Project Play

Project Play has now opened at Chessington World of Adventures as the World of PAW Patrol, bringing a bright new family land to the former Mexicana area. What once stood as a tired corner of the park has now become a colourful, character-filled destination for younger adventurers.

The project marked a major shift for this side of Chessington. For many years, Mexicana carried a Wild West theme and centred around Scorpion Express. However, after the ride closed, the area needed fresh energy and a clearer purpose. As a result, Chessington used Project Play to reimagine the space from the ground up.

Now complete, the finished land focuses firmly on young children and families. It mixes gentle thrills, interactive play, character moments, food, retail and useful facilities. More importantly, it gives younger guests a dedicated world of their own.

From Mexicana To Adventure Bay

Mexicana played an important role in Chessington’s history. Its headline attraction, Scorpion Express, first opened in 1987 as Runaway Train. Later, in 2014, Chessington rethemed the ride with a fiery new mining town story. For years, it served as an accessible family coaster and a key step up for younger thrill-seekers.

However, the ride closed after an incident in 2022 and never reopened to guests. That left a noticeable gap in the park’s family ride lineup. Meanwhile, the surrounding land started to feel increasingly dated.

Project Play changed that story. Instead of simply replacing one ride, Chessington transformed the wider area. The Western frontier has now made way for a playful PAW Patrol world filled with colour, movement and character.

What Opened In The World Of PAW Patrol?

Chase’s Mountain Mission

The headline attraction is Chase’s Mountain Mission, a junior roller coaster designed for younger riders. It restores the family coaster offering once provided by Scorpion Express, but with a fresher feel and a more child-focused theme.

The ride delivers smooth turns, gentle dips and enough pace to feel exciting. However, it remains friendly and accessible. Therefore, it works perfectly as a first roller coaster for younger adventurers.

Skye’s Helicopter Heroes

Skye’s Helicopter Heroes adds height and movement to the land. Guests take flight in helicopter-style gondolas and enjoy a gentle view across the area. It creates a fun aerial moment without becoming too intense.

As a visual feature, the ride also helps bring the land to life. Its height makes it easy to spot, while its movement adds energy overhead.

Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure

Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure brings interactive fun to the lineup. Riders board themed hovercraft vehicles and use controls to influence the drifting movement. As a result, children feel more involved in the experience.

It offers a gentle ride, but the interactive element gives it extra personality. As a result, it adds variety alongside the coaster and aerial ride.

Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue

Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue gives a former Chessington favourite a new lease of life. The ride previously operated as Jungle Bus in Wild Asia, before moving into the World of PAW Patrol with fresh theming.

Now styled as a firetruck rescue ride, it lifts guests up and down as it moves forward and backwards. It feels familiar, but the new theme helps it fit neatly into its new home.

More Than Just Rides

The land also includes interactive play features, a character meet-and-greet space, retail, toilets and food and drink. These additions make the area feel both practical and playful.

Families can stop for a snack, browse PAW Patrol merchandise or let children explore the play areas between rides. Meanwhile, the meet-and-greet area gives young fans another chance to connect with their favourite characters.

A Fresh Chapter For Chessington

Project Play has successfully turned an ageing area into one of Chessington’s most colourful family spaces. The World of PAW Patrol may not aim for big thrills, but it knows its audience well.

For younger guests, it offers a strong mix of first rides, playful interaction and familiar characters. For the Resort, it restores purpose to a once-uncertain corner of the park.

Overall, the project marks a bright new chapter for Chessington. Mexicana may now be part of the past, but the World of PAW Patrol gives the area a fun, focused and family-friendly future.

Status:

Completed

Planning submitted:

17^th December 2024

Project approved:

19^th February 2025

Latest update:

11^th April 2026

Total updates:

18 (View all)

News

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5^th October 2025

Skye Takes to the Skies at Chessington World of Adventures, setting a playful course for 2026. Today, hardware for…

PAW Patrol Comes to Chessington!

