Annoyingly the weather was disappointing, cloudy and very cold did not want. I met up with Benin at Clapham Junction station and we then got on the train to Chessington.
First thing we noticed was that it was BUSY, the car park was about 3/4 full. We opted to go round the zoo clockwise so we started by going through the Trail of the Kings. The Gorillas enclosure has had all the info boards updated and given a cool new look. The Gorillas seemed quite active too, must be getting excited about the new extension to their enclosure.
Next we saw the Tigers. They were both out and doing what Tigers do best, relaxing.
The Lions were doing the same...
Even the Leopard was sleeping...
Even the binturong was sleeping (couldn't get a pic). We walked round to Sealion bay and yay, they weren't sleeping. There was also construction for a new platform for staff (maybe for the show?).
Moving on we headed inside Creepy caves. As usual most of it was empty but we spotted geckos (not spotted them before) and halloween theming
After checking the Chessington shop to see if they had got Merlin top trumps yet I took a sneaky pic of fast track queue construction for Tiny Truckers. Urgh.
Next on our journey was the children's zoo area. This is where Charlie and pirate are currently kept (while their new home gets put together in Wanyama). Me and Benin love Charlie as we got to meet him up close several times last year, he is still uber cute and energetic.
In the main area of the children's zoo we had fun mocking the funky hair-do chickens and the evil clan of ducks who are clearly plotting something evil.
We then entered the monkey and bird garden. Penguins!
Some other pics of the monkeys and birds...
Then finally we were at Wanyama! First thing I spot...NEW ANIMAL! Chessington have added the amazingly cute Fennec Foxes to the Wanyama village. They are so amazing, one was hiding all day in the rock thing and the other occasionally came out to eat.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWaHeZi38IA[/youtube]
Meerkats!
There was also another new arrival in the area, Gazelle. There are quite a few in there, thought they would have been in the main reserve or at least have a bigger enclosure.
It was getting time for food so we headed over to the hotel's re-designed restaurant.
They have done an amazing job with the area, it looks lovely and the music and sound effects are fantastic, give it a really nice, calm atmosphere. They do a special offer at the moment where if you go between 12 and 3pm you can get two courses for £10 which works out cheaper than the main dish by itself! I only really wanted the main course but it seemed silly to not use the offer lol.
Our starters came out, the sticky fingers chicken wings (or something along those lines). I was shocked at how many you get, I was expecting like 4 or 5 but you get loads. They were quite filling so I didn't all of them, need to leave room for the main course. However they were lovely, I WANT that sauce, it was so tasty. I hoped the burger had the same sauce.
Then the burgers came out, I was not expecting this at all. They were huge and the chips were proper chunky chips of awesomeness. It tasted amazing, cooked really nicely, it had a lovely texture to it and was so filling. I'd have one of these over any Gourmet burger place or Frankie and bennies etc. I really do recommend. Maybe not in everyone's price range of a little over £11 without annual pass discount but you won't need to eat again till the next day lol.
I love being able to look over to the Wanyama reserve while waiting for the next course etc...
Like I said, the theming is really nice.
The hotel lobby also had a new shop which sold park merch, medicine, snacks/drinks and other bits and bobs. A nice addition to the hotel, reminded me a bit of the little shops you find in hotels at Disneyland Paris (just on a small scale).
We went back into the zoo and did the exact same tour. I won't repeat myself but here is a selection of my fav pics...
Oh and new fast track queueline was being built...
We then went to the hotel bar to relax and chat before heading home.
Good day was had, Chessie <3
All photos can be found HERE
First thing we noticed was that it was BUSY, the car park was about 3/4 full. We opted to go round the zoo clockwise so we started by going through the Trail of the Kings. The Gorillas enclosure has had all the info boards updated and given a cool new look. The Gorillas seemed quite active too, must be getting excited about the new extension to their enclosure.
Next we saw the Tigers. They were both out and doing what Tigers do best, relaxing.
The Lions were doing the same...
Even the Leopard was sleeping...
Even the binturong was sleeping (couldn't get a pic). We walked round to Sealion bay and yay, they weren't sleeping. There was also construction for a new platform for staff (maybe for the show?).
Moving on we headed inside Creepy caves. As usual most of it was empty but we spotted geckos (not spotted them before) and halloween theming
After checking the Chessington shop to see if they had got Merlin top trumps yet I took a sneaky pic of fast track queue construction for Tiny Truckers. Urgh.
Next on our journey was the children's zoo area. This is where Charlie and pirate are currently kept (while their new home gets put together in Wanyama). Me and Benin love Charlie as we got to meet him up close several times last year, he is still uber cute and energetic.
In the main area of the children's zoo we had fun mocking the funky hair-do chickens and the evil clan of ducks who are clearly plotting something evil.
We then entered the monkey and bird garden. Penguins!
Some other pics of the monkeys and birds...
Then finally we were at Wanyama! First thing I spot...NEW ANIMAL! Chessington have added the amazingly cute Fennec Foxes to the Wanyama village. They are so amazing, one was hiding all day in the rock thing and the other occasionally came out to eat.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWaHeZi38IA[/youtube]
Meerkats!
There was also another new arrival in the area, Gazelle. There are quite a few in there, thought they would have been in the main reserve or at least have a bigger enclosure.
It was getting time for food so we headed over to the hotel's re-designed restaurant.
They have done an amazing job with the area, it looks lovely and the music and sound effects are fantastic, give it a really nice, calm atmosphere. They do a special offer at the moment where if you go between 12 and 3pm you can get two courses for £10 which works out cheaper than the main dish by itself! I only really wanted the main course but it seemed silly to not use the offer lol.
Our starters came out, the sticky fingers chicken wings (or something along those lines). I was shocked at how many you get, I was expecting like 4 or 5 but you get loads. They were quite filling so I didn't all of them, need to leave room for the main course. However they were lovely, I WANT that sauce, it was so tasty. I hoped the burger had the same sauce.
Then the burgers came out, I was not expecting this at all. They were huge and the chips were proper chunky chips of awesomeness. It tasted amazing, cooked really nicely, it had a lovely texture to it and was so filling. I'd have one of these over any Gourmet burger place or Frankie and bennies etc. I really do recommend. Maybe not in everyone's price range of a little over £11 without annual pass discount but you won't need to eat again till the next day lol.
I love being able to look over to the Wanyama reserve while waiting for the next course etc...
Like I said, the theming is really nice.
The hotel lobby also had a new shop which sold park merch, medicine, snacks/drinks and other bits and bobs. A nice addition to the hotel, reminded me a bit of the little shops you find in hotels at Disneyland Paris (just on a small scale).
We went back into the zoo and did the exact same tour. I won't repeat myself but here is a selection of my fav pics...
Oh and new fast track queueline was being built...
We then went to the hotel bar to relax and chat before heading home.
Good day was had, Chessie <3
All photos can be found HERE