This Guide has been designed to assist our Guests with disabilities to ensure that you have a safe and magical day out!
We want all our Guests to get the most out of our Park and enjoy as many of our attractions as possible.
This guide has been produced to give you a full and realistic picture of our attractions, detailing access issues, ride restrictions, details of ride evacuations and the requirements for Helpers to accompany Guests.
Hopefully this, along with general ride restrictions detailed on signage at the rides, will enable you to assess your own abilities and make an informed decision about which attractions you are able to, or wish to use, allowing you to fully enjoy your day out with your family.
Parking
- When travelling by car or minibus, please use either the North or South Car Park.
- Please take advice from an attendant who will direct you to the correct space.
- In the North Car Park this will be the top row, near to the Admissions area. In the South Car Park there are spaces available at the top of the field by the south admissions area.
- This Parking is available in both Car Parks to disabled badge holders only.
Buying Tickets / Entering the Park
- Those who are able to provide documentary proof of disability (i.e. blue/orange badge or similar) will be able to purchase discounted tickets to the Park for themselves and up to two Helpers.
- If you need assistance with purchasing your tickets, please speak to any Host at the Admissions area.
- Guests in wheelchairs should use the central gates at the turnstiles for wider access.
- Merlin Annual Passholders with a registered disability have the option of a free carer pass. See the Merlin Annual Pass web site for details.
Wheelchair Hire
Wheelchair hire is available at Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo. We do not charge our guests for this however we do ask for your credit card details as a security deposit. All details will be kept safe and will be returned to you at the end of the day or destroyed in front of you. If the wheelchair is damaged, you may be liable for a £100 charge.
Wheelchairs are subject to availability
Toilets
Toilets with disabled access are available throughout the Park. Please see the Park map for locations.
First Aid Centre
Located in the Forbidden Kingdom close to Rameses Revenge, we are able to cater for a number of special needs, including the cold storage of medicines.
Guest Services
- Located in Market Square, we should be your first point of call during your visit!
- We will be able to offer advice on ride access and restrictions, issue preferential ride access wristbands, and further advice on facilities for Guests with disabilities.
- We are also able to measure the height of Guests, where due to the nature of your disability, it may not be possible for this to be done at the rides.
Ride Access
- Guests with disabilities who are unable to use the normal queue lines, may visit our Guest Services Office (located in Market Square) where they may be able to receive preferential ride access wristbands (documentary proof of disability may be required). These wristbands allow preferential access to the rides via entry points designed for ease of access.
- Please note that Helpers/Companions will not be allowed preferential access unless they are accompanying a disabled Guest onto the ride.
- When arriving at the access point to the ride, please ensure a Ride Host knows you are waiting.
- For safety reasons, the number of disabled people permitted on certain rides at any one time may be limited. Therefore you may be asked to divide your party into smaller groups, and possibly experience a wait before you board.
- In certain situations (such as extreme weather conditions, mechanical problems or power interruptions), it may be necessary for Guests to be evacuated from the rides, possibly from the highest point. The icons C and X are used in the table overleaf to indicate what is involved in evacuations and whether particular rides are suitable.
Ride Safety
- This guide contains extra information that may be relevant to Guests with disabilities, and it is in addition to general ride restrictions (including height, size, and loose item restrictions) that are applicable to all Guests. These are detailed on information boards at the entrance to the rides, and it is the responsibility of all Guests to check these before deciding to ride.
- Several rides are unsuitable for Guests with heart, neck, or back conditions, or expectant mothers, and we strongly recommend that Guests who have had recent surgery or an injury do not ride certain attractions. On many of our rides, Guests will need the ability to brace themselves in an upright position. These restrictions apply to most rides and are detailed on signage at the ride entrances where they are applicable, and the icons B and H overleaf indicate on which rides they apply. All rides require Guests to keep their arms and legs inside the ride carriages, and remain seated at all times.
- Not all rides are suitable for all Guests. Each ride has strict operating requirements that all riders must meet. Please do not ask our Hosts to break these rules as they are there for your safety!
- As well as taking note of the ride restrictions, we strongly suggest that you watch our rides in motion before making a decision on whether to ride.
Helpers / Companions
- For safety reasons, Guests with disabilities are required to have at least one Helper over the age of 18 accompany them onto the rides. Helpers will also be issued with wristbands, and must be present at Guest Services with the Guest with a disability.
- For Guests who are unable to walk unaided, rides that involve a complex evacuation procedure have an additional requirement that a minimum of two Helpers over the age of 18 accompany them onto the ride. Details of this additional requirement are contained in the table overleaf.
- Helpers accompanying Guests with disabilities onto the rides are required to sit in the same carriage, boat, seat or row as the disabled Guest they are assisting.
- Helpers must be able to assist disabled Guests with loading and offloading (including their transfer from wheelchairs). Our Hosts will give full instructions, but for everyone’s safety, we will leave all lifting to the Helpers.
- Helpers must also be able to communicate any safety restrictions and messages, and assist with any emergency or evacuation procedures, which may involve the lifting and transfer of the disabled Guest from the ride carriage into an evacuation chair at high level.
- In addition to the required minimum number of Helpers over the age of 18 that MUST accompany Guests with disabilities onto the rides, several rides can also accommodate a certain number of additional Helpers or companions. Details of the numbers that can be accommodated are contained in the table overleaf.
Restaurants & Shops
- If you require any assistance when visiting any of our shops or restaurants, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance from a Host, and we will be happy to help!
- The provision of admission discounts and special access wristbands is entirely at the discretion of Chessington World of Adventures.
“BALPPA Statement on Public Safety for Disabled People
Members of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) welcome visits by disabled people and will do all that is possible to ensure a safe and pleasurable stay. However, certain rides and attractions in our Parks can be physically demanding and vigorous. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admission to certain rides should we feel there is a danger to a particular individual or individuals for whatever reason.
We have been advised by the Health and Safety Executive that refusal on the grounds of health and safety does not constitute discrimination.
We hope that you understand and accept the decisions made in the interest of your safety.”
Please note that height, size, and other safety restrictions also apply. These are displayed on the Park Map and on signage at the rides, and should be read in conjunction with this guide.
