Bellewaerde
| Location | Ypres, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1954 |
| Owner | Compagnie des Alpes |
| Website | www.bellewaerde.be |
Bellewaerde is a theme park in the West-Flemish countryside near Ypres (Belgium). Established in 1954 on grounds that were the location of the Battle of Bellewaerde during World War I, 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 themeing. Bellewaerde draws about 850,000 - 900,000 visitors a year and is the main theme park in Flanders.
Major rides include the first Boomerang coaster in Europe (1984), a dark ride with a pirate theme (Los Piratas), 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, a large number of stock rides such as a pirate ship, a swing carousel, a monorail, 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 latest additions are the world's first Topple Tower 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 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.
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.
Historic
The zoo
In 1954, Albert Florizonne founded the Touristisch Centrum Bellewaerde, a touristic center. This is both an aviary where adults could contemplate the different exotic bird spices & a theme park for children including Kabouterland (Dwarfland) consisting of animatronics.
In 1967, Albert Florizoone died, & in 1969, his sons decided to transform the park into a veritable safari where the visitors could meet "free" animals.
In 1972, the safari expended thanks to a title train transporting visitors going across the lions' enclosed plot of land.
In 1974, the zoo pursue its improvement with, notably, the bengal tigers, then, the giraffes, zebras, entelopes, flamingoes, gnus & other animals.
In 1978, a new land appeared after numerous work, the Jungle. Many cascades & rocks cohabit accompanied of 200 exotic plants in oder to recreate a tropical forest.
The theme park
In 1980, the River Splash, the first real water ride has been inaugurated. This is a classic log ride.
In 1981, the park opened with a new land : Frontier City (rebaptized later Far West). This land recreated a cow-boy village with its saloon, its general stores & some attractions like the old timers & a roller coaster named "La Coccinelle" (themed as a lady bug).
In 1982, a land is dedicated to two heroes of the flemish comic Bob & Bobette all along the river traversing the Jungle & allows to discover an adaptation.
In 1983, the park welcomes a monorail, allowing to discover the Far West & the Jungle from the sky.
In 1984, the park opens again a new land, Mexico. In the same way as for the Far West, a Mexican village, its stores, restaurants & its flora, allowing to recreate the sombrero's atmosphere. The park also welcomes a new roller coaster, the Boomerang, the first of its kind, placed equal with La Ronde, constructed by Vekoma. Moreover, the park started a new diving show named Acapulco Show.
In 1986, the park expanded once again, thanks to the purchase of a 67 acres terrain. The mexican part had, above all, benefited of it.
In, 1988, the Indian section welcomes a new raft ride, Bengal Rapid River.
In 1989, two new attractions, Peter Pan & Big Chute.
In 1990, the park has been bought by the Walibi Group. Pepinoland has been renovated & added a new teacup ride.
In 1991, a new attraction, Los Piratas, inspired by Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean.
In 1985, a new land opened for children, Pepinoland (recalled later Kids Park).
In 1994, the park celebrated its 40th anniversary with numerous events like the built of the blossomed castle and its 200 000 flowers decorating the park.
In 1995, the park opened Niagara, a shoot-the-chute water ride constructed by Interlink, creating a immense wave.
In 1997, the park saw the disappearance of the Bob & Bobette ride, making place for Voodoo River. The octopus ride has been upgraded & a capuchin colony has set up onto the Monkey Island.
In 1998, the Walibi Group has been bought by Premier Parks (recalled Six Flags in 2000).
In 1999, the park welcomed 3 exclusive rides, Screaming Eagle (a Shoot & drop tower), Houdini's magic House (a madhouse) & Flying Carousel.
In October, 2001, the park proposed for the first time an Halloween based theme, pulling back its closing time.
In 2002, Pepinoland has been totally renovated & became KidsPark, seven attractions had been added : la Grenouille (a frog themed ride), le Train Express, les Papillons (a butterfly themed ride), Tuff Tuff, the Crazy Carousel, a little ferris wheel & Dancing Balloons.
After its 50th anniversary, a very active park
In 2004, the park has celebrated its 50th years & relied with the origins of the theme parks, welcoming the circus Il Florilegio from April to August. During this time, the european division of Six Flags had been sold to an investment fund, based in London, Palamon Partners who renamed the company Star Parks.
