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{{Infobox amusement park |
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| name = Bobbejaanland |
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| image = [[File:Bobbejaanland_Logo.png|300px]]<br/>[[File:Bobbejaanland 1988 tom schoepen.jpg|300px]] |
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| caption = Morning at Bobbejaanland in 1988. |
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| resort = [[Lichtaart]], [[Belgium]] |
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| location = |
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| location2 = |
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| location3 = |
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| coordinates = {{coord|51.2010092|4.9035258}} |
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| theme = |
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| owner = |
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| general_manager = |
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| operator = |
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| opening_date = {{Start date|df=y|1961|12|31}} |
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| closing_date = |
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| previous_names = |
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| season = Year-round<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/bobbejaanland/about/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item&tab=overview |title=About Bobbejaanland |publisher=Bobbejaanland |access-date=2016-08-14}}</ref> |
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| visitors = |
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| area = |
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| rides = |
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| coasters = |
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| water_rides = |
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| slogan = |
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| status = |
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| footnotes = |
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| homepage = {{URL|www.bobbejaanland.be}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
{{refimprove|date=January 2012}} |
{{refimprove|date=January 2012}} |
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[[Image: |
[[Image:Bobbejaan and josee schoepen.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Bobbejaan and Josée Schoepen, ca. 1962.]] |
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[[Image: |
[[Image:Bobbejaanland 1973.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Bobbejaanland, 1973.]] |
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[[Image:Bobbejaanland 1973.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Bobbejaanland, 1973]] |
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'''Bobbejaanland''' is a [[amusement park|theme park]] in [[Lichtaart]], [[Belgium]]. |
'''Bobbejaanland''' is a [[amusement park|theme park]] in [[Lichtaart]], [[Belgium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobbejaanland.be/ontdek/attracties |title=Attracties |publisher=Bobbejaanland |access-date=2016-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bobbejaanland.be/plan-je-bezoek/route |title=Route |publisher=Bobbejaanland |access-date=2016-08-14}}</ref> The park was founded by [[Bobbejaan Schoepen]], a Flemish singer, guitarist, and entertainer who enjoyed international success in the fifties and early sixties. In 1959, he bought a 30 hectare marsh, had it drained and built a 1,000 capacity venue that opened in December 1961 as Bobbejaanland. This developed into an [[amusement park]] and remained in his possession until he sold it in 2004. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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=== 20th century: Independent amusement park === |
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| ⚫ | For its first decade after opening the park centered on water attractions and performance spaces. Numerous variety artists from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany appeared there. Following the advice of [[Phantasialand]] owner Gottlieb Löffelhard, Bobbejaanland evolved from 1975 onwards into a theme park, with rides becoming more important than music shows. It grew to fifty attractions with four hundred employees and received visitors from the Benelux countries, France, and Germany. As an independent family concern, it also supported educational and cultural projects. By the end of the seventies, Schoepen's wife Josée (a former opera singer and model) opened a museum with works of art from the Hopi and [[Navajo people|Navajo]] cultures, forming an extensive private collection of [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] art. |
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From the 1990s, three of his five children worked for the park. It added a {{convert|70|m|ft}} high [[windmill]] that provides the region with energy, and an adjoining museum of alternative energy generation. |
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From the beginning of the nineties, three of his five children participated full-time in the park. Now it can foster its reputation as a place that loves children and it can present itself as the first amusement park in the world that has focused on environmental policy. The most remarkable measure to that effect was the construction of a 70 meter high [[windmill]] that provides the whole region with energy, with an adjoining museum of alternative energy. With its mix of informative fun, Bobbejaanland can rank as a unique maverick among European amusement parks.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} |
