Aren’t you just passing by without any plans even during the summer vacation season. If you don’t know what to eat and watch, one option is to go to a travel destination for people around the world who “wanted to experience at least once in their lives.” Overseas tourism hot spots such as “Junglia Okinawa,” a new landmark in Okinawa, and “Hong Kong Disneyland Resort,” which celebrated its 20th anniversary, have recently cited Korea as major markets.
Junglia Okinawa, a tropical theme park that blends with nature for power vacation at a new tourist landmark in Okinawa, Japan
사진 확대 JUNGGLIA OKINAWA’s Infinity Terrace (Photo by Japan Entertainment)
On July 25, JUNGGLIA OKINAWA, a new natural theme park newly opened in Japan, is stimulating the curiosity of domestic and foreign tourists for the summer vacation season. Junglia Okinawa, a large tropical theme park built with about 60 hectares (120 hectares of land area), has literally emerged as one of Japan’s largest theme parks in the northern Okinawa National Park, where Yanbaru, a World Natural Heritage site, is located.
Junglia Okinawa, which has the concept of “Power Vacation!!”, combines experiences that can only be experienced in the jungle with the superb view of Mother Nature instead of the theme park attraction in the city center. From DINOSAUR SAFARI, which experiences the carnivorous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus in the jungle in a car, to HORIZON BALLON, which takes a 360-degree view of Mother Nature’s superb view, it will showcase 22 different attractions and entertainment contents enjoyed in nature. In particular, the SPA JUNGGLIA, the most prominent spot among major facilities, consists of the world’s largest Infinity Public Bath, officially listed in the Guinness World Records on January 31, 2025, and indoor and outdoor hot spring facilities.
사진 확대 SPA JUNGGLIA (photo by Japan Entertainment)
Previously, the center of Okinawa tourism was concentrated in the south. Northern Okinawa, which was simply an overlooked area, is now expected to be able to discover attractive new tourist elements to Jeonglia Okinawa. Japan Entertainment CEO Takeshi Kato said at a press conference held in Korea in June, “Junglia’s speciality lies in its business model. “The cost reduction, construction period reduction, and sustainable development model implemented in the process of returning the existing site to nature are business models that can be applied anywhere in the world, and we have a vision to expand similar models throughout Asia based on Junglia’s success.”
The real-life ‘Jurassic Park’ is a tourist point in Jeonglia Okinawa
Junglia Okinawa’s tourist point is that it makes the audience feel as if they have entered the movie Jurassic Park. First, as soon as you enter the park entrance, a huge symbolic tree made up of native Okinawa plants welcomes visitors. The magnificent appearance that looks like a real tree creates an original atmosphere by combining plants that are vividly expressed, such as burning, banyan, and yayama palm. The colorful flowers blooming according to the season make the beginning of the trip a special memory.
At the entrance of △ ‘INFINITY TERRACE’, there is an outdoor terrace overlooking the entire park at a glance. Located at the highest point of the park’s terrain, the terrace offers an overwhelming view of nature symbolizing “power vacation,” including hot air balloons rising from the distance and the appearance of a huge Brachiosaur.
사진 확대 “Dinosaur Safari,” the attraction of “Junglia Okinawa” (photo by Japan Entertainment)
△”DINOSAUR SAFARI” is a thrilling adventure in the unpredictable events that continue from the moment you board the vehicle. You can board a Land Rover running on the Savannah terrain and meet herbivorous dinosaurs that were considered extinct as close as you can reach them. As you enter the dense jungle past the rattling path, you’ll encounter its strongest T-Rex. Tourists must get away from Tyrannosaurus, which chases furiously through tropical plants blocking the road. In addition, various dinosaurs, including the huge dinosaur Brachiosaurus, are strutted everywhere at the theme park attraction. Children’s visitors can experience Finding Dinosaurs, an expedition to find lost baby dinosaurs.
△The 360-degree panorama over the dense, green jungle viewed from the giant hot air balloon of the ‘HORIZON BALLON’ is an unrivalled spectacular sight. The higher the altitude, the more the emerald sea is reflected in the sunlight, glistening and appearing, and a romantic atmosphere can be created if the gradation of the clear sky and the sunset from pink to orange is colored.
