All of Korea is being tinted with a symphony of spring colors. In cities
and urban areas, amusement parks are one of the best places to
appreciate the new season. With beautiful flowers and exciting
festivals, theme parks attract tourists with the onset of more pleasant
weather. Korea’s three largest amusement parks -- Everland, Seoulland
and Lotte World -- are filled with people enjoying the new season with
their children, family members, sweethearts or friends.
People enjoy the beauty of spring
flowers during the Everland Tulip Festival, going on until April 27.
(photo courtesy of Everland)
Fall in love with tulips at Everland Located
in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province), Everland will host its
annual tulip festival from March 21 to April 27. During the festival,
which marks its 23rd year this year, as many as 1.2 million flowers,
including 0.9 million tulips, come into bloom to welcome visitors. Some
of the must-see places include Flower Market Street near the front gate
and the Four Seasons Garden along the parade route. The Four Seasons
Garden attracts many children with sculptures of Miffy, the
rabbit-shaped cartoon character from the Netherlands. The garden is
decorated with differently themed Miffy sculptures, such as “Miffy in a
playground” and “Miffy visits the zoo.”
Other attractions at
Everland include the parades. During the festival, 87 performers on ten
parade floats will stage the Carnival Fantasy Parade. People can also
watch a musical based on Dreamworks’ movie “Madagascar.”
Everland
restarts its extended operating hours during the festival, after
temporarily closing early during the winter. In the evening, it presents
the “Dream of Laciun” fireworks show. The amusement park installed
special lights for when it's open at night so that people can enjoy the
romantic view and the beauty of the tulips in the evening. More
information about Everland is available at its homepage, serviced in
Korean, English, Japanese and both simplified and traditional Chinese.
http://www.everland.com
During the tulip festival, Everland
holds various other events, such as carnival parades and musical
performances. (photo courtesy of Everland)
Everland puts on a nightly firework show during the tulip festival. (photo courtesy of Everland)
Cartoon characters add more fun at Seoulland For
those who love cartoon characters, Seoulland is a great choice. Located
in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, Seoulland will host its "Animation
Character Festival" from March 22 to June 8. After passing through the
front gate, a path filled with tulips greets visitors. Other spring
flowers, such as pansies and marigolds, form a flower-lined street for
the visitors' delight. Sculptures of popular cartoon characters also
decorate the walkway, creating great photo opportunities.
Nearby
20 different cartoon characters and related toys are on display in the
Special Exhibition Hall of Samchulli Hill near the front gate,
encouraging the children’s imagination. This hall is composed of both
inside and outdoor play areas. Inside, kids can have fun in an online
game area and play with blocks or darts. Particularly popular among
children, kids can try on princess dresses in the Mimi House's doll
room. They can also have fun taking photos with eight different cartoon
characters such as the Canimals, can-shaped animals, Larva and Kambu.
Seoulland hosts various cartoon characters in its “Animation Character Festival” this spring. (photo courtesy of Seoulland)
Twice
per day, Seoulland will stage its “Spring Carnival Character Show”
featuring popular cartoon characters such as racing cars Vroomiz and
Kartrider and robot Arpo. In the evening, it stages the “Animal Kingdom”
show, a performance set in the jungle where the animals overcome
conflicts and build friendships. The highlight of the evening show is an
acrobatic performance done 10 meters off the ground. Seoulland also
allows young visitors to take part in its parade. Six children, aged
from 5 to 10 who made a reservation in advance, can get on the parade
car with other cartoon characters and become a member of the festival.
More information about Seoulland is available at its homepage, serviced
in Korean, English, Jpaanese and simplified Chinese.
http://www.seoulland.co.kr
Seoulland has many flowers, including tulips, welcoming visitors to the amusement park. (photo courtesy of Seoulland)
Mask Festival at Lotte World If
you prefer staying indoors, or if the weather is not good, Lotte World
will be a good choice. Located in Songpagu in Seoul, Lotte World is
holding its “Mask Festival” from March 14 to June 1. The festival is
modeled after the world-famous Venice Carnival, the largest festival in
Italy. Its “Fantasy Mask Parade” features about 100 performers wearing
fancy masks in various human or animal shapes, as well as fairy tale
characters. They walk around the visitors while performing, with
life-sized gondolas and gorgeously decorated carriages.
For
those who love fairy tales and dance, “Fun, Fun Alice” is a good
performance to see. Based on “Alice in Wonderland,” Alice, the white
rabbit and twin brothers Tweedledee and Tweedledum put on an exciting
dance performance.
The musical “Mysterious Mask in a Fairy Tale
Land” (unofficial translation) is presented at the Garden Stage. It
features characters from well-known children’s books, such as Dorothy
from “The Wizard of Oz” and characters from “Pinocchio” and “Peter Pan.”
They go on an adventure together to find a mysterious mask which makes
their dreams come true. The circus scene where Peter Pan flies over the
stage always delights the audience.
Performers march in a parade at Lotte World. (photo courtesy of Lotte World)
If
you want to go outside to get some fresh air, go to Magic Island,
adjacent to Lotte World. There, a recently refurbished roller coaster,
Atlantis, just re-opened. Hopping into an eight-seat boat, people can
enjoy the high speed of a roller coaster while cruising in and out of an
ancient temple. For more information about Lotte World, visit its
homepage, serviced in nine languages. http://www.lotteworld.com
Performers wearing masks pose for a photo at Lotte World. (photo courtesy of Lotte World)
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
[Source: korea.net]