A single parent’s honest review: Staying at Chessington World of Adventures Resort with three young kids

Mother and Baby writer, Hannah visited Chessington World of Adventures in August 2024 during the six week holidays with her three sons: George (6), Frank (4) and Harry (2). They stayed in the Room on the Broom Room in the Azteca & Safari Hotel.

When we got the invitation to stay at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, we jumped at the chance—it was an easy "Yes" from us! Let’s face it, keeping the kids entertained during the long summer holidays can be an exhausting challenge. We’ve visited places like Paulton's Park and Legoland plenty of times, but for some reason, Chessington hadn’t made it to the top of our list of best UK theme parks for toddlers and children… until now.

Chessington World of Adventures, is located in Surrey, England. It has a rich history, that unbelievably dates all the way back to the 1930s, when it was initially opened as Chessington Zoo. Today it's one of the UK's most beloved family attractions. What makes Chessington so popular? Well that's simple, it perfectly blends thrilling rides with immersive themed areas, as well still having the thriving Chessington zoo and SEAL IFE aquarium.

What age group is Chessington World of Adventures for?

Chessington is literally good for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. It’s easy to assume there might not be as much for toddlers at Chessington compared to places like Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With the exciting addition of Julia Donaldson-themed rides and interactive areas, Chessington is perfect for toddlers and older children alike.

Fans of beloved stories like The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, as well as the hit Netflix show CoComelon, are in for a real treat at Chessington! Your little ones will have the chance to meet their favourite characters both in the theme park and at the hotel, adding an extra layer of magic to your visit. After our stay at Chessington, we can confidently say it’s now one of our top choices for UK days out with young children.

For older children and thrill-seekers, there are more exhilarating rides like Vampire and Dragon’s Fury. The park is also home to lots of animals and sea creatures, providing fun and educational experiences for all age groups. Overall, Chessington is designed to be an all-encompassing family day out, with something for everyone. There are even some lovely picnic areas, lots of seating areas and quieter area's of the park which older family members may be thankful for.

How many days do you need at Chessington World of Adventures?

We spent two days at Chessington World of Adventures and for most families is ideal. Two days allows you enough time to explore the theme park, enjoy the rides, meet the animals in the zoo, and visit the SEA LIFE Centre without feeling rushed. If like us, you're staying at the on-site hotel, you can also take advantage of early ride access and additional themed experiences. However, a single day can be enough if you focus on key attractions, but two days give you a more relaxed and complete experience.

Is Chessington good for children?

Taking my three kids to Chessington was like a mini-experiment in how the park caters to different personalities. My eldest? He’s not a fan of rides—he’s the type of child who mentally does a risk assessment before even considering a steep slide. My middle child? Let’s just say he lives up to the “typical middle child” reputation—if there’s something to dive off of headfirst, he’s already airborne. And my youngest? He’s somewhere in between, happiest when there’s a bit of structure to his fun.

Chessington had something for all of them and they haven't stopped talking about our stay a whole week later. Here's our experience of the best Chessington World of Adventures rides for young children.

My eldest declared the Barrel Bail Out his favourite ride, probably because the whole family got to team up and shoot water at the other riders spinning around in barrels. We did get a little wet, but it’s a pretty tame ride.

As for my middle child, he was all about the Vampire. Being the thrill-seeker he is, he was devastated when the thorough staff caught him trying to sneak onto other rides by standing on his tippy toes. But when he stood (flat-footed) against the height chart and they informed him that he was tall enough for this rollercoaster, he was over the moon. With its incredible speed, dangling harnesses and high-flying twists and turns, it ticked all his boxes!

Now, the baby of the family highlight was when he met the Gruffalo. He was a bit wary at firs. Stepping into the Gruffalo’s lair had him wondering if he might be on the menu (right after Roasted fox, Owl ice cream, Scrambled snake and a Mouse sandwich). But once he realised the Gruffalo wasn’t interested in having him for lunch, he was all smiles. There was even an adorable cuddle moment that melted my heart. That said, he did find the Gruffalo River Ride “a little bit scary,” but hey, it wouldn’t be an adventure without a few thrills and he did ride it twice, although the terror was pretty evident on his face throughout.

