Korea's Water Parks !

Korea’s Water Parks: Make a Splash This Summer!

As summer temperatures rise day by day, more and more people across the nation are searching for ways to have fun and cool off. With their giant wave pools, thrilling water slides, and myriad of pools, water parks in Korea are some of the best places to go to escape the summer heat and have a blast with friends and family. Most of Korea’s water parks even have the added bonus of hot spring spa and jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) facilities, allowing you to relax and recharge after an action-packed day of rides. Keep reading to discover more about these refreshing mini getaways where you can finally get rid of the ‘summer blahs.’  Perfect Daytrips - Water parks just a stone’s throw from Seoul. CARIBBEAN BAY Caribbean Bay is Korea’s largest water park and is particularly popular thanks to its convenient location in the Everland Theme Park complex on the outskirts of Seoul in Yongin. Caribbean Bay can accommodate up to 20,000 people and has five different themed zones that include indoor pools, outdoor pools, spas, water rides, water slides, and many other amusement facilities. The most popular attractions at the water park are the Wave Pool, where the waves get as high as 2.4 meters, and the water bobsled, with its 22-meter drop. Also among visitor favorites is the new Aqua Loop that was built in 2011 in celebration of the park’s 15th anniversary. The Aqua Loop is an intense body slide in which you plummet down an 18-meter vertical drop, shoot through a 360-degree turn, and reach heart-pounding speeds of up to 90km/h.  Hours of Operation  Weekdays: 09:30-18:00 / Weekends: 09:00-19:00  *Hours may vary by season.   Admission Fees                                                         (Unit: won)   Mid Season (June 1-30) High Season (July 1-8) Gold Season (July 9 - Aug 31) Adults Children/ Seniors Adults Children/  Seniors Adults Child/  Seniors All-Day Pass 50,000 39,000 55,000 43,000 70,000 55,000 Half-Day Pass  (14:30-) 42,000 33,000 45,000 35,000 60,000 46,000 ※ Seniors: ages 65 and up / Children: ages 3-12   Convenience Facilities  Family restaurants, fast food restaurants, souvenir shops, nap rooms for children   Directions Seoul -> Yongin  From Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station, Subway Line 3, 7) take a bus to Yongin (50-min ride, first bus: 06:30, last bus 22:10, departs every 20-30 min, fare: 2,800 won)  Yongin -> Everland Take Bus 5800 or 5002 from in front of Hotel Cinema across the street from Yongin Bus Terminal (30-min ride)  Gimpo/Incheon Int’l Airport -> Everland:  Take a limousine bus from the airport to Yongin Bus Terminal (about a 90-min ride)  From the terminal take Bus 5800, 5002, or 10-5.  Take a shuttle bus directly from Seoul! Seoul -> Everland  Shuttle buses depart from in front of the following stations: *City Hall Station (Subway Line 1&2), Exit 4 (in front of the Press Center) - 8:30 am *Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Subway Lines 2,4,5), Exit 11 - 8:40am  Everland Shuttle Bus Info (60-min ride, round-trip fare: 10,000 won) *Reservations and payment must be made at least one day in advance. Phone number: +82-31-919-1244.  **Buses leave for Seoul from Everland at 18:30    More info  ☞ To learn more about Caribbean Bay, Click here!  ☞ Caribbean Bay Homepage (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-31-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)  ☞ Related column: Danny Falls in Love with Caribbean Bay!    TEREMEDEN First visited by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty, the hot springs of Icheon are well known for their excellent water quality. Among the resorts and water parks that have sprung up around the famed springs of Icheon is Termeden, a German-style hot springs resort and water park. Though the park has various pools, spas, and slides, one of the most famous attractions at Termeden is the tame 30-meter wide Bade Pool (the largest of its kind in Asia) with various underwater massage jets that effectively ease fatigue, stress, and help muscles relax.  