Summer is finally here, and there’s never been a better time to go out for some fun with family and friends. But where you ask? Look no further! Get in line at some of the popular theme parks in Korea for some exhilarating rides.
Whether you want to spend the day at one of the larger, well-known amusement parks in Korea or visit a smaller, less crowded one, there are many venues to choose from. Here’s a list of fun-filled theme parks in Korea for your next day out on the town.
List of Theme Parks in Korea
Everland Theme Park | Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
By David Wills
Located south of Seoul in Yongin, Everland is the biggest and one of the best theme parks in Korea. Even though it’s packed with visitors all year, it’s still definitely worth the effort of dealing with the crowds. Everland’s rollercoasters are fantastic, especially the T-Express, the world’s steepest wooden rollercoaster which was has been voted as the best rollercoaster in the world in various surveys.
Other attractions in the park include zones where you can find food and attractions from various parts of the world. There’s an European zone with windmills and bratwurst and an American zone with rock ‘n’ roll music and an Old West theme, as well as a Magic Land and a global fair.
The zoo (dubbed “Zoo-topia”) is also a popular attraction. Oddly, it’s separate from the safari, where visitors are driven around an expanse of land populated with large and exotic animals. Perhaps the most famous resident here is the “liger” half lion, half tiger. For fun in the water, Everland’s got the Caribbean Bay water park (for more details, check out our article on water parks in Korea)
How To Get To Everland
ADDRESS: 310 Jeondae-ri, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
A bus from Seoul to Everland takes about an hour, though weekend traffic will slow you down. Try the direct bus from Nambu Bus Terminal.
Opening Hours
9:30 am (9 am weekends) – 10 pm
Admission Fees
One-day passes/admission are ₩60,000/₩56,000/₩50,000 for adults and ₩48,000/₩44,000/₩40,000 for children, with big discounts after 5 pm. Make sure to keep an eye on Everland discount tickets!
For more information, visit the Everland website or call 031-320-5000.
Lotte World | Songpa-gu, Seoul
By Alice Shether
Lotte World is a whirlwind of music, laughter and child-friendly fun. Connected by the theme park’s monorail, the outdoor Magic Island boasts rides, games, shops, and eateries while the indoor Adventure park comes complete with carousel, ice-skating, fairy-tale adventures (the best is Adventures of Sinbad), roller coasters, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Think of Lotte as a miniature version of Disneyland crossed with your local fair. The music is loud, the crowds are plentiful, and the prices reflect that.
The indoor part of the park can be a little confusing, with different rides accessible on one of the four floors, and the signage is not always clear. Instead of letting the layout stress you out, wander around and allow this otherworldly theme park to captivate you. With an “air balloon” ride ringing the outside of the huge central skylight, Lotte World feels like being inside a storybook.
Lotte World’s adult highlights include the French Revolution, a wicked 540-degree indoor roller coaster that is guaranteed to up your heart rate, as well as the outdoor Gyro Swing and Gyro Drop. These two are the best adrenaline-inducing rides, with quick lines. For an extra fee, you can acquire a special pass (magic pass) to bypass the lineups on rides.
How To Get To Lotte World Theme Park
ADDRESS: 40-1 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
DIRECTIONS: With its entrance actually inside Jamsil Stn. (lines 2 & 8, ex. 4), this is the easiest park to reach.
Opening Hours
Mon – Thu 9:30 am – 10 pm, Fri – Sun 9:30 am – 11 pm
Admission Fee
One day pass is ₩59,000 for adult, ₩52,000 for youth, ₩47,000 for children and ₩15,000 for babies. The admission fee for entry after 4pm is ₩48,000 for adult, ₩42,000 for youth, ₩36,000 for children, ₩36,000 for children and ₩15,000 for babies.
For more information, visit the Lotte World Adventure website or call 02-411-2000
Seoul Land and Seoul Grand Park | Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
By Rebecca High and David Carruth
For those times when you want it both ways, there’s Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, which has an amusement park and a zoo (and an art gallery, botanical gardens, and more). Get started with Seoul Land, an amusement park built during the 1988 Seoul Olympics and reminiscent of Disney’s Epcot. Seoul Land is a fun place to go with friends or family, though roller coaster enthusiasts may not be satisfied. The lines are inevitably long, but at least a few of the rides are worth the wait.
The Black Hole 2000 (the only real coaster here) is a fun one-loop ride, and Sky X is an exhilarating cross between bungee jumping and skydiving. Don’t waste your time at the Haunted House, though. Although listed as the fifth main attraction on Seoul Land’s website, the cheesy walk-through diorama is only made worse by dusty plastic models and narration completely in Korean.
Just next to Seoul Land is the Seoul Grand Park Zoo. In the dreary winter months, the animals all look a bit depressed, but when the sun comes out, the place comes alive. From giraffes to rhinos to lizards, they’ve got your beast of choice.
Recommended: slip inside the 30-meter-high enclosure full of majestic migratory birds. Not so much: the insectarium, which is every bit as cheesy inside as the giant plastic bug waving at you from outside.
How To Get There
ADDRESS 159-1 Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
DIRECTIONS Both Seoul Land and Seoul Grand Park are within walking distance of Seoul Grand Park Stn. (line 4, ex. 2). Seoul Land
Opening Hours
HOURS: 9:30 am – 9 pm
Admission Fee
Seoul Grand Park: 1-Day-pass/admission for the zoo is ₩5,000 for adults, ₩3,000 for youth, and ₩2,000 for children. The admission fee for the theme garden is ₩2,000 for adults, ₩1,500 for youth and ₩1,000 for children. Facilities such as the sky lift, elephant train and the Seoul Grand Park campsite have separate fees.
