originally posted on 6/17/2022
All photos courtesy of Legacy Entertainment. View full-sized image.
It is usually the experienced enthusiast who gets to South Korea. Since Lotte World opened in Seoul in 1989, it has established a solid reputation, and five to seven million people visit it each year. It now has a sister park.
Lotte World Adventure Busan (Gijang, Busan) bears little resemblance to its Seoul counterpart. This was intentional. Designed by Legacy Entertainment out of Hollywood, a definite choice was made to try not to duplicate the original. Whereas the first park focused on international themes, the new park features more fanciful lands meant to be more timeless.
The park in Busan bears little resemblance to the original in Seoul. View full-sized image.
The park’s six lands don’t create an overwhelming property. Sometimes referred to as a “boutique theme park,” the 25 acres do offer several hours of fun diversions.
Among the attractions are three new coasters. Two large ones are from Mack Rides. The popular Blue Fire model finds a new home here. Called Giant Digger, the launched, multi-inversion coaster is the park’s premier ride. Giant Splash is a PowerSplash water coaster. (Okay, so the names aren’t necessarily spectacular.) Giant Splash is the fourth such ride to open globally. Six Flags Over Texas’ Aquaman Power Wave will join it later this summer in Arlington, Texas.
Giant Digger is a Blue Fire model from Mack Rides. View full-sized image.
Giant Splash is suitably named. View full-sized image.
A smaller coaster for children is also included. It is called Mysterious Cookie Train and was manufactured by Preston & Barbieri.
Mysterious Cookie Train. View full-sized image.
The park contains some other big rides, a flume and several family attractions, some that are comically themed. The architecture throughout the park makes it quite photogenic. In contrast to the original park, Lotte World Adventure Busan is all outdoors.
Once international travel becomes commonplace again, coaster fans have one more park to check out. Those making it to South Korea should attempt to stay at the park at Busan until nightfall. A special ambience overtakes the park in the night hours.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
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