In 2011, Termeden added to the fun with an addition of a water slide and a water bucket for children. The themed hot spring pools are also highly recommended, since the added natural ingredients of each spa (ginseng, rice, honey, etc.) are said to provide a different, unique health benefit. Termeden also has a forest walking path, a park, and an “eco-pond,” which also is fed by natural hot spring water.  Hours of Operation  Weekdays 08:00-20:00 / Weekends 08:00-21:00  *Hours may vary by facility.  Admission Fees Classification Low season Summer Season Weekdays (Mon.-Fri.) Weekends/ Holidays High Season July 9-22 &  Aug. 16-28 Golden Season July 23- Aug. 15 Weekdays (Mon.-Fri.) Weekends/ Holidays Weekdays/ Weekends /  Holidays All-day Adults 25,000 29,000 34,000 38,000 44,000 Children 18,000 21,000 25,000 29,000 34,000 Half-day (16:00-) Adults 15,000 17,400 21,000 23,000 27,000 Children 10,800 12,600 16,000 18,000 21,000 ※ Children: ages 36 mo.-13 yrs. old ※ Dates and admission fees are subject to change.   Convenience Facilities Food court (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, fusion food), cafeteria, children’s playroom, music and movie room, therapy massage parlor, fitness Club, internet café (PC bang), convenience stores  Transportation Seoul -> Icheon Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Subway Line 2, Gangbyeon Station) → Icheon (travel time: 1 hr; first bus: 6:10 am, last bus: 11:00 pm; bus departs every 20 min; fare: 4,300 won)  Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Subway Lines 3 & 7, Express Bus Terminal Station) → Icheon (travel time: 1hr, first bus: 6:30 am, last bus: 22:30, buses depart every 30-40 min, fare: 4,400-7,700 won)  Free Shuttle to Termeden  Icheon Intercity Bus Terminal -> Termeden The shuttle bus stop is located across from the bus terminal on the opposite side of the road in front of SC First Bank.  Icheon Intercity Bus Terminal → Termeden 08:20/ 09:20/ 10:20/ 14:30 (An additional bus runs at 11:20 on weekends and national holidays)  Termeden → Icheon Intercity Bus Terminal 11:00 15:00 17:30 18:30 20:30  (The departure time for the 11:00 bus changes to 12:00 on weekends and national holidays)  Travel time: approx. 15 minutes  Non-stop bus from Seoul! Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Line 2 Gangbyeon Station) - 9:20, 10:40  ** Bus departs from Termeden at 16:00 and 17:10 Fare: 5,500 won.    More info  ☞ To learn more about Termeden, Click here!  ☞ Termeden Homepage (Korean, English) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-31-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ Related Column: Enjoy Icheon Termeden with the Entire Family    Woongjin Playdoci Woongjin Playdoci, a very unique indoor theme park, is located in Bucheon City in Gyeonggi-do Province not far from Seoul. In addition to having Korea’s first indoor ski slope, a water park, golf driving range, and a fitness club, Woongjin Playdoci also has an Aqua Bar in the spa area where you can have a refreshing, exotic drink while taking a soak in the pool. Other unusual facilities include event pools decorated in themes of different countries and hot springs pools scented with natural ingredients. For those of you who spend a lot of time on your feet each day, make sure to hit the foot bath—perfect for improving blood circulation and helping ease fatigue. There’s also plenty for children to do (wave pool, lazy river, water rides, and more) while the adults pamper themselves with a water jet massage at the Bade Pool in the Spa Zone.  Hours of Operation 10:00-21:00 * Hours may vary by facility.   Admission Fees Classification High Season (June 11–July 15, 2011) Golden Season (July 16–August 21, 2011) All day  (10:00-21:00) Adults: 43,000 won /  Children: 33,000 won Adults: 55,000 won /  Children: 45,000 won Night (17:00-21:00) Adults: 26,000 won /  Children: 20,000 won (16:30-21:00) Adults: 39,000 won /  Children: 29,000 won ※ Children: 3-12 years old. / Dates and fees are subject to change.   Convenience Facilities  Food court (Korean, Chinese, snacks), bars, nursing room, etc.   