Park Paradise

Chessington World of Adventures - Zufari Update

Three white rhinoceroses are currently settling into their new home at Chessington World of Adventures, as the park gears up for the opening of a major new ride in 2013.

Zufari: Ride into Africa! will take guests on a tour in safari trucks around a number of animal exhibits, hosting the rhinos, giraffes and flamingos. Three rhinos - named Kanty, Dozer and Gyasi - have now arrived at the park from zoos in Arnhem in Holland, Beauval in France and Lisbon in Portugal. They will now have several months to become accustomed to their enclosure, before the ride opens to guests in March 2013.

Describing the park’s newest residents, Chessington’s Zoo Manager Marc Boardman said: “We are thrilled to welcome three white rhinos to the resort for the first time since Chessington opened as a zoo 81 years ago. With any new animal arrival there are challenges to face, and we have recruited specialist rhino keepers to ensure they have the best care possible. The new rhino enclosure has some of the most modern facilities in Europe and it’s great to finally welcome its new residents.”

Chessington World of Adventure’s planned addition is similar in design to the Rhino Rally attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa, as well as Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is expected to be a major draw for the park, which is investing millions in its construction.

Chessington World of Adventures - Zufari BREAKING NEWS

It has been reported for over a year now that Chessington had a Safari experience attraction on the table, but it was a matter of time until it finally came to fruition. Now, we finally have some news as the new Safari Trail for 2013 now has a name, Zufari – Ride into Africa and will open in March 2013. Check out the statement below taken from the official site:

“Jump aboard the ultimate off-roader truck for a thrilling safari journey where you’ll navigate through the extreme terrain of the African outback and come face to face with our new giant giraffes, powerful rhinos and other new animals waiting to be discovered.

Ride into Africa on this interactive journey through our spectacular African wilderness.”

Expanding the zoo like never seen before the ride, like the ones at Animal Kingdom will see a whole new journey into the wild Adventure Chessington have been offering, and is going to prove very popular at the park. It is a very exciting time for Chessington as we finally see an ACTUAL new attraction come to the park….I can’t wait for this!! 

Disneyland Paris - 20th Anniversary

Disneyland Paris - Val d’Europe Store CLOSES 

@Disney_ParisEN

This week marks the final farewell to the only Disney Store off the official Disneyland Paris resort…over at Val D’Europe. The one off that was the ‘Rendez-Vous Disney’ store over in Val d’Europe has now officially closed its doors after just over eleven years of trading. It will be replaced by an expanded Oxybul “play and discovery” toy store, which already has a unit next door. Located in the Centre Commercial at the heart of the Disney-planned town within the resort’s boundaries, the store was operated by Euro Disney SCA alongside the other park, Village and hotel boutiques with Disney Cast Members and a select range of resort merchandise comprising clothing, toys, homewares and general souvenirs.

This store was one of the first Disney stores seen before reaching Disneyland Resort Paris, but it seems that executives think that there are enough stores at the Parks and Disney Village to cope. Original features included a large video wall and four projected clocks, showing the time in the then four Disney resorts around the world. The store appeared to see little subsequent investment in updates in the years that followed, and likely became unjustifiable as Disney cut its ties with the mall, especially with the vast array of stores just a kilometre or so away at the resort itself.

Chessington World of Adventures - Madagascar LIVE!

@cwoa

Check out the recent construction picture for the new Madagascar LIVE! show which is set to debut in March 2012 at Chessington World of Adventures. Construction seems a bit behind considered the park officially opens in less than a month, and from the picture it seems that the stage is a LOT smaller that anticipated! Hopefully this turns out to be a good investment for the park and not another filler for another season!