An invitation to a party between Mickey and Disney Princess at the “Hong Kong Disneyland Resort” on their 20th birthday
Imagine a magical moment when Mickey Mouse passes in front of visitors in a flying Kokiri Dumbo, and six Disney Princesses on a Cinderella carousel beckoning gracefully and greeting party visitors, and that alone brings back the childhood that I had forgotten as an adult.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort celebrates its 20th anniversary in June, presenting a magical party-like experience space and events for a year. Music and colorful colors from day to night add vitality to the park, and the main street, U.S.A., which transforms into a colorful canvas, and colorful fireworks and drone performances embroider the night sky. In particular, the huge 20th anniversary logo painted over the Magical Dream Castle is an element that makes you burst into admiration as soon as you see it, and is the highlight of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s 20th birthday party.
사진 확대 “Mickey and Friends” 20th Anniversary Costume (photo by Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong)
The Disney theme park is said to have begun when Walt Disney, the founder of Walt Disney Co., was agonizing over sharing small pleasures with his two daughters. Michael Moriarty, managing director of Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, said, “This 20th anniversary is a heartfelt tribute to all visitors who have shared Disney’s joy for a long time and to Disney fans who are planning their first visit,” adding, “The timeless storytelling and Disney’s own spectacular and immersive experience are the beginning of a new journey to attract and inspire visitors from all over the world. I sincerely hope everyone will join me in a party full of magic,” he added.
20th anniversary party full of magic, what are the must-visit courses?
사진 확대 “Friendtastic!” Parade “Toy Story” (photo by Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong)
The entire Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong is full of festivals to celebrate the 20th anniversary. First, visitors can enjoy the festival in earnest, starting with the concert-style thrilling △ performance ‘Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle!’ In this 20th anniversary limited performance, Mickey and Mini, Goofy, Donald, Duffy and friends, and “Disney Princess” Aurora, Tiana and Bell appear in party dresses that have never been released, dancing and mingling with visitors, creating a lively festival scene. In addition, the colorful special effects and large props that fill the front of the Magical Dream Castle provide lively energy.
The new △ ‘Friendtastic!’ parade will also be available at this festival. With a total of 11 grand floats, more than 30 popular Disney friends and more than 100 performers, the 30-minute parade enters Main Street, U.S.A., full of energy. In the parade, Mickey Mouse plays drums directly on the opening float to open the festival, followed by Duffy and six friends on one float for the first time, entertaining fans with their playful charm. Woody from the Pixar animation “Toy Story” and Mike and Sulli from “Monsters, Inc.” also draw cheers from the audience with a pleasant appearance. In addition, the parade realistically embodied the animated “Zootopia” theme float and the “Big Hero” theme float.
사진 확대 “Momenters: Party in the Night Sky” Scenery (photo by Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong)
Hong Kong Disneyland’s must-go course △’Momenters: Party in the Night Sky’ has been renovated to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The performance time was extended by about 30 minutes by adding a specially designed opening direction. The main street, U.S.A., will feature a projection that winds around the entire city of U.S.A. and a magical drone group dance to embroider the night sky, and the upgraded fireworks show Nighttime Spectacular adds life with 200 completely new scenes and the first appearance of new characters.
When the fairy grandmother of “Cinderella” wields a cane, the Castle clock rises in the air, and Mickey in the night sky appears to prepare for a spectacular show. Disney animated characters, including Genie, Duffy and friends from “Aladdin,” appear magical in the night sky for the first time, and as the opening is nearing the end, the number “2” and Mickey’s head combine to complete the 20th anniversary logo, setting the stage for the main performance. Eight multimedia elements, including 3D projection, finely tuned drone group dance, fireworks, lasers, stage lights, and fireworks effects, show Disney’s own magic festival.
Party-themed dining is also an indispensable delicacy. Food and drinks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the resort are perfect for making pleasant memories with friends. You can enjoy the Royal Banket Hall’s Party Family Feast, Mickey and Friends Giant Sunde Party, and the Mickey and Friends Grand Tea Party Set at the Main Street Corner Cafe sponsored by Coca-Cola®.
By December 31, 2025, if you add 100 Hong Kong dollars (HKD) to the regular one-day ticket, you can purchase a non-stop two-day fun ticket and enjoy the park for two consecutive days. In addition, if you purchase a designated one-day ticket from now until September 27, 2025, you can get a 20th anniversary souvenir mini party hat for free.
[Reporter Lee Seung-yeon of “Glitter City Life” lee.seungyeon@mk.co.kr ]
[Photo by Japan Entertainment, Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong]
[This article is Mail Business City Life No. 993 (25.08.19)]
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