What It’s Really Like Staying at Chessington With Kids With Additional Needs

If you’re planning a visit to Chessington World of Adventures and someone in your family has additional needs, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make your day smoother, calmer, and more magical.

Whether you’re visiting with a child who is neurodivergent, has a physical disability, or simply needs a little extra support, there are systems in place to help. Here’s exactly what we did—and what I’d recommend to anyone planning a similar trip.

ad affiliate disclosure – this blog post may contain affiliate links

Our Family Trip Overview

We visited Chessington for a three-day, two-night stay during Welsh half term, staying onsite at the Azteca Hotel. It was our first time back in nearly six years, and so much had changed since our last visit. This trip was extra special for us as it marked our first adventure using our new Gold Merlin Annual Passes — and I’m thrilled to now be a Merlin Annual Pass Collaborator, which means even more magical days out coming your way!

My husband and I brought three of our four children on this trip, all of whom are neurodivergent. Having visited many theme parks over the years, we’ve learned a lot about what helps make the experience more enjoyable, less stressful, and as inclusive as possible.

Staying On-Site At The Azteca Hotel

We stayed two nights at the Azteca Hotel, and honestly, I’d highly recommend staying on-site if you can. Our room was spacious enough for the five of us, which is a huge bonus if you have more than two children (you’ll know the struggle of finding hotel rooms that sleep five!). The theming was just brilliant — the kids loved all the jungle-style details — and there was loads of storage, a mini fridge, and good air con.

I’ve done a full room tour if you want a proper look around. Breakfast was included, and it was lovely to be able to nip straight from the hotel into the park for early ride time. As a Merlin Annual Pass holder, I managed to book our hotel stay with an exclusive discount via the Merlin Pass Portal — it worked out cheaper for us than booking a Premier Inn nearby!

Accessibility At Chessington

All three of my children who came with us have autism, and we used the Merlin Ride Access Pass to help make the trip more manageable. You do need to apply in advance, so make sure you get that organised before your trip. On the day, you activate the pass via a link in your email, which then connects to the Reserve & Ride system.

This allows you to book a ride and then wait out the queuing time outside of the physical queue — so your child can snack, explore, go to the toilet, or decompress without the overwhelm of a long line. It made such a difference to us.

Merlin Ride Access Pass

The Ride Access Pass (RAP) is designed for guests who find it difficult to wait in queues due to a disability or condition. You’ll need to apply online before your trip.

How to apply:

1. Visit the Merlin Ride Access Pass registration page
2. Create an account and upload evidence of eligibility (such as a letter from a medical professional or DLA/PIP documentation).
3. Wait for approval (this can take up to 14 working days).
4. Once approved, you’ll receive confirmation and access to the RAP booking portal.

📝 Important: You must complete this before your visit—they no longer accept documentation on the day.

Prebook Your Ride Access Pass for Your Visit

Once approved, you need to prebook your RAP for each day you plan to use it.

To prebook:

1. Go to chessington.reserveandride.co.uk
2. Log in using the same email address from your RAP account.
3. Select your visit date and redeem your voucher.
4. You’ll receive a digital Ride Access Pass for each guest approved under your account.

🧠 Tip: You’ll need to repeat this process for every day you’re visiting. It’s free to book but subject to availability, so do it as early as possible.

Understand How The Ride Access System Works

Once you’re in the park, here’s how to use your Ride Access Pass:

1. Open the Reserve and Ride site on your phone and log in.
2. Select the ride you’d like to go on.
3. You’ll be given a return time based on the current queue length.
4. You’re free to explore the park, get food, or take a break while you wait.
5. When your time arrives, go to the Reserve and Ride entrance for that ride.
6. Show your QR code and enjoy the ride!

🎢 Each RAP holder can bring up to 3 people with them—so for a family of 5, just rotate who rides with who.

Carer Tickets & Concessions

If someone in your party needs support, Chessington offers a free carer ticket alongside a paid ticket for the disabled guest.

To book a carer ticket:

1. Select “carer ticket” when booking your general admission online.
2. You’ll need to bring your eligibility evidence with you to the entrance.
3. This ticket is scanned separately from the main guest’s ticket.

Accessible Parking, Toilets & Changing Places

• Blue Badge parking is available close to the main entrance—just follow the signage.
• Accessible toilets are located throughout the park and clearly marked on the map.
• There’s a fully equipped Changing Places facility, ideal if your child needs more space, a hoist, or adult-sized changing bench.

🧻 You’ll find the Changing Places location near the Lodge Gate entrance.

Quiet Areas & Sensory Needs

If your child is neurodivergent or experiences sensory overwhelm, Chessington has quieter areas to decompress:

• The Zoo and SEA LIFE are great calmer zones with fewer crowds.
• Grassy areas near the Adventure Tree Carousel can be peaceful for picnics or a breather.
• Indoor queue areas and shows can be overwhelming—noise-cancelling headphones or visual timers might help.

🎧 We also bring fidget toys, our own visual schedule, and snacks to keep routines in place.

On-Site Hotel Accessibility

If you’re staying at the Azteca or Safari Hotel:

• Ask for an accessible room if you need it—these include wider doors, accessible bathrooms, and low-level features.
• Let the hotel know if you have any dietary needs or sensory concerns—they’re usually happy to help.

Planning Our Ride Priorities

Each child got to pick their top three rides from our Organised Mini Break Planner, and we started the day by prioritising those.

Mandrill Mayhem in the World of Jumanji area was the top pick, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s a brilliant coaster with a unique backwards-facing back row. Zara got to do her first-ever inversion on that ride — she’s only 128cm tall, so it was quite special.

