On our fourth day, we transferred from Yoo's Guesthouse to Dongdaemun Inn. Since we didn't request a taxi service the day before, the owner of Yoo's accompanied us to the main road and hailed a cab for us. They spoke in Korean and showed him our printed booking form. In around 15 minutes, we're in Dongdaemun inn. We checked in and deposited our luggage. Then headed out to the subway (which is like 20 meters from our doorstep) for KidZania.
Since we arrived early for the afternoon shift, we leisurely walked around the block.
We also tried their local fastfood.
We entered KidZania at around 2pm.
Of all the places we've been to, it's probably at KidZania that my kids had a grand time doing adult activities. We felt happy seeing them exercise independence and enjoy themselves. It was the perfect treat for kids and the perfect break for us parents (since we just have to sit around and take photos the whole time)
What is KidZania?
KidZania is an activity center that is set-up like a metropolis, only it's scaled for kids. It gives opportunities for children to perform adult jobs, earn money and spend it inside the center.
How does it work?
This is our experience. We went inside the center and lined up for tickets. When we paid the entrance fee, we were given boarding-pass-like tickets and a pseudo-check worth 50 kidzos each for the kids.
Kidzo is the only currency in KidZania. The stewardess-attendant informed us to take note of the letter we're assigned in. (Our assigned group was E.) Then we were asked to wait in the airport-like lobby. When it was 2:30 (the second shift's opening time), the letters were announced over a PA system so that children and their parents can go in batches. Once inside, there were shops/areas that your child can choose to participate in. They would need to sit on the numbered chairs. Capacity, duration of activity and suggested age and economy are stated near the entrance. You can even see the photos of the attendants for the day. The check of 50 kidzos can be exhanged in any of the stores.
On the wall, you can see whether your kid would earn or spend on an activity. +kidzos refer to the amount they'll earn when they do the activity. -kidzos would mean, they would pay for it.
If your kid used up all her money, he or she needs to earn kidzos by doings tasks with +kidzos so he or she can start spending again. And also, activities are timed. The stores would have their start time posted on their entrance wall. And once the activity has started, you would need to wait in line for the next start time. The duration of each activity and waiting time would usually be around 30-45 minutes. If the numbers on the bench are all filled up, your child would need to wait for the next turn. There is no way you can do all the activities so I suggest that you encourage your child to choose and spend their time wisely. Some kids would just earn and earn, then later on spend all their earnings in the department store. It's really up to your child. I think it was very liberating for them.
Where my kids lined up:
1. Mart by EMart
They were tasked to man the check out counters. They were also instructed to look for the barcode swipe the goods.
2. Donut shop by Dunkin Donuts
They designed their own donuts. These were packed in a carry-on box. But we ate these as merienda so the box was immaterial.
3. Ice Cream Shop by Baskin Robbins
Of course, who would say no to ice cream. They made their own and ate them too, sharing some spoonfuls to us.
4. Fashion Boutique
They chose their own costume. Then they were led to the back room to dress up. Then they staged their own fashion show together with the other girls.
5. Dairy Lab
R lined up because she saw that working here will give her 10 kidzos. She looked at bacteria under a microscope and was given a yoghurt as take away.
6. Fire Department
S lined up here only we weren't able to do it because she fell asleep. And when she woke up she didn't want to pursue. But it would have been nice to wear a fireman's outfit, slide down their tunnel, ride a mini firetruck and hose down a building in flames.
7. Chocolate Factory by Ghana
They made their own chocolate bar here. And it comes with the legitimate Ghana box. It looked like it came from the factory.
8. Beauty Salon by Skin Food
They had their nails done and tested some make up on a sheet of paper.
9. Hospital
R trained in a hospital and performed a doctor's duty of replacing an old liver with a new one. And the mannequin, according to her, has a beating heart and can be "opened" up.
10. Department Store by Lotte Mart
After all the day's work, they spent all their kidzos at the department store. Mind you, parents are still not allowed inside. So we just gave instructions to R to make sure she have something for S too.
KidZania closed at 830. And we had like 5 kidzos left. But no worries, because these can be spent at other KidZanias around the world. And since they'll be opening one in Manila soon (hopefully by 2015), the kids were so excited. Actually, they wanted to return the next day but we said it would be more fun here in Manila because everything would be in Filipino or English. Oh, did I tell you that everything was in Korean? It was. But language barrier will never be a barrier for our kids to have a good time. Thank you KidZania. We'll wait for you in Manila.
We arrived in Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station around 9:30 and the place is still so alive. We saw the facade of their museum (which was like an alien spacecraft), so we indulged ourselves with some photos. It was a fun way to end the day.
Day 4 in a nutshell: Things you might need to know
Yoo's Guesthouse to Dongdaemun Inn
Since we arrived early for the afternoon shift, we leisurely walked around the block.
