We haven’t forgotten about the many rides and attractions that have left the theme parks, whether to make way for new developments or naturally coming to the end of their working life.
Featured Attractions
Magic Carpet
Flying above the treetops, a look back at Chessington’s first thrilling flat ride.
Rameses Revenge
An exciting Huss Topspin ride which thrilled guests from 1995 until 2019.
Safari Skyway
Following its closure in July 2015, we said a fond farewell to a family transport favourite.
Samurai @ Chessington
Before moving to Thorpe Park for the 2004 season, this attraction was initially situated at Chessington.
Attractions
- Beanoland
- Bubbleworks
- Dragon River / Dragon Falls
- Explorer Glamping
- Hocus Pocus Hall
- Holiday Inn London Chessington
- Jungle Bus
- Kobra
- Lorikeet Lagoon
- Monkey Swinger
- Old Crocks Rally / Toadie’s Crazy Cars
- Peeking Heights
- Runaway Train / Scorpion Express
- Smuggler’s Galleon / Black Buccaneer
- Temple of Mayhem
- Terror Tomb / Forbidden Tomb
- The Juggler / Rodeo
- Tuk Tuk Turmoil
Beanoland
Opened: 2000 | Closed: 2009
Themed to one of the most successful British comics of all time, Beanoland was home to Bash Street Bus, Billy’s Whizzer, Dennis’ Madhouse, and Roger the Dodger’s Dodgems. After nine years the area had run its course, and was reimagined in to Wild Asia, with the existing attractions updated accordingly.
Bubbleworks
Opened: 1990 | Closed: 2016
Professor Burp’s Bubbleworks was one of the world’s most iconic dark rides, where guests would enter a magical factory and follow the making of Professor Burp’s fizzy pop from juicing to bottling. Developed by John Wardley, designed by Keith Sparks’ production company, and featuring music by Graham Smart, Bubbleworks opened the same year as Vampire in a new area of the park called Transylvania, and became an immediate success. Known for its quirky animations, immersive storyline and fantastic humour, Bubbleworks operated in its original form for sixteen years before closing at the end of the 2005 season, to take on a new theme and sponsor; Imperial Leather.
Gone was Professor Burp and his fizzy pop empire, crassly replaced by a soap factory to suit the sponsor. Many of the original scenes were modified, animations made static, and quirky humour removed. The 2006 transformation was a poorly executed project, which removed all charm and taste that the original attraction conveyed so well. Bubbleworks was put out of its misery when The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure opened in 2017, using the existing ride system. Long live the Bubbleheads!
Dragon River / Dragon Falls
Opened: 1987 | Closed: 2017
Opening with the launch of Chessington World of Adventures in 1987, this oriental themed Mack Rides log flume was installed with truly immersive theming, setting a benchmark for UK theme parks. Riders would travel past spectacular rockwork and plunge in to an imposing dragon’s mouth. A towering figure modelled on The Great Buddha of Kamakura would stand over the ride’s winding trough, whilst two huge stone faces based on Angor Wat sat either side of the imposing final drop.
In 1999, the ride was renamed from Dragon River to Dragon Falls. In subsequent years, much of the original theming was removed, including the towering rockwork and stone faces, which exposed the ride system and back of house areas. For the 2018 season, the area was relaunched as Land of the Tiger featuring Tiger Rock, a reimagined attraction with theming that did not match the quality of the original installation.
Explorer Glamping
Opened: 2016 | Closed: 2024
For the wildest of overnight adventures, guests could stay in the great outdoors in one of the resort’s glamping tents. However, these tents came equipped with beds, power sockets, Wi-Fi and more, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep! The site consisted of thirty one standard tenants and four premium tents, along with a reception building, a games and seating area, bathrooms, and the ‘Explorer’s Outpost’ bar and restaurant located in the neighbouring Wild Asia themed land. Explorer Glamping would close along with the area at the end of the 2024 season.
Hocus Pocus Hall
Opened: 2003 | Closed: 2018
Located in the Burnt Stub Mansion, Hocus Pocus Hall was a gothic themed walk-through and house of mirrors type attraction. Featuring a pre-show where guests would be introduced to a wizard and troublesome goblins, 3D glasses and effects were used to transform the room in to a magical world, opening up a bookcase which lead to the challenges ahead. Guests would pass through a rotating trommel tunnel, and be able to experience interactive features and games, finalising with a disorientating mirror maze where the goblins continued to cause mischief. Room on the Broom: A Magical Journey replaced the attraction for the 2019 season.
