Korea's four waterparks receive international recognition
Date: October 18, 2008
Caribbean Bay
Caribbean Bay
It is true that many of the world뭩 most popular and well-known waterparks are located in the United States, so it may come as a surprise to hear that Korea뭩 four big waterparks have made it to the list of the world뭩 top 20, with Caribbean Bay at Everland making third place.?
According to a joint survey by the Themed Entertainment Association and Economic Research Associates, Caribbean Bay attracted 1.4 million visitors last year, ranking third in terms of the number of visitors.
Disneyland 뭩 Typhoon Lagoon in the United States ranked first, with over two million visitors, followed by another U.S. waterpark: Blizzard Beach in Miami, with 1.9 million people.
Meanwhile, Korea뭩 three other popular waterparks also made the list.
Ocean World was in 8th place, with 900,000 visitors last year, while Deoksan Spa Castle ranked 11th and Seorak Waterpia 13th.
What is also noteworthy about this is that Korea is the only Asian country that has more than two parks on the list.
Caribbean Bay
Caribbean Bay
Caribbean Bay opened in July 1996, offering a world-class indoor and outdoor water park all year round.
The world뭩 largest water amusement complex can accommodate up to 15,000 people at a time.
It is located in Everland, the country뭩 biggest amusement park and the world뭩 10th largest theme park.
It is conveniently located in the city of Yongin, Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province), just about one-hour drive from southern Seoul, so it gets lots of tired souls from the capital city and the metropolitan area.
While adults can enjoy the rip-roaring rides like Adventure, River Way and Water Bobsleigh Rides that twist and turn all throughout the park, children can have fun on their own in the children뭩 pool area.
In the middle of Caribbean Bay is the nation뭩 largest wave pool, 120 meters wide and 104 meters long. There, an artificial wave 2.4 meters high washes up onto a sandy beach. It is big enough for actual surfing.
All the necessary equipment for surfing and fun comes with the admission fee.
This year-round water park also offers restaurants, cafes and other rest areas.
As the weather gets colder, visitors might also be interested in taking advantage of the spa and sauna facilities that are available.
Spa Castle
Spa Castle
In the meantime, Ocean World also boasts state-of-the-art facilities.
With Egypt-style d?or featuring decorative deserts and oases, it makes visitors feel as though they have just entered an exotic pharaohnic world.
Spa Castle is the first spa-themed resort in Korea. It offers facilities such as a healing-therapy center and a water spa theme park as well. Aside from the hot springs facilities, visitors may ride the rapids of Torrent River, the Master Blaster waterslide, and other attractions as well.
Seorak Waterpia
is located close to some of the largest tourist attractions on the east coast, including Mt. Seorak. The water park뭩 Spa Valley uses only Seoraksan Mountain뭩 100% natural hot spring waters for its jasmine and lemon spas, as well as other outdoor baths.
By Han Aran
Korea.net Staff Writer
