Just a short drive from the U.S. military bases in Pyeongtaek lies Dinosaur World, a paradise for young dinosaur enthusiasts. Located in Asan, it features a large group of realistic dinosaur model exhibits, rides and shows that captivate kids. Little dino fans can create lasting memories while playing in the world of these majestic creatures! I recently visited and had a blast. Here’s some insight and tips to make the most of a visit to Dinosaur World.
NAVER MAP: Asan, Dunpo-myeon, Haewian-gil 127 or Dinosaur World (공룡월드)
About a 15-minute drive from Camp Humphreys and 30 minutes from Osan Air Base.
HOURS: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri) / 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Sat-Sun) / No shows available on Tuesday
TICKET: 20,000 won / Free for children under 1 year old / 10,000 won for children aged 12 to 23 months / 13,000 won per person for a group of 20 or more / 16,500 won for a customer who purchases over 100,000 won at the mall.
Check out other Kid’s Corner stories about the top dinosaur museums in Korea!
Asan First Village Outlet Mall
Dinosaur World is located within Asan First Village Outlet Mall, featuring a four-story shopping complex, outdoor mall, large Daiso and Provence French Village, as well as a spacious parking area. This outlet is a perfect destination for families to enjoy a day out with diverse entertainment, shopping and dining options. Many brands offer items at discounted prices. The French Village is home to a collection of famous restaurants, bakeries and cafes. On the fourth floor of the main shopping complex, a food court offers a variety of cuisines, including Korean, Chinese, snacks and cafés.
Entry
Dinosaur World is at the main shopping complex on the first floor. Unlike typical kids’ cafés that charge parents and children at different costs, the entry fee is 20,000 won for anyone 2 years old and above.
When purchasing the ticket, I received a set of gifts, including a brooch, fan, candy and Jjajangmyeon black noodle packs. The gifts made me excited even before exploring Dinosaur World!
The ticket price may seem a bit high, so some parents might hesitate to enter. However, it’s a fantastic place to snap photos of children having a blast with dinosaurs, so I’d recommend at least one guardian accompanying their child. There are many massage chairs available for tired parents. Free lockers are available to store your belongings, but if you lose the locker key, you’ll need to pay a fee of 20,000 won, so it’s best for parents to keep it safe.
Dinosaur rides
As soon as I entered, I was immediately surprised by the life-sized dinosaur models lined up. There were stairs and saddles for kids to sit on to ride the dinosaurs. The dinosaur rides were moving and roaring like real dinosaurs! Imagine the excitement for dinosaur-loving kids!
I was a bit scared to climb onto such a large dinosaur until a friendly little boy joined me on the dinosaur ride. We took a fantastic picture together! Check out my video to see how fun the place is!
For younger children, there are also cute, smaller dinosaur rides. All rides are included with the admission ticket, so no extra costs are required.
Dinosaur museum
Dinosaur World is like a dinosaur museum with countless displays and a fun, child-friendly atmosphere. The ceiling is incredibly high, allowing the giant Argentinosaurus to stretch its long neck nearly to the top. Each dinosaur has a sign with its name and description, making it a fun and educational experience. For dinosaur-obsessed children, this would be a dream come true as they can see, touch and take photos with these incredible replicas!
Dinosaur shows
The shows are truly the highlight, even enjoyable for an adult like me! The enormous dinosaurs take to the grand stage, marching and playing with kids.
When dinosaurs approached closely during the show, I was so intimidated by their size that I ran away to a seat further away. I screamed when Tyrannosaurus Rex playfully lunged to catch me!
Also, children can run onto the stage to dance with the dinosaurs. After dancing, they can hug the dinosaurs. Once all the shows are over, the gigantic dinosaurs come back out for a photo op.
An interactive magic show is also a favorite among children. A magician creates balloon animals, magic wands, umbrellas and swords and offers them to the young audience at the end of the show. Please note that shows aren’t available on Tuesdays.
Other attractions
Besides dinosaur displays and rides, other attractions include huge bounce houses, a playroom with dinosaur toys and a princess dress room for little girls. While the kids burn off energy, parents can recharge in massage chairs located in front of the bounce houses.
Re-entry policy
Remember that re-entry is allowed, so parents can enjoy some shopping and return to check on their kids. After 1-2 hours of fun adventure and watching the shows, children can step outside for a meal or snack and return in time for the next show. The shows are so beloved that many kids spend the whole day just coming and going to catch the shows again and again.