Walygator Grand-Est is an amusement park located in Maizières-les-Metz, Lorraine, France. Since its opening in 1989, the park has had a succession of different names: Big Bang Schtroumpf (Smurf), Walibi Schtroumpf, Walibi Lorraine and now 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 Schtroumpf. 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 .

In 1991, the park, on the verge of bankruptcy, is taken over by Walibi Group. Walibi's orange kangaroo mascot 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 of which only are in use. In 2003, Walibi Schtroumpf becomes Walibi Lorraine and the Smurfs characters are removed from the park. In 2004 Six Flags (Premier Parks' successor), which had ownership of the park since 1998, divests itself of its European operations (apart from Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid, which was sold back to Time Warner and renamed Parque Warner Madrid in 2006). The park changes hands to Star Parks, of London-based Palamon Partners. In 2006 Star Parks, in turn, sells the park to brothers Claude and Didier Le Douarin. Around the same time, the Walibi brand 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 by 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, is sold to a group of investors made of Jacqueline Lejeune, Franck Déglin and Francois-Jérôme Parent. In 2016, Jacqueline Lejeune and Franck Déglin sell Walygator Parc to Aspro Parks. In 2020, the park was renamed Walygator Grand-Est following the purchase of Walibi Sud-Ouest and renaming as Walygator Sud-Ouest.

Attractions

Present attractions

Roller coasters Name Opened ImageType Manufacturer Restrictions Maximum height Length Maximum speed Duration Anaconda 1989 Wooden roller coasterBill Cobb> 120 cm36 m1200 m90 km/h 2:30 Comet1989 HurricaneVekoma> 120 cm.590 m 65 km/h 1:25 Family Coaster2007 Kids' roller coasterPinfari> 85 cm when accompanied by an adult 4 m132 m15 km/h 1:30 The Monster2010Inverted roller coasterBolliger & Mabillard> 140 cm.40 m1200 m90 km/h 2:28

Water attractions Name OpenedImage Type Manufacturer Dino-Raft1989 River rapids ride Alsthom and Soquet Splash Kids1989 Junior Log Flume Zamperla Waly Boat Tour & Co1989 Tow boat ride Mack Rides Grizzly Falls1991 Water slides Van Egdom Rivière Sauvage1992 Log flume Soquet

Thrill attractions NameOpenedImageTypeManufacturerNotesCaribbean Boat1992Pirate shipHUSS RidesG-Lock2014Air RaceZamperlaMistral1992Wave SwingerZiererSpace Shoot1998Space ShotS&S WorldwideClosed from 2010 to 2012.Terror House2007Haunted houseWalygator Grand EstClosed from 2013 to 2016 due to a lack of fire protection and emergency exits.

Family rides NameOpenedImageTypeManufacturerCanyon City Express1989Train rideZamperlaCarrousel2013Merry-go-roundConcept 1900Dino Bike2015Magic BikesZamperlaFar West Tour1989MonorailMack RidesPavillon Dansant2011WipeoutGerstlauerPeter Pan2007CarouselMack RidesSherif Shooter2004Mini drop towerZamperlaSheriff Academy2009DesperadosAlterfaceTea Cup1992TeacupsMack RidesWaly Express2012Train rideSBF Visa GroupWalynosaure1989Red BaronZamperla

Children's rides NameOpenedImageTypeManufacturerThe Golden Nugget1989Red BaronZamperlaLe Canoë2007Junior Pirate ShipSBF Visa GroupLes Petits Pirates2007Red BaronSBF Visa GroupRocky Rangers1991Truck rideSartori RidesSteam Machine2004Crazy BusZamperlaThunder Horses2008Electric horse riding trackSoquetUSA Balloons2004Samba BalloonZamperlaWaly Mille Pattes2009Train rideSBF Visa Group

Former attractions NameOpenedClosedImageTypeManufacturerNotesAbracadabra19892006PlaygroundUnknownDestroyed by a fire.Accro-Game20132017Climbing parcoursUnknownAir One Maxxx20152015AfterburnerKMGRented by the park from June to October 2015, the attraction belongs to Dominique Lerendu, a fairground operator.Baby Parc20142021Indoor playgroundI Depot PlayCrash Cars19912011Bumper carsUnknownGonflables2008 / 20122013Inflatable castlesUnknownReplaced by Silver Express.Grande Roue20082013Ferris wheelNauta BussinkFair ride that was rented by the park.Maestro19892018Merry-go-roundZamperlaMini-Golf Indoor20132020Miniature golfUnknownRemoved after being closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Polyp20082012OctopusSchwarzkopfFair ride that was rented by the park.Reaktor19891997EnterpriseHUSS RidesRelocated to Walibi Holland.Silver Express20142016Train rideKid SteamReplaced by Waly Express.Sismic Panic19892003Simulator rideHuismannSpooky Mansion20152015Inflatable castleUnknownSüdseewellen20112019OrbiterSchwarzkopfRelocated to Pirat Parc in Gruissan.Tam Tam20072016Kiddie ridesSBF Visa GroupTang'Or20052010Topple TowerHUSS RidesRelocated to Dragon Park Ha Long.Waly-Twister20082012ParatrooperHeintz FahtzeZig-Zag20032003Wild MouseMack RidesFair ride that was rented by the park.

Location The park is located north of Metz, at 47.15984 N,2.988281 E.

It is served by the eponymous SNCF station, .

References

External links

official website of Walygator Park official website of Walygator Park in English