Holiday Inn London Chessington
Opened: 2007 | Closed: 2014
The original safari-styled hotel opened as a Holiday Inn, which operated until 2014 when Merlin Entertainments ended the contract. At this time the interior decoration was improved to feel less corporate, and more family friendly to suit the attached theme park and safari environment.
Jungle Bus
Opened: 2010 | Closed: 2024
Originally known as Bash Street Bus and opening as part of Beanoland in 2001, the ride was reimagined as Jungle Bus when the area was rethemed to Wild Asia for the 2010 season, along with being relocated towards the main entrance. With a ‘Magic Carpet’ style ride system designed for younger guests to enjoy, the quirky looking bus rotated around two arms affixed to rock work from an ancient ruin. The ride would close along with Wild Asia at the end of the 2024 season.
Kobra
Opened: 2010 | Closed: 2024
With larger than life theming, Kobra stretched along the length of Wild Asia, bookended by two large cobra heads. Manufactured by Zamperla, riders would sit atop a bicycle-like seat facing outwards on a large disc which would then begin slowly rotating, whilst moving back-and-forth along a track. As momentum built up, riders crossed over a hump-back in the track then into an incline, where it reached the top and then travelled back the way it came, doing so several times. With a top speed of 43mph, this was a thrilling flat ride that combined rotation with a powered roller coaster-like experience. Kobra would close along with Wild Asia at the end of the 2024 season.
Lorikeet Lagoon
Opened: 2010 | Closed: 2024
Located at the rear of Wild Asia in a quieter corner, Lorikeet Lagoon let guests walk amongst the beautiful Lorikeets and their friends in an aviary type enclosure. With small pots of nectar for sale, guests were able to get up-close and personal with the residents of the lagoon, especially if they were hungry! Lorikeet Lagoon would close along with Wild Asia at the end of the 2024 season.
Monkey Swinger
Opened: 2010 | Closed: 2024
The rocks appeared to rotate on Monkey Swinger, a chair swing ride that was themed to look like the ruins of a building featuring design motifs inspired by monkeys! Spinning riders around the central pillar on single seats attached by chains, the ride progressed to a wave like motion. The monkeys were known to spray guests with water as they passed over them which was a fun additional feature that separated this version of the ride from similar models elsewhere. Monkey Swinger would close along with Wild Asia at the end of the 2024 season.
Old Crocks Rally / Toadie’s Crazy Cars
Opened: 1987 | Closed: 2019
Originally known as Old Crocks Rally, guests would jump aboard a vintage car and take a relaxing trip around scenes of quintessential British countryside. In 2001, the attraction was reimagined as Toadie’s Crazy Cars, featuring characters from Wind in the Willows. With the introduction of Dragon’s Fury in 2004, the ride was shortened to make space for the coaster’s station. It was not until 2019 and the introduction of The Rainforest when the ride system was replaced and Jungle Rangers utilised the route.
Peeking Heights
Opened: 2005 | Closed: 2017
This Fabbri Ferris wheel was originally located at Thorpe Park and named Eclipse. As their target market had changed and they became a thrill-based park, it was decided that the ride would replace Samurai at Chessington where it was hoped the ridership would be greater. Standing taller than anything else in the park, beautiful views of the London skyline and surrounding areas could be observed on a clear day. Peeking Heights was replaced by an enclosure in the Land of the Tiger in 2018.
Runaway Train / Scorpion Express
Opened: 1987 | Closed: 2022
This Mack Rides Blauer Enzian powered coaster opened with the re-launched theme park in 1987, and featured an extensively themed layout, making a simple figure of eight layout into something special. A large mountain surrounded the ride, concealing parts of the coaster track which made the attraction feel bigger than it was. Similar to the impressive theming on Dragon River, a lack of maintenance meant the mountain had to be eventually demolished.
The ride was relaunched in 2014 as Scorpion Express, which received negative reviews in comparison to the original coaster due to the minimalistic theming and removal of the original queue line which interacted with the neighbouring buildings.
