The new mobile RAP system in place at Chessington is... interesting.
As a disabled person with crab claw hands, I don't exactly love standing around with my phone in hand or using it on the move/in crowded spaces. Not uncommon for me to throw the thing on the floor for no apparent reason. That was a layer of stress I could have lived without. The fact that my mobile telephone device is also a few years old now and starting to lack somewhat in the battery life department didn't help. It's a very typically 'meh' Merlin experience that clearly hasn't had a great deal of thought put into it. They couldn't even be bothered to create an app, you have to do it through your browser. I didn't go all Karen but I had some words with a manager who to be fair, seemed happy to take my criticisms on board. The key to accessibility is actually listening to us when something isn't good enough. They get points from me for showing willing on that front.
Luckily, the system seemed to be crashing
all over the place all day so we barely scored any minutes to wait the entire day. The general attitude with staff was "this system is a pain in my arse, just get on lol". The park was quite busy, Croc Drop and Scorpion Express both dead all day, Fury went down for a while around 1PM and Tiger Rock died completely around 3PM. Just as we were about to get on it. I was absolutely boiling at that point and
neeeeded that ride.
The Land of Jumanji is really shocking. Ostrich thingy running with one op, the guy didn't seem to be in any hurry whatsoever to do his job. Didn't bother with the other one but my god - Ostrich is a very tame/poor example of whatever that ride type is called! The thing barely bounces! The ops are doing their very best on MM but are clearly already struggling and appeared very stressed. I dread to think what the area will be like in the summer holidays. The park in general felt like it was barely coping with the numbers it had yesterday. Whilst kinda busy, they shouldn't have been struggling as much as they clearly were. MM is also a bit crap. It's fun, but way too short. I wouldn't even call it half a coaster and the helix is... just.... why?
They are capable of so much more. The whole area is a slight embarrassment and just not what the park needed at all.
The park generally feels tired, slightly cramped. A lot of old, unreliable rides that chew through queues like their dentures are loose. I feel really sorry for the staff. They really are trying their best but it's obvious that everyone there knows what an absolute s***show the place is.
It was my first trip to the park in 10 years. Last time I said I wouldn't be rushing back until they build something at least half way substantial. I've left this time with exactly the same feeling.
They are capable of so much more. The whole area is a slight embarrassment and just not what the park needed at all.