29^th April 2025

PAW Patrol Comes to Chessington! PAW Patrol fans, get ready! As your favourite rescue pups are bounding into action…

Chessington’s Project Play Gets Approval

3^rd March 2025

Chessington’s Project Play gets approval, marking a major step forward for the Resort’s next family-focused themed land. Chessington World…

View all Project Play news

Planning

Chase’s Mountain Mission

Now open as Chase’s Mountain Mission, the junior roller coaster has become one of the headline attractions in the World of PAW Patrol at Chessington World of Adventures. During planning, this ride stood out as the biggest addition within Project Play. Today, it gives the land its main burst of coaster energy.

Positioned towards the back of the area, Chase’s Mountain Mission acts as a clear focal point. Its themed entrance structure helps pull guests deeper into the land, while the coaster itself adds movement, sound and excitement to the surrounding area. As a result, the ride does more than offer a simple lap of the track. It helps bring the whole space to life.

The coaster delivers a gentle, accessible thrill aimed at younger adventurers. It uses a compact layout filled with smooth turns, light dips and enough pace to feel exciting without becoming overwhelming. For many children, this may become their first proper roller coaster. However, it still offers enough fun for the wider family to enjoy together.

The ride also plays an important role in Chessington’s current lineup. It replaced the former Scorpion Express site, which had long served as a key family coaster within the park. After Scorpion Express closed, Chessington lacked that same style of junior thrill in this corner of the Resort. Therefore, Chase’s Mountain Mission helps restore an important stepping stone between simple children’s rides and larger family attractions.

The PAW Patrol theme gives the coaster a strong identity of its own. Rather than feeling like a standard junior ride, Chase’s Mountain Mission fits neatly into the wider land. The branding, entrance design and playful surroundings all help it feel at home in the World of PAW Patrol. Meanwhile, its position at the rear of the area makes it a natural anchor for the land.

Overall, Chase’s Mountain Mission successfully delivers what the planning application promised. It brings a fresh junior coaster to Chessington, adds energy to the new area, and gives younger guests a thrilling mission of their own. Most importantly, it fills a clear gap in the park’s ride offering while adding another fun family attraction to the Resort.

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Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue

Now open as Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, this lively family ride has found a new home in the World of PAW Patrol at Chessington World of Adventures. During planning, the attraction appeared as Children’s Ride C. However, Chessington fans will know its story goes back further, as the ride previously operated in Wild Asia as Jungle Bus.

The relocation allowed Chessington to keep a popular family attraction while giving it a fresh identity. Rather than removing the ride completely, the Resort moved it into the new land and wrapped it in a bright PAW Patrol theme. As a result, an older attraction now feels much more at home for younger guests.

Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue uses the same fun ride system as before. Guests board a themed fire truck, which moves backwards and forward while lifting riders up and down. It creates a simple but effective bouncing motion, with just enough height and speed to feel exciting. However, the experience remains gentle enough for children and families to enjoy together.

The new theme suits the ride really well. Marshall’s fire rescue role gives the attraction a clear purpose, while the firetruck design makes the movement feel playful and full of character. Therefore, the ride no longer feels like a relocated attraction with a new sign. It now feels like a natural part of the World of PAW Patrol.

Its move also adds useful balance to the land. Chase’s Mountain Mission brings coaster thrills, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes takes guests into the air, and Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure adds interactive drifting. Meanwhile, Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue offers a familiar up-and-down family ride with plenty of energy. Together, these attractions create a varied lineup for younger adventurers.

The relocation also helped free up space in Wild Asia, which could support future changes in that area. At the same time, Chessington retained a ride that still has plenty to offer. That makes the project feel both practical and creative.

Overall, Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue successfully gives a familiar Chessington attraction a fresh lease of life. It keeps the fun of Jungle Bus, adds a stronger theme and places the ride in an area built for its audience. Most importantly, it gives families another cheerful reason to explore the World of PAW Patrol.

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Skye’s Helicopter Heroes

Now open as Skye’s Helicopter Heroes, this cheerful aerial ride has become one of the standout features of the World of PAW Patrol at Chessington World of Adventures. During planning, the attraction appeared under the simple name Children’s Ride B. However, the finished ride now brings a clear PAW Patrol identity, a strong visual presence and a gentle family experience to the land.