Temple of Mayhem
Opened: 2010 | Closed: 2024
Young adventurers loved the two-story adventure house Temple of Mayhem, with its air powered cannons that could be used to fire foam balls across the interior. The attraction started life in 2000 as Timekeepers of the Millennium at The Millennium Dome in London, and was then relocated to Chessington once the celebrations were over and featured in Beanoland as Dennis’ Madhouse. With the introduction of Wild Asia in 2010, the attraction was rethemed into Temple of Mayhem and operated until 2024 when the area closed.
Terror Tomb / Forbidden Tomb
Opened: 1994 | Closed: 2001
From 5th Dimension to Terror Tomb, then Forbidden Tomb to Tomb Blaster, Chessington’s original dark ride has certainly seen some changes over the years. The star of Terror Tomb was Abdab, who tried to steal the tomb’s riches, however experienced an unfortunate end after the following was said by a mummy: “How dare you steal the jewel, now you shall become a ghoul!” The Abdab animatronics were kept inside the middle of the ride well after the attraction was rethemed into Tomb Blaster, shown in these photos. The operator’s control panel included a layout of the ride, with lights illuminating when a train was in the relevant block section.
The Juggler / Rodeo
Opened: 1989 | Closed: 2004
Starting out life as The Juggler in Circus World, the ride was relocated next to Runaway Train in 1996 and given a western theme. The Huss Breakdance is still a popular thrill ride in theme parks around the world today, and it was a shame Rodeo was removed as it was a great example of one.
Featured Attractions
Jungle Coaster
Situated next to the park’s lake, Jungle Coaster was a short-lived Mack Wild Mouse coaster.
Viking River Splash
Manufactured by ABC Rides, this rapids attraction was the flagship attraction in Land of the Vikings.
Atlantis Submarine Adventure
Opened: 2011 | Closed: 2019
Originally opening as Atlantis Submarine Voyage, this immersive underwater attraction was renamed Deep Sea Adventure in 2020 and now resides in Lego City instead of Adventure Land. The ride’s nautical theme was changed to a style which mirrors that of its counterpart at Legoland California.
Dino Dipper
Opened: 2005 | Closed: 2010
Alongside Dino Safari, the Mack Rides ‘Old Train’ Dino Dipper opened in a new section of the park which expanded Adventure Land to complete a circle around the lake. The ride closed at the end of the 2010 season to make way for Atlantis Submarine Adventure, and since reopened in 2011 as Merlin’s Quest in Knights’ Kingdom.
Loki’s Labyrinth
Opened: 1996 | Closed: 2017
Opening with the park in 1996 and originally called The Amazing Mazes, there were three mazes in total, consisting of The Celtic Maze, The Tudor Maze and The Nautical Maze. In 2007, Viking River Splash was built on part of the land, leaving just The Tudor Maze which was renamed Loki’s Labyrinth to fit in with the new area. 2017 brought its closure to make way for Ninjago World.
Raft Racers
Opened: 1999 | Closed: 2021
A wet and wild ride which consisted of two slides side-by-side which snaked their way down a hillside into DUPLO Valley. Two guests took a seat in a rubber dinghy in either the blue or yellow slide, and raced their counterparts who boarded on the other slide to be the first to reach the bottom. The attraction was first called Extreme Team Challenge when it opened in 1999, and then renamed in 2013.
Sky Rider
Opened: 1997 | Closed: 2024
Riders could sit back, relax, and take an elevated tour around the Bricktopia and Miniland areas on this Premier Rides monorail attraction. Sky Rider was notorious for having long queues due to the ride having a low capacity, and it also suffered from extended periods of downtime towards the end of its life.
Wave Surfer / S.Q.U.I.D Surfer
Opened: 2000 | Closed: 2019
Featuring in most Legoland parks around the world, this Zierer Jet Ski ride originally opened as Wave Surfer before being rebranded as S.Q.U.I.D Surfer for the 2012 season, and then again as Hydra’s Challenge as part of the introduction of Mythica: Land of Mythical Creatures in 2021.