Whilst many rides require kids to be over 1.1 metres tall, there's still plenty of rides for smaller children to enjoy. We stayed for two days and found that there were enough rides for younger children to enjoy for the whole duration especially if you plan to also visit the Sea Life centre and the zoo areas. And, for slightly older children (who are over 1.2 metres) there's plenty of thrill seeking rides to enjoy.

What are the queues like at Chessington World of Adventures?

Like all theme parks, the queues at Chessington can vary depending on the time of year and the specific day of your visit. We visited in the summer holidays and were fortunate enough to have fast track passes. However, the queues were actually much shorter than I had expected for the general admissions. Even when we accidentally ended up in the wrong line for Vampire (arguably one of the most popular rides) we only waited half an hour.

To help manage the queues, Chessington offers Reserve & Ride systems (also known as Fast track), which allows you to reserve your place in line for certain rides and attractions. These passes can significantly reduce your waiting time, making your visit more enjoyable. If you are planning to visit the park with young (impatient) children, I would strongly recommend purchasing this extra. Similarly, if you're planning on visiting for a single day, this will save you valuable time at the park. It’s also a good idea to arrive early and head to the most popular rides first, as this can help you avoid the longest queues later in the day.

But of course, half an hour to a toddler can be incredibly long time. I found a good old fashioned game of "I Spy" and plenty of snacks were enough to keep the kids distracted for the majority of the time.

Our review of the Chessington Word Of Adventures Azteca & Safari Hotel

I have been fortunate enough to stay at lots of theme park hotels now from the new LEGOLAND Woodland Village to Disney hotels in Orlando Florida but I was honestly blown away by the Chessington World of Adventures resort.

The Azteca & Safari hotel is second to none. From the moment we pulled into the carpark the magic began. The boys shrieked with delight when they spotted our Room On The Broom Themed car parking spot right outside the front door, which had our name on it.

Check in was a breeze with their easy to use self check in computers, but if you aren't very tech savvy no need to worry there is a hotel member on hand to find your booking and get you checked in promptly.

We headed to our room and were overjoyed with the perfect view of the safari animals. This kept the kids entertained as I unpacked. They were amazed to see ostriches, zebras, giraffes and buffalos from the comfort of our bedroom window. Then the boys were frilled to find some treats on their beds as well as a Room on The Broom story book which we read at bedtime.

The room was luxuriously spacious, with plenty of space for the whole family. The kids loved their triple bunk bed, which was full of intricate details from the Julia Donaldson story, including a broomstick above the bed. I especially appreciated that this area could be closed off with a curtain. As a single parent traveling with young children, it was wonderful to have the option for some 'me time' once the kids were asleep, while still keeping a close ear and being in the same room.

The room featured a themed bathroom with both a bath and shower, plus towels and shampoos provided. This was a real lifesaver when packing for four, as it saves on lugging around extra bags full of toiletries.

Our room was on the second floor, and as you’d expect in a busy, family-friendly hotel, you’re often at the mercy of the lifts. While stairs were an option, they weren’t practical for us with a pram. Thankfully, the wait was much more enjoyable thanks to the large glass windows offering a lovely view of the safari park.

Eating at Chessington Word Of Adventures Resort

Eating at Chessington is pretty straightforward, but it does require some pre-planning—which, as any parent knows, isn't always easy with young kids. All meals need to be pre-booked, so you’ll have to do a bit of mental math and logistics to figure out when the little ones will actually be hungry. We settled on a solid 6:30 pm dinner time and pre-purchased snacks throughout the day to keep them satisfied.

When we arrived, we were directed to the restaurant foyer. Since we hadn’t pre-booked before we arrived, our only option was the buffet. While this worked out fine, it would have been nice to have more choices. So, I highly recommend booking your meals before your arrival day to avoid any last-minute limitations.

