Korea has two theme parks that matter and the choice between them is unusually clear cut, because they are good at different things rather than being better and worse. Everland is the largest in the country, mostly outdoors, an hour outside Seoul, with the stronger rides and a zoo and gardens attached. Lotte World is in the middle of the city, on the subway, with the main section under a glass roof and an outdoor island in the lake next door. One is a day out. The other is an afternoon.
Everland
The largest park in Korea, in Yongin, about an hour outside Seoul.
Mostly outdoors, with serious walking distances and a hillside layout.
The strongest rides, including a well known wooden coaster.
A zoo and gardens, which are a substantial part of the site.
Seasonal festivals, particularly the tulips in spring and the roses in summer.
A shuttle from central Seoul, usually bundled with the ticket.
Lotte World
In the city, directly on a subway line, which is the whole argument.
Half indoors under a glass roof, which makes it weatherproof.
Magic Island, the outdoor section on an island in the adjoining lake.
Shorter distances, which matters with small children.
An aquarium, a mall and an observation tower in the same complex.
An after four ticket, which suits the indoor section well.
How to choose
Weather looks bad? Lotte World, because half of it is under a roof.
Small children? Lotte World, for the distances and the subway.
Serious about rides? Everland.
Only half a day? Lotte World, which is twenty minutes from central Seoul.
Spring, and you like gardens? Everland, for the tulip festival.
January? Lotte World, without hesitation.
Practical notes
Buy tickets in advance, always, because gate prices are the highest available.
Weekdays in term time for anything approaching short queues.
Cards everywhere inside both parks.
Lockers at both, which are worth using rather than carrying bags round.
Height restrictions are posted and enforced on the main rides.
Food inside is ordinary and expensive; the Lotte complex has a mall with better options.
Where this fits in a Korea trip
One afternoon and evening, on a day when the weather or the children require it.
For the practical basics of a first visit, our first time guide to Korea covers the ground.
For the wider question of travelling here with children, our guide to Korea with kids covers the rest.
And for the other options out of the city if a theme park is not the answer, our guide to day trips from Seoul covers the field.
The short version
Everland if the rides are the point and you can give it a full day with a coach at each end. Lotte World if you have half a day, small children, or bad weather, because it is on the subway and half of it is under a roof. Buy tickets in advance rather than at the gate, take the shuttle package for Everland, and use the discounted after four ticket at either, because the queues collapse in the evening and the parks stay open late.