Seoul Land: 1-day pass is ₩46,000 for adult, ₩43,000 for youth and ₩40,000 for children. Entry ticket after 4pm is 39,000 for adult, ₩36,000 for youth and ₩33,000 for children. Facilities such as the sky x and the paddle boat have separate fees. Make sure to look out for discount coupons for foreigners!
For more information, visit the Seoul Grand Park website and the Seoul Land website or call 02-509-6000.
E-World | Dalseo-gu, Daegu
By David Wills
Formerly known as Woobang Land, this small theme park is based around Woobang Tower in Duryu Park across from the stadiums. It’s normally pretty quiet, and queues for the rollercoasters are usually minimal, even in summer. The downside is that Woobang’s rollercoasters are fairly old and uncomfortable. If you’re anywhere near six feet tall you’ll probably leave with a sore neck and a headache.
The aquarium underneath the tower is dull and uninteresting, with its animals confined to a tiny, dark enclosures. Much more interesting is the Sky Jump, a 123-meter drop from the Tower. Anyone daring enough to jump is rewarded with a photo and a certificate.
How To Get To E-World
ADDRESS: 302-11 Duryu-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu
DIRECTIONS: Walking distance from Duryu Stn. (line 2, ex. 15)
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri 9 am – 8 pm, Sat – Sun 9 am – 10 pm
Admission Fee
1-Day-pass/admission is ₩26,000 for adults, ₩16,000 for teenagers, and ₩15,000 for children. The free pass is ₩45,000 for adult, ₩40,000 for teenagers and ₩35,000 for children. Free pass after 5pm is ₩31,000 for adults and ₩29,000 for children.
For more information, visit the Eworld website or call 053-620-0001
O-World | Jung-gu, Daejeon
By Shirley Hwang
Daejeon has its share of animal action. Zoo Land at O World is home to over 130 species of animals. Take a journey via bus on the African Safari to see tigers, elephants, and giraffes. Other animals can be found in the walking Mountain Safari or from the observation deck at the Jungle Safari. O World also has Toy Land, an amusement park with both thrilling roller coasters and kiddy rides. From bumper cars to free-falls to mini free-falls for younger children, Joy Land has attractions for all ages.
How To Get There
ADDRESS 39-1 Sajeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon
DIRECTIONS Take bus 311 or 314 from Daejeon Stn.
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri 9 am – 8 pm, Sat – Sun 9 am – 10 pm
Admission Fee
₩12,000 – ₩23,000 for the O World Pass (Zoo + Joy Land)
For more information, visit the O-world website or call 042-580-4820
Seoul Children’s Grand Park | Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
By Shirley Hwang
This sprawling recreation area includes an amusement park, zoo, and water playground. Visitors to the amusement park can ride roller coasters and the Viking, while the zoo houses over one hundred species across 12 exhibits, such as a marine animal house and deer-feeding area. An animal show takes place five times daily, and there are camels and miniature horses to be ridden. For an affordable and leisurely day out, Seoul Children’s Grand Park is a one-stop spot for outdoors family fun.
How To Get There
ADDRESS 18 Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
DIRECTIONS Children’s Grand Park station (line 7, exit 1)
Opening Hours
9:30 am – 10 pm
Admission Fee
Admission to park and zoo is free. Amusement park: ₩7,000 for adults and ₩5,500 for children
For more information, visit the Children’s Grand Park website or call 02-450-9311
Aiins World | Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
By David Carruth
Stroll by Stonehenge, get an eye of the Eiffel Tower, and visit Versailles all in less than an hour. Hard to believe? At Aiins World in Bucheon, just west of Seoul, would-be globetrotters can see 1/25 scale miniatures of 109 famous landmarks. Walk around the world in 80 minutes with zones including Korea, Russia, Africa, Europe, and America. It’s worth two trips, once during the day to see the astonishing detail of the models and once at night to appreciate the exotic mood of the four-way lighting system in the park. Be sure to bring your camera for some unforgettable shots that will baffle your friends.
How To Get There
ADDRESS 529-2 Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
DIRECTIONS Take a taxi or bus 5-2 from Songnae Stn. (line 1, ex. 2).
Opening Hours
Weekdays 9:30 am – 7 pm, weekends 9:30 am – 9 pm
Admission Fee
Adults ₩8,500, teens ₩7,000 and children ₩6,000
For more information, call 032-320-6000
Gyeongju World | Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyeongju World is a theme park with over 25 attractions including a 70-meter Megadrop and Korea’s first inverted roller coaster as well as family-friendly train rides. The main attractions include the X-zone, the snow sled garden and the wizard garden.
Admission Fee
The admission ticket is ₩26,000 for adults, ₩27,000 for teenagers and ₩17,000 for children. The free pass rate is ₩47,000 for adults, ₩39,000 for teenagers and ₩33,000 for children. There is a reduced rate for 3:00pm to 6:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm entries.
For more information, visit the Gyeongju World website or call 054-745-7711
Tongdo Fantasia | Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Located in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Tongdo Fantasia is the biggest theme park in Gyeongsanam-do and operates as a country club as well. This theme park has over 30 amusement facilities, swimming pool, lake, a theatre and others. Tongdo Fantasia was used as a filming location for Running man. Aside from tongdp Fantasia, there is also the Aqua Fantasia which is a spa and a water park.
Admission Fee
- Admission only: ₩16,000 for adults and teenagers, ₩13,000 for children and ₩12,000 for babies
- Admission and rides: ₩33,000 for adults and teenagers, ₩27,000 for children and ₩20,000 for babies
- Night admission: ₩12,000 for adult and teenagers, ₩14,000 for children and ₩14,000 for babies
For more information, visit Tongdo Fantasia website or call 055-379-7000