The ride sends guests up into the air in themed helicopter-style gondolas. As they rise, riders get a lovely view across the World of PAW Patrol and the surrounding area. It does not aim for big thrills or fast movements. Instead, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes focuses on a calm, floating adventure that younger guests can enjoy with confidence.

That gentle approach works really well for this part of Chessington. The World of PAW Patrol targets families with younger children, and this attraction fits that audience perfectly. The ride offers just enough height to feel exciting, yet it stays friendly and approachable throughout. Therefore, it works as a great stepping stone for children who want to try something a little bigger.

The attraction also plays an important role in shaping the land’s look and feel. With its tall central structure and rotating gondolas, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes adds movement above the area. As a result, it helps make the land feel busier, brighter and more alive. Even for guests walking past, the ride creates an eye-catching focal point.

Its theme also fits neatly into the wider PAW Patrol world. Skye’s aviation theme makes the helicopter concept feel natural, while the colourful design helps the ride blend into its surroundings. Meanwhile, its relaxed ride style adds variety alongside Chase’s Mountain Mission and Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure.

Overall, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes successfully delivers the scenic family ride promised during the planning stage. It gives younger guests a chance to take to the skies, enjoy a gentle adventure and see the land from above. More importantly, it adds another accessible attraction to Chessington’s family lineup. With its height, charm and playful theme, it has become a welcome part of the World of PAW Patrol.

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World of Paw Patrol

Now open as the World of PAW Patrol, the former Project Play development has brought a bright, playful new family area to Chessington World of Adventures. What once appeared in planning documents as a colourful new land for younger guests has now become a lively corner of the park packed with character, energy and charm.

The area creates a clear shift in tone from the surrounding park. Guests enter through a bold-themed portal, which instantly sets the scene for a playful adventure. From there, the land opens into a vibrant space filled with familiar PAW Patrol details, cheerful colours and plenty of photo opportunities. It feels built for younger adventurers first, and that gives the area a clear purpose.

To the right of the entrance, the main facility building now plays an important role in the land. It brings together useful guest facilities, including toilets, retail and character meet-and-greet space. As a result, families can spend time in the area without rushing to other areas for essentials. The retail element also gives guests the chance to pick up themed souvenirs, adding another layer to the experience.

However, the land is not just about buildings and backdrops. Across the area, interactive play features encourage children to climb, explore and burn off energy. These additions help turn the land into more than a simple ride area. Instead, World of PAW Patrol offers a space where younger guests can take the lead and create their own mini adventures.

The planning application promised a land full of colour, play and family-friendly theming. Now complete, the finished area delivers exactly that. It may not aim for big thrills, but it knows its audience well. For families with younger children, World of PAW Patrol adds a welcome burst of fun to Chessington.

Overall, this project has successfully transformed the site into a bright, useful and engaging new part of the Resort. More importantly, it gives Chessington another dedicated space for its youngest adventurers to enjoy.

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Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure

Now open as Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure, this playful interactive ride has added a fun splash of movement to the World of PAW Patrol at Chessington World of Adventures. During planning, it appeared as simply ‘Children’s Ride A’. However, the finished attraction now has a clear identity, a bright theme and a hands-on ride experience for younger guests.

The ride sits neatly within the wider land and brings something different to the area. While Chase’s Mountain Mission delivers the coaster thrills, Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure focuses on playful interaction. Guests board colourful hovercraft-style vehicles before setting off around the central ride system. From the outside, the attraction adds plenty of motion and energy. Yet, the ride itself offers a gentle adventure with a little extra twist.

The key feature comes from the interactive controls inside each vehicle. Riders can use the lever to control their hovercraft’s movement, creating a drifting sensation as they travel around the circuit. As a result, the ride feels less predictable than a standard children’s attraction. It gives young adventurers a sense of control, helping every ride feel slightly different.

That simple interactive element makes a big difference. Instead of just sitting back and watching the ride happen, children can take part in the action. Meanwhile, the gentle pace keeps the experience accessible for families and younger guests. It strikes a nice balance between movement, fun and confidence-building thrills.

