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 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.

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 m2 Bellewaerde Aquapark, which features a variety of slides, pools, and a lazy river.

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 +CanadaAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoWakalaFamily roller coaster2020GerstlauerHeight: 21 m / Length: 660 m / Top speed: 50 km/hCamp NiagaraShoot-the-chute1995Interlink and Space LeisureWith 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. Screaming EagleShot 'n drop1999HUSSMaximum height: 52 m Top speed: 70 km/hIndoor playgroundPlaygroundunknownInside the Canadian TearoomPeter PanCaterpillar 1989Mack RidesUsed to be in the India zone of the park until 2007. In 2008 it was moved instead of the Octopus in the Canada zone. Big ChuteHara Kiri Raft Slide1989Van EgdomHeight: 10 mPirate ShipPirate ship1987HUSSFrom 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.Dawson DuelDuelling alpine coaster2017WiegandHeight: 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.Psssht stationBarnyard2023Zamperla +IndiaAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoBengal ExpressTrain ride1972Space 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 Rapid RiverRapid river1988Vekoma and Space Leisure8 people per boat. The boats are divided in 4 compartiments that can move independently.

Height difference: 3 m

Length: 451 m BengaliStunt and diveshow2022Pool diameter: 10 m Pool depth: 5 m Highest jump: 25 m Duration: 25 m HampiNebulaZ2023ZamperlaHampi PlaygroundPlayground2023Playground is 400 m2. +JungleAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoJungle MissionTow boat ride1978Intamin AGHas 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" +Mundo AmazoniaAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoAmazoniaSpinning rapids ride2024IntaminRio Do Cafélog flume1980Reverchon IndustriesThe highest fall is 12 m. Brazilian Buggies Roller coaster2024ZamperlaKids rollercoaster.Rio Do Cacaolog flume2024ABC RidesModel: mini log flume +MexicoAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoBoomerangShuttle coaster1984VekomaMaximum G forces: 5.2 G Maximum speed:

First functional boomerang coaster in the worldEl VoladorTopple tower2005HUSSHeight: Maximum tilt: 60 degrees

First topple tower builtEl ToroBreakdance2006HUSSBought from Walibi Holland where it was installed until 20054D Cinema4D-film2006unknownBellewaerde tends to change the movie every season. There are also special movies for Halloween season and the Winter season (only in 2009)HuracanIndoor coaster, darkride2013ZiererFirst coaster in Belgium with an onboard sound system. +Kids ParkAttraction NameTypeYear of openingManufacturerAdditional informationPhotoCarrouselCarousel1983unknownPalendorpPlayground1985unknownRenovated in 2015KoffietassenTeacups1989Mack RidesHoudini's Magical HouseMadhouse1999VekomaA 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. Flying CarrouselSwing ride1999ZiererFrogJumpin' Star2002ZamperlaExpress Traintrain ride2002Zamperla Rio Grande TrainButterfliesAerial Carousel2002ZamperlaTuff-tuffcar ride2002ZamperlaCrazy CoachFlying carpet2002ZamperlaMini wheelFerris wheel2002Zamperla Dancing BalloonsBalloon Race (ride)2002Zamperla

Removed attractions and rides +NameTypeOpenedClosedManufacturerAreaReasonPhotoShooting GallaeyShooting gallery with effects19872024Far westNeeded to make space for a new zone.Lilly's casinoArcade19872024Far WestNeeded to make space for a new zone.Ball pitBall pitunknown2007unknownKidsParkunknownScenic viewpointscenic viewpoint towards lions20122023unknownIndiaRenovationCinema 180Cineramaunknown1986unknownFar WestBurned down due to a short circuit in the Enterprise's motor nearby.EnterpriseEnterprise19811986HUSS Park AttractionsFar WestBurned down due to a short circuit in the motor.Tico Tico ShowAnimatronics show19862002Golding Leisure Design InternationalMexicoRemoved due to old age and rising maintenance costs. Replaced by 4D Cinema.Dancing QueenParatroop swing ride19892004Frank HrubetzMexicoSold to De Valkenier in the Netherlands. Replaced by El Volador.SlideSlideunknown2007unknownKidsParkFailed inspection due to old age.MonorailMonorail19832007MahieuStation: Jungle Route: Jungle, Far West, MexicoRemoved due to material fatigue, too old to repairOctopusOctopus19872007Carrouselbouw Holland Van VelzenCanadaToo old to repair. Replaced by Peter PanOldtimersCar ride19812009Metallbau EmmelnFar WestRemoved to make room for the European Bisons enclosureLos PiratasDark water ride19912012Mack Rides + Golding Leisure Design InternationalMexicoRemoved due to old age and was no longer in compliance with fire safety. Replaced by HuracanGold RushStunt- & dive show20152021unknownCanadaBellewaerde wanted a new show.keverbaankids rollercoaster 19812022ziererfar westremoved to make place for a new water attraction

Animals

Current animals +NamePark AreaAdditional informationPhotoSquirrel monkeyCanadaPatagonian maraCanadaLionsIndiaTigersIndiaAmur leopardIndiaRothschild's giraffeSavannaZebrasSavannaRing-tailed lemurSavannaRed ruffed lemursSavannaPelicansJungleCapybarasJungleNasuaJungleArasJungleFlamingosJungleGracile capuchin monkeysJungleEmperor tamarinsJungleWallabyKidsParkAlpacaKidsParkGoatsKidsPark

Removed animals

See also Walibi Belgium Walibi Holland Walibi Rhône-Alpes Walibi Lorraine Walibi Aquitaine

Gallery

References

External links

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