If you are planning a visit to Britain’s wildest adventure, understanding the park layout can make a huge difference to your day. With over 40 rides and attractions, a world-famous zoo, and a SEA LIFE aquarium spread across a massive footprint, a clear plan will help you reduce walking time, avoid queues, and make the most of your family day out.
This guide breaks down the resort into key areas and gives you practical tips on how to navigate the Chessington map efficiently.
๐ Chessington Location & Map Key Stats
- Where is Chessington located? The resort is located on Leatherhead Road in Chessington, Greater London (Postcode: KT9 2NE).
- How big is the park? The resort grounds span over 128 acres, meaning you will do a lot of walking between the theme park, zoo, and SEA LIFE aquarium!
- Where can I download the official map? Download the interactive GPS map via the official Chessington App or view the layout on the large boards at any park entrance gate.
Understanding the Chessington Park Layout
Unlike some traditional theme parks, Chessington World of Adventures Resort features two distinct main entry points: the Lodge Entrance (situated near the themed resort hotels) and the Explorer Entrance. Knowing which gate you are entering through on your interactive map helps you choose your starting route.
The park is cleverly divided into immersive themed lands, blending thrilling roller coasters with incredible animal habitats. Major zones include World of Jumanji, Wild Woods, Forbidden Kingdom, Land of the Tiger, Shipwreck Coast, and the dedicated Chessington Zoo enclosures.
Major Development Warning: Wild Asia is Closed
When looking at older park layouts, note that the Wild Asia section of the park is now permanently closed. The entire area is hidden behind construction barriers as work gets underway on a massive ยฃ50 million redevelopment. The site is being transformed into the highly anticipated Minecraft World, which is scheduled to open in 2027! For full specifications on the upcoming Intamin roller coaster and block-built biomes replacing the area, read our comprehensive guide to New Rides and Attractions for 2027.
World of Jumanji: Head Here First
Located near the bottom of the theme park map, the World of Jumanji is home to the park’s ultimate headliner: Mandrill Mayhem, the worldโs only Jumanji-themed roller coaster. Because this shuttle coaster layout features a launch forward and backwards, queues build up very quickly. Make this your absolute first stop when the gates open to save significant waiting time later in the day.
- 23 Mandrill Mayhem: (Thrill Coaster)
- 24 Ostrich Stampede: (Flat Ride)
- 25 Mamba Strike: (Flat Ride)
- 43 Explorer Supplies (Essentials Store)
- 46 Jumanji Shop (Jumanji themed gifts and Merchandise)
- 57 Jumanji Food Supplies Co (Small Food Outlet)
Wild Woods
Moving towards the lower-right section of the map layout, you will encounter the dark, atmospheric canopy of the Wild Woods. This area is home to the legendary Vampire roller coaster, a fan-favourite suspended coaster that swings riders over the treetops.
Also located within this section of the park is the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, a magical riverboat ride that brings Julia Donaldson’s classic story beautifully to life, making it a huge family hit on warm afternoons.
New for 2026: The PAW Patrol Area
Perfect for families visiting with toddlers and little adventurers, the higher loop of the park map features the brand-new PAW Patrol area for 2026. This freshly updated zone highlights five “pup-tastic” family attractions, allowing kids to meet Chase and Marshall up close in a dedicated, low-thrill environment.
Directly adjacent sits the Forbidden Kingdom, where you can test your laser aiming skills on the interactive dark ride, Tomb Blaster, snake your way through the sharp turns of the old tin mine on Rattlesnake, or brave the sudden vertical drops of Croc Drop.
Land of the Tiger & Land of the Dragons
Dominating the centre-left of the map layout are two massive areas packed with major thrills. In Land of the Tiger, you will find innovative overhead trails where real Amur tigers roam right above the footpaths. This land hosts Tiger Rock, an exhilarating log flume ride that passes directly through the tiger enclosures.
Just adjacent sits the Land of the Dragons, housing Griffin’s Galleon and the excellent Dragon’s Fury. Dragon’s Fury is a fast, high-thrill custom spinning roller coaster that features twists, drops, and rotations based entirely on your car’s weight distribution!
Chessington Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium
If the ride queues peak during the middle of the afternoon, the best navigation strategy is to head towards the extensive animal walkthrough on the top-right of the map. Chessington Zoo and the sweeping Wanyama Village & Reserve allow you to slow down and view over 1,000 animals, including majestic lions, gorillas, tigers, and penguins, with little to no waiting time.
Positioned centrally near Adventure Point is the fully indoor SEA LIFE Aquarium. It is a perfect escape during an unexpected downpour, offering visitors an intimate look at sharks, rays, and delicate marine life through an immersive ocean tunnel.
Resort Accommodation on the Map
If you are planning a short break at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, locating the on-site accommodation on your map layout is highly recommended. The resort’s two themed family hotels, the Safari Hotel and the Azteca Hotel, are clustered together at the top-right of the park map, immediately adjacent to the Lodge Entrance.
Choosing to stay on-site gives your family a distinct layout advantage, as hotel guests gain entry to the park via a dedicated resort gate, putting you seconds away from Chessington Zoo and the Wanyama Reserve ahead of the main morning crowds.
How to Navigate Chessington Efficiently
Beat the crowds at the centre: The main paths bottlenecking around the central lawn area get highly congested by midday. Try to complete your major loop rides in Jumanji and Forbidden Kingdom early, then transition outwards into the broader zoo pathways or Shipwreck Coast during peak hours.
Monitor live wait times: While the official Chessington app offers interactive routing, you can only see live queue times when you are physically standing inside the park gates. To cross-reference wait times and plan your route ahead from home, view our live Chessington World of Adventures Queue times.
Chessington Map & Layout: Frequently Asked Questions
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Author: Dan
I am passionate about theme parks and attractions, and I love riding roller coasters and thrill rides! As the founder and lead travel editor of Attractions Near Me, and a father of four, I understand how expensive family days out can be. Over the past 10+ years, Iโve tested over 100+ UK and European theme parks, waterparks, and family destinations. I also manage the 80,000+ member UK Travel Industry LinkedIn Group. My aim is to help you, your family, and your friends enjoy some incredible days out without costing the earth. You can read my full story and our editorial standards on our About Us page. Thanks for reading, and have a great time - Regards Dan
