Chessington – Goodbye Scorpion Express, Hello Project Play

After teasing the redevelopment of Mexicana as part of Chessington’s upcoming public consultation, code-named ‘Project Play’ Chessington have, this week, submitted planning permission for Project Play.

Project Play will see the removal of the Children’s Zoo, the picnic area behind Croc Drop and a number of the buildings in Mexicana but leaving Rattlesnake untouched.

This also sadly means, Scorpion Express, formerly Runaway Train, which has been standing but not operating for 2 years will finally be removed from the park.

Before we get onto the plans let’s remember (via a very blurry screenshot!) that Runaway Train was once rode by Badger (of Bodger and Badger fame) during series 4 which was set entirely at Chessington World of Adventures.

What is Project Play

Project Play is the new Children’s area aimed at pre-schoolers coming to Chessington rumoured to be planned to open in 2026 (before the 2027 re-development of Wild Asia into Minecraft Land).

This new area will include a new children’s roller coaster, 2 new flat rides and the relocation of the Jungle Bus attraction from Wild Asia. Alongside this the plans show a new retail building, toilets and play area.

Which rides are coming to Project Play?

Project Play will see its centre-piece as a new roller coaster which looks smaller than the existing Scorpion Express and is likely to be something similar to Octonauts at Alton Towers.

The sketches of the two new flat-rides on the planning permission suggest we’re likely to see a ride similar to Harold’s Helicopter Tours at Drayton Manor (a Zamperla balloon ride) and a 2nd ride which is difficult to identify from the plans but could be similar to the Crazy Taxi ride at Europa-Park which is also manufactured by Zamperla.

All of this would suggest that perhaps Chessington will be getting a 3-ride package from Zamperla for this new area.

Alongside that Jungle Bus will be getting relocated and re-themed from Wild Asia which we expect to close during the 2025 season ready for its redevelopment.

What Theme will Project Play have?

Chessington have released no information around Project Play but if the addition of Minecraft and Jumanji over the last few years are anything to go by then we would expect it to be an IP (intellectual property) theme rather than a unique theme which is a shame but if it was to be an area for a big children’s TV show or franchise then it would certainly draw in families, you only have to look to the success of Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s Park or Thomas Land at Drayton Manor to see the value of an franchise-themed land.

When will Project Play open?

Assuming planning permission is granted I would expect work to begin ASAP and that we’ll have see the buildings in Mexicana used for the last time and then ideally, the area open for the start of the 2026 season which doesn’t give Chessington much time but the location of this new area should cause minimal disruption to the rest of the park.

Goodbye Runaway Train

It wouldn’t be right to finish this post without mentioning the sad-loss of the runaway train (Scorpion Express) which was one of my first roller coasters and a big part of my childhood. This Mack powered coaster was a lot of fun especially when it had all of the rock work present and whilst it’s been fairly obvious it would be eventually removed after it’s downtime over the last few years it’s sad to see one of the few remaining original rides of Chessington leave and the Chessington of the 90’s with the original Vampire cars, Safari Skyway, Circus World and Terror Tomb (before the terrible shoot-em downgrade) will always have a special place in my heart.

That being said, it’s great to see money being spent on Chessington by Merlin and it looks like Chessington’s future is very exciting!