Bellewaerde
Bellewaerde is a theme park in the West-Flemish countryside at Zonnebeke near Ypres. 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 famous 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, a duelling alpine coaster, a Vekoma Mad 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 latest additions are the world's first Topple Tower from Huss, El Volador, a Zierer indoor coaster, Huracan and a duelling alpine coaster. The park is currently building an aquapark which will feature a variety of slides, a lazy river, toys and different areas. It will cover a surface of 3000m2 and is being built on the current Parking A.
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 and the Keverbaan. 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
| Attraction Name | Type | Year of opening | Manufacturer | Additional information | Photo |
| Bengal Express | Train ride | 1972 | Space Leisure | Was 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 River | Rapid river | 1988 | Vekoma and Space Leisure | 8 people per boat. The boats are divided in 4 compartiments that can move independently. Height difference: 3 m Length: 451 m | |
| Lion viewpoint | 2012 | unknown | Built as 2 jeeps sitting through a glass wall to see the lions up close. |
| Attraction Name | Type | Year of opening | Manufacturer | Additional information | Photo |
| River Splash | Log flume | 1980 | Reverchon | Tallest drop: 12 m | |
| Lilly's Casino | Arcade | 1987 | unknown | Lilly's Arcade is operated by a third party who quit in 2013. The arcade reopened in May 2014 under new management. | |
| Keverbaan | Beetle coaster | 1981 | Zierer | This Tivoli Large coaster was bought second hand. The origins are currently unknown. | |
| Shooting Gallery | Shooting gallery | 1987 | unknown | Closed and remodeled in 2006. The current Shooting Gallery is a smaller version of the old one, built with parts of the original. |
| Attraction Name | Type | Year of opening | Manufacturer | Additional information | Photo |
| Carrousel | Carousel | 1983 | unknown | ||
| Palendorp | Playground | 1985 | unknown | Renovated in 2015 | |
| Koffietassen | Teacups | 1989 | Mack Rides | ||
| 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. | |
| Flying Carrousel | Swing ride | 1999 | Zierer | ||
| Frog | Jumpin' Star | 2002 | Zamperla | ||
| Express Train | train ride | 2002 | Zamperla | Rio Grande Train | |
| Butterflies | Red baron | 2002 | Zamperla | ||
| Tuff-tuff | car ride | 2002 | Zamperla | ||
| Crazy Coach | Flying carpet | 2002 | Zamperla | ||
| Mini wheel | Ferris wheel | 2002 | Zamperla | ||
| Dancing Balloons | Carousel | 2002 | Zamperla |