VIP Experiences

Become an Elf for the afternoon and see what it’s really like to spend time being Father Christmas’ little helper!

This experience includes:

• An Elf and Safety check to ensure you’re fit for the job, along with finding you the perfect Elf Name.
• A chance to empty the Christmas Post Box and deliver the letters to Father Christmas.
• Take part in a Festive Treasure Hunt to fill up your stocking with lots of Christmas Treats.
• Enjoy Reserved Seating at The Gruffalo Christmas Groove, complete with a hot chocolate and cookie.
• Finally, enjoy a VIP Entrance to the Father Christmas’ Grotto where you’ll meet the big man himself. You’ll receive a free souvenir photo, and you might even receive an extra special treat.
• The experience will last roughly 2 hours.
• Minimum Age is 4 years, all children must be accompanied by an Adult (16+).
• This experience does NOT include Park Entry, this must be purchased separately.

Join one of our cheeky elves in their festive workshop and pass your elf and safety check in this magical immersive experience. Build your own miniature snowman, prepare reindeer food to take home ahead of big night, write a letter to Father Christmas and, finally, deliver them first class to the North Pole.

• This experience will last for roughly 45 minutes.
• Minimum Age 3 years, all children must be accompanied by an adult (16+).
• 1 FREE accompanying adult per child.
• This experience does NOT include Park Entry, this must be purchased separately.

Get up close and personal to our Amur Tigers in their brand new home and ‘Learn your Stripes’ about the world's biggest tiger species.

• This experience starts at 13:30pm and lasts for approximately 30 minutes
• Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts
• Maximum of 4 people per experience
• You must be a minimum of 10 years old to participate in this experience
• Children aged between 10 and 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Theme Park entry is not included in this experience
• Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable
• Pregnant women are not permitted on any of our VIP Experiences.
• Due to the nature of our VIP Experiences, some of our encounters many not be suitable for those with mobility problems. If you believe this may affect you, please contact a member of our VIP Team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

A truly unique chance for you to sit face to face with one of our closest relatives! Give our Western Lowland Gorillas a tasty treat through our enrichment tubes and spend some time learning everything there is to know about our Silverback from our expert Primate Keeper.

• 30 minute educational experience for all primate lovers.
• Adventurers must be a minimum of 7 years old. Adventurers between 7 and 16 years old will need to be accompanied by a full paying adult.
• Maximum of 4 people per experience.
• Please note this experience does not include Theme Park entry.

Start your afternoon adventure meeting and feeding our Rothschild Giraffe.

Next, meet our experienced Primate Keeper and the Gorillas. Learn about these amazing animals and feed them through the specially designed feeding tubes.

Finally, get up close to our California Sea Lions and take part in some training and enrichment activities, before hugging them goodbye!

• Park entry is included in the price of your ticket
• Tours last for approximately 1.5hrs
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday at 1pm
• Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts
• 4 people per tour
• Animals are subject to availability
• Ages 10+
• Children under 16 have to be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Expectant mothers are not permitted on our VIP Experiences
• Tickets are non-refundable and transferable

Due to the nature of our VIP experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences. If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

From the Chessington Resort Hotel our guides will walk you and the group out to the Wanyama reserve where you will come face to face with our giraffe.

Price £20 per Adventurer

• Adventurers must be over 5 years old
• Adventurers aged 5 - 12yrs must be accompanied by a paying adult 16yrs or over
• The experience will last approximately 20 minutes
• The experience is for a maximum of 15 people
• Theme Park and Zoo entry are not included in the experience
• In adverse weather conditions the experience may have to be moved indoors

Due to the nature of our VIP Experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems.  Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences.  If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF

Mini Meet & Greets provide a fantastic opportunity to meet some familiar faces from across the resort and kick start your wild adventure!

• Experiences runs every Saturday and Sunday and selected weekdays throughout the holidays.
• Children under 12 months are not permitted on the experience.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Only one free adult per child will be permitted to join the experience.
• Maximum of 20 children per meet and greet.
• Theme Park Entry is not included.
• Tickets are non–refundable and transferable.
• If you have a Merlin Annual Pass please call to redeem your discount via our direct bookings line on 01372 731 673. Phone lines are open 10am - 12 noon and 1pm -4pm every day.
• Animals are subject to availability.