The buffet had a large selection of food ranging from a pork roast dinner to curries and noodles and of course chicken nuggets, fish fingers and chips. Whilst the dinner buffet won't blow you a way it is perfect for filling hungry tummies.

Breakfast however was a lot more impressive with a vast selection of fresh fruit, pastries as well as a full English breakfast. This is included in your stay and it's the perfect way to kickstart a day at the theme park.

Overall thoughts on Chessington World of Adventures

As a single parent, I was a bit nervous about taking my kids to a busy theme park on my own, but I was pleasantly surprised by the pace and calmness at Chessington World of Adventures. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely a lively buzz from happy families, but unlike other UK theme parks, it doesn’t feel overcrowded. I think it’s because Chessington has plenty of quieter spots that offer a break from the excitement of the rides. I think its safe to say Chessington is now my favourite family theme park.

Are theme parks safe for single parents with young children?

With some preparation, theme parks can be a safe and fun experience for single parents and their young children. Sure, like most things, it is easier to have another adult with you but you don't have to miss out if you haven't got one. I found there were plenty of rides and activities that we could could enjoy as a family of four. However, is a good idea to check the theme parks website to ensure there are enough rides for your family to enjoy as every family is different. Don't be afraid to speak to the theme park staff and ask for help when necessary, I found they were very helpful and accommodating.

If you have young children who can't go on certain rides, use the rider swap system. One adult waits with the kids while the other rides, then you switch without needing to queue again. If you are visiting the park solo with multiple children as I did, you can leave your other children briefly with a staff member and then switch the children over so they all get a go on the ride. I decided it was best to keep Harry in the pram to ensure he was safe and didn't distract the staff.

How do I manage queues with young children?

Queuing is one of the hardest parts of visiting a theme park as a family. Even short queues can be challenging for young children and if you aren't careful those toddler tantrum can tarnish the day. But the good news is we have compiled a trusty, tried and tested list on how to manage ride wait times at Chessington.

Use Reserve & Ride: This allows you to reserve your spot in line without physically waiting, which can significantly reduce wait times.

Visit During Off-Peak Times: Plan your visit during weekdays or off-peak seasons when queues are generally shorter. Arriving early or staying later in the day can also help you avoid the longest lines. If you opt to stay in the Chessington Hotel Resort you will also be granted early admissions.

Snacks, snacks and more snacks: Keep small snacks, drinks, and toys or games handy to keep your kids occupied and comfortable while waiting.

Use your time wisely: Chessington has a great app so you can see where all of the rides are, so although it may feel strange head straight to the most popular rides as early as possible when queues are shorter, and mix in gentler attractions or shows that have shorter wait times to give everyone a break.

A good ol' trusty game of "I Spy": Turn waiting into a game by playing “I Spy,” telling stories, or chatting about the day’s highlights. Keeping them engaged can help the time pass more quickly. For children that do not understand letters, you can 'spy' a colour.

How to get discounts or cheap tickets for Chessington World of Adventures?

• Purchase a Merlin Annual Pass and get 200+ days' of entry

• Discounted Chessington tickets with Tesco Clubcard

• Buy the Chessington Annual Pass from £59

• Save by booking two days at the theme park

How do you save money at Chessington?

Days out can be extremely expensive. If you're anything like us it feels like from the moment you leave the house you are handing over your hard earned cash. This is of course elevated when you are staying out for a whole day. There are some things you can do to instantly cut down on the cost. We have compiled a short list of our top tips.

• Pack a lunch and bring snacks to the park.

• If you're planning to purchase photographs, buy a day media pass for £25 instead of paying £12 per ride photograph.

• Bring your little one's favourite toy or teddy this can help when you are avoiding the gift shops. It's also a good idea to pack a few treats like sweets or healthy snacks to pull out at this point as some rides will require you to walk through the giftshop.

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Parenting, Lifestyle and Home Product Writer.  In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.