Pororo Park in Dongtan Metapolis Mall (메타폴리스몰)

Elizabeth's school went on an all day field trip to a park an hour away, with hiking, swimming, and even a campfire.  Even though it sounded awesome, it seemed like a bit much for our two year old, so instead we spent the day as a family, doing fun things, Elizabeth style.

Back in May, a new shopping center opened up thirty minutes away in the city of Dongtan.  It is a new city, just north of Osan and 15 minutes south of Suwon.  The roads are wide, the parking spaces are bigger, there are plenty of trees and landscaping, and the buildings are all new.  City planning at its best, something the rest of the country needs.  Inside this new shopping center, Metapolis Mall (메타폴리스몰), are lots of interesting stores, an ice rink and a Pororo Theme Park.

Pororo is the Korean equivalent to Mickey Mouse in the States.  Everything a child needs or wants can be found with Pororo branding.  Before moving to Korea, I thought the cartoon character looked odd, but I too have succumbed to its marketing techniques and find Pororo and his friends charming.  More importantly, Elizabeth loves all things Pororo, especially the Pororo cup she drinks yogurt from each morning.  Yes, in Korea, we drink yogurt instead of eating it with a spoon.  

At the entrance of the theme park, you have to take off your shoes and place them in lockers.  It is a foreign concept to us Westerners, but a brilliant way to keep dirt from entering the play area.  Also, no strollers allowed, cause they track in dirt too.

Pororo characters live in an arctic village.  Crong is a dinosaur and the only one who cannot talk.  Loopy is a beaver.

Cool bouncing area

On the way up to ride the train.

Fun Pororo musical.  Elizabeth and Daddy watched the whole thing.  Vincent and Mommy only watched the intro, because it was too loud in the theater.

The first time Elizabeth went up this maze, she came down after climbing up half way.  Before we left, she wanted to try it again and went all the way up and then down the slide. Good job! -S