Lotte World Adventure Busan, the world’s second Lotte World branded theme park, has been a major success right out of the gate, having hosted over half a million visitors during its first 100 days of operation.
The milestone comes at the same time as two of the park’s signature attractions are coming online. Lotte has also stated that additional attractions are in the planning stage, which will allow the park to keep up with demand.
The park, designed by Hollywood, CA-based Legacy Entertainment, in cooperation with Lotte World, is the centrepiece of Busan’s Osiria Tourism Complex- a sprawling 900-acre development designed to raise the city’s profile as an international leisure destination.
Barry Kemper, Legacy Entertainment’s co-owner and chief operating officer said: “It goes without saying that we are thrilled for our friends and partners at Lotte World with the remarkable attendance at the new park in just 100 days.”
“Leading up to the opening, it was unclear what impacts the pandemic and dearth of international tourism might have had on the park’s performance. Fortunately, the local population showed up en masse, and the park now has a solid foundation upon which it can grow.”
Visitors to the park this summer will be treated to two major new offerings, including a Roller Coaster Restaurant, in which food is served to diners on an elaborate network of roller coaster-style tracks. A popular staple of European theme parks, including Alton Towers, Futuroscope, and Europa Park, the inclusion of this new concept at Lotte World Adventure Busan is the first such experience on the Asian continent.
The other major new addition to Lotte Busan is Ogre’s Flume- an expansive Log Flume from ABC Rides, which is also one of the park’s largest attractions. Inspired by the popular Korean fairy tale of the ‘Ogre’s Magic Club,’ the ride’s path is intricately woven through the park’s arrival zone, with its climactic drop serving as the first icon visitors see as they pass through the entrance turnstiles. The friendly Ogre mascot characters, also designed by Legacy Entertainment, were first introduced to Lotte World’s flagship park in Seoul as part of the Underland expansion in 2012.
Kemper added: “As any veteran in our industry can attest, successfully launching a brand-new theme park, even in the best of times, is one of the most challenging tasks in the world.”
“We commend the entire Lotte team for their professionalism and dedication along this perilous journey. The result has been a park that will delight visitors young and old for decades to come.”