The PAW Patrol theme also adds plenty of charm to the attraction. Zuma’s water rescue style suits the hovercraft concept well, and the ride fits naturally into the colourful world around it. Therefore, the attraction feels like more than an off-the-shelf ride with a name attached. It plays into the wider land and adds variety to the area’s lineup.

Overall, Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure successfully delivers the interactive family ride promised in the planning stage. It may be small in scale, but it adds an important layer to the World of PAW Patrol. With its hands-on controls, gentle drifting and cheerful theme, it gives younger guests another reason to dive into the adventure.

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Updates

It’s Ready To Play!

11^th April 2026

It’s ready to play, and Project Play is finally living up to its name at Chessington World of Adventures. From the moment you arrive, the area feels less like a construction site and more like a finished, vibrant new land ready to welcome guests.

In the World of Paw Patrol, everything now looks complete. Gone are the cranes, barriers, and heavy machinery that once filled the skyline. Instead, the area feels polished and full of life, which marks a major milestone for the project.

Meanwhile, the brand-new attractions have been spotted testing regularly over the past few days. Ride vehicles are cycling often, and energy is building behind the scenes. A recent media shoot has also taken place, which usually signals that things are entering their final stages.

However, it’s not quite opening day just yet. Small touches still appear to be underway, including cleaning, final checks, and those all-important finishing details. These final tweaks may seem minor, but they are key to ensuring everything meets the Resort’s usual standards.

Even so, the biggest question remains: when will it open? While no official date has been confirmed, all signs point to an announcement being just around the corner. Given the current progress, it’s clear that Project Play is on the brink of welcoming its first guests.

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The Final Push Is ON!

27^th March 2026

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A World Takes Shape

14^th March 2026

Project Play is quickly transforming into something truly special. Here we’ve captured the exciting progress happening across the site.

In the World of Paw Patrol, more and more details are coming together with every passing day. Bright colours now dominate the landscape, while vibrant theming and playful set pieces continue to appear throughout the area. As a result, the land is starting to feel alive, offering a clear glimpse of the final guest experience.

Meanwhile, our latest photos highlight just how bold this new land is set to be. From eye-catching structures to colourful backdrops, the area’s visual identity is already shining through. Consequently, it’s becoming easier to imagine families exploring, playing, and soaking up the atmosphere once the land opens.

In addition, several attraction signs can now be spotted, giving us our first hints at the finished experience. The play areas themselves appear close to completion, marking another major step forward. At the same time, key infrastructure elements such as planting, queue line fencing, and pathways are progressing well across the site.

Although there’s still work to be done, momentum is clearly building. With each update, Project Play edges closer to reality. This bright and bold new world won’t stay under construction for much longer.

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Vertical Construction Continues

23^rd November 2025

Project Play continues to gather pace as vertical construction pushes the development into an exciting new phase. Across the site, progress is becoming impossible to miss, with major structures now clearly defining the future skyline.

Most notably, the junior roller coaster track is now complete. This milestone offers the clearest look yet at how the ride will weave through the area. As a result, the land is starting to feel more like a theme park than an active construction zone.

Meanwhile, a large central tower has begun to rise, with its framework now visible from across the site. This structure is set to become a striking focal point, anchoring the surrounding attractions. At the same time, Skye’s helicopter ride still stands tall, continuing to hint at the themed experiences to come.

Across the rest of the area, work is moving at speed. Teams are installing retaining walls, laying pathways, and shaping key infrastructure throughout the land. Consequently, both the groundwork and the headline attractions are progressing in parallel.

Although there’s still plenty left to complete, the transformation is happening quickly. With each visit, something new appears, adding to the growing sense of anticipation. So, keep an eye out for more updates—because this project is evolving fast, and there’s plenty more to come.

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A Roller Coaster Arrives

19^th October 2025

Sky-blue supports have rolled into view. Spotted in the off-site compound, stored beside components for the Skye Helicopter ride. Elsewhere, bright red air-gates are nearby, adding a bold splash of contrast. The promo artwork suggests a red track. These clues strongly suggest a red track to match the scheme.

Meanwhile, crews keep shaping the land’s rockwork. They continue tying fibreglass components together to sharpen seams and forms. Around the perimeter, planting has quietly begun. A handful of new trees soften edges and add height.

