Black Buccaneer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Buccaneer
Previously known as Smugglers' Galleon (1988–1998)
Chessington World of Adventures Area Pirates' Cove Status {{{status}}} Opening date 1988 Closing date 2018 Replaced by Blue Barnacle
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Pirate ship
Manufacturer	HUSS Park Attractions
Theme	Pirates
Capacity	950 riders per hour
Rows	9
Riders per row	5
Duration	about 3 minutes
Height restriction	100 cm (3 ft 3 in)

Black Buccaneer was an exciting pirate ship ride. It operated at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in southwest London, England. The ride was part of the Pirates' Cove area of the park. It opened in 1988 and closed in 2018, after 30 years of thrilling guests. A new ride called Blue Barnacle is set to replace it.

The Story of Black Buccaneer

The Black Buccaneer ride was built by a company called Huss Rides. It was made in 1984. The ride first opened at Chessington World of Adventures in 1988. When it first opened, it was known as Smugglers' Galleon.

In 1998, the ride got a new look and a new name. It was then called Black Buccaneer, which is the name most people remember.

Later, in 2013, the ride received its own music. The buildings around the ride were also updated in 2014.

Challenges and Changes

During the 2016 season, there was a lot of rain. This caused the ride's motor to flood. Because of this, the Black Buccaneer had to close for about a month.

For the start of the 2017 season, the ride got a fresh coat of paint. It also added a special queue for single riders. This meant people riding alone could get on faster.

From the start of the 2018 season until July, the ride was taken apart. Its pieces were stored near another ride called Seastorm.

After operating during the 2018 Winter's Tail event, the ride closed for its usual winter check-up. However, at the start of the 2019 season, it was announced that Black Buccaneer would open late. While other rides opened after a month, Black Buccaneer remained in pieces. It was never rebuilt.

Eventually, the ride was removed from the park's maps and website. Chessington later confirmed on social media that the ride would not open for the 2019 season.

The Ride's Replacement

After much talk, it was announced that a new pirate ship ride would replace Black Buccaneer. This new ride was named Blue Barnacle. It was planned to open in 2020. However, work on the new ride was delayed. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction was pushed back, and the new ride is now expected to be ready in 2021.

What Was Black Buccaneer Like?

The ride was designed to look like a pirate ship. It could hold 45 riders at a time. Riders sat in 9 rows, with 5 people in each row. The ship would swing back and forth, reaching heights of up to 60 feet!

The ride was originally painted black, which gave it its name. Later, it was painted silver. This change helped park staff see any cracks or damage on the ride more easily.

Rider Rules

To ride Black Buccaneer, you needed to be at least 1 meter (about 3 feet 3 inches) tall. If you were under 1.3 meters (about 4 feet 3 inches) tall, an adult had to ride with you.

In 2016, a new rule was added. People aged 16 or older had to sit on the edges of each row. This meant younger riders had to sit in the middle. This change sometimes made the waiting lines longer.

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