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), world's first Topple Tower from Huss(2005), Vekoma Mad House (Houdini's Magical House), a Zierer indoor coaster, a duelling Alpine Coaster, 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, formerly an original Zierer beetle coaster , carousels, and an entertainment schedule that changes every year. Bellewaerde's additions since 2020 are a Gerstlauer family coaster, Wakala (2020), a barnyard, Psssht station (2023), a nebulaz, Hampi (2023), a Kids rollercoaster, Brazilian Buggies (2024), a mini log flume, Rio De Cacao (2024) and a spinning rapids ride, Amazonia (2024). 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 brakes. The coaster is built on supports.

Bellewaerde - Dawson Duel (C09).JPG
Psssht stationBarnyard2023Zamperla
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
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
Mundo Amazonia
Attraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhoto
AmazoniaSpinning rapids ride2024 Intamin
Rio Do Café log flume 1980 Reverchon Industries The highest fall is 12 m.
Brazilian Buggies Roller coaster 2024ZamperlaKids rollercoaster.
Rio Do Cacaolog flume2024ABC RidesModel: mini log flume
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
Shooting Gallaey Shooting gallery with effects19872024Far westNeeded to make space for a new zone.
Lilly's casino Arcade 19872024Far WestNeeded to make space for a new zone.
Ball pit Ball pit unknown2007unknownKidsParkunknown
Scenic viewpoint scenic viewpoint towards lions20122023unknownIndiaRenovation
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
Gold RushStunt- & dive show20152021unknownCanadaBellewaerde wanted a new show.
keverbaankids rollercoaster19812022ziererfar westremoved to make place for a new water attraction

Animals

Current animals

NamePark AreaAdditional informationPhoto
Squirrel monkey Canada Squirrel monkey3.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
Ring-tailed lemur 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
Wallaby KidsPark
Alpaca KidsPark
Goats KidsPark

Removed animals

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walibi Holland</span> Theme park in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands

Walibi Holland is a theme park in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Flags Great Adventure</span> Theme park in Jackson, New Jersey

Six Flags Great Adventure is an amusement park located approximately 20 miles southeast of Trenton in Jackson, New Jersey. Owned and operated by Six Flags, the park complex is situated between New York City and Philadelphia and includes a water park named Hurricane Harbor. It first opened to the public as simply Great Adventure in 1974 under the direction of restaurateur Warner LeRoy. Six Flags acquired the park in 1977. The park is located right off of Interstate 195 and is along Monmouth Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Särkänniemi</span> Amusement park in Tampere, Finland

Särkänniemi is an amusement park in Tampere, Finland, located in the district by the same name. The park features an aquarium, a planetarium, Doghill Fairytale Farm, an art museum and an observation tower Näsinneula. Särkänniemi is the second most popular amusement park in Finland with Linnanmäki in Helsinki being the most popular one. Särkänniemi has five rollercoasters: the inverted coaster Tornado, the flying coaster Trombi, the family motorcycle launch coaster MotoGee and Hype, a launched steel Sky Rocket II coaster, and family coaster Vauhtimato. The half-pipe coaster called Half Pipe was recently removed due to multiple reasons. Särkänniemi is owned by the city of Tampere and attracts over 600 000 visitors annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lagoon (amusement park)</span> Amusement park in Farmington, Utah, U.S.

Lagoon is a family owned amusement park in Farmington, Utah, located about 18 miles north of Salt Lake City. Lagoon is divided into five main areas: The Midway, containing the majority of the rides; Pioneer Village, which has several exhibits displaying pioneer buildings and artifacts; Lagoon-A-Beach, a water park; Kiddie Land, an area with several rides for small children; and X-Venture Zone, featuring more extreme rides that are upcharged. Lagoon also offers an RV park, a campground, and a walking trail outside the park that stays open all year. Every autumn, the park offers Halloween-themed shows and attractions, collectively known as Frightmares.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heide Park</span> Amusement park in Soltau, Germany

Heide Park Resort, commonly known as Heide Park, is a theme park in Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany. With an overall area of over 850,000 m2, it is the largest amusement park in Northern Germany and among the largest in the country. It is part of the British-based Merlin Entertainments, which operates 123 attractions in 24 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Flags New England</span> Theme park in Agawam, Massachusetts

Six Flags New England, formerly known as Gallup's Grove (1870–1886), Riverside Grove (1887–1911), Riverside Park (1912–1995) and Riverside: The Great Escape (1996–1999), is an amusement park located in Agawam, Massachusetts. Opening in the late 19th century, it is the oldest amusement park in the Six Flags chain, acquired by Premier Parks in 1996 and rebranded Six Flags New England in 2000. Superman The Ride is among the park's most notable rides, having appeared as a highly ranked roller coaster in the annual Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today since the ride opened in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Flags Over Georgia</span> Amusement park in Austell, Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia is a 290-acre (1.2 km2) amusement park in Austell, Georgia, United States. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain following the original Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 1961.

Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure is a water park and amusement park in Bessemer, Alabama. It is owned by Koch Family Parks, which consists of members of the family who formerly had minority ownership in Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walibi Belgium</span> Theme park in Wavre, Belgium

Walibi Belgium is a 64-hectare theme park located in Wavre, Walloon Brabant, Wallonia, Belgium, close to the city of Brussels. It is one of the largest theme parks in Belgium; roughly 1.45 million visitors attended in 2018. The park was originally called simply Walibi, followed by Walibi Wavre, before Six Flags took over and renamed the park Six Flags Belgium. The park’s current name was affixed in 2004. Between 1998 and 2004, Walibi was managed by Six Flags, until Six Flags ultimately sold the park to Palamon Capital Partners, which operated the park under their StarParks Group division. Just two years later, in 2006, Palamon sold the park to Compagnie des Alpes, which has owned Walibi ever since. Walibi Belgium was the first park in the company’s chain of theme parks, and features “Walibi”, an anthropomorphic “wallaby” character as its mascot. Walibi can be seen in various advertisements and media, as well as a costume character greeting park guests and their kids. The original word “Walibi” is an abbreviated play-on-words, a ”mash-up” of the three local district names within the province of Walloon Brabant, where the park is located—Wavre, Limal and Bierges—with the acronym coming from Wavre, Limal and Bierges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chessington World of Adventures</span> Theme park in England

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a 128 acres theme park, zoo and hotel complex in Chessington, Greater London, England, around 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Central London. The complex originally opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931; the theme park aspect was developed by The Tussauds Group, debuting on 7 July 1987 as one of the first combined animal-amusement parks in the UK. The theme park, which features over 40 rides, is now owned by Merlin Entertainments, following its merger with The Tussauds Group in 2007. Under Merlin, Chessington has been increasingly developed into a resort and tourist destination, including two on-site hotels, swimming pools, a campground, spa and fitness facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing ride</span> Type of amusement ride

The swing ride or chair swing ride is an amusement ride that is a variation on the carousel in which the seats are suspended from the rotating top of the carousel. On some versions, particularly on the Wave Swingers, the rotating top of the carousel also tilts for additional variations of motion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busch Gardens Williamsburg</span> European-themed amusement park in James City County, Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 422-acre (1.71 km2) amusement park in James City County near Williamsburg, Virginia, United States, located approximately 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Virginia Beach. The park was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and is owned by United Parks & Resorts. The park opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to Anheuser-Busch's brewery and near its other developments, including the Kingsmill Resort complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tusenfryd</span> Amusement park in Vinterbro, Norway

Tusenfryd is an amusement park at Vinterbro, Norway. The park is located 20 kilometers south of Oslo. Two of the longest motorway corridors in Norway, E6 and E18, meet nearby Tusenfryd and the park is located on the west side near where they meet. SpeedMonster, SuperSplash, ThunderCoaster and SpaceShot make the park visible from the motorway. The park was officially opened on 11 June 1988, after a construction period of 18 months. The park is owned by Parques Reunidos S.A., located in Madrid, Spain. Bjørn Håvard Solli is the park's CEO. The park has 34 attractions and has 500,000 visitors per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leofoo Village Theme Park</span> Amusement park in Taiwan

The Leofoo Village Theme Park is a theme park and a safari located in Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. It features three roller coasters, including an inverted shuttle coaster, Screaming Condor, an Intamin twist-and-turn coaster dubbed Sahara Twist, as well as a Vekoma Roller Skater (335m) in the Wild West section of the park, Little Rattler, themed to an old mining railway. There is also the Nairobi Express, a 2 ft narrow gauge railway built by Severn Lamb. The park features many other attractions of different styles and proper themed areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Djurs Sommerland</span> Amusement park in Djurland, Denmark

Djurs Sommerland is an amusement park located in Djursland, Denmark, just north of the village of Nimtofte, 23 kilometers west of Grenaa, and 36 kilometers east of Randers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal theme park</span> Combination of a theme park and a zoo

An animal theme park, also known as a zoological theme park, is a combination of an amusement park and a zoo, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks combine classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and amusement rides, with classic zoo elements such as live animals confined within enclosures for display. Many times, live animals are utilized and featured as part of amusement rides and attractions found at animal theme parks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tow boat ride</span> Water ride

A tow boat ride is a water ride constructed on a body of water. The course is defined by a main drive underwater cable, creating the impression of free floating boats. The station could be a revolving platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walibi Rhône-Alpes</span> Amusement park in France

Walibi Rhône-Alpes is a French theme park located in the commune of Les Avenières, in the Isère department. It is the largest theme park in the Rhône-Alpes region, containing more than 33 rides and covering an area of 35 hectares. It is a sister park to Walibi Belgium, which was created in 1975 by Eddy Meeùs, a Belgian businessman. The name "Walibi" comes from the three municipalities in which the Walibi Belgium park is located: Wavre, Limal and Bierges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakala (roller coaster)</span> Steel roller coaster at Bellewaerde

Wakala is a steel family roller coaster located at Bellewaerde near Ypres, Belgium. The coaster pays heavy homage to the Kwakwakaʼwakw natives of the Canadian Pacific Northwest. It is manufactured by Gerstlauer and is targeted at families, with two lift hills, a meandering layout, and a vertical spike rollback element.

References

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