Croc Drop

In March 2021, Croc Drop became a talking point even before its opening. Looopings reported that shoe brand Crocs had objected to the name of Chessington World of Adventures’ new attraction. The UK Intellectual Property Office rejected the objection, allowing the park to keep the Croc Drop name.

That news immediately gave the drop tower a sharper identity. The ride was described as a 25-metre SBF-VISA drop tower in Forbidden Kingdom, rising above a 12-metre scenic structure shaped like an open crocodile mouth. Its story centred on Sobek, the Egyptian crocodile god, who is said in the ride’s backstory to be possessed by evil spirits.

For visitors, this meant Chessington was adding more than a simple tower ride. Croc Drop became a highly recognisable themed statement in the area once occupied by Rameses Revenge. It was also due to arrive around the reopening of British theme parks after pandemic closures. The mixture of a legal dispute, a striking visual icon and a well-known predecessor gave the attraction a strong narrative before guests had even taken the first ride.

Looopings reported in October 2019 that Chessington World of Adventures would remove Rameses Revenge, a Top Spin that had operated at the park since 1995. Visitors were given only a few more weeks to ride it, with 3 November named as the final opportunity before the attraction disappeared.

For Croc Drop, this article marks the beginning of the story. Even before the new ride had its name, Chessington had already outlined the concept: a drop tower decorated as a giant open crocodile mouth. That made clear the park was not simply removing an old thrill ride, but preparing to reuse the site with a more compact and visually distinctive attraction.

The background matters for fans because Rameses Revenge had been a striking Huss Top Spin for almost 25 years. Its removal also meant the United Kingdom lost its last permanent Top Spin installation. Croc Drop therefore inherited a loaded spot in Forbidden Kingdom. The new ride had to give a familiar thrill location fresh meaning, using a different ride system and a stronger themed icon.