Attractions
Wild Mouse
Opened: 1958 | Closed: 2017
Wild Mouse was one of only four remaining wooden wild mouse coasters left in the world during its final year of operation. Both the design and construction were done entirely in-house by Pleasure Beach Resort and Frank Wright. After remaining closed for the majority of the 2017 season, Wild Mouse was removed in January 2018 to make way for “future developments”. Sadly, no notice was given for fans of the coaster to enjoy some final rides.
Featured Attractions
Canada Creek Railway
Step back in time for a trip to Thorpe Farm and the Canadian Rockies.
Derren Brown’s Ghost Train
Revisit the plans, construction, marketing and more of Thorpe Park’s immersive VR dark ride.
Logger’s Leap
Remembering one of the flagship attractions that put Thorpe Park on the map.
Phantom Phantasia / Wicked Witches Haunt
An insight in to the spooky attraction that was sadly destroyed by the fire of July 2000.
Rumba Rapids
Rumba Rapids was an Intamin Rapids Ride that originally opened as Thunder River in 1987. Learn about its history here.
Thorpe Farm
Take a look back at Thorpe Farm which provided guests with an opportunity to learn about a traditional 1930s farm.
Attractions
- Angry Birds 4D Experience
- Black Mirror Labyrinth
- Calgary Stampede
- Chief Ranger’s Carousel
- Crash Pad
- Dare Devil Drivers
- Dino Boats
- Eclipse
- Enterprise
- Flying Fish
- I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
- Jungle Escape
- King Pig’s Wild Hog Dodgems
- Miss Hippo’s Fungle Safari
- Model World
- Mr Rabbit’s Tropical Travels
- Octopus’s Garden
- Pirates 4D
- Port Atlantis / The Dome
- Rocky Express
- Slammer
- Space Station Zero
- Thorpe Belle
- Thunder River
- Timber Tug Boat
- Time Voyagers
- Trapper’s Trail
- Waterbuses
- X:\ No Way Out
Angry Birds 4D Experience
Opened: 2014 | Closed: 2023
Being the third permanent 4D show hosted in the building, Angry Birds 4D Experience was a 10 minute film that combined moving seats, water, bubbles, and lighting effects. Using animation similar to that found in The Angry Birds Movie, the show was an original dialogue-free story based on the key themes of the games.
Black Mirror Labyrinth
Opened: 2021 | Closed: 2023
Based on the popular Netflix TV series, Black Mirror Labyrinth was an immersive walk-through attraction and hypnotic maze that featured cutting-edge visual technology and sensory-defying environments. Guests were challenged with the following – “Will you keep your grip on reality or will you lose yourself in the digital mainframe as this unpredictable digitised dimension reveals an uneasy truth that manipulates and displaces your very existence, leaving you questioning how well you really know yourself.”
Crash Pad
Opened: 2013 | Closed: 2014
This casual take on a hotel initially opened in 2013 as ‘Crash Pad’, run by an external company called Snoozebox, where shipping containers were converted in to compact rooms. The temporary development was purchased by the park the following year and rebranded as the Thorpe Shark Hotel.
Eclipse
Opened: 2003 | Closed: 2005
Located in Lost City, this Fabbri Ferris wheel was installed the same year as Quantum as part of a multi-ride deal. A welcome break from a predominantly thrill-based park, the Resort’s target market at the time meant that ridership was low, leading to the removal and relocation to Chessington where it replaced Samurai. Rush is now located where Eclipse once stood.
Enterprise
Opened: 2000 | Closed: 2000
In July 2000, a fire broke out at the park and destroyed a number of rides. To compensate, a travelling Huss Enterprise was purchased, which later became Zodiac and themed accordingly.
Flying Fish
Opened: 1990 | Closed: 2004
Originally opening as Space Station Zero, the ride was relocated outdoors in 1990 and given an aquatic theme with beautiful landscaping. It was then relocated again in 2004 to prepare for the construction of Stealth which now stands near the site. The coaster reopened in 2007 and adopted a surfing theme, featuring bright orange trains with individual lap bars instead of a shared restraint between the two riders.
Jungle Escape
Opened: 2019 | Closed: 2019
Operating at an additional charge, Jungle Escape was an actor-led interactive experience that mixed concepts from escape rooms with the character of the Crystal Maze. Tasked with facing The Huntsman’s challenges, two teams were pitted against each other to collect gems in order to escape the jungle. The attraction offered four practical puzzles within two rooms, and concluded with some actor interaction and an exit via the slide that was also used in the preceding attraction, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Maze.