We also tried their local fastfood.
We entered KidZania at around 2pm.
Of all the places we've been to, it's probably at KidZania that my kids had a grand time doing adult activities. We felt happy seeing them exercise independence and enjoy themselves. It was the perfect treat for kids and the perfect break for us parents (since we just have to sit around and take photos the whole time)
What is KidZania?
KidZania is an activity center that is set-up like a metropolis, only it's scaled for kids. It gives opportunities for children to perform adult jobs, earn money and spend it inside the center.
How does it work?This is our experience. We went inside the center and lined up for tickets. When we paid the entrance fee, we were given boarding-pass-like tickets and a pseudo-check worth 50 kidzos each for the kids.
Kidzo is the only currency in KidZania. The stewardess-attendant informed us to take note of the letter we're assigned in. (Our assigned group was E.) Then we were asked to wait in the airport-like lobby. When it was 2:30 (the second shift's opening time), the letters were announced over a PA system so that children and their parents can go in batches. Once inside, there were shops/areas that your child can choose to participate in. They would need to sit on the numbered chairs. Capacity, duration of activity and suggested age and economy are stated near the entrance. You can even see the photos of the attendants for the day. The check of 50 kidzos can be exhanged in any of the stores.
If your kid used up all her money, he or she needs to earn kidzos by doings tasks with +kidzos so he or she can start spending again. And also, activities are timed. The stores would have their start time posted on their entrance wall. And once the activity has started, you would need to wait in line for the next start time. The duration of each activity and waiting time would usually be around 30-45 minutes. If the numbers on the bench are all filled up, your child would need to wait for the next turn. There is no way you can do all the activities so I suggest that you encourage your child to choose and spend their time wisely. Some kids would just earn and earn, then later on spend all their earnings in the department store. It's really up to your child. I think it was very liberating for them.
Where my kids lined up:
1. Mart by EMart
They were tasked to man the check out counters. They were also instructed to look for the barcode swipe the goods.
2. Donut shop by Dunkin Donuts
They designed their own donuts. These were packed in a carry-on box. But we ate these as merienda so the box was immaterial.
3. Ice Cream Shop by Baskin Robbins
Of course, who would say no to ice cream. They made their own and ate them too, sharing some spoonfuls to us.
4. Fashion Boutique
They chose their own costume. Then they were led to the back room to dress up. Then they staged their own fashion show together with the other girls.
5. Dairy Lab
R lined up because she saw that working here will give her 10 kidzos. She looked at bacteria under a microscope and was given a yoghurt as take away.
6. Fire Department
S lined up here only we weren't able to do it because she fell asleep. And when she woke up she didn't want to pursue. But it would have been nice to wear a fireman's outfit, slide down their tunnel, ride a mini firetruck and hose down a building in flames.
7. Chocolate Factory by Ghana
They made their own chocolate bar here. And it comes with the legitimate Ghana box. It looked like it came from the factory.
8. Beauty Salon by Skin Food
They had their nails done and tested some make up on a sheet of paper.
9. Hospital
R trained in a hospital and performed a doctor's duty of replacing an old liver with a new one. And the mannequin, according to her, has a beating heart and can be "opened" up.
10. Department Store by Lotte Mart
After all the day's work, they spent all their kidzos at the department store. Mind you, parents are still not allowed inside. So we just gave instructions to R to make sure she have something for S too.
KidZania closed at 830. And we had like 5 kidzos left. But no worries, because these can be spent at other KidZanias around the world. And since they'll be opening one in Manila soon (hopefully by 2015), the kids were so excited. Actually, they wanted to return the next day but we said it would be more fun here in Manila because everything would be in Filipino or English. Oh, did I tell you that everything was in Korean? It was. But language barrier will never be a barrier for our kids to have a good time. Thank you KidZania. We'll wait for you in Manila.
We arrived in Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station around 9:30 and the place is still so alive. We saw the facade of their museum (which was like an alien spacecraft), so we indulged ourselves with some photos. It was a fun way to end the day.
Day 4 in a nutshell: Things you might need to know
Yoo's Guesthouse to Dongdaemun Inn
- We took a cab (around KW7,500)
Dongdaemun
Inn to Kidzania
Dongdaemun History and Culture Park to Jamsil (Exit 4)
11 Stations
Walk straight for 5
minutes toward Lotte Mart,
after which turn left and head toward the outdoor
carpark
Fare (using a card)
Adult 1,150 won
Children 500 won
KidZania Hours:
Dayshift:
9:30am to 2:30pm
Afternoon shift: 2:30pm to 8:30pm
KidZania Fee (Per shift):
Children (ages 3-16): weekdays: 32,000 won / weekends: 35,000 won
Youths & Adults (over 17): weekdays: 16,000 won / weekends: 18,000
won
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