Bellewaerde

Last updated
Bellewaerde
Previously known as 1972 - 2013: Bellewaerde Park

1969 - 1971: Safari Bellewaerde

1954 - 1968: Touristic Center Bellewaerde
Bellewaerde logo.png
Bellewaerde (ingang 1).jpg
Main Entrance, 2018
Location Zillebeke, West Flanders, Belgium
Coordinates 50°50′54″N2°56′44″E / 50.84833°N 2.94556°E / 50.84833; 2.94556
Opened1954
Owner Compagnie des Alpes
Operating seasonApril - November
Area134 acres (54 ha)
Attractions
Total37 (as of 2023)
Roller coasters4
Website www.bellewaerde.be

Bellewaerde is a theme park in the West Flemish countryside at Zonnebeke near Ypres, Belgium (it is physically located just inside the Ypres municipality boundary). It was established in 1954, on the grounds of the World War I Battle of Bellewaarde. Named after an old castle in its territory that still stands near the main entrance, Bellewaerde is the oldest operating theme park in Belgium. Originally a zoo and safari, the park expanded in the early eighties to become more of a general theme- and thrillpark, catering towards teens and families. The 54-hectare (130-acre) park is known for its beautiful gardens, marvelous landscaping and its attention to theming. Its mascotte is a lion dressed as a king, King Lion. Bellewaerde draws about 850,000 - 900,000 visitors a year and is the main theme park in Flanders.

Contents

Major rides include the first Boomerang coaster in Europe (1984), a duelling alpine coaster (Dawson Duel), a Vekoma Mad House (Houdini's Magical House), several water rides including a log flume, a river rapids ride and a spillwater ride, the Screaming Eagle vertical drop tower, various stock rides such as a pirate ship, a swing carousel, an original Zierer beetle coaster, old-timers, carousels, an octopus, tea-cups and a Jungle Cruise-like boat ride, and an entertainment schedule that changes every year. Bellewaerde's additions since 2000 are the world's first Topple Tower from Huss, El Volador (2005), a Zierer indoor coaster, Huracan (2013) a duelling alpine coaster, Dawson Duel (2017), and a Gerstlauer family coaster, Wakala (2020). In June 2019, the park opened the 3000 m2Bellewaerde Aquapark, which features a variety of slides, pools, and a lazy river. [1]

History

On 3 July 1954, the Touristic Centre of Bellewaerde was founded in Zillebeke. It was opened originally as a zoo and safaripark by the Florizoone family, which also operated Meli Park in Adinkerke. In 1971, the name was changed to "Bellewaerde Park', and simplified to "Bellewaerde" in 2004. In the 1980s, the park evolved to an attraction park with rides such as the River Splash (a log flume, 1980) and the Keverbaan (a beetle coaster, 1981). In 1981, 1984 and 1985 the park was expanded with the addition of the "Far West", "Canada" and "Mexico" zones, respectively.

Bellewaerde was sold in the early 1990s to the Walibi group which in itself became part of the Six Flags Chain in 1998. Six Flags sold all of its European parks, including Bellewaerde, in 2004 to the British investment company Palamon. Bellewaerde is now part of the Grévin & Cie group, which is fully owned by Compagnie des Alpes.

In 2008, Bellewaerde officially became a zoo and a savannah-themed area was opened.

Bellewaerde is a seasonal theme park that is open for about seven months a year, from April until October. October is traditionally the month in which Bellewaerde's yearly Halloween Event takes place. Since 2005, the park also opens in the winter for few weeks during the Christmas and New Year period, decorated for the holidays with extra Christmas attractions and special entertainment.

Rides & Attractions

Current attractions and rides

Canada
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
Wakala Family roller coaster 2020 Gerstlauer Height: 21 m / Length: 660 m / Top speed: 50 km/h
Camp Niagara Shoot-the-chute 1995Interlink and Space Leisure With a 20-meter drop, Niagara was the highest splash in Europe.

The ride has a bridge over the drop in which visitors can get soaked.

