We decided to risk it and skip the Reserve and Ride passes.
I also booked The Hollow Trail, which was an optional extra but totally worth it. It offered a lovely autumnal, and slightly spooky experience without being too intense. The girls still wanted to do the main Halloween trail, which, thankfully, wasn’t nearly as scary as last year’s. It is a kids’ adventure park after all!
And honestly? I was so glad we didn’t buy the passes, most rides had just 5–10 minute queues. When we arrived, we were directed to the resort car park (since the main one hadn’t even opened due to how quiet it was). Music to my ears! It was right next to the entrance, and there were barely any people around. I know next week will be a completely different story once the crowds roll in.
We always use the Chessington and LEGOLAND apps to plan our day – they’re brilliant for checking queue times and organising your route. Once we realised how quiet it was, we added a few spontaneous rides to our list and discovered new ones we’d never tried before.
Sadly, our all-time favourite, The Vampire Ride, was closed for safety checks – no doubt getting spruced up for the busy week ahead. But that didn’t dampen our spirits. The girls braved Mandrill Mayhem, Dragon’s Fury, and a few other big rides we didn’t explore before. We were slightly disappointed that Cobra was closed, though it’s set to be replaced with a Minecraft-themed ride, which we’re really excited to see.
All in all, we managed 12 rides plus the two trails – not bad for the few hours we were there! We could have squeezed in more, but we decided to take it easy, enjoy the atmosphere, and stop for little breaks along the way. Going towards the end of the season, right before Halloween, was such a refreshing experience. I loved how calm it felt compared to the summer buzz – though, of course, the energy (and the need for Reserve and Ride passes!) during peak times does have its charm too.
I suspect we’ll get a couple more good trips out of Chessington before my little thrill-seekers start eyeing up Thorpe Park. For now, though, Chessington hits the sweet spot, exciting enough for them, and just about manageable for me! I still haven’t braved Mandrill Mayhem myself, but I’ve promised I’ll do it next time.
I used to be a proper thrill-seeker, I’ve even jumped out of a plane, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely lost a bit of that fearless streak. Thankfully, my girls are great motivators, always encouraging me to try new rides and make memories with them.
Chessington 2025 — you’ve been an absolute blast!
