Splash Splash, Take a Ride
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Swirling, twirling dipping rides, bikinis, waves, waterfalls, or a cup of cool ice tea by the pool ― are these calling out to you? If so, water theme parks are dotting up around the nation, each boasting interesting and distinctive attractions and features. Ever more ingenuous and creative with new features, these parks claim that they are not just about splashing around in the pool, but enjoying a healthy, fun and relaxing time with water. On the other hand, there is ever more variety in the colorful dizzying rides. Others recommend a more peaceful and quieter atmosphere; with pine trees lined up along the pools complete with soothing spas and massage treatments. Exciting or peaceful, any choice will offer a memorable time by the pool.
Vivaldi Park's Ocean World
Ocean World boasts the highest artificial wave among other parks at their most popular pool ``Surfing Mount.'' Visitors can swim through the 400 tons of water and move back and forth with the powerful eight foot wave created once every 70 to 75 seconds. There are three small ``islands'' located near the pool that offer an out-door spa; the perfect place to take a break and still enjoy the view. The overall theme of Surfing Mount is Egyptian, and organizers have prepared exotic music and sculptures, including a miniature version of the sphinx and pyramids to bring out the perfect atmosphere.
To experience the thrill of rafting, visit the ``Extreme River.'' Bumping into people with only a bright yellow tube to protect you, drift along the lapping pool and enjoy the relaxing and clear water below.
Tickets cost from 43,000 won to 65,000 won. Ocean World is located in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. For more information visit www.daemyungresort.com.
Spa Castle
Like its name, Deoksan Spa Castle promises crystal clear and healthy mineral water in all of their facilities. Spa Castle also has a special spa zone called ``ChunChunHyang,'' an area that offers distinctive spa services, massage treatments and fun facilities. Visit ``Paraone'' and be treated with water-pressured massage tubes equipped on the sides of the pool. Visitors can find eight different tubes specialized in healing certain parts of the body, such as a ``neck shower'' for a strained neck, ``power leg jet'' for the feet, thighs and waist, and the ``central jet'' for the back. At the ``Waterray'' and ``Sunnyray'' section, guests can have fun by splashing into the ``Torrent River'' or try out the ``Master Blaster,'' a thrilling boat ride that shoots you up against the current. Join the spa and mineral water pools after sunset and experience refreshing treatments under the stars.
Tickets for ChunChunHyang cost from 23,400 won to 57,000. Additional costs are required for the Master Blaster. Spa Castle is located in Deoksan, South Chungcheong Province. For more visit www.m-castle.co.kr/spa/ (in Korean and English).
California Beach
Gyeongju, located in North Gyeongsang Province, is one of the most interesting tourist cities in the nation with a historical background, complete with museums, ancient tombs and temples. Located at the heart of the city, California Beach is part of the Gyeongju World Resort. This water theme park displays some of the most colorful rides, slides and other attractions in the nation. ``Santa Monica Beach,'' ``Wave Canyon'' and ``Palm Springs'' offer similar wave-based pools like any other park, but it is the rides that make California Beach different. ``X'' is a giant funnel-shaped ride that sends a rubber boat of four swirling in circles before finally plunging into a pool. Hop into the smaller boat for two and speed into the ``Turbo Twister'' or slide down the ``Triple Down.'' With fun and wacky-looking attractions, experience a speedy and dynamic ride on the water. Tickets cost from 33,000 won to 54,000 won. For more visit www.gjw.co.kr or call (054) 745-7711.
Everland's Caribbean Bay
A pioneer theme park and one of the first in the nation, Caribbean Bay has polished up the already colorful venue by adding fun rides and convenient facilities to offer a more pleasant stay for visitors.
The famed water park recently opened ``Wild River,'' a large pool where families and friends alike can enjoy the water, sun and rides. With different zones ― Sea Wave, Bay Slide, Fortress and Aquatic Center ― visitors can choose the type of fun they prefer. Adventurers will enjoy the Fortress section, where Caribbean Bay has built three new attractions called Wild Blaster, Tower Boomerang and Tower Raft. The Wild Blaster is a distinctive attraction compared to others, for it's a ``Do It Yourself'' attraction. Some 1,090 meters in length, visitors can choose their direction along their way that leads to a pool or a slide. Caribbean Bay also boasts practical and useful facilities including more than 18,000 lockers, 3,000 storage lockers for personal items and 2,100 for lunch boxes. Tickets cost from 43,000 won to 85,000 won. For more visit www.everland.com/caribbean.
Others
For those who hesitates to go the long distance for splashes, Seoul offers several choices. Tiger World, located in Bucheon (well, this is to be exact south of Seoul), offers an indoor water park with fun attractions like the Zebra and Speed slides. If swimming is not your thing, the facility offers an indoor-ski slope where visitors can enjoy skiing. SeaLaLa is also great choice to enjoy the summer days, with its clear water pools and beach pools, slides and spas. Located in Youngdeungpo, SeaLaLa can be a quick getaway from the busy and stressful days in the city.
For more information call (032) 220-7000 for Tiger World and (02) 2628-9000 for SeaLaLa.