Transportation Seoul -> Woongjin Playdoci  Bugae Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 2 → Take Bus 579 or 79 → Get off at Sangil High School (about a 5-min. ride)   More info ☞To learn more about Woongjin Playdoci, Click here! ☞ Woongjin Playdoci homepage (Korean, English) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-32-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)   Resom Spa Castle  Resom Spa Castle is one of Korea’s most representative hot spring theme parks, thanks to the widespread fame of its healthy 49°C Germanium water. Located in Yesan-gun in Chungcheongnam-do, Resom Spa Castle’s hot spring facility, Chunchunhyang is open all year round, providing guests with outdoor, hot spring water park facilities and over twenty open-air pools/tubs.  Looking for a thrill? Try the water park’s famous water slide the Master Blaster and the Speed Slide, an exhilarating ride in which you’ll race down a three-story water shoot in just four seconds. For some fun that’s slightly less intense, check out the roaring rapids of the wave Torrent River wave pool. Or, relax in the open-air bath pool zone by trying out the Hinoki pool, couples’ pool, foot bath pool, apple wine pool, or aqua bar.  Hours of Operation  09:00-21:00 (outdoor/indoor spa, pools), 12:00-18:00 (water slides) * Hours may vary by facility.   Admission Fees   Low Season High Season  (July 1-Aug. 31, 2011) All Day Adults: 48,000 won Children: 30,000 won Adults: 59,000 won Children: 39,000 won Half Day (17:00-21:00) Adults: 28,800 won Children: 18,000 won Adults: 35,400 won Children: 23,400 won ※ Children: ages 3-12. / Dates and fees are subject to change.   Convenience Facilities  Food One (drinks, snacks, hamburgers), Sports Bar (light meal, drinks), rental shop, children’s play room, PC center, etc.   Transportation Seoul → Resom Spa Castle From Seoul take the direct express bus from the Central Terminal (5 times a day) or Seoul Nambu Terminal (3 times a day).   More info ☞To learn more about Resom Spa Castle, Click here!  ☞ Resom Spa Castle Chunchunhyang Homepage (Korean, English) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-41-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)      Perfect for an overnight trip! – A Water Park Surrounded by Nature Seorak Waterpia Seorak Waterpia is located within the Seorak Hanwha Resort nearby Seoraksan National Park (Seoraksan Mountain) the most popular destination on the East Coast. The stunning scenery of Mt. Seoraksan makes a beautiful backdrop to Seorak Waterpia, which offers the latest water amusement facilities and hot spring water spas. The open-air spa is particularly a must-visit since it uses only pure mineral water that springs up from 680 meters underground at temperature of 49 degrees Celsius. If you are looking for fun and thrills, check out the water slides and wave pools. If you’re traveling with children, be sure to visit the Kids’ Pool and Rainbow Stream.  Following major renovations completed in 2011, Seorak Waterpia is now (1.5x) bigger and better than ever! As part of the twelve new water facilities, the resort introduced World Alley, a 260-meter-long water slide with a sharp drop and a 360-degree turn. The park also added Torrent River (a water rapids ride) and Family Raft to its action-packed repertoire.  Hours of Operation  Hot Springs: 06:00-22:00 / Water Park: 08:00-22:00 / Outdoor Wave Pool: 08:00-21:00 * Hours may vary by facility.   Admission Fees  Classification High Season (July 1-14, 2011,  Aug. 29-Sept. 13, 2011) Golden Season (July 15 – Aug. 28, 2011) All Day (08:00-22:00) Adults: 58,000 won Children: 43,500 won Adults: 73,000 won Children: 54,500 won Half Day (16:00-22:00) Adults: 49,000 won Children: 36,500 won Adults: 62,000 won Children: 46,500 won ※ Children: 4-12 years old ※ Discounts offered to guests of the Hanhwa Resort and visitors who reserve online. ※ Dates and fees are subject to change.   Convenience Facilities  Food court (Korean, Western, snacks, café), souvenir shops, nursing room, etc.   Transportation Seoul -> Sokcho From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station, Subway Line 2) Take a bus to Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (travel time: 2hrs, 20min-3hrs, 50min; first bus: 6:25, last bus: 23:00, buses depart every 5-30 min, fare: 16,100-18,400 won)  From Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station, Subway Lines 3, 7, 9) Take bus to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal (travel time: 2hrs, 40min, first bus: 6:30, last bus: 23:30, bus intervals: 30 – 40 min, fare: 17,000-18,700 won)  Sokcho -> Seorak Waterpia From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus no. 3 or 3-1 Get off at Seorak Hanwha Resort (Fare: 1,000 won, about a 10-min ride)  From Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take Bus 7, 9, or 1.  