Seoul Land Family Review: An Honest Guide for Visitors with Kids
When most people think of theme parks near Seoul, Everland or Lotte World come to mind first.
I used to think the same way. Then last summer, I spent a full day at Seoul Land with my family — from morning until the fireworks ended at night — and my perspective changed completely. We rode the attractions during the day, played in the water park in the afternoon, and watched a fireworks show in the evening. On the drive home, my daughter fell asleep in the car. And the park she asked to come back to wasn’t Everland. It was Seoul Land.
If you have young kids, especially if you’re visiting in summer, Seoul Land might be a better choice than you’d expect.
What Is Seoul Land?
Seoul Land is Korea’s first theme park, opened in 1988. It’s located in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, and is accessible via Seoul Subway Line 4 at Seoul Grand Park Station. The park sits within the same complex as Seoul Grand Park Zoo and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art — making it easy to combine into a full day out.
It doesn’t have the cutting-edge rides you’d find at Everland. Some of the facilities are older. But that’s part of what gives Seoul Land its character. It’s less overwhelming, and you can move at your child’s pace without feeling like you’re missing something around every corner.
Why Summer Is the Best Time to Visit
Seoul Land is open year-round. Spring brings cherry blossoms, and there’s a snow sledding season in winter.
But summer is different. Kraken Island — the park’s massive water play facility — is fully operational, and in the evenings, the Summer Fireworks Festival runs every night. With a single admission ticket, you get access to rides, water play, live performances, and fireworks. It’s a lot for one day, in the best possible way.
Kraken Island — The Reason to Come in Summer
Kraken Island opened in April 2024 and is the newest addition to Seoul Land. At 52 meters wide and 18 meters tall, it’s billed as Korea’s largest all-in-one play park. It’s split into two sections — a play gym and a water play area — and both are included with your park admission ticket at no extra charge.
The Play Gym
The structure is shaped like a submarine and rises four stories high. It’s filled with large cargo nets, slides, and rope bridges connecting different levels. The slides and nets require a minimum height of 120cm.
One important thing to know: the play gym cannot be used wet or in a swimsuit. You’ll need to plan your order. Most families do the play gym first, change into swimwear at the changing rooms nearby, then head to the water area.
The Water Play Area
This is where younger kids absolutely light up. Large whale, submarine, and sailing ship structures spray water from every direction, and ground-level fountain jets add to the chaos. The facility is recommended for children under 7, which means your little ones can run around freely without older kids dominating the space.
My daughter’s favorite part was the water slides. Even though there were plenty of kids around, everyone lined up and took turns without any pushing or shoving — something that might surprise visitors who aren’t sure what to expect.
One honest note: the water was colder than we anticipated. The weather that day was slightly cooler than a typical summer afternoon, which didn’t help. We ended up getting out earlier than planned. On a proper hot summer day, it would be perfect — but if the weather is overcast or mild, factor that in.
Aqua shoes are mandatory. Regular shoes, Crocs, and bare feet are not allowed. The park does sell aqua shoes on-site near Kraken Island if you forget, but it’s better to bring your own.
Kraken Shelter (Private Rest Area)
Across the bridge from the main structure, there are tent-style private shelters available for rent. Advance booking is required through the Seoul Land website.
- Weekdays: ₩50,000
- Weekends and public holidays: ₩70,000
The Evening Show — Better Than Expected
Seoul Land’s evening is what makes it worth staying until closing.
At the Jigubyeol Stage (지구별무대), the night performance Luna: Legend of Light kicks off — a multimedia show combining giant mirror balls, LED lighting, and special effects. We stayed for it without much expectation. By the end, my daughter was pulling my sleeve asking if we could watch it again.
Immediately after, the fireworks show begins. What makes it different from festivals like the Hangang Fireworks is the distance. Instead of watching from far away across a river, the fireworks launch from directly behind the stage. You feel the blasts. My daughter screamed — in the best way — every time one went off.
During the summer season, the Summer Fireworks Festival runs every night at 9 PM, using approximately 30,000 fireworks per show. Outside of summer, fireworks are held on Saturdays only, while the laser show runs daily. Check the Seoul Land official website for the current performance schedule before you visit.
Admission Prices
Walk-up prices at the gate are as follows:
| Category | Full Day | Evening (from 4 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | ₩52,000 | ₩45,000 |
| Teen (13–18) | ₩46,000 | ₩39,000 |
| Child (36 months–12 years) | ₩43,000 | ₩36,000 |
| Under 36 months | Free | Free |
Don’t buy at the gate. Platforms like Klook and KKday regularly offer 40–50% discounts on Seoul Land tickets. Adult tickets can come down to around ₩25,000. It takes two minutes to check before you go, and it’s worth it.
Kraken Island is included with your park admission — no separate ticket needed.
For more information on Seoul Land’s facilities and seasonal events, visit the Korea Tourism Organization’s official Seoul Land page.
Getting There — Take the Subway on Weekends
By subway: Take Line 4 to Seoul Grand Park Station and exit from Exit 2. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the Seoul Land entrance. If you’d rather not walk, the Elephant Train runs between the station and the park.
- Adult: ₩1,500
- Child/Teen: ₩1,000
By car: The East Gate parking lot (동문주차장) is the closest to the entrance. That said, weekend parking is no joke. We arrived early in the morning and still waited around 20 minutes. If you arrive later in the day, expect longer. Scan the QR code before you leave to get your parking validated for free.
On weekends, the subway is genuinely the better option.
What to Pack for Kraken Island
If you’re planning to use the water play area, bring:
- Swimwear
- Aqua shoes (mandatory — available on-site but better to bring your own)
- Beach towel and a spare dry towel
- Change of clothes
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof diapers for infants and toddlers
- A mat or blanket for resting in the designated picnic areas
Arrive early, hit the rides in the morning, let the kids loose in Kraken Island after lunch, then stay for the fireworks. My daughter fell asleep on the way home.
That’s a good day.