King Pig’s Wild Hog Dodgems
Opened: 2014 | Closed: 2023
Classic dodgems with an Angry Birds overlay, King Pig’s Wild Hog Dodgems pitted Red Bird against Green Pig in themed cars, with a soundtrack taken from the Angry Birds Go! racing game. The attraction was reimagined with the introduction of Big Easy Boulevard in 2024.
Pirates 4D
Opened: 1999 | Closed: 2007
Featuring Leslie Nielson and Eric Idle, Pirates 4D was a fantastic feature film shot specifically for theme parks and attractions. Utilising 3D glasses and special effects, guests would join cabin boy Davie on a trip to Pirate Island to find the treasure, whilst encountering crooked pirates and the island’s scary inhabitants.
Port Atlantis / The Dome
Opened: 1978
Originally called the Mountbatten Pavilion, the building was one of Europe’s largest single span structures when it opened in 1978. The contents of the dome has varied over the years, with Port Atlantis being our favourite theme. Styled on the mythical underwater city, Port Atlantis featured impressive rockwork around the interior, a large shipwreck, ancient looking grand facades, and nautical themed facilities. All of the theming was removed for the 2019 season without anything replacing it.
Rocky Express
Opened: 1989 | Closed: 2021
Rocky Express was a spinning ride that climbed and dipped around a circular track. The colourful locomotives rotated around a central water tower, along to the tune of an upbeat soundtrack. After more than 30 years of operation, the ride was removed as part of the Project Exodus development.
Space Station Zero
Opened: 1984 | Closed: 1989
Thorpe Park introduced the first Mack Rides Powered Coaster model to the UK, enclosing it with an exciting space theme. After six seasons, the park removed the ride from the building in the current Amity area, and relocated it outside next to Model World, naming it Flying Fish.
Thorpe Belle
Opened: 1985 | Closed: 2018
Thorpe Park’s beautiful paddle steamer was based on a classic Mississippi river boat, and was one of the largest vessels of its type outside the USA. Originally housing a traditional restaurant, the boat later accommodated a Chinese restaurant, corporate events facilities, and finally the Saw Alive scare maze. In typical Merlin fashion, the boat was not given the required maintenance over time, and elements such as the grand chimneys, rear paddles, and upper deck viewing area were removed. The vessel eventually became unsafe to enter, so the scare maze did not return for the 2019 season.
Thunder River
Opened: 1987 | Closed: 2001
Thunder River was the first Intamin River Rapids ride in the UK, closely followed by Congo River Rapids at Alton Towers. Featuring yellow boats and rockwork around the trough and through the enclosed tunnel section, the ride was later reimagined in to the tropical Rumba Rapids.
Timber Tug Boat
Opened: 2017 | Closed: 2021
Travelling in a wave like motion back and forth, Timber Tug Boat provided thrills for younger guests. After operating for five seasons at Thorpe Park, the ride was relocated to Chessington World of Adventures in order to make way for the Project Exodus development.
Waterbuses
Opened: 1981 | Closed: 2004
The Waterbuses originally took guests on a trip around Thorpe Park’s various lakes, providing a relaxing alternative to the bustling theme park. When Thorpe Farm was introduced, they served as the primary means of transport to and from the theme park, along with the Canada Creek Railway.
X:\ No Way Out
Opened: 1996 | Closed: 2017
X:\ No Way Out, or later known as just ‘X’, was Thorpe Park’s first major addition for thrill seekers, and was installed to directly compete with the exciting new ride additions introduced at Chessington World of Adventures nearby. Billed as ‘the world’s first and only backwards roller coaster in the dark’, riders would face ‘pre-ride challenges’, along with ‘unique and dramatic concepts in ride technology that made it a world first over and over again’. The ride saw various changes over the years, including the removal of the original computer-based theming which never made much sense. In 2013, the ride was renamed ‘X’ and given a contemporary music theme, with the addition of a soundtrack by Ministry of Sound. This sponsorship would soon be dropped, but the laser and light show during the ride remained until the attraction was closed in preparation for the launch of The Walking Dead: The Ride.