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In the winter of 2003, the park invested 12 million dollars in two new rides named [[Typhoon (Bobbejaanland)|the Typhoon]] and the Sledge Hammer. In a 2004 survey of 13 European amusement parks by Belgian consumer organisation ''[[Test-Achats|Test-Aankoop]]'' Bobbejaanland was rated second after [[Phantasialand]].<ref>Test-Aankoop magazine 477, June 2004</ref> |
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In the early 2000s, the founder was diagnosed with cancer and he sold Bobbejaanland to the Spanish-American [[Parques Reunidos]] group in April 2004. |
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During the 43 years of the Schoepen-management the founding father was the artistic brain behind the park. His wife José (oldest of sixteen children) was the commercial backbone, and her sister Louise handled the accounting and finances. |
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==Attractions== |
==Attractions== |
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[[Image:Eurofighter Lift.jpg|thumb|Lift and 97 degree first drop of Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter Typhoon at Bobbejaanland]] |
[[Image:Eurofighter Lift.jpg|thumb|Lift and 97 degree first drop of Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter Typhoon at Bobbejaanland.]] |
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[[Image:Bobbejaanland airrace.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Air Race, Bobbejaanland, 1988]] |
[[Image:Bobbejaanland airrace.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Air Race, Bobbejaanland, 1988.]] |
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Bobbejaanland contains about 50 attractions, such as the Waterslide (1980), the Giant wheel (1976), Indiana River (indoor |
Bobbejaanland contains about 50 attractions, such as the Waterslide (1980), the Giant wheel (1976), Indiana River (indoor flume ride, 1991), the [[Vekoma Illusion|Revolution]] (a dark [[Roller coaster|Rollercoaster]], 1989), the Speedy Bob (roller coaster, 1998), the [[Dreamcatcher (Rollercoaster)|Air Race]] (suspended roller coaster, 1987, now named [[Dream Catcher|Dreamcatcher]]), the longest junior roller coaster in the world, 'Okidoki' (i.e. 'that's all right', 2003–04), and the world's second [[Gerstlauer]] Euro-Fighter roller coaster, "[[Typhoon (Bobbejaanland)|Typhoon]]" (2003–04), with a drop angle of over 97°(a roller coaster with a fourfold loop and a free fall) and a [[Splash Battle]], "Banana Battle", (2007) made by [[Preston & Barbieri]]. The giant Sledgehammer (a [[Frisbee (ride)|Giant Frisbee]]) reaches a speed of 110 km/h). In 1995 'Kinderland' (English: Kids' Country) was opened as an area for young children. |
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In 1979 Bobbejaanland opened the Looping Star roller coaster ([[Anton Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf GmbH]]). |
In 1979, Bobbejaanland opened the Looping Star roller coaster ([[Anton Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf GmbH]]). Although the ride had a security bar placed over the hip, it was more the [[centrifugal force]] which held the passengers in the vehicle when it looped the loop.<ref>[http://www.bjlnostalgie.be/index.php/attracties/rollercoasters/loopingstar Looping Star Bobbejaanland]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqA01lq6C8 Video Looping Star Bobbejaanland]</ref> The coaster was dismantled in 2003. |
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Bobbejaanland also has [[Vekoma Illusion|Revolution]]: a fully enclosed tubular steel roller coaster manufactured by Vekoma, with world's largest train where two passengers can sit bobsled style per car. In 2016, the attraction was equipped with [[Samsung Gear VR]]. In the morning, the original ride is active. In the afternoon, passengers have the option to wear the virtual glasses and the ride is about an escape from the erupting volcano "Mount Mara". Due to this concept only one passenger per car can wear the glasses. Physical limitations prohibit children to wear the glasses as they don't fit on their head. |
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| ⚫ | Because Bobbejaan Schoepen was primarily a folk and country singer, the park is still partly themed as a western village (for example the El Rio White Water Rapids and the El Paso [[Dark ride]]). In the Star Theater, Las Vegas style shows are performed. Bobbejaan bought [[Zorro]]'s horse from stuntman [[Casey Tibbs]], but the animal was accidentally electrocuted by an exposed cable. |
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| ⚫ | Because Bobbejaan Schoepen was primarily a folk and country singer, the park is still partly themed as a western village (for example the El Rio White Water Rapids and the El Paso [[Dark ride]]). In the Star Theater, Las Vegas style shows are performed. Bobbejaan bought [[Zorro]]'s horse from stuntman [[Casey Tibbs]], but the animal was accidentally electrocuted by an exposed cable. He also acquired an ornate white Pontiac [[Nudie Mobiles|Nudie mobile]] decorated with American coins. |
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==Changes== |
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==References== |
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In the winter of 2003, a major investment of 12 million dollars was made for a couple of world premières: [[Typhoon (Bobbejaanland)|the Typhoon]] and the Sledge Hammer (supra "attractions"). The consumer’s organisation Test-Aankoop conducted a survey of 13 European amusement parks. In Europe, Bobbejaanland came off second best after [[Phantasialand]] for being as good in every aspect under scrutiny, together with [[Disneyland]] and the [[Parc Astérix]]. For Belgium, Bobbejaanland is considered to be the best,<ref>Test-Aankoop magazine 477, June 2004</ref> together with [[Walibi Belgium]]. |
