The future of Walibi Belgium: RMC, World Festival and the 2030 horizon

Since the launch of its global development plan, Walibi Belgium has continuously redefined its identity. Driven by the Compagnie des Alpes, the leading tourism operator in Walloon Brabant has committed to a profound structural and thematic transformation. With 180 million euros in cumulative investments by 2030, the Wavre-based park is definitively moving away from traditional attraction zones to become a fully immersive destination.

More than 75% of the site has already been transformed. Yet, the latest announcements contained in the official document "Walibi Belgium Festival World - Dossier de presse.pdf" prove that the most impressive milestones are still to come. Between the creation of a universe inspired by New Orleans, the radical transformation of its iconic wooden roller coaster, a gastronomic offering curated by a two-star Michelin chef, and strict eco-responsible commitments, here is a complete analysis of the park's future projects.

A Decade of Metamorphosis in Review (2016-2026)

To measure the scale of upcoming novelties, it is worth looking back at the progress made so far. In ten years, Walibi Belgium has inaugurated four major immersive worlds, each featuring its own storytelling, carefully designed landscaping, and strong thematic architecture:

• Exotic World (2018-2021): A tropical, Polynesian-inspired universe that hosts the family coaster Tiki-Waka, but most notably the monumental Kondaa. Towering at 50 meters high and reaching speeds of 113 km/h, the latter remains the tallest and fastest megacoaster in the Benelux.
• Karma World (2019): Inspired by the energy and vibrancy of Indian cinema, this land houses Popcorn Revenge. This interactive indoor world premiere, developed by Belgian manufacturer Alterface, received a prestigious Thea Award, a true international benchmark in the entertainment industry.
• Fun World (2019): A colorful and playful zone entirely designed for the youngest visitors, dominated by the Fun Pilot roller coaster.
• Dock World (2025): A successful immersion into an industrial maritime and marina universe. This zone integrates Mecalodon, the largest family coaster in the Benelux, while offering a complete retheming to the historic attractions Turbine and Flash-Back.

In parallel, the Aqualibi water park has followed a similar modernization trajectory. In 2023, the inauguration of the Surf Bay extension introduced a 25-meter-high tower featuring four innovative water slides unique to the Benelux. This global strategy is proving highly effective, as resort attendance has recorded a spectacular 43% increase since 2016.

The "Festival World" Project (2028-2030): The Cajun Apotheosis

Walibi Belgium's focus is now turned toward its next creative frontier: Festival World. Scheduled to be developed in two major phases between 2028 and 2030, this future themed zone will plunge visitors into a festive universe blending Cajun architecture, New Orleans French Quarter influences, music, and a carnival atmosphere.

Phase 1 (2028): The Metamorphosis of Loup-Garou by RMC

The first phase of this project will mark a historic turning point for the park. The famous Loup-Garou, a wooden roller coaster opened in 2001, is operating its final season in its current form in 2026. Starting January 2027, the site will begin a radical transformation.

Walibi has partnered with American manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), the absolute global benchmark in wooden coaster structural rehabilitation. The future hybrid coaster (wooden structure and steel tracks) boasts exceptional technical specifications:

• A height of 49 meters at its peak.
• A top speed of 106 km/h.
• A track length extending over 1,231 meters, setting a new record for the Benelux.
• The integration of 3 world-first elements, promising intense inversions and dramatic airtime moments.

To optimize space and visitor flow in this new zone, the current 4D Cinema will be permanently removed. The project also includes the construction of a new station, a modern maintenance garage, and a new restroom block.

Phase 2 (2030): A Family and Intergenerational Living Space

The 2030 horizon will mark the completion of Festival World with the addition of several complementary experiences designed for the whole family. To balance the thrill offering of the RMC coaster, the land will be enriched with several rethemed family attractions, family drop towers, and a water playground.

"Come for the Attractions, Stay for the Taste": The Gastronomic Strategy

The evolution of Walibi Belgium is not limited to mechanical criteria. The park is deploying a major new Food & Beverage strategy with the clear ambition of becoming the most gourmet amusement park in Europe.

To break away from classic theme park dining standards, management brought in two-star Michelin Belgian chef Bart De Pooter as a consultant. The goal is to make dining a direct extension of the experience lived within the lands through higher quality, themed, and sustainable concepts, such as the main restaurant and immersive food counters that will bring Festival World to life.

Heading for Sustainability: Net Zero Carbon Goal by 2030

This growth is accompanied by rigorous environmental responsibility. Under the impulse of the CSR strategy driven by the Compagnie des Alpes, Walibi Belgium and Aqualibi are pursuing several major initiatives to sustainably reduce their ecological footprint, with a clear target: achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

Measures already operational and upcoming include:

• Power supply via a 100% green electricity contract.
• The installation of over 7,000 solar panels over ten years, developing a capacity of 4.5 MWc.
• Optimized energy resource management during Aqualibi's successive expansion phases.
• Advanced waste sorting built around 30 different waste streams to maximize recycling.
• The preservation of local biodiversity on the estate, where more than 230 species of fauna and flora are currently recorded.

The Park Trips Analysis

Walibi Belgium's development plan demonstrates genuine strategic coherence. By partnering with industry leaders like RMC to transfigure an icon like Loup-Garou, the park is doing more than just adding a novelty: it is modernizing its architectural heritage while securing international visibility among thrill enthusiasts. Combined with a comprehensive upgrade of the gastronomic offering and indispensable environmental commitments, this trajectory ideally positions the Wavre complex to meet the standards of major European parks for the coming decade.