For a day of thrills and entertainment, the Lotte World amusement park in Seoul, Lotte World Adventure, is a a great way to get a different take on the city and its thrills.
Brief Overview of Lotte World
Lotte World is a large entertainment complex in Seoul. It is located south of the Han River in the Jamsil area.
The Lotte World complex has several shopping malls, including Lotte World Mall, a hotel and an observation tower. It also has a theme park that is often just referred to casually as Lotte World.
In fact, the theme park is made of two different areas – an indoor theme park and an outdoor amusement area! There are more than 40 different rides and attractions at the Lotte World theme park, including daily parades!
The indoor theme park is known as Lotte Adventure and the outdoor park is Magic Island. However, one admission price gets you access to both areas and you can move between the two of them as you wish.
Why Lotte World Adventure is a must-visit theme park in South Korea
Lotte World is a great place to visit if you are in Seoul and wish to have a change from seeing palaces, visiting markets, museums and neighborhoods.
We love its convenient location in the middle of the city of Seoul. Other theme parks like Everland and Seoul Land require some traveling out from Seoul but Lotte World is simply a subway ride away while in Seoul.
The Lotte World theme park also has a wide variety of rides. Whether you are a thrill seeker, parents with young kids, or someone looking for a relaxing date, there are different rides and amusements that cater to you.
The indoor section of the theme park, Lotte World Adventure, is also larger than you would imagine. With the cold winters in South Korea, it is a great place to spend time indoors and still have fun even when the weather is freezing outside.
History of Lotte World Adventure
Lotte World Adventure first opened to the public back on July 12, 1989. The outdoor amusement park, Magic Island, opened less than a year later in March 1990.
In May 2013, the amusement park expanded with the opening of Lotte World Underland on the floor below the main Lotte World Adventure indoor area. Lotte World Underland is meant to be themed liked a goblin village.
Rides & Attractions at Lotte World
With more than 40 different rides and amusements at Lotte World, you may be wondering what are the best ones to go for.
Here’s an overview of some of our favorite rides at Lotte World, both within Lotte World Adventure, Magic Island and Lotte World Underland, categorized for different types of visitors.
Rides for thrill-seekers
1. Gyro Drop
Want to experience weighlessness? Gyro Drop at the outdoor Magic Island will be perfect for you. This high-altitude free fall experience had our stomachs in our throats. At first, it feels like you can almost touch the sky with an amazing view of the park as you ascend the 230-foot tower, when suddenly it all comes down in just a second or so.
2. Atlantis Adventure
Is it a roller coaster? Is a flume ride? It’s both! Atlantis Adventure takes you through a volcano with twists and turns and thrilling drops that will have you screaming in delight. This ride is also located at Magic Island.
3. Gyro Swing
Ever wondered what the pendulum in a grandfather clock feels like? As we climbed on board the Gyro Swing, we got to find out. It starts out easy enough but suddenly the bravado turned to fright as the Gyro Swing got higher and higher, all the while spinning us around for a completely disorientating ride. Awesome! This ride is also located outdoors at Magic Island.
4. French Revolution
In case you think that all the rollercoasters are outdoors, there is the French Revolution at the indoor Lotte World Adventure. They even manage to squeeze in a loop. Because it is indoors, it feel darker and things seem to zip by very fast. The French Revolution ride is great for thrill seekers.
5. Gyro Spin
We’re not sure what it is with the Lotte World park and gyros but the Gyro Spin is another ride that is sure to get you dizzy. Gyro Spin is located at Magic Island.
6. Gyro Drop
This is a tamer version of Gyro Drop. But be prepared to be thrown up and down as you bounce your way down the tower. Gyro Drop can be found at Magic Island.
7. The Conquistador
Ready to ride a Viking ship? Located indoors at Lotte World Adventure, The Conquistador is huge and you can also expect it to swing up high. Sit at either the bow or the stern to get the fully effect and experience weighlessness for a moment.
Easy Rides that Anyone Can Enjoy
If the super-thrilling rides are not your cup of tea, there are still plenty of rides that you can enjoy around Lotte World Adventure and Magic Island. Here are some of our favorites.
