Words also by Owen Ralph
The world’s first Jumanji-themed land has opened at Chessington World of Adventures in the UK, offering three new rides, including the world’s first Jumanji-themed coaster.
The £17 million ‘World of Jumanji’ land is based on Sony Pictures’ $2 billion film franchise. It is home to the Mandrill Mayhem coaster, and the Mamba Strike and Ostrich Stampede rides.
Mandrill Mayhem by Bolliger & Mabillard is a winged, launched, shuttle roller coaster with Chessington’s first inversion. It wraps around a huge ‘Jaguar Shrine’ structure and circles the entire land.
Swept up in the long arms of a mandrill, riders are catapulted out of the station backwards, except for those on the back row, where the seats are flipped the other way.
‘World of Jumanji’
After ascending a spike, they race back through the station, travelling along the perimeter of the area towards a 55-foot-tall jaguar shrine.
The 28-seater train then spirals around the outside of the iconic structure before guests enjoy the return ride in reverse. The top speed is 42 mph.
Mamba Strike dangles guests perilously close to the fangs of a black mamba, while Ostrich Stampede simulates a herd of the stampeding birds on the dunes as its three-seater cars jump up and down in sequence. Both new attractions were supplied by the Italian manufacturer SBF.
Highlights at Chessington’s ‘World of Jumanji’ also include a maze of pathways based on the iconic board game first featured in the 1996 film starring Robin Williams, as well as themed retail and dining.
Clues can be found all around the themed world, as guests get the opportunity to locate the ‘Jaguar’s Eye Jewel’, lift the curse and save Jumanji.
“Whilst there are nods to the original Jumanji film, we are very much focused on the new franchise,” says John Burton, creative lead at Merlin Magic Making.
Released in 2017 and 2019 respectively, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level are “great family films”, adds Burton. “Where better for such an attraction than Chessington, where you’re already fusing animals with adventure?”
Scott O’Neil, Merlin’s new CEO, was at the resort on Saturday (13 May) as media got a sneak preview of the new land.
Mandrill Mayhem coaster
“Whether you’re a fan of the films, a fan of roller coasters or are looking to take your family adventures to ‘the next level’, the amazing World of Jumanji is ready to welcome all ‘those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind’,” he said.
World of Jumanji is the single largest investment in Chessington‘s history. Jumanji is Sony Pictures’ biggest wholly-owned film franchise of all time.
Chessington is part of Merlin Entertainments, which has teamed up with Sony Pictures to open new rides, lands and hotel rooms based on Jumanji at its sites across the world.
So far, the company has added a Jumanji maze attraction and a family-friendly dark ride called Jumanji – The Adventure to Gardaland in Italy.
“We are excited to have collaborated with top tier industry talent at Merlin Entertainments and Chessington World of Adventures Resort,” says Jeffrey Godsick, EVP of global partnerships and brand management and head of location-based entertainment at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“The Jumanji franchise has generations of fans who can now enjoy the story in a whole new way.”
Images: Merlin Entertainments
