Walygator Parc
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| Location | Maizières-les-Metz, France |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49°13′31″N 6°09′22″E / 49.2253°N 6.15611°ECoordinates: 49°13′31″N 6°09′22″E / 49.2253°N 6.15611°E |
| Owner | Aspro Parks |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Operating season | April–October |
| Area | 42 ha |
| Rides | |
| Total | 39 |
| Roller coasters | 4 |
| Water rides | 5 |
| Website | www.walygatorparc.com |
Walygator Parc is an amusement park located in Maizières-les-Metz, Lorraine, France. Since its opening, back in 1989, the park has taken on a variety of names; successively Big Bang Smurf, Walibi Schtroumpf (Smurf), Walibi Lorraine up to its present name Walygator Parc.
History
First designed within the extant halls of Sacilor's Laminoir by the Leisure division HHCP Architects in Maitland, Florida, the theme park was named The New World of the Smurfs, or Le Nouveau Monde des Schtroumpfs. After a decision was made to abandon the mill, the park was re-designed by Grady Larkins and eventually opened up on May 9, 1989, as Big Bang Smurf. Built on the site of the former steel mills of Sacilor, the park was then managed by Sorépark, a company headed by Pierre Jullien. Construction costs topped €110 million.
- In 1991, the park, on the verge of bankruptcy, is taken over by Walibi Group. An orange kangaroo is brought alongside Peyo's little blue men: Walibi Schtroumpf was born.
- In 1998, parent Walibi Group is bought out by Premier Parks. At this point, the land on which Walibi Schtroumpf sits, totals 162 hectares of which only 42 are in use.
- In 2003, Walibi Schtroumpf becomes Walibi Lorraine and the Smurfs characters are withdrawn from the park.
- In 2004 Six Flags (Premier Parks successor), which had ownership of the park since 1998, divests itself from its European operation (apart from Parque Warner Madrid, whick was sold back to Time Warner). The park changes hands to Star Parks, of London-based Palamon Partners.
- In 2006 Star Parks sells the park, in turn, to Claude and Didier Le Douarin. In the meantime, the licence to use the name Walibi is sold to French leisure giant Compagnie des Alpes. The new management team is left with no option but to adopt a new name.
- In 2007, the park opens its doors under a new name: Walygator Parc.
- In 2010, the park opens a new roller coaster, "The Monster", an inverted roller coaster from Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. The ride had previously anchored Expoland in Japan, and is a clone of Raptor at Cedar Point.
- In 2013, the park, once again on the verge of bankruptcy, was selling to a new band of investor, composed of Jacqueline Lejeune, Franck Déglin and Francois-Jérôme Parent, three professional of the amusement park gestion.
- In 2016, Jacqueline Lejeune and Franck Déglin sell Walygator Parc. The park is taken over by Aspro Parks.
Coasters
| Name | Restrictions | Type | Maximum height | Length | Maximum speed | Manufacturer | Built | Duration | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda | > 120 cm | Wooden roller coaster | 36 m | 1200m | 90 km/h | Bill Cobb | 1989 | 2:30 |  |
| Comet | > 120 cm. | Steel roller coaster | 24m | 590m | 65 km/h | Vekoma | 1989 | 1:25 |  |
| Family Coaster | > 85 cm when accompanied by an adult | Kids' roller coaster | 4m | 132m | 15 km/h | Pinfari | 2007 | 1:30 |  |
| The Monster | > 140 cm. | Inverted roller coaster | 40m | 1200m | 90 km/h | Bolliger & Mabillard | 2010 | 2:28 |  |
Other attractions
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Built | Informations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accrobranche | Tree climbing | 2013 | ||
| Caribbean boat | Pirate ship | Huss Rides | 1992 | |
| G-Lock | Air Race | Zamperla | 2014 | |
| Longchamps | Pony trekking | Soquet | 2008 | |
| Mistral | Swing ride | Zierer | 1992 | |
| Space Shoot | Space Shot | S&S | 1998 | SBNO from 2010 to 2012 |
| Südseewellen | Orbiter | Anton Schwarzkopf | 2011 |
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Accrobranche
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Caribbean boat
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Longchamps
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Mistral
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Space Shoot
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Südseewellen
Water rides
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquachute | Descent inflatable boat | Van Egdom | 1991 |
| Rafting | River rapids ride | Alsthom and Soquet | 1989 |
| Rivière sauvage | Log flume | Soquet | 1992 |
| Splash kids | Log flume for kids | Zamperla | 1989 |
| Waly boat | Tow boat ride | Mack Rides | 1989 |
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Rafting
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Rivière sauvage
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Splash kids
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Waly boat
Location
The park is located 15 km north of Metz, at 47.15984 N,2.988281 E.
It is served by the eponymous SNCF station.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Walygator Parc. |
- (French) official website of Walygator Park
- (English) official website of Walygator Park in English