Everland's spring reinvention features upgraded safari, performances

Visitors on an electric bus observe a bear at Everland's Safari World in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, March 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Resort Group

YONGIN, Gyeonggi Province — Since opening in 1976, Everland theme park has led the Korean leisure industry and evolved into a unique destination on the outskirts of Seoul where visitors can enjoy botanical gardens and wildlife alongside world-class amusement rides.

To mark its five decades of history, the park is undergoing a spring transformation by reopening its iconic Safari World with a renewed focus on animal welfare and launching a series of large-scale performances that redefine the visitor experience.

Eco-friendly, animal-centered Safari World

Safari World is one of the most popular attractions at Everland and a key part of its identity that sets it apart from other amusement parks.

The redesign of Safari World marks a significant shift from simply viewing the animals to understanding their behaviors and habitats. After about a year of preparation, the reopened Safari World offers a more immersive experience where visitors can observe eight species of predators, including lions, tigers, brown bears and hyenas.

“The most important focus of the renovation was animal welfare,” said David Chung, director of Everland zoo. “We aimed to show animals living happily by creating a habitat that prioritizes their biological needs.”

An electric bus passes by a lion at Everland's Safari World in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, March 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Resort Group

The expansion of the release areas allows for more dynamic movement, with tigers inhabiting an environment styled like a Korean forest and lions roaming an open savanna.

Chung added that the team implemented features like water elements and hidden food enrichment to encourage natural hunting instincts.

“We tried to implement an eco-friendly space where animals can behave as they would in nature,” he said.

Visitors now experience these habitats through a new fleet of eco-friendly electric buses. During a recent ride, the lack of engine noise seemed to put the animals at ease. This reduction in sound narrows the psychological distance between the observer and the wild, creating a sense of being part of the environment.

Everland said the bus capacity has increased by 1.6 times, which will also help reduce waiting times for customers.

Performers showcase skills during the “Wings of Memory” circus show at Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, March 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Resort Group

World-class storytelling with Cirque Eloize

The theme park is also introducing world-class entertainment to celebrate the spring season. A standout addition is the circus performance titled “Wings of Memory,” produced in collaboration with renowned Canadian circus company Cirque Eloize.

“This is an original production created through discussions with us from the beginning regarding the story and concept,” an Everland official said. “It took about a year and a half since we first made contact in the fall of 2024.”

The show features artists with experience in Cirque du Soleil shows and delivers a narrative-driven experience.

“Unlike previous circuses that moved mechanically from one stunt to another, this show is a high-level performance that integrates a cohesive plot to approach the innocent hearts of children,” the official explained.

The acrobatics are impressive and the story is well-structured, with strong safety measures in place for every act. During the 40-minute run time, high-difficulty circus acts — including contortion, aerial pole and Russian swing — are seamlessly woven into the performance to deliver a thrilling experience. The show operates twice a day.

Multimedia fireworks show “The Guardians of Light” takes place at Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, March 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Resort Group

In addition to the circus, the Four Seasons Garden hosts a multimedia fireworks show titled “The Guardians of Light.”

Helmed by Yang Jung-ung, best known for directing the opening ceremony of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the show combines large-scale drones, 3D mapping and laser effects. The production features a diverse group of artists, including singer Kwon Jeong-yeol of 10CM and actor Lee Sang-yoon, who provided the narration.

The 20-minute performance starts at 9:20 p.m. daily and has received an enthusiastic response since its pilot launch on March 27.

Visitors enjoy the full bloom of tulips and spring flowers at Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, March 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Resort Group

Natural beauty at Tulip Festival

The Tulip Festival continues to be a core pillar of the spring attractions at Everland with over 1.2 million flowers including tulips, muscari and daffodils.

The synergy of these seasonal elements appears to be driving a surge in attendance, with Everland reporting a 30 percent increase in visitors during the initial 10 days of the festival compared to the same period last year.

Under the “My Spring Palette” concept, the park has expanded the tulip planting area and upgraded the garden layout to maximize its scale and vibrancy. There are fewer artificial decorations this year, shifting focus to the natural beauty of the gardens.

“We believe this layout best expresses the true appearance of spring flowers,” an Everland official said.

“We found that people actually prefer this natural look, saying they came specifically to see the flowers themselves.”

The park has also opened its gardening maintenance programs to the public starting at 9 a.m.

“Customers were curious about how we manage, arrange and water the flowers, so we decided to show them the process,” the official added.

The festival also features illustrations by the artist mmmeari, who is known for creating artwork using loop animation, providing a visual remedy for spring blues. The Tulip Festival will run through April 30.