Bellewaerde
Encyclopedia
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
(Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
). Established in 1954 on grounds that were the location of the Battle of Bellewaerde
Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres was the first time Germany used poison gas on a large scale on the Western Front in the First World War and the first time a former colonial force pushed back a major European power on European soil, which occurred in the battle of St...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, named after the old castle that to this day stands near the main entrance of the park. 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 park is famous for its beautiful gardens, marvelous landscaping and its attention to theming. Bellewaerde draws about 850,000 - 900,000 visitors a year and is the main theme park in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
.
Major rides include the first Boomerang
Boomerang (roller coaster)
Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians...
coaster in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(1984), a dark ride
Dark ride
A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects....
with a pirate theme (Los Piratas), a Vekoma
Vekoma
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
Mad House (Houdini's Magical House), several water rides including a log flume
Log flume
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
, a river rapids ride and a spillwater ride, the Screaming Eagle vertical drop tower
Drop tower (amusement ride)
A drop tower or big drop is a type of amusement ride, based around a central structure or tower. With most drop towers, the gondola is lifted to the top of a large vertical structure, before being released and falling towards the ground. Brakes activate to slow the ride prior to reaching the ground...
, a large number of stock rides such as a pirate ship, a swing carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
, a monorail, an original Zierer
Zierer
Zierer is a German company located close to Deggendorf. Zierer manufactures Tivoli and Force line of roller coasters, as well as panoramic wheels, wave swingers, flying carpets, Hextentanz and Kontiki rides...
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 latest additions are the world's first Topple Tower
Topple Tower
A Topple Tower is an amusement ride produced by HUSS Maschinenfabrik. The ride was designed by Mr. Theo van Orsouw of van Orsouw Amusement Rides Design Service , the Netherlands Patent Pended nr: PCT/EP2002/012698 Nov...
from Huss, El Volador (2005), the breakdance-carousel El Toro (2006) and a 4D Cinema.
Originally opened and run by the Florizoone family, which also operated Meli-Park in Adinkerke, Bellewaerde was sold in the early 1990s to the Walibi group which in itself became part of the Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
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
Compagnie des Alpes
Compagnie des Alpes is a French company created in 1989 to operate many ski resorts in Europe. Compagnie des Alpes is a part of Caisse des dépôts et consignations.-History:...
.
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
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
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 and Attractions
- Dierenpark (1954)
- Beetle Coaster (1979)
- River Splash (1981)
- Old Timers (1982)
- Boomerang (1984)
- Pirat Ship (1987)
- Shooting Gallery (1987)
- Bengal Rapid River (1988)
- Bengal Express (1989)
- Big Chute (1990)
- Coffee Cup Carousel (1990)
- Peter Pan (1990)
- Los Piratas (1991)
- Camp Niagara (1995)
- Flying Carousel (1999)
- Houdini's Magische Huis (1999)
- Screaming Eagle (1999)
- Kids Park (2003)
- El Volador (2005)
- 4D Cinema (2006)
- El Toro (2006)
- Jungle Mission (2011)
Previous attractions:
- Enterprise (destroyed by a fire) (1980–1986)
- Dancing Queen (replaced by El Volador (1988–2005)
- Monorail (too old to repair) (1983–2007)
See also
- Walibi BelgiumWalibi BelgiumWalibi Belgium, formerly Walibi Wavre and then Six Flags Belgium, is a Belgian theme park located in Wavre, close to Brussels. During the 1998 to 2004 period, it was owned by Six Flags, Inc, an American theme park operator. It was later sold to Palamon Capital Partners...
- Walibi Holland
- Walibi Rhône-Alpes
- Walibi Lorraine
- Walibi Aquitaine