Super S Ride at Ocean World

By Lee Hyo-sik

The unusually wet weather this year has made it more challenging for summer vacationers to plan that perfect relaxing getaway. It has been a real bummer particularly for those who waited all winter to put on swimsuits and enjoy the fun rides at water parks.

As the country anticipates improved weather conditions for what’s left of the summer, water parks across the nation hope to attract larger numbers of vacationers to come and experience some of the new rides.

By adding state-of-the-art rides and upgrading the quality of amenities, Ocean World at Daemyung Vivaldi Park, Caribbean Bay at Samsung Everland, Seorak Waterpia and Bluecanyon at Pheonix Park are eager to draw visitors.

Ocean World

The water recreation center, located inside Daemyung Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, has been changing the industry paradigm by introducing a range of revolutionary rides that water park lovers here have never experienced before.

Ocean World unveiled the “Mega Slide Zone,” featuring four slides, when it opened its doors to the public April 30. The zone comprises a Family Raft Slide, Hi-Speed Slide, Super S Ride and Cairo Racing.



Super S Ride and Cairo Racing are brand new rides that have been getting lots of positive feedback from water park fans.

Super S Rider allows up to six people to ride on a large tube and slide down a 146-meter course from a 16.8-meter-high tower, providing maximum thrills. Cairo Racing is a ride where up to eight people can slide down 120-meter straight lanes.

Ocean World has extended its operating hours until 10 p.m. through Aug. 20 for visitors who want to enjoy the various rides at night.

A range of discount programs for students, women and local residents are also offered along with special promotion packages designed to make the best use of its facilities at a minimum cost for vacationers.

For more information, call 1588-4888 or visit (www.vivaldipark.com).



Caribbean Bay

In celebration of Caribbean Bay’s 15th anniversary this year, the country’s largest water park has introduced a new ride called the “Aqua Loop.”

Thanks to this new ride and other new additions, the park, which is built inside Samsung Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, has attracted more visitors this year, despite the unfavorable weather conditions.

The Aqua Loop lets a rider go into a capsule-type body slide. It then drops 10 meters in a complete adrenaline rush. During the ride, the capsule rotates 360 degrees and reaches a maximum speed of 90 kph.

Caribbean Bay also features other exciting rides, including tube ride, water bobsleigh, surfing ride, tower boomerang go, wild blast and tower raft.

The water park has improved customer service, and has upgraded shower rooms and lockers.

For more information, visit www.everland.com/caribbean or call 031-320-5000.

Seorak Waterpia

Seorak Waterpia, which was built on 80,000 square meters of land in 1997, is the country’s largest hot spring-based theme park. The water contains calcium and other health-boosting minerals. After adding three new entertainment zones featuring a total of 12 new rides, the size of the park has expanded by half over the past year.

Located in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, Seorak Waterpia is an ideal place to take the whole family as parents and grandparents can relax in one of its hot spring pools, while children enjoy one ride after another. The water park pumps up and uses 3,000 tons of 49-degree-Celsius mineral water per day to fill dozens of its pools.

As the best family-oriented theme park on the east coast, visitors can also enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Seorak and the East Sea.

Call 1588-2299 or visit www.seorakwaterpia.co.kr for more information.

Bluecanyon

Bluecanyon, another famous water park in the scenic province of Gangwon, can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors. The park opened in June 2008 and was designed to make visitors feel like they are in a luxurious resort on the shores of the Mediterranean.

A wide variety of rides, spa facilities and hot water pools make it convenient for families to vacation altogether.

One of the most popular rides is “Speed Slide,” which lets riders slide down a 140-meter course from a five-story height. “Family Slide” can accommodate four people and is a popular attraction among guests.

Besides the fun rides, Bluecanyon boasts the “Well-being Herb Spa Zone” where vacationers are pampered with eight types of health-boosting, anti-aging herbs. Herbs are cultivated and harvested by Bluecanyon employees in a complex built on ski slopes from spring through the fall.

The water park offers a series of promotional packages all year around for those who stay overnight, eat at its restaurants and use the entertainment facilities. Customers can take a cable car and visit the sheep farm at the top of a nearby mountain.

For more information, call 1588-2828, or visit (www.bluecanyon.co.kr).