Legoland Korea Resort

Legoland Korea is a theme park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It opened on May 5, 2022, and is the first and only Legoland on an island. Legoland Korea Resort covers 280,000 square meters (3.01 million square feet), making it the world's second largest Legoland theme park after Legoland New York and the 2nd largest in Asia behind Legoland Malaysia Resort which covers 76 acres of land.[1]

Legoland Korea Resort
LocationJungdo Island, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province
StatusOperating
OpenedMay 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)[lower-alpha 1]
OwnerMerlin Entertainments
Operated byMerlin Entertainments
ThemeLego
Attractions
Total18
Roller coasters1
Water rides3
Websitehttps://www.legoland.kr/

History

Gangwon Province and Merlin Entertainment Group signed an MOA on the Legoland Korea Resort Development Project on September 1, 2011.[2] A representative of Gangwon Province noted, "Legoland Korea, if opening, will attract two million tourists annually, create 9,800 jobs and boost local tax revenue by 4.4 billion won."[2] The theme park officially opened on May 5, 2022.[3][4][lower-alpha 1]

Criticism and issues

Legoland Korea has been marred by debt and financial issues.[5][6] It has also been criticized for its high admission and parking fees for a relatively small park. Since its opening, the actual number of visitors has been significantly lower than the projected two million.[7] Furthermore, there has been additional criticism in regards to the park location on Jungdo Island, which was built over an ancient archaeological site, causing permanent damage. The island was home to a massive site of rare relics going back 5,000 years.[8]

Notes
  1. A soft opening occurred earlier on April 2, 2022.

References
  1. "Korea's own Legoland to open next May". September 28, 2021.
  2. Hong-goo, Gee (July 18, 2013). "Legoland Korea starts countdown for formal contract". The Maeil Business Newspaper. Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  3. Hae-rin, Lee (March 28, 2022). "Legoland to open in Chuncheon May 5". The Korea Times. Korea Times. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  4. "Legoland Korea Resort opens as the tenth Legoland worldwide". InPark Magazine. May 9, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  5. Park, S. Nathan (November 10, 2022). "A Theme Park Crisis Is Wrecking South Korea's Bond Market". Foreign Policy. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  6. Lee, Ho-Jeong (October 24, 2022). "Legoland Korea rocks debt markets and surprises government". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  7. Jang, Won-Seok (November 2, 2022). "Gloomy future of Legoland Korea". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  8. Kim, Hong-nam (September 7, 2022). "Legoland, but at what cost?". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.

37°53′02″N 127°41′49″E

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