Other favourites included Tiger Rock (which we were thrilled to find had reopened on our final day), Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (a nostalgic favourite), Vampire, and Dragon’s Fury. We also enjoyed some smaller attractions like Sea Storm, Barrel Bail Out, and the Sea Life Centre — all great options for a bit of variety.

Our Favourite Food Spots

On our first night, we ate at the Zafari Bar & Grill — the food was lovely and the theming continued the immersive hotel experience.

But the standout meal was at the Temple Restaurant, where we had a fantastic buffet dinner. Breakfast there was also included with our hotel stay.

On our last day, we picked up hot dogs and chips in the sunshine, and it was a lovely, chilled way to end our visit. If you’re visiting during quieter seasons, just be aware that not all food outlets are open every day, but we didn’t find it a problem.

Snacks, Sweet Treats & Souvenirs

No trip would be complete without a visit to the sweet shop and the Chessington gift shops. The children loved doing their own shopping using their Monzo pocket money cards.

Each child has their own card linked to my account with spending controls, and I can instantly freeze or unfreeze cards if one gets lost. We originally started using Monzo for holidays abroad because there are no currency conversion fees, but now I use it for all our everyday spending too.

Bella picked up some pin badges, Zara chose a penguin pen from the Sea Life shop, and we shared a huge Merlin bucket of pick ‘n’ mix — with our Merlin Pass discount, of course!

Locking Pin Backs

If you’re collecting pin badges like we are, do keep in mind that many use locking pin backs — they’re brilliant for

Photography & Memories

We made full use of the Merlin Photo Pass, which allows you to collect all your ride photos digitally. I managed to get a deal for the whole season, and it’s been so handy having all our family memories in one place. You can scan QR codes at the end of each ride to link the photos to your pass.

Sensory Considerations & Accessibility

As a neurodiverse family, sensory overload is always something we need to be mindful of. Chessington has a sensory room available if your child needs a bit of calm and space, and the quieter ride times made such a difference. The park was clean, the facilities were great, and we found the staff to be really understanding and helpful.

Toilets were easy to find, and they had larger cubicles for accompanying children, which I always appreciate. Some even had toddler seats built in!

Using AirTags To Keep Track Of Kids

One of the things that gives me real peace of mind during our trips is using AirTags to keep track of the children. Each of them had an AirTag on them, and it was just one of those little things that made such a big difference to my stress levels. If you’ve got a child who might wander or you just want that extra reassurance in busy areas, I’d highly recommend them.

Last-Minute Magic

Just as we thought our trip was over, we got the notification that Tiger Rock had reopened — the children were thrilled! It ended up being the perfect finale to our adventure. We even got to see a real tiger in the enclosure near the ride, which was such a special moment. These little unexpected wins are what make these trips so magical.

Final Thoughts

This trip to Chessington World of Adventures will go down as one of our favourite family breaks. Whether it was Zara riding her first coaster inversion, William doing the World of Jumanji track walk (check out his separate vlog), or just enjoying a sunny hot dog lunch together, there was so much to love.

Want To Make Your Next Trip Even Easier?

Planning the perfect getaway just got easier with my Organised Mini-Break Planner! Whether you’re heading on a short family trip, a romantic weekend away, or a solo adventure, this planner will help you stay on top of every detail. From accommodation and travel bookings to packing lists, itineraries, and budgeting, you’ll have everything in one place, making your trip stress-free and enjoyable. Designed to simplify planning and ensure you don’t forget a thing, the best bit? You can organise multiple trips in one planner! Available as an instant downloadable printable or a beautifully printed planner posted straight to your door, this must-have tool will help you travel smarter, not harder!

Join My Membership Community!

More From Me

Get My Free Ultimate Mum Bundle Of Organisation Printables

Ready to take your organisation to the next level? I’ve created the Ultimate Mum Bundle of Organisation Printables to help you stay on track and bring some order to the chaos. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! This bundle includes everything from meal planners and weekly schedules to budgeting sheets and more – all designed to make life a little easier for busy mums like you. Download your free bundle today and start organising your life with ease!

Create Your Own Organised Life Binder (My Secret Weapon)

One of the best tools I’ve used to stay organised and on top of everything is my Organised Life Binder. It’s my secret weapon for managing all the chaos of daily life – from family schedules and meal planning to work tasks and self-care. With everything in one place, I can easily track goals, plan ahead, and keep myself focused. In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own binder so you can experience the same sense of clarity and control in your life!

Grab The Resource I WISH I Had When My Kids Were Being Assessed For Autism

Navigating the autism assessment process can be overwhelming, and when my kids were going through it, I wish I had a resource to help me stay organised and on top of everything. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive Autism Journey Journal. This resource is everything I wish I’d had at the time – a place to record dates, appointments, meeting notes, and reflections, all while helping you stay prepared every step of the way. Grab your copy now and make the process a little bit easier for you and your family.

Shop My Planners

Check Out My Podcast Channel

If you love hearing more about real-life experiences, tips for managing ADHD, autism, and everything in between, you’ll want to check out my podcast channel! I dive deep into topics that matter to mums, parents, and anyone navigating life with neurodivergent children. Each episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and personal stories that I know will resonate with you. Tune in today and join the conversation!

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Watch More From My Magical Adventures Channel

Check out the latest video from my Magical Adventures channel! You may know it as Mummy of Four Does Disney, and I’m still sharing Disney videos every weekend. But now, I’m also bringing you along for our magical family days out and mini-breaks across the UK too! Don’t miss out on all the fun—watch the latest adventure here.