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[[Bobbejaan Schoepen]] suffered from intestinal cancer, which gave rise to the idea to part with his life's work. In April 2004 the final decision to sell the park was taken, after a preparatory period of more than three years. Bobbejaanland was sold to the Spanish-American [[Parques Reunidos]] group and the last family concern in the sector of amusement parks in Belgium disappeared. |
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Since the park was sold in 2004, the number of visitors decreased significantly. In January 2007 the British company [[Candover]] bought Parques Reunidos for 935 million Euros from Advent (a financial group from Boston) who had paid 240 million Euros 3 years earlier. Though the name Parques Reunidos still exists and operates 22 parks in 6 countries in Europe and in 2006 made a profit of 193.5 million euro.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} |
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==Founder's later years== |
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Bobbejaan focused again on his music career. In 2005 he gave four surprise performances on the European literary festival Saint Amour. On February 13, 2007, Bobbejaan Schoepen received in Belgium a [[Lifetime Achievement Award]] (ZAMU) for his important role in the Belgian music history. In April 2008, Bobbejaan released a new album called "Bobbejaan", featuring [[Geike Arnaert]] ([[Hooverphonic]]) and Daan Stuyven ([[Daan (band)|Daan]]) produced by his son [[Tom Schoepen]]. |
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Bobbejaan and his wife still lived until the founder's passing in May 2010 on the domain, in the original house where the history of the park began. |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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*[http://bobbejaanschoepen.be/ Bobbejaan Schoepen Archive — Bobbejaan Records bvba] |
*[http://bobbejaanschoepen.be/ Bobbejaan Schoepen Archive — Bobbejaan Records bvba] |
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*[http://bobbejaanschoepen.be/index.php?pagina=bio Official Biography Bobbejaan Schoepen] — by Tom Schoepen - "Volkskundige Kroniek" van de Federatie voor Volkskunde in Vlaanderen (i.e. “Folklife Chronicles”, magazine of the Folklife Federation Flanders)- yr. 14 - nr. 2 April-may-juin 2006). |
*[http://bobbejaanschoepen.be/index.php?pagina=bio Official Biography Bobbejaan Schoepen] — by Tom Schoepen - "Volkskundige Kroniek" van de Federatie voor Volkskunde in Vlaanderen (i.e. “Folklife Chronicles”, magazine of the Folklife Federation Flanders)- yr. 14 - nr. 2 April-may-juin 2006). |
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{{coord|51|12|04|N|4|54|18|E|display=title|region:BE_source:nlwiki}} |
{{coord|51|12|04|N|4|54|18|E|display=title|region:BE_source:nlwiki}} |
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{{navbox |
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|listclass=hlist |
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| title = [[Parques Reunidos]] |
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[[Category:1961 establishments in Belgium]] |
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[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1961]] |
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[[Category:Amusement parks in Belgium]] |
[[Category:Amusement parks in Belgium]] |
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[[Category:Western (genre) theme parks]] |
[[Category:Western (genre) theme parks]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Antwerp |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Antwerp Province]] |
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[[Category:Parques Reunidos]] |
[[Category:Parques Reunidos]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Antwerp Province]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Kasterlee]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:45, 19 August 2023
  Morning at Bobbejaanland in 1988. | |
| Standort | Lichtaart, Belgium |
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| Coordinates | 51°12′04″N 4°54′13″E / 51.2010092°N 4.9035258°E |
| Opened | 31 December 1961 |
| Operating season | Year-round[1] |
| Website | www |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2012) |
Bobbejaanland is a theme park in Lichtaart, Belgium.[2][3] The park was founded by Bobbejaan Schoepen, a Flemish singer, guitarist, and entertainer who enjoyed international success in the fifties and early sixties. In 1959, he bought a 30 hectare marsh, had it drained and built a 1,000 capacity venue that opened in December 1961 as Bobbejaanland. This developed into an amusement park and remained in his possession until he sold it in 2004.
History
[edit]20th century: Independent amusement park
[edit]For its first decade after opening the park centered on water attractions and performance spaces. Numerous variety artists from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany appeared there. Following the advice of Phantasialand owner Gottlieb Löffelhard, Bobbejaanland evolved from 1975 onwards into a theme park, with rides becoming more important than music shows. It grew to fifty attractions with four hundred employees and received visitors from the Benelux countries, France, and Germany. As an independent family concern, it also supported educational and cultural projects. By the end of the seventies, Schoepen's wife Josée (a former opera singer and model) opened a museum with works of art from the Hopi and Navajo cultures, forming an extensive private collection of Native American art.