Niagara Bellewaerde.JPG
Screaming Eagle Shot 'n drop 1999 HUSS Maximum height: 52 m

Top speed: 70 km/h

Screaming Eagle Bellewaerde.JPG
Indoor playgroundPlaygroundunknownInside the Canadian Tearoom Indoorspeelruimte (2).jpg
Peter Pan Caterpillar 1989 Mack Rides Used to be in the India zone of the park until 2007. In 2008 it was moved instead of the Octopus in the Canada zone. Peter Pan (2).jpg
Big Chute Hara Kiri Raft Slide 1989 Van Egdom Height: 10 m Big Chute.JPG
Pirate Ship Pirate ship 1987 HUSS From April 29 until May 1, 2014, Sam Clauw set a world record for "Longest ride on a amusement park ride". He sat on the ride for 50 hours straight. The stunt brought in 2350 euros which was donated to a breeding program for Amur leopards. Bpirate@Bellewaerde.JPG
Dawson Duel Duelling alpine coaster 2017WiegandHeight: 25 m / Length: 450 m

Top speed: 40 km/h

2 tracks for a duelling race. There are no breaks. The coaster is built on supports.

Bellewaerde - Dawson Duel (C09).JPG
Psssht stationBarnyard2023ZamperlaHighest jump: 25 m Bellewaerde Gold Rush tribune.jpg
India
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
Bengal Express Train ride 1972Space LeisureWas originally built at the playgrounds near the entrance of the park. The trains were moved in 1988 to their current location in the India area. During the ride a tape is played with information about the lions and tigers you see. Bengal Express (12).jpg
Bengal Rapid River Rapid river 1988 Vekoma and Space Leisure8 people per boat. The boats are divided in 4 compartiments that can move independently.

Height difference: 3 m

Length: 451 m

Bengal Rapid River (5).jpg
Lion viewpoint2012unknownBuilt as 2 jeeps sitting through a glass wall to see the lions up close. Bengal Express (3).jpg
BengaliStunt and diveshow2022Pool diameter: 10 m

Pool depth: 5 m Highest jump: 25 m Duration: 25 m

HampiNebulaZ2023Zamperla
Hampi PlaygroundPlayground2023Playground is 400 m2.
Jungle
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
Jungle Mission Tow boat ride 1978 Intamin AG Has been renovated over the years:

Original name was "Jungle Adventure" (until 1982)

1982: renamed to "Het Zoemende Ei" (based on the Belgian comic books of Suske & Wiske)

1997: renamed to "Voodoo River"

2011: renamed to "Jungle Mission"

Jungle mission Bellewaerde.JPG
Far West
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
River Splash Log flume 1980 Reverchon Tallest drop: 12 m River Splash (1).jpg
Lilly's Casino Arcade 1987unknownLilly's Arcade is operated by a third party who quit in 2013. The arcade reopened in May 2014 under new management. Bellewaerde Lilly's Casino.jpg
Shooting GalleryShooting gallery1987unknownClosed and remodeled in 2006. The current Shooting Gallery is a smaller version of the old one, built with parts of the original. Shooting Gallery, Bellewaerde.jpg
Mexico
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
Boomerang Shuttle coaster 1984 Vekoma Maximum G forces: 5.2 G

Maximum speed: 75.6 kilometres per hour (47.0 mph)

First functional boomerang coaster in the world

Boomerang.JPG
El Volador Topple tower 2005 HUSS Height: 20 metres (66 ft)

