[Jo Yongjun's Journey] A Fantastic World in Busan, a Kingdom from a Fairy Tale

Lotte World Adventure Busan Opens on the 31st - Busan's Leading Cultural Tourism Icon, Local Residents' High Expectations

Lotte World Adventure Busan will open on the 31st.

Panoramic view of Lotte World Adventure Busan located in Osiria Tourist Complex, Gijang-gun, Busan

[Asia Economy Reporter Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist] A large outdoor theme park has been established in Busan, a city that previously had no amusement parks. On the 31st, Lotte World opened Lotte World Adventure Busan in the Osiria Tourist Complex, Gijang-gun, Busan, unveiling a fantasy world in the previously barren theme park region of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) area. Following the opening of Lotte Water Park and Lotte World Aquarium in 2014, and the Seoul Sky Observatory in 2017, Lotte World has now opened its second domestic theme park in Busan, solidifying its reputation as a leading theme entertainment company. The theme park covers a total area of 158,000 m2 (approximately 48,000 pyeong) in the Osiria Tourist Complex, Gijang-gun. It is located about 500 meters from Osiria Station on the Donghae Line. A pedestrian overpass connecting Osiria Station to the theme park is scheduled for completion in June, ensuring excellent public transportation accessibility. Notably, the Osiria Tourist Complex is a key base that Lotte Group plans to develop as its second hub after Jamsil in Seoul. One day before the opening, Lotte World Adventure Busan completed trial runs of attractions (rides and viewing facilities), landscaping, and parade rehearsals, fully preparing to welcome guests.

◇ Two Attractions Introduced for the First Time in Korea, Spectacular Parade

Lotte World Busan, an outdoor theme park, is themed as a ‘fairy tale kingdom’ and features six zones with 17 types of rides and viewing facilities.

Among the representative attractions, three including the ‘Giant Digger’ and ‘Giant Splash’ are introduced for the first time in Korea and have already gained popularity among thrill-seekers.

The ‘Giant Digger’ is a launch-type roller coaster that accelerates rapidly from the start. It reaches a top speed of 105 km/h, racing along a track of about 1 km, and offers three 360-degree loops where riders can experience thrilling speed sensations throughout their bodies.

The ‘Giant Splash’ is also a water coaster making its domestic debut. It plunges at 100 km/h from a height of 44.6 meters toward a channel containing 2,000 tons of water, creating an enormous splash. Not only riders but also spectators outside should expect to get soaked by the refreshing water spray.

The final member of the Giant series is the ‘Giant Swing,’ a sibling to Lotte World Seoul’s ‘Gyro Swing.’ With a central axis about 20% longer, it swings in a large radius of 120 meters, delivering a peak thrill of weightlessness from a height of 44.8 meters. The ‘Giant Swing’ and ‘Giant Digger’ are located close to each other, adding an extra layer of excitement with their near-touching proximity.

Each of the six zones offers unique fun and enjoyment through themed architecture, landscaping, and performances. At the heart of the park, the fairy village Tinker Falls zone features six large animatronic talking trees that narrate the stories of the six zones, serving as a hub.

At the park’s topmost Royal Garden zone, visitors encounter Lory Castle, the symbol of Lotte World Busan, designed as a floating castle seemingly suspended over water. From Lory Castle, guests can take in panoramic views of the theme park and the sea in front of Gijang, Busan.

The park’s highlight, a dazzling parade, is also not to be missed. The Lottis Magic Forest parade, featuring seven parade vehicles, dancers, and characters in splendid costumes and synchronized choreography, runs twice daily for about 30 minutes along a 520-meter parade route.

The parade theme song, composed by music director Jang So-young and sung by musical actress Park Hye-na, famous for her role as Elsa in the Frozen series, offers a delightful auditory experience. Various street performances further enrich the visual offerings at Lotte World Busan.

Especially unique is the ‘Food Drop’ restaurant, where food is delivered along roller coaster rails directly to tables, combining dining with entertainment. This innovative restaurant debuts at Lotte World Busan, spanning 227 pyeong (three floors) with 14 rails and tables, accommodating up to 170 seats.

For families with young children, six children-only attractions and large-scale parades and performances blending music and engaging stories promise special experiences and memories for both young visitors and families.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, Lotte World Busan operates an online reservation system from opening day until the 10th of next month, limiting daily visitors to 6,000. Additionally, to encourage public transportation use, a 15% discount is offered.

To commemorate the opening, Lotte World is issuing NFT (Non-Fungible Token) commemorative tickets for the first time in the domestic theme park industry. These limited-edition NFT tickets are uniquely numbered from 1 to 100, making each one a one-of-a-kind collectible.

A Lotte World official stated, “We will operate thoroughly with enhanced quarantine measures so that guests can use the facilities with peace of mind.”

◇ Bu-Ul-Gyeong’s Representative Cultural Tourism Icon, High Expectations from Locals

It is not that Busan never had amusement parks. In the past, there were seven amusement parks. From the 1970s to the 2000s, facilities such as Geumgang Park amusement rides, Taejongdae Freedom Land, Choeup Children’s Grand Park amusement park, Gwangalli Mi World, Gwangalli Beach Land, and Yeongdo World Carnival operated. However, for various reasons, they gradually closed down one by one. Lotte World also once operated an indoor theme park on the upper floors of Lotte Department Store in Seomyeon but withdrew in 1999.

However, the opening of Lotte World Adventure Busan is expected to revitalize the theme park scene in Busan, which had been in a dark period.

Interest from local residents in Lotte World Adventure Busan is very high, as evidenced by the sell-out of advance ticket sales held on the 11th.

Choi Hong-hoon, CEO of Lotte World, stated at a metaverse press conference held on the 17th, “Lotte World Adventure Busan will serve as a catalyst to revive the Busan regional economy.”

He also said, “We will leverage all our theme park operation know-how to create synergy with other facilities in the Osiria Tourist Complex and secure competitiveness,” adding, “We will contribute to generating tourism demand as Busan’s representative cultural tourism icon.”

In fact, Lotte Group plans to develop Busan as its second hub following Jamsil in Seoul. Beyond the opening of Lotte World Adventure Busan, Lotte Group is expanding its so-called Busan Lotte Town business portfolio. The Osiria Tourist Complex is a key base in the Busan Lotte Town project.

The Osiria Tourist Complex is a large-scale tourist complex with a project cost of about 6 trillion won, featuring beautiful sea views along with shopping, entertainment, accommodation, and dining facilities, attracting residents from the Bu-Ul-Gyeong region.

Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist jun21@