Get off at Sokcho Fire Station, and then take Bus 3 or 3-1 to Seorak Hanhwa Resort.  *If taking a taxi, the fare is around 10,000 won.  Take the Seorak Waterpia Shuttle Bus to and from Seoul Euljiro 1-ga Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 4 (3-min walk to Hanhwa HQ) - 8:30am Jamsil Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 4 (outside Lotte Mart) - 9:30am  **Bus departs from Seorak Hanwha Resort at 14:30 to return to Seoul (Fare: round-trip 30,000 won, one-way 16,000 won). Reservation and advance payment required.  Shuttle bus reservations: +82-2 729-3200    More info ☞ To learn more about Seorak Waterpia, Click here!  ☞ Seorak Waterpia Homepage (Korean, English) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-33-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ Related column: Enjoy the Waves and Spas at the Seorak Waterpia    Vivaldi Park Ocean World  Ocean World Water Park is located in Vivaldi Park (one of Korea’s most famous ski resorts) situated among the beautiful ancient forests of Hongcheon in Gangwon-do Province. The water park is done in an Egyptian theme with replicas of the Sphinx, pyramids, obelisks, and other decorative touches.  Divided into various ‘zones’—Indoor Zone, Surfing Mount Wave Pool Zone, Extreme Zone, Dynamic Zone, and the Mega Slide Zone—each section of the water park offers a different kind of amusement. The Indoor Zone has various pools and slides, a jjimjilbang (a Korean-style sauna), and a therapy center. In the Extreme Zone, there is the thrilling Surfing Mount, which has waves as high as 8 feet tall. The Dynamic Zone is also filled with many thrilling attractions including the ever-popular, 300-meter-long Monster Blaster slide, the 6-person Super Boomerango slide, and the Giant Waterplex slide. In 2011, two new thrilling rides have been introduced to double the fun: the ‘Super S Slide,’ a rafting experience on a 6-person tube down the 146-meter long course from a 6.8-meter high tower, and the ‘Cairo Racing,’ an extreme ride of speed.  Hours of Operation  07:30-20:00 * Hours are subject to change and may vary according to weather conditions.   Admission Fees Classification Golden Season (June 1–Aug. 28) All day (07:30-20:00) Adults 75,000 won / Children 60,000 won Half day (15:00-20:00) Adults 65,000 won / Children 50,000 won ※ Extended hours: Open until 22:00 from July 23 to August 20.  ※ Children: ages 36 mos.-12 yrs. ※ Dates and admission fees are subject to change. ☞ Detailed info on admission fees (Korean)   Convenience Facilities  Food court (Korean, Western, Oriental), fast food restaurants, snack bars, cafés, rental shops, children’s play room, nursing room, internet cafe, sleeping room   Transportation Seoul -> Vivaldi Park From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, (Gangbyeon Station, Subway Line 2) take a bus to Vivaldi Park (travel time: 1 hr, 30 min, buses run 4 times a day, fare: 8,200 won)  Take a shuttle bus from Seoul! Shuttle buses depart from over 40 major subway stations in Seoul.  Sinchon Station (Subway Line 2) Exit #7 (S Hotel across from Nogosan Police Station) - 06:30  Sadang Station (Subway Line 2, 4) Exit #2 - 06:45. Dongdaemun History & Culture Part Station (Subway Line 2, 4, 5) Exit 9 (10m from station) - 06:30.  Reservation must be made at least one day in advance. Phone number: +82-2-2222-7474) * The round-trip shuttle bus to Vivaldi Park runs free of charge between April 30 and October 3, 2011. Reservations must be made in advance. * Shuttle Bus Info & Online Reservations (Korean)    More info ☞ To learn more about Vivaldi Park Ocean World, Click here!  ☞ Vivaldi Park Ocean World Homepage (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-33-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) ☞ Related Column: Spend an Exciting Summer Vacation at Vivaldi Park Ocean World