Maximum tilt: 60 degrees

First topple tower built

Elvolador@Bellewaerde.JPG
El Toro Breakdance 2006 HUSS Bought from Walibi Holland where it was installed until 2005 El Toro (2).jpg
4D Cinema 4D-film 2006unknownBellewaerde tends to change the movie every season. There are also special movies for Halloween season and the Winter season (only in 2009) 4D-cinema.jpg
HuracanIndoor coaster, darkride 2013 Zierer First coaster in Belgium with an onboard sound system. Huracan a Bellewaerde.JPG
Kids Park
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
Carrousel Carousel 1983unknown Bellewaerde, Carroussel.jpg
Palendorp Playground 1985unknownRenovated in 2015 Palendorp.jpg
Koffietassen Teacups 1989 Mack Rides Bellewaerde Koffietassen 2.jpg
Houdini's Magical House Madhouse 1999 Vekoma A Madhouse with the great Houdini as a theme. The story goes that the Great Houdini used to live there and after his mysterious death, it was opened to the public. However, Houdini's spirit lives on as he invites you in his house for one last magic trick. Houdini@Bellewaerde.JPG
Flying Carrousel Swing ride 1999 Zierer Flying Carrousel.jpg
FrogJumpin' Star2002 Zamperla Kikker, Bellewaerde.jpg
Express Traintrain ride2002 Zamperla Rio Grande Train Expresstrein (2).jpg
Butterflies Aerial Carousel 2002 Zamperla Vlinders (1).jpg
Tuff-tuffcar ride2002 Zamperla Tuff-Tuff.jpg
Crazy CoachFlying carpet2002 Zamperla Gekke koets.jpg
Mini wheelFerris wheel2002 Zamperla Minirad, Bellewaerde.jpg
Dancing Balloons Balloon Race (ride) 2002 Zamperla Dansende ballonnen (2).jpg

Removed attractions and rides

NameTypeOpenedClosedManufacturerAreaReasonPhoto
Cinema 180 Cinerama unknown1986unknownFar WestBurned down due to a short circuit in the Enterprise's motor nearby.
Enterprise Enterprise 19811986 HUSS Park Attractions Far WestBurned down due to a short circuit in the motor. BellewaerdeFarWest.jpg
Tico Tico Show Animatronics show 19862002unknownMexicoRemoved due to old age and rising maintenance costs.

Replaced by 4D Cinema.

BellewaerdeTicoMusiciens.jpg
Dancing Queen Paratroop swing ride 19892004 Frank Hrubetz MexicoSold to De Valkenier in the Netherlands.

Replaced by El Volador.

Slide Slide unknown2007unknownKidsParkFailed inspection due to old age.
Monorail Monorail 19832007MahieuStation: Jungle

Route: Jungle, Far West, Mexico

Removed due to material fatigue, too old to repair Monorail Bellewaerde.JPG
Octopus Octopus 19872007Carrouselbouw Holland

Van Velzen

CanadaToo old to repair.

Replaced by Peter Pan

OldtimersCar ride19812009 Metallbau Emmeln Far WestRemoved to make room for the European Bisons enclosure
Los Piratas Dark water ride 19912012 Mack Rides MexicoRemoved due to old age and was no longer in compliance with fire safety.

Replaced by Huracan

BLOSPIRATAS.JPG
Karting Karts 20032005unknownMexicoWas a paying attraction, probably removed due to lack of interest.
keverbaankids rollercoaster19812022ziererfar westremoved to make place for a new water attraction

Animals

Current animals

NamePark AreaAdditional informationPhoto
Hooded vulture Canada Necrosyrtes monachus 3zz.jpg
Black kite Canada Black-shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus caeruleus) young adult.jpg
Harris's hawk Canada Harris Hawk (2692196219).jpg
Squirrel monkey Canada Squirrel monkey3.JPG
Common marmoset Canada Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).jpg
Patagonian mara Canada Patagonian Mara (7295093312).jpg
Lions India Bengal Express (7).jpg
Tigers India Bellewaerde.jpg
Amur leopard India Amur Leopard Pittsburgh Zoo.jpg
Rothschild's giraffe Savanna Girafes a Bellewaerde.JPG
Zebras Savanna
Asian Elephants Savanna Elephant a Bellewaerde.JPG
Ankole-Watusi Savanna
White-headed lemurs Savanna
Red ruffed lemurs Savanna
Pelicans Jungle Pelican Bellewaerde.JPG
Capybaras Jungle
Nasua Jungle
Aras Jungle
Flamingos Jungle Jungle Mission5 - Flamingo.JPG
Gracile capuchin monkeys Jungle
Emperor tamarins Jungle
European bison Far West
Wallaby KidsPark
Alpaca KidsPark
Goats KidsPark
Raccoons KidsPark

Removed animals

See also

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References

  1. Kleiman, Joe (September 10, 2019). "Bellewaerde adds water". InPark Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2021.