Korea’s Lotte Corporation opens new theme park in southern city of Busan

South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation Lotte Corporation has opened its second theme, Lotte World Adventure, in the southern port city of Busan.

The development of the new attraction is part of the 6-trillion-won (US$4.9 billion) Osiria Tourism Complex which features hotels, shops, restaurants, golf courses and other entertainment facilities to make the area a year-round destination.

Introducing the new attraction, Lotte World Chief Executive, Choi Hong-hoon advised during an online press conference last week, “Lotte World Adventure Busan will help revive the economy in Busan and neighbouring regions.

“We will become an icon of Busan’s cultural assets in order to inspire more people to choose Busan as their travel destination. We will create synergy with other facilities in Osiria Tourism Complex as we bring all the knowhow we have accumulated in theme park operation.”

The theme park sits on a 15.8 hectare site - around 20% larger than Lotte World Adventure Seoul, and offer 17 outdoor rides.

Three rides - Giant Digger, Giant Splash and Giant Swing - target serious thrill-seekers while another six specifically cater to children.

The Giant Digger rollercoaster reaches speeds of 105 kilometres per hour on the 1-kilometer-long track, turning 360 degrees three times.

Giant Splash is a boat ride that ascends 44.6 meters to fall at a speed of 100 kilometres per hour into a pool of water to create a splash that reaches not only the ones on the ride but also the spectators.

Commenting on the rides, Lotte World Adventure Busan, Chief Executive Ha Heon-min added “with the harsh winds that come from being by the sea, the thrilling rides focus more on going fast or making twists than providing a sudden drop from higher up.”

To prevent too many people from visiting right after the opening, due to COVID-19 worries, Lotte World Adventure Busan is taking reservations online to limit the daily admissions to 6,000 until 10th April.

The entire Osiria Tourism Complex occupies more than 36 hectares and all the facilities are expected to operate from 2028. Aquaworld Busan, an eco-tourism resort, is under construction, and global resort chain Banyan Tree Group plans to open Banyan Tree Busan in 2024.

With the city’s previous theme park having closed in 2019, authorities expects the tourism complex to bring in about 20 million visitors a year.

Images: Visitors ride Lotte World Adventure Busan’s Giant Splash (top), an aerial view of Lotte World Adventure Busan (middle) and the theme park’s costume characters (below). All images courtesy of Lotte World Adventure Busan.