The unique UK theme park with safaris, water park and rides for everyone from toddlers to grandparents
I HAVE never checked into a hotel room to start searching for shovels, toucans, temples and axes.
And all so we could crack the code to open a safe containing . . . Oreo biscuits.
That’s the challenge our grandchildren gleefully accepted at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.
Albie, eight, Mila, six, and Lois, three, squealed as they rushed around the room (don’t panic, the axes and everything else were printed on the wallpaper or carpet.)
Chessington was my favourite theme park when my children were young and back with the grandchildren, I loved it even more.
It has just the right balance of rides, attractions and shows for all ages, plus the zoo and aquarium.
The connecting hotels, the Azteca and Safari, have themed rooms including the sweet Oreo, grand Gruffalo and our Monkey Temple.
Rope walkways
There was a comfy double bed for me and husband David, bunkbeds with a pull-out trundle bed for the kids and a bathroom in between.
Keep your eyes peeled for special events, too. Anyone visiting next weekend, for example, can be in with a chance of winning one of 100 fast-track tickets (worth £60pp) if they come dressed in Vampire fancy dress.
We hit the ground running, literally. The kids bounced along sky-high rope walkways on the Amazu adventure trail and clambered on the Adventure Tree carousel ride.
Then it was on to Room On The Broom – A Magical Journey, where we encountered the witch and braved the dragon while weaving our way through glass mirrors.
Time to get a bit wet on The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and the spinning, rocky Seastorm.
When the grandparents needed a caffeine booster and the kids needed to give us a break, Ben & Jerry’s milkshakes did the trick.
There are plenty of other food options too, including fish and chips, burgers, hot dogs and pizza. And, if you want to save cash, take a picnic and sit at one of the tables around the park.
Outside of the main park, the hotels’ Zafari Bar & Grill and buffet-style Temple Restaurant are excellent, with a great choice of food for all the family, with kids’ dishes from £6.50 and a packed buffet breakfast for the following morning.
One big advantage of staying in a resort hotel is you have access to the superb Savannah splash pool and to the park an hour before day visitors.
Thanks goodness Lois passed the one-metre height rule to rock along in the open-sided 30-seat truck to see giraffes, zebra and white rhino on the Zufari.
Chessington is home to more than 1,000 animals, from big beasts such as lions, gorillas and tigers to cute farm animals.
While the Sea Life Centre has wondrous creatures including sharks, rays and thousands of colourful fish.
With our youngsters, we had to stick to the gentler rides – apart from Albie who proudly plunged 82ft on Croc Drop – but older kids will love Mandrill Mayhem, the world’s only Jumanji coaster which flips you upside down, or Vampire which soars across the sky.
The grandkids still have those to look forward to and next time opening the safe will be child’s play!
GO: CHESSINGTON
Overnight stays at Chessington’s hotels start from £53pp including park entry and there is currently an offer giving you your second day FREE.
Includes early ride time, hotel entertainment, access to the splash pool, breakfast, free parking and wifi. Day tickets from £29.
Chessington.com.