Due to the nature of our VIP Experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences. If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

Come face to face with our amazing giraffe during your off road Jeep guided tour.

• Adventurers must be a minimum of 5yrs old
• Adventurers aged under 12yrs must be accompanied by a paying adult 16yrs or over
• The experience will last approximately 30 minutes
• The experience is for a maximum of 8 people
• Experiences run at either 11:30am or 2:30pm
• Theme Park and Zoo entry are not included in the experience
• Tours may vary depending on animal availability and in adverse weather conditions may have to be moved indoors

Due to the nature of our VIP experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems.  Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences.  If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF

A perfect experience for the family on your adventure at Chessington.

• Minimum age 5 years old
• 4 people per feed
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Experiences take place daily at 12:30 and 14:30
• Trousers must be worn
• No open toed shoes are allowed

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF

Jump on board our safari truck and get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience with our animals including the Ankole Cattle, Sitatunga, Oryx and Grevy’s Zebra. You’ll have the chance to take photographs and feed some of our animals on this wild safari adventure.

• Adventurers must be a minimum of 5yrs old
• Adventurers aged under 12yrs must be accompanied by a paying adult 16yrs or over
• The experience will last approximately 30 minutes
• The experience is for a maximum of 8 people
• Experiences run at 15:15
• Theme Park and Zoo entry are not included in the experience
• Tours may vary depending on animal availability
• In adverse weather conditions the experience may have to be moved indoors.

Due to the nature of our VIP Experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences. If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

You’ll get to work in the Children’s Zoo and Wanyama Village, meeting our Donkeys, Goats, Ferrets, Capybaras, Meerkats and many more animals.

More information

Take a walk along Chessington’s Trail of the Kings, where you’ll get to work alongside our Carnivores including Sumatran Tigers and Asiatic Lions. An awesome and unique experience, which includes your theme park entry.

More information

On arrival you’ll meet up with one of our professional Animal Trainers, who’ll be your guide and buddy as they go about their daily tasks. They will introduce you to your chosen animals and get you involved with hands-on tasks like animal care and welfare, food preparation and you’ll take part in their regular training sessions.

This is a 3 hour experience for one person

• Minimum age: 16 years old
• The experience begins at 9am and is available on Mondays, Wednesdays & Sundays only
• Includes your own training whistle to take away with you
• This Experience must be booked 7 days in advance
• Animal experiences are subject to availability
• Your experience includes the standard entry price for the day when applicable
• Full terms and conditions will need to be signed prior to the beginning of the experience
• All VIP Experiences are non-transferable and non-refundable, in the event that we have to cancel your experience we will of course compensate you accordingly

On the day:

• Your guide will take you through all health and safety procedures before the beginning of your experience
• Wellies are advisable but closed toe shoes/boots are essential
• It can get quite cold out in the Bay so please wear the appropriate clothing for being outdoors for the entirety of your experience

Due to the nature of our VIP experiences, some of our animal encounters may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Expectant mothers are not permitted on any of our experiences. If you believe this may affect you, please contact our VIP team before booking to discuss your individual needs.

Spend time with our expert bird keeper who will educate you with amazing facts about this incredible bird of prey.

• Minimum age 7 years old
• 4 people per meet and greet
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Experience takes place daily at 16:00.

A perfect experience for the family on your adventure at Chessington.

• Minimum age 5 years old
• 4 people per feed
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Experiences take place daily at 12:30 and 14:30
• Trousers must be worn
• No open toed shoes are allowed

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF

• Minimum age 7 years old
• 4 People per feed
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Trousers must be worn
• Closed toe shoes must be worn
• Experience runs daily at 15:00

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF

Assisted by our experienced Zoo team you will enter the penguin enclosure and feed them at the water’s edge.

• Minimum Height 1.2m
• 4 People per feed
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Trousers must be worn
• No open toed shoes are allowed
• Minimum age 7 years
• Experience times vary on a daily basis

Download Full Terms and Conditions - PDF