Across the site, concrete forms work overtime on buildings, foundations, and pathways. Notably, a large tarmac area now defines the roller coaster queue line. The tarmac likely forms the base of what will likely become a coloured composite flooring, much like other areas of the Resort have received over the last few years.

We will keep a watchful eye on the Project, with more updates soon. All photos were taken from publicly accessible areas.

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Theming Rises

10^th October 2025

Construction keeps moving, with stylised rockwork panels being installed onto the steel frame at the helix’s centre point today. Crews lift, align, and secure each section, locking the profile into place as the structure steadily takes on its final shape.

The rockwork is rising and now looks close to full height, giving a real sense of scale on site. Thematic artists are tidying the panels and filling bolt holes, bringing surfaces together cleanly ahead of later finishing stages.

Elsewhere, a crane is focused on setting additional steelwork, whilst groundwork around the coaster queue entry building looks close to completion, with preparation wrapping up ahead of forthcoming fit-out.

Work is progressing well, and we’ll be back with another update soon as momentum continues across the area. As always, all photos were taken from publicly accessible areas. No attempt should be made to step onto or access a construction site.

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Ride Hardware Arrives

4^th October 2025

Construction continues at pace, with levelling works progressing across the site as crews press on with ground preparation this week. Momentum builds as areas take shape, with teams coordinating activity and keeping the project moving forward at a strong pace.

Foundations for the entrance building of the new PAW Patrol roller coaster continue coming together, marking a clear step forward. New retaining walls have started to go in elsewhere, shaping the zone while establishing edges and supporting the developing layout.

Work progresses well on the ride pads for the flat rides, which look close to complete from available viewpoints today. Theming panels have started to be attached to the steel framework, introducing recognisable forms and adding a touch of colour and tone to the area.

The Skye-themed helicopter ride, a Zamperla Samba Tower 8, has been delivered and is currently stored off-site temporarily. Seeing hardware arrive lifts spirits and signals that installation phases draw closer as the project continues to progress well overall.

Photos below document progress, with all images captured from publicly accessible locations as always, respecting boundaries and ongoing works onsite. We will share more updates soon, as Project Play continues to come together nicely.

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Vertical Construction Begins

26^th September 2025

Project Play continues to move forward at a pace, and this week marks another exciting milestone. The first sections of steel framework for theming elements have started to rise around the site. With each new beam installed, the future look and feel of this new land is beginning to take shape.

Elsewhere, installation has begun on the elevated queue and exit ramps for the Junior Roller Coaster. These raised pathways will soon guide guests to and from the ride, and their appearance makes the attraction’s layout much clearer to see on site. It’s always exciting when queue-line structures begin to emerge, as they give a real sense of how guests will experience the area once it opens.

Groundwork also continues in earnest. Crews are busy flattening large sections of the site and laying hardcore, preparing the ground for paths and future queue-lines. This vital stage ensures the area will be ready for the thousands of footsteps it will welcome once complete.

Meanwhile, the main building presses on with cladding work, with teams active across almost every corner of the project. Momentum remains strong, and it’s clear that big changes are happening daily.

Stay tuned for more updates soon!

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The Transformation Continues

9^th August 2025

The transformation of Project Play at Chessington World of Adventures is gathering pace. With major visible changes now taking shape on site. The most striking development this week is the steel framework for the new retail, toilets, and meet-and-greet building rising rapidly into place. This key structure will form the backbone of the new land. Cleverly screening the service area from the guest’s view and creating a more immersive environment.

Groundworks also continue across the site, with a retaining wall now under construction near the upcoming Zierer roller coaster. This feature levels the land around the coaster, positioning the ride slightly below guests’ eyeline. This clever design choice should provide far more impressive visuals of the coaster in motion once completed.

Workers are laying hard standing along the back of the coaster site, likely forming the base for the ride’s queue line and exit pathways. The coaster’s foundations are almost complete, and the retaining wall and internal theming footers are close behind, putting the site on the brink of its next big milestone.