1. Kartrider Racing
Go go-karting at the indoor Kartrider Racing course. Do take note that there is a prebooking system where you need to make a reservation at a kiosk at the attraction in order to ride.
2. Jungle Adventure
Who would have thought that there would a water rapids ride on the third floor of the indoor theme park? Head to Jungle Adventure and hop into a round raft as you hurtle your way around the watery course.
3. Fly Venture
This is one of our favorite indoor rides at Lotte World Adventure. It is a 4-D ride that makes use of a wraparound screen. This makes it a super-immersive affair and great fun.
4. The Adventures of Sinbad
This dark ride is a bit dated and the animatronics look like they could do with a spruce up. Nonetheless, it is a fun water-based ride that takes you on a voyage through the story of Sinbad. Parents with young kids may wish to note there are animatronics of skeletons and more along this ride. Hopefully the kids don’t get scare.
5. Flume Ride
Yes, there is a flume ride indoors at Lotte World Adventure. The last bit with the splashdown is quite thrilling.
6. Wild Jungle, Wild Valley
These are 4D adventure rides can be found at Lotte World Underland. Just strap in and enjoy the ride.
Family-friendly rides and attractions
Those visiting Lotte World Adventure with small kids will also find rides that cater to young ones.
1. Camelot Carousel
The classic carousel is one of the first things that you will see as you arrive at Lotte World Adventure. Get onboard for a fun and magical experience.
2. Wild Dragon Shooting
This is a shoot ’em up dark ride. Take the laser gun out of the holster and try to get the highest score while shooting at the dragons that appear in front of you.
3. Swing Tree
Outside at Magic Island, the Swing Tree is a swing chair ride. Kids can enjoy the sensation of flying through the air as the tree spins round and round.
4. Balloon Ride
Soar high above Lotte World Adventure in the basket of a hot air balloon ride. It is the perfect way to get an overview of the indoor amusement park.
5. World Monorail
Another way to survey the park is to ride on the World Monorail. The carriage makes a slow loop around the indoor area and is a great way to get an introduction to the park.
6. Dream Boat
This little water ride is best for small kids. It will take riders on a short water course filled with pixies and fairies. This can be at the Lotte World Underland.
7. Brother Moon and Sister Suns
This is a little drop ride for kids.
8. Kidzone
There are plenty more rides especially for young children at the Kidzone. These include The Bumping Jesters, Boong Boong Car, Jumping Fish and more.
Entertainment shows and parades
Lotte World theme park also has parades throughout the day as well as entertainment shows that pop-up around the park.
It is a great way to have a chance of pace before hopping on to the next ride.
Tips for Visiting Lotte World Adventure
Best time to visit
To avoid the crowds, the best time to visit Lotte World Adventure is on the weekdays and when it isn’t the Korean school holidays. The queues are shorter and you will have a chance to go on more rides.
How to purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased on site just in front of the Lotte World Adventure admission gates. These are indoors and located at Basement 1.
Lotte World Adventure tickets can also be booked online via platforms like Klook.
One tip, there are reduced price tickets to Lotte World Adventure available after 4 pm. So, if you don’t mind going a bit later, you can save some money too.
Getting to Lotte World
Lotte World and the entrance to the amusement park can be easily reached by taking the subway to Jamsil station.
Once you are through the admission gate, you will be at the Lotte World Underland level. Take the escalator up one floor to the main Lotte World Adventure indoor area.
What to wear and bring
It is advisable to come ready to have fun. Women may wish to wear slacks or jeans.
You may also notice a lot of both the guys and girls wearing school uniforms around the Lotte World theme park. It isn’t that they are all playing truant from school. Instead, it is something that many young people do as part of the whole experience of visiting Lotte World Adventure.
There is a shop, Pixie Magic, that rents out school uniforms for those who wish to get in on the fun as well. It can be found just inside of the admission gates.
Conclusion
Lotte World Adventure and Magic Island is a fun theme park that offers something for everyone. There are rides and attractions and you can easily spend the better part of the day there. With its convenient location and variety of things to do, the theme park is great choice for a day of fun in Seoul, South Korea.
