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I went to the new Jumanji attraction in the UK – with world-first rollercoasters and safari themed hotel
JUMANJI star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a mountain of a man, but I’m sure even he would fear the Mandrill Mayhem roller-coaster at Chessington World Of Adventures.
I mutter expletives as the 42mph ride, in the park’s new World of Jumanji land, throws me every which way as it reaches its 55ft peak at the top of a jaguar shrine.
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Then I curse even louder as the roller-coaster, Chessington’s first inversion ride, repeats itself backwards.
The ride is the crown jewel of the new themed land, which has been several years and millions of pounds in the making.
But equal attention has been paid to the park’s other new rides Mamba Strike and Ostrich Stampede.
Mamba Strike swoops riders up into the air, and sparks faint reminders of Rameses Revenge, which will please fans nostalgic for the popular ride that left the park in 2019.
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But my top pick of the newbies was Ostrich Stampede — best described as an adrenaline-booster for younger guests who have outgrown their favourite flying elephant ride and are looking for something more thrilling.
It had just the right amount of speed and bumps, as we span round as though trying to escape a herd of stampeding giant birds.
For the little ones who can’t meet the 1.2-metre height requirement, there are plenty of quirky Jumanji-themed activities around the land, including a maze of paths styled like the board game.
My four-year-old loved playing one of the stall games which involved trying to knock down spiders with a ball — and there is themed merchandise for all ages, from stuffed toys to clothing.
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For those looking for a Jumanji-style snack, there are giant turkey legs, foot-long hotdogs and jungle stampede cupcakes.
The new land is one of the biggest updates to Chessington in several years and has significantly boosted the number of adrenaline rides for older children and adults.
The Vampire and Dragon’s Fury rides are firm fan favourites that will hold their own against the new additions, but there’s no doubt Mandrill Mayhem will be the magnet for guests this summer.
The themed fun doesn’t have to end there, though, as Chessington’s Safari Hotel also has six new Jumanji-style bedrooms.
The rooms, which each sleep up to five — in a double bed, bunk bed and pull-out single — are brilliantly designed jungle-style.
I had a jaguar shrine above my bed and the bunk bed looked like something from a safari camp.
But the main attraction was the interactive rock game where guests have to follow a sequence of flashing buttons to light the emerald.
We also took part in an in-room treasure hunt, where a series of clues enable you to crack a code and unlock the treasure in a hidden safe.
It was tough to pick a favourite from the new additions at Chessington.
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I preferred Mandrill Mayhem, while the seven-year-old liked the Ostrich Stampede and the four- and three-year-olds voted for the hotel room games.
But surely that’s a great sign — there’s something there for everyone.
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GO: Chessington
STAYING THERE: Jumanji-themed rooms at Chessington Safari Hotel start from £439 per night.
Includes entry to the theme park and Savannah Splash Pool plus breakfast, early ride times and hotel entertainment.
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PLAYING THERE: Find park tickets online from £39 for all aged three plus.
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