If progress continues at this speed, vertical ride construction could soon begin at the far end of the site. More updates coming soon!

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Foundations Appear

20^th July 2025

Progress continues to build at Project Play as Chessington World of Adventures forges ahead with the construction of its brand-new PAW Patrol themed land. On-site, focus has firmly shifted from demolition to creation, with visible signs of exciting developments taking shape.

Work on the foundations for the Zierer family roller coaster is progressing steadily. Concrete pours continue across the site, with several rebar cages now visible—likely forming the structural base for additional flat rides that will accompany the coaster in this vibrant new land.

The clean-up of demolition debris is now almost fully complete, marking the end of the site’s transformation from a once-familiar themed area to a construction zone buzzing with activity. With the groundwork nearly wrapped up, the pace of construction is picking up fast, as the team begins preparing for vertical builds and themed elements.

The once-empty site is now a hive of activity, laying the foundation—quite literally—for the PAWsome world soon to arrive at Chessington. With every passing week, we’re one step closer to welcoming the pups to their new home. Stay tuned for more as construction continues to ramp up!

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Ground Works Commence

24^th May 2025

Exciting progress continues on Project Play at Chessington World of Adventures, as the site gears up for the start of vertical construction on the park’s brand-new PAW Patrol-themed land. Over the past week, crews have been working hard to clear remaining rubble, making way for the foundations of what’s set to become one of the Resort’s most vibrant and family-focused areas.

Most notably, markings have now appeared on-site indicating the footer locations for Chessington’s new roller coaster, which is being manufactured by Zierer. A piling rig and concrete lorry are now positioned on-site, signalling that foundation work is about to begin—a major step forward as groundwork kicks into full gear.

In addition, a large pit has been excavated, believed to be the future location of the main entrance to the roller coaster. This area is expected to feature a large tower, echoing the iconic PAW Patrol Lookout Tower from the hit TV series and providing a dramatic visual centrepiece for the new land.

With work continuing at a steady and promising pace, the transformation is becoming more visible by the day. Stay tuned—even more exciting updates are just around the corner!

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Mexicana Flattened

10^th May 2025

A major milestone has been reached in the development of Project Play at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. The Mexican Cantina building—the final structure from the former land—has now been fully demolished. With it gone, the entire area feels strikingly bare and empty, a stark contrast to the once bustling themed environment that stood here just months ago.

With demolition work all but complete, focus has shifted to clearing rubble and prepping the site for the next phase. Teams are hard at work tidying the area and preparing it for groundworks, signalling the end of one chapter and the exciting start of another.

Adding to the anticipation, the park has now confirmed the project’s theme, PAW Patrol! New branded advertising hoardings have been installed around the construction walls, giving guests their first official hint at what’s coming. The colourful signage has brought a fresh energy to the site’s perimeter, building excitement for what lies ahead.

With the groundwork phase just around the corner, the real transformation is about to begin. Get ready for an action-packed new land like no other—more updates coming very soon!

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Clearing Continues Rapidly

26^th April 2025

Progress continues at an impressive pace on Project Play at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, with demolition and site preparation efforts ramping up across the area. The former Mexican Cantina building is being carefully stripped out, with crews methodically dismantling it piece by piece. Nearby, the former Children’s Zoo animal houses have also started coming down, with roofs now fully removed as demolition pushes ahead.

Elsewhere, a major focus remains on clearing waste from the site. Teams are working hard to tidy up the area and prepare the ground for the exciting construction work that lies ahead. Over at the old Scorpion Express site, the concrete base of the coaster has been largely removed, with the former ride tunnel still visible but looking very close to being fully demolished.

Once the final remnants of the old attractions are cleared, the site will be ready for a brand-new chapter. Soon, work will begin on laying the foundations for the rides, buildings, and all the incredible new experiences that will bring Project Play to life.

The future is looking bright—and there’s plenty more exciting progress to come. Stay tuned for the next update!

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Landmarks Reduced to Rubble

18^th April 2025

Demolition efforts for Project Play continue to push forward at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, with more familiar landmarks now reduced to rubble. Both the VIP unit and the former Annual Pass Hub buildings have now been completely removed, with teams on-site now focusing on clearing the debris and tidying up the area as preparations continue for the next phase of construction.