In 2005, the park welcomes once again a brand new attraction, EL Volador, a topple tower, which had reamplaced Dancing Queen to a dutch park. Plus, the park opened during the winter season, but not all the year long.
In 2006, two new attractions had been added into the mexican land : the 4th diminution Cinema & El Torro, a spinning ride. At spring, the park has been sold to the french group la Compagnie des Alpes (CDA).
In 2007, Bellewaerde showed a new short animation movie at the cinema : Fly Me to the Moon. A second monkey island opened its doors & welcomes a squirrel monkey family, and the park constructed a new space dedicated to the different lemur species.
At the beginning of summer 2008 season, the federal government estimated Bellewaerde Park enough satisfying the whole specific norms at welcoming animals, so, the park has been officially attributed the statute of zoo. This reconnaissance has been confirmed in August by an organization for the well-being of the animals, Gaia, who has publicized a very positive report about the park. Encouraged by those decisions, Bellewaerde Park is willing to pursue this way & reinforce again its animal politic.
July 3rd, 2008, the first minister Yves Leterme officially inaugurated the 'Savana'. Inside this new land, visitors can discover & admire zebras, ostriches & giraffes. And, at the top of the mirador, people have the ability to be face to face with the tallest animals of the park. An investment which costed 800 000 € ($ 1.132 .119).
July 2009, Bellewaerde park celebrated its 55 years old & asked 55 families to produce the new park's clip. A video clip including the song 'Bellewaerde Bellewaerde' specially remixed for the occasion.
March 2010, the general director announced Bellewaerde won't open during the winter season.
As of April 2010, Bellewaerde park showed to its guests the brand new film 'Turtle Vision'. This 4D animation movie, created by Ben Stassen, bas been shown as of 3rd of April in the park's 4D cinema. And, for the new estival season, an exclusive show featuring divers : 'Wankada' has been inaugurated.
A new attraction for 2011, 'Jungle Mission', an expedition into the jungle for the whole family inboard boats.
Seasonal event : 'Haloween Rat Attack'. Since 2001, the park is open for Haloween. Bellewaerde park plunges its visitors into an original Haloween concept where the king of the rats has got the principal play. With his rat army, he invaded the park & terrorize almost all the lands. The park's lion just preserves his power in the Kidspark.
The attractions
Mexico
- Boomerang, a classic shuttle roller coaster by Vekoma.
- Los Piratas, a dark ride surrounded by pirate scenes, constructed by Mack Rides.
- 4D Cinema, with different films, in accordance with seasons.
- El Volador, the firsttopple tower ever built by Huss Rides.
- El Toro, a breackdance ride, opened in 2006 for the park Walibi World.
Far West
- River Splash, a flume ride by Reverchon, 4 people per log, 40 ft drop.
- La Coccinelle, a junior roller coaster by Zierer.
- Old Timers
india
- Bengal Rapid River, a raft ride by Vekoma
- Bengal Express, a steam locomotive circuit. Visitors can look at bengal tigers & lions during the ride.
Canada
- Screaming Eagle, a 164 ft shoot & drop tower from Huss Rides. The nacelle take off within 2 seconds to reach a speed of 43 mph for 3.5 G & bounces again for a second drop.
- Niagara, a 66 ft shoot-the-chute. It use to be the highest attraction of its kind in Europe before 'Flush deer Pharaon' opened in Belantis, with a heigh of 85 ft.
- Big Chute, a original concept of aquatic toboggan with a heigh of 33 ft.
- Le Bateau Pirate, a swinging pirate board by Huss Rides.
- Peter Pan, a music express-like ride.
Kidspark
- Tasses à café (tea cup ride)
- Houdini's Magic House (like the american mad houses 'Houdini's Great Escape')
- Flying Carousel
- Grenouille
- Train Express
- Papillons
- Tuff Tuff
- Carosse Fou
- Mini-roue
- Ballons Dansants
- Bain de boules
- Village sur pilots
- Carousel
Old rides
Jungle
- Monorail, dismantled in 2008 because of the wear (installed in 1983).
- Voodoo River, reamplaced by Jungle Mission in 2011 (it's actully the same ride but with different boats, decoration & some water effects).
Canada
- Octopus, an octopus ride. This ride disappeared in 2008 because of the wear.
Mexico
- Dancing Queen, a family ride relocated in the Netherlands in 2004 to make place for El Volador.