Chessington Zoo

Unfortunately, I went there expecting a zoo but got an amusement park with a few animals. As a zoo I would rate it poorly. Enclosures very small. As for the amusement park did not go on any rides I never went with any intention to go on any ride. We decided to go on one ride and waited for 40mins to get on, reached out turn and were told the ride had issue. Never again. The food is ridiculously expensive and a complete rip off. Never again.

The animals were cool. The best part was the all you can eat buffet. I didn't take long to go round the full place though. I am impressed but there weren't many animals out.

Stayed overnight at Chessington in a themed room. Beds were uncomfortable and the pillows too soft making sleep uncomfortable.The children's bunk beds were fantastic and they had some fun with a room treasure hunt as well as a hotel treasure hunt!The park itself is what you would expect for a theme park - long queues for all the major rides. We were disappointed that the rides were not open for the early birds - ie those staying at the hotel are meant to have access to the rides before anyone else. Instead the 4 of us ended up queueing for the vampire for an hour. We ended up being Third in the queue. Later on the ride queue time was constantly 80mins but that's in theory - in reality it's much more.A few of the rides were also closed which was disappointing.We never made it to the splash pool - as we were busy queueing and didn't book a time slot. The breakfast was really good - full English breakfast.The dinner was ok for vegetarians - and had quite a bit of vegetables and salad choice as well as pasta and macoroni and cheese.Don't think it's worth the value for money to stay there but you are right next to the park and can walk and see the animals in the morning.

It is a nice couple of days out with animals and rides, the rides are very quiet at this time of year and not a lot of them open, better for younger children. Take food with you, both food and drink is a rip off. If they were to reduce the costs we would buy more, not less. Watch out for gluten free when using the restaurants as they are a bit iffy on this. Their time to deliver food was over an hour and a half. The hotel rooms are nice, beds are a bit small but great for tired kids.The facing staff are brilliant but they are not backed up well from their management. Merlin entertainments take note, this site is going downhill in places and your local management need to be out there checking what is going on.

Everything seemed a little dated; the hotel was nice, didn't see any giraffes from our room, but appreciate that's not guaranteed. The aquarium was closed, unfortunately. The viewing areas where plastic screens are used prevent clear visibility of some animals. Kids liked it, but I suspect they both wanted a better visual experience. Staff were really lovely, always helpful whether in the hotel or in the zoo.

Was ok, but the park was very dirty and felt all they cared about was milking as much money from people as possible. I went with my two young boys. The Temple of Mayhem was run down, no sponge balls to fire in the guns and was filthy. Rides constantly breaking down or in the staff's words (due to technical difficulties).The only good parts are the Zoo and Sealife Centre which again you could easily go to for less than 2 days here.Been to Alton Towers, Thorpe park and even locally to Pleasurewood Hills and they were all in better condition and nicer places to be.Like many others.have recommended, the food is borderline microwave meals and not worth the money. Take a packed lunch if you can.We actually stayed the night and didn't bother with a hotel meal as from reviews it was appalling. We ended up driving to Epsom and went to Pizzarium which I can highly recommend. The price was good and the service was amazing.Overall my experience at Chessington I wouldn't go back and do it again. Better Theme parks are available.

Not been for a number of years but now grandparents, let the fun begin. Plenty for all ages, well laid out with some wicked rides.

Not too many animals but still nice. You get to see the lions at a nearer distance compared to other zoos and the gorillas seem active. Their small water world was nice as well. Check their programme of activities before you go and very important, before you leave the house, key in the post code for their parking area. You can’t go through their main entrance to get to the car park. The car park is in front of the safari hotel.

Such a shame there are so few animals now at the zoo, but still a nice day.Staff are very young and sometimes quite unfriendly, especially in the little kiddies bit, I am aware that it's not the most exciting job, to man rides, but at least pretend. No parent wants to spend all that money on tickets, travel, parking and food to then stand in queues for ages because the two people working the rides are too busy chatting to notice that there are 30 inpatient 3 year olds waiting to go on a 90 second ride, so time is of the essence.Also a smile wouldn't go a miss, they all look like they are being forced to do their job. Such a shame, it should be more friendly and welcoming.

Great experience lots of fun with grandchildren rides shows and zoo plenty places to eat expensive and refill cups stations for drinks full weekend 10am till 7pm