From the 1990s, three of his five children worked for the park. It added a 70 metres (230 ft) high windmill that provides the region with energy, and an adjoining museum of alternative energy generation.
21st century: A Parques Reunidos park
[edit]In the winter of 2003, the park invested 12 million dollars in two new rides named the Typhoon and the Sledge Hammer. In a 2004 survey of 13 European amusement parks by Belgian consumer organisation Test-Aankoop Bobbejaanland was rated second after Phantasialand.[4]
In the early 2000s, the founder was diagnosed with cancer and he sold Bobbejaanland to the Spanish-American Parques Reunidos group in April 2004.
Attractions
[edit]
Bobbejaanland contains about 50 attractions, such as the Waterslide (1980), the Giant wheel (1976), Indiana River (indoor flume ride, 1991), the Revolution (a dark Rollercoaster, 1989), the Speedy Bob (roller coaster, 1998), the Air Race (suspended roller coaster, 1987, now named Dreamcatcher), the longest junior roller coaster in the world, 'Okidoki' (i.e. 'that's all right', 2003–04), and the world's second Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter roller coaster, "Typhoon" (2003–04), with a drop angle of over 97°(a roller coaster with a fourfold loop and a free fall) and a Splash Battle, "Banana Battle", (2007) made by Preston & Barbieri. The giant Sledgehammer (a Giant Frisbee) reaches a speed of 110 km/h). In 1995 'Kinderland' (English: Kids' Country) was opened as an area for young children.
In 1979, Bobbejaanland opened the Looping Star roller coaster (Schwarzkopf GmbH). Although the ride had a security bar placed over the hip, it was more the centrifugal force which held the passengers in the vehicle when it looped the loop.[5][6] The coaster was dismantled in 2003.
Bobbejaanland also has Revolution: a fully enclosed tubular steel roller coaster manufactured by Vekoma, with world's largest train where two passengers can sit bobsled style per car. In 2016, the attraction was equipped with Samsung Gear VR. In the morning, the original ride is active. In the afternoon, passengers have the option to wear the virtual glasses and the ride is about an escape from the erupting volcano "Mount Mara". Due to this concept only one passenger per car can wear the glasses. Physical limitations prohibit children to wear the glasses as they don't fit on their head.
Because Bobbejaan Schoepen was primarily a folk and country singer, the park is still partly themed as a western village (for example the El Rio White Water Rapids and the El Paso Dark ride). In the Star Theater, Las Vegas style shows are performed. Bobbejaan bought Zorro's horse from stuntman Casey Tibbs, but the animal was accidentally electrocuted by an exposed cable. He also acquired an ornate white Pontiac Nudie mobile decorated with American coins.
References
[edit]- ^ "About Bobbejaanland". Bobbejaanland. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ^ "Attracties". Bobbejaanland. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ^ "Route". Bobbejaanland. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ^ Test-Aankoop magazine 477, June 2004
- ^ Looping Star Bobbejaanland
- ^ Video Looping Star Bobbejaanland
Sources
[edit]- Bobbejaan Schoepen (Johan Roggen, Publisher Het Volk, 1980 - D/1980/2345/10).
- De Vlaamse kleinkunstbeweging na de Tweede Wereldoorlog - Een historisch overzicht (Peter Notte, Universiteit Gent 1992). 'The Flemish Variety Movement after World War II - An Historical Overview'. Peter Notte, Ghent University, 1992)
- Bobbejaan Schoepen — "Histories" documentary, 4 January 2001 (Canvas/VRT)
- Bobbejaan Schoepen — The Belgian Pop & Rock Archive (Dirk Houbrechts and the Flanders Music Center, 2001).
- "Brel Le flamand" — Histories documentary, 2003 (Canvas/VRT).
- rides.nl
- Bobbejaan Schoepen Archive — Bobbejaan Records bvba
- Official Biography Bobbejaan Schoepen — by Tom Schoepen - "Volkskundige Kroniek" van de Federatie voor Volkskunde in Vlaanderen (i.e. “Folklife Chronicles”, magazine of the Folklife Federation Flanders)- yr. 14 - nr. 2 April-may-juin 2006).