Elsewhere, attention has turned to the former restaurant building, where windows have begun to be removed as part of a more strategic and careful dismantling process. Progress here is slower, possibly due to the building’s age and construction, but it’s another clear sign of movement behind the scenes.

One part of the old Mexicana area that remains is the backdrop for Scorpion Express. While much around it has been cleared, this structure is set to be rethemed and incorporated into the new land, offering a small link to the past amidst the sweeping changes.

It’s undeniably exciting to see things moving along, but there’s still a bittersweet feeling as this once richly themed area disappears piece by piece. The future looks bright—but we’ll miss the old charm as we look ahead to what’s next.

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Demolition Continues

11^th April 2025

Demolition across the Mexicana area has stepped up significantly this week, with major changes continuing to reshape the landscape of Project Play at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. The former Rick O’Sheas shooting gallery and surrounding games buildings have now been completely removed, clearing a large section of the site and dramatically opening up the area.

Elsewhere, demolition work continues at a pace. The majority of the old Annual Pass Hub has now been torn down, and work is actively underway to remove the adjacent VIP unit. These removals are further transforming the space and paving the way for what’s to come.

Walking through the area, the views feel almost unrecognisable, and there’s a definite sense of nostalgia as familiar sights disappear. It’s hard not to feel a little sadness as this long-standing corner of the park is dismantled. However, progress often requires letting go of the old—and these dated attractions are making way for something new, exciting, and full of potential.

As Project Play moves forward, we’ll be keeping a close eye on all developments. Stay tuned as the next chapter of Chessington’s story continues to unfold.

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Farewell Scorpion Express

8^th March 2025

The landscape of Project Play is changing rapidly, as work continues at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. This week marks a significant milestone in the transformation, with the tracks and supports of Scorpion Express now seemingly fully removed. The once-thrilling mine train has vanished from the site, leaving behind only memories of its adventurous past.

Theming removal is ongoing, with more elements being stripped away as the area is prepared for its exciting future. Meanwhile, construction walls have continued to rise, further sealing off the site from view. Notably, the Children’s Zoo area is now completely closed to guests, marking another step in the wider redevelopment.

A crane has once again been spotted on-site, and with the track now gone, attention appears to be shifting towards higher-level deconstruction. It seems likely that the station and surrounding structures will soon be reduced, making way for the next stage of development.

With each passing week, Project Play is becoming more of a reality. Stay tuned for more updates as Chessington’s next big adventure continues to take shape!

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The transformation continues

1^st March 2025

The transformation of Project Play continues at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, with significant progress made over the past week. The removal of Scorpion Express is moving forward at a pace, as more sections of track have been cut and taken away. The once-familiar sight of the mine train’s rails weaving through the area is steadily disappearing, marking another step towards the future.

Meanwhile, theming removal has accelerated, with much of the ride’s iconic scenery now gone. Only the back wall and some low-level theming remain, standing as the final echoes of an attraction that entertained generations of guests.

Change is happening quickly, and while it’s sad to see Scorpion Express fade into history, the groundwork is being laid for something brand new. Project Play is taking shape, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

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Change is in the air

22^nd February 2025

Change is in the air at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, as work is now well underway on Project Play. However, with progress comes the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to an iconic piece of Chessington history.

The removal of Scorpion Express has officially begun. The once-thrilling mine train that has delighted guests for over three decades is now being carefully dismantled. Contractors have started cutting through sections of track, with some pieces already removed from the site. The station and its surrounding theming are also being stripped away, erasing the last remnants of this beloved attraction. A crane has been in operation throughout the week, assisting in lifting sections of the ride as the deconstruction continues.

It’s truly the end of an era. Originally opening with the park in 1987 as the Runaway Mine Train, this family coaster provided countless memories before being reimagined as Scorpion Express in 2014. Now, as its rails are cut and its track disappears piece by piece, Chessington bids farewell to one of its longest-standing rides.

While exciting developments for Project Play are ahead, today, we pause to remember a classic. Goodbye, Scorpion Express – you will be missed.

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