Chessington World of Adventures reveals plans for new themed land

Chessington World of Adventures will open another new themed land, in a further major upgrade to the popular resort.

Mexicana, based on a Wild West-themed mining town, will be transformed into a new immersive land aimed at younger children, after Kingston Council approved the plans.

Chessington will demolish ageing rides and buildings that make up Mexicana and its children's zoo to make way for the new development, which is set to open in 2026.

Visitors will still be able to see the zoo's animals as they will move into new homes on the resort.

The new themed land will have a small, child-friendly rollercoaster, gentle children's rides and a themed playground.

It will also have a character meet and greet area, food and drink outlets and a themed gift shop selling exclusive merchandise.

The council approved the scheme in February.

The project is one of several being brought forward by Chessington's owner Merlin Entertainments to offer new experiences and attract more visitors to the resort.

Merlin won planning permission in March to replace Wild Asia, which contains some of the attraction's oldest rides and buildings, and a neighbouring glamping site with another new themed land.

Details of the themes for both new lands are expected to be revealed soon.

Merlin also has wider plans to open a new waterpark with themed water slides, wave, infinity and spa pools, lazy and rapid rivers, an aqua play area, a splash pad, safari 'beach', cabanas, a snack bar and café at Chessington.

It submitted plans in 2023 to expand the resort's safari hotel to build the waterpark in a bid to rival the likes of Disney and Universal Studios.

Planning documents for the waterpark warned visitor numbers will drop at Chessington without investment and the scheme is 'critical' to its future.

They said the resort must improve its attractions to continue drawing in guests as it deals with the impact of Covid-19 and ongoing economic uncertainties.

The documents said: "By not doing so, it becomes more likely that it will lose ground on the competition, affecting its share of the market and its ability to continue delivering local economic benefits to the borough."

They added: "The ability to encourage visitors to spend more time at the resort is central to its success. Overseas resorts such as Disney and Universal Studios are highly successful at this by providing guests the opportunities to fully immerse themselves in the experience."

The council will decide on this application in due course.