Plopsaland De Panne, a top coastal amusement park
From beekeeping to Studio 100
Plopsaland De Panne is the most visited amusement park in Belgium. Located right on the French border, just 12 miles from Dunkirk, this theme park has seen significant growth since the early 2000s. By 2022, it was drawing nearly 1.5 million visitors annually.
The story began in the early 20th century when the first leisure park was built in De Panne, a coastal town in West Flanders. Alberic-Joseph Florizoone, a local beekeeper and industrialist, wanted to educate the public on the life of bees and share his knowledge of honey production. MeliPark opened its gates in 1935 and operated for 64 years.
Following the 1999 acquisition by the Belgian film production company Studio 100, the park took a new direction. Today, the main attractions at Plopsaland are built around the various characters and TV series produced by the company. Still, bees remain a central theme, highlighted by the 2011 opening of Mayaland Indoor, a space entirely dedicated to the adventures of Maya the Bee.
2024 Entrance ticket prices
Factors affecting ticket prices
- Your height: A unique feature of Plopsaland is that ticket prices depend on height rather than age, which makes sense given that many rides have minimum height requirements. Pricing varies for those 1 meter or taller, and those between 85 cm and 99 cm (admission is free for anyone under 85 cm).
- Flexibility: Dated tickets require you to choose your visit date during booking, which is more restrictive but lower in price. Undated tickets remain valid for 2 years after purchase.
- Visit date for dated tickets: There are 3 pricing tiers depending on the date selected.
- Other criteria: Seniors 70 and older receive a reduced rate (18 EUR / about $20), as do people with reduced mobility (36 EUR / about $39). If you arrive at the ticket office 3 hours before closing, you can also get a discounted rate (38.50 EUR / about $42).
Price list:
| Visitor height or age | Undated ticket | Dated ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Under 85 cm | Free | |
| 85 cm to 99 cm | 19 EUR (about $21) | |
| 1 meter and taller | 51 EUR (about $56) | 38 EUR to 46 EUR (about $42 to $50) |
| 70 years and older | 19 EUR (about $21) | |
One of the best amusement parks for kids in Belgium
Plopsaland is an excellent choice for children of all ages. Many attractions are accessible to toddlers, making it a great destination for a family day out. It is a perfect trip if you are staying with your kids at Sunparks Oostduinkerke aan Zee, located just 15 minutes away by car.
The world of Studio 100
While the Studio 100 productions may not be household names in the US, they are widely known in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. From gnomes and pirates to Vikings and princesses, the mascots are engaging for children. You might even spot the Smurfs, the famous blue creatures created by the Belgian author Peyo. Keep an eye out for Plop the gnome, Piet the Pirate, or Fred & Samson as you walk through the park.
The headline attractions reflect these characters. The K3 Roller Skater, for example, features giant roller skates and pays tribute to the popular pop group K3. One of the most iconic roller coasters, Anubis the Ride, is based on the dramatic adventures of the nine residents in House of Anubis, a successful youth TV series produced by Studio 100.
A wide range of family activities
Plopsaland is highly tailored to younger children. In 2023, the park opened a new indoor play area for toddlers, the Bumba Circus. This 3,000-square-meter themed space focuses on the colorful world of the clown Bumba and his friends. Featuring 5 family attractions, the Bumba Circus also includes a theater for shows and parades. Don't miss the first Dark Ride at Plopsaland, Bumba Travels, a gentle ride that follows the little yellow clown around the world.
Beyond the themed areas, Plopsaland offers many rides with no minimum age or height requirements. You will find ball pits, carousels, a petting zoo, swings, slides, a water garden, and a small train that circles the park. Children ages 8 to 12 often enjoy the driving attractions, including bumper cars, mini-cars, tractors, and jeeps, or taking flight on the flying bicycles invented by Papy Fontaine in the Mega Mindy superhero series.
Over 50 attractions for all ages
Plopsaland has significantly expanded its offerings over time to include attractions for teenagers and thrill-seekers. The first roller coasters for adults truly arrived in 2009 with the launch of Anubis the Ride.
Top thrill rides at Plopsaland
In 2021, the park introduced a major new attraction: The Ride To Happiness by Tomorrowland. These roller coasters are a collaboration between Plopsaland and Tomorrowland, the most famous electronic music festival in Europe. The Ride To Happiness is the first extreme spinning coaster in Europe, featuring two launches reaching speeds of 56 mph and five inversions. The track spans over half a mile and reaches heights of 115 feet, offering plenty of airtime, those moments when you feel weightless in your seat. You can experience these loops while listening to the Tomorrowland anthem composed by Hans Zimmer.
Before The Ride To Happiness, Anubis the Ride and its 180-degree turn was the park's most intense experience. The #LikeMe Coaster, the oldest operating roller coaster in Belgium, also provides plenty of thrills with its double-eight layout. Finally, Heidi The Ride is a massive wooden roller coaster, the only one of its kind in the park. The structure is reminiscent of the mine train rides found at Disneyland Paris. On this exciting course, the cars reach speeds of up to 43 mph.
Water rides, indoor and outdoor fun
Plopsaland is divided into 9 indoor and outdoor zones, allowing you to enjoy the park regardless of the weather. These areas are themed around Studio 100 characters:
- Bumba Circus, an indoor area for toddlers
- Mayaland, an indoor area themed around the bee queen
- Wickieland, an outdoor area featuring Vic the Viking
- Heidiland, an outdoor area with a reproduction of the mountain village where Heidi, the Swiss children's book icon, grew up
- The Plop Forest, featuring both indoor and outdoor attractions
- The Big & Betsy Farm, an outdoor space with animals
- The Pirate Zone
- Mega Mindy, an outdoor area themed around the superhero
- The Fred & Samson Zone
Plopsaland is also packed with water rides for hot summer days, including a classic splash ride that drops from 100 feet. Water-based courses like DinoSplash and Mega Mindy Jetski are also available. On the village square, interactive water features help keep everyone cool. In 2015, the company opened a massive water park next to the main gates called Plopsaqua. If you are looking for a quick way to skip the lines, the Express Pass allows you to bypass queues on 9 different attractions. For dining, the park offers numerous snack bars and restaurants serving Belgian and Flemish specialties, including fries and decadent waffles.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
If you want to spend a nice day out with the family with kids and teens, this park is a great fit. There is a whole section with attractions for the little ones and a few rides that are a bit more intense. In the summer, it is really pleasant. You run into some characters every now and then, and everything is built around the theme of Plop the gnome and his friends.