A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Place for Kids in Seoul

Traveling or living in Seoul with kids often leads to the same question:
Should we visit Lotte World, or is Seoul Children’s Grand Park a better choice?

Both are located in Seoul, but they offer completely different types of experiences.
This guide is written from a parent’s perspective, focusing on
location, experience style, age suitability, and cost—so you can decide what truly fits your family.

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Location: East vs South Seoul

• Lotte World
  • Located in southern Seoul (Jamsil)
  • Connected to shopping malls, hotels, and major subway lines
  • A destination you usually plan as a full-day event
• Seoul Children’s Grand Park
  • Located in eastern Seoul (Gwangjin)
  • Close to residential neighborhoods
  • Easy to visit casually, even for a few hours

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Experience Style: Very Different Days

Category	Lotte World	Children’s Grand Park
Main Focus	Ride-based theme park	Outdoor, experience-based park
Indoor / Outdoor	Mostly indoor + some outdoor	Almost entirely outdoor
Daily Pace	Structured, ride-focused	Flexible, child-led
Parent Stress Level	High	Low

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Seoul Children’s Grand Park: An Outdoor, Experience-Based Park

Seoul Children’s Grand Park is not about riding many attractions.
It’s about space, movement, and freedom.

Children can enjoy:

• Large outdoor playgrounds
• A zoo and animal viewing areas
• Wide walking paths and open lawns
• Optional small rides and seasonal activities

Height-Based Ride Access (Parent-Friendly System)

• 130 cm and above
  • Drop Tower, Super Jump (more thrill-oriented rides)
• 110 cm and above
  • Viking Ride, Flume Ride
• Around 100 cm
  • Carousel, Swing Bear, Dino Train
• 90 cm+ / 36 months+
  • Mini Train, Frog Jump
  • Ideal for first theme-park experiences

Cost Structure (Very Flexible)

• Park entry: Free
• Individual rides: KRW 3,000–5,000
• Air Bounce Zone: KRW 7,000 / 15 minutes
• Aqua Boat (summer): KRW 5,000

Parents appreciate that you can leave anytime without feeling you wasted money.

Official website:
https://www.sisul.or.kr/childrenpark

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Lotte World: A Ride-Focused Theme Park for Elementary-Age Kids

Lotte World is all about attractions and thrill.
Once children reach elementary age, enjoyment increases significantly.

Recommended Rides by Age (Foreign Parent 기준)

Ages 8–10

Best for kids who want fun but not fear.

• Family Coaster – a gentle first roller coaster
• Flume Ride – water + mild thrill
• Jungle Adventure Boat – movement without scares
• Sinbad’s Adventure – indoor boat ride, low physical effort

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Ages 10–12

Kids begin to actively enjoy speed and motion.

• Atlantis – the park’s most popular attraction
• Spanish Pirate Ship – strong thrill with minimal effort
• Gyro Swing – height and rotation for confident riders

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Ages 12 and Up

Fear turns into excitement and confidence.

• Comet Express – high-speed roller coaster
• Gyro Drop – vertical drop ride with strong impact
• Atlantis (repeat rides) – older kids often want multiple runs

Ticket Prices (Freedom Pass)

• Child / Teen: approx. KRW 48,000
• Adult: approx. KRW 61,000

Most parents also need a ticket, and food costs inside the park are high.
Once inside, families often feel pressure to “ride as much as possible.”

Official website:
https://adventure.lotteworld.com

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How Parents Usually Decide

• Choose Lotte World if:
  • Your child is 8+ and enjoys rides
  • You want a big, memorable theme-park day
  • Weather is cold or rainy
• Choose Children’s Grand Park if:
  • Your child is younger or easily overstimulated
  • You prefer outdoor space and flexibility
  • You want a low-cost, low-pressure day

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Final Parent Takeaway

Lotte World is for days when you want
big thrills and big memories.

Seoul Children’s Grand Park is for days when you want
space, movement, and an easy pace.

They are not competitors—
they are places families return to at different stages of childhood.