Is Interpark's Play & Stay Package Worth It for K-Pop Concerts? My Honest Experience at SEVENTEEN Caratland 2025
Lifestyle April 05, 2025
Interpark Play & Stay Review: My Experience at SEVENTEEN's Caratland 2025
I’ve been familiar with Interpark’s Play & Stay package since Caratland 2024, but I hesitated at first because of the price. However, ticketing for Caratland 2025 was a whole new challenge. Interpark now only allows you to queue for one date at a time, making it harder to secure two-day tickets. That’s when I finally gave Play & Stay a try, and in this blog post, I’ll share my full experience for those who might be considering it too.
What is Interpark’s Play & Stay?
Play & Stay is an exclusive concert package by Interpark that bundles concert tickets and hotel accommodation — very similar to SM Entertainment’s SM Global Package. It offers several perks, making it ideal for international fans or anyone who wants a smoother concert experience.
Benefits of Play & Stay:
- 🎟️ Concert/ Fan Meeting tickets
- 🛏️ 3D2N hotel accommodation (twin or single room)
- 🛍️ Official merchandise/freebies
- 🚌 Shuttle service to and from the venue
- 🧾 Easy ticket pickup at the hotel (skip the long lines at the venue!)
My Experience with Play & Stay
Ticketing Queue Was Manageable
During the Caratland 2025 ticketing, one thing that stood out to me was how Play & Stay had noticeably fewer fans queuing compared to the general ticketing pool. I initially entered the queue with a number somewhere in the 700s, which gave me a little hope but unfortunately, I got kicked out of the system mid-queue (classic Interpark moment, right?). When I got back in, my number had jumped to the 2000s, and at that point, I was honestly just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
@annyeongruth I just realized that I didn’t take a video of myself while doing the ticketing 🙃 But still! The important thing is we have tickets 🩷 See you again soon SEVENTEEN! #kpop #seventeen #세븐틴 #caratland #caratland2025 #interpark #ticketing #lifeinkorea ♬ God of Light Music - SEVENTEEN
Surprisingly, despite the higher queue number, I was still able to secure a Twin Room package! I think the lower demand compared to general ticketing helped increase my chances. It seems that a lot of fans still hesitate to go for Play & Stay, possibly because of the price, but for those who are considering convenience and guaranteed tickets, this route is definitely worth looking into.
Thanks to the Twin Room booking, I was able to stay with my friend for the full 3D2N experience, making the whole trip not just easier but also way more fun.
Hotel Was Great
I don’t usually splurge on accommodations because I’m the type who’s always out and about, so I just need a clean place to stay. That’s why I rarely book hotels, and this was actually only my third time staying at a hotel in Korea. But honestly? Glad Yeouido Hotel exceeded my expectations.
The room was spacious, clean, and super cozy. It had a sleek and modern design with warm lighting that made the space feel extra relaxing. There was plenty of room to move around, even with two suitcases open on the floor (fangirl essentials, of course). The bathroom was spotless, and we had complimentary water bottles and all the basic amenities ready for us.
And the bed? Chef’s kiss. It was so soft and comfy. It's the kind of bed that makes you forget all your worries the moment you sink into it. After a long day of preparing for the fan meeting and running on barely any sleep, it felt like I was wrapped in a warm hug. I genuinely had one of the best, deepest sleeps I’ve had in months.
Check-in was also smooth and hassle-free. Just like the normal checking in, I just showed my passport and the staff gave us our keycards within minutes. The front desk staff were kind and professional, and even though we were international guests, everything went smoothly.
Ticket Claiming Was Convenient
One of the biggest perks of the Play & Stay package was the hassle-free ticket claiming process. We didn’t have to line up outside the venue with the crowd. Instead, we picked up our tickets and wristbands right at the hotel lobby between 9:00 AM and 12:00 NN. It was super convenient, especially for someone like me who gets anxious about queues and crowd control.
The process was simple and well-organized. All we had to do was present our Interpark verification page and a valid ID or passport to the staff stationed at the lobby. If you booked a twin room, make sure both guests are present during pickup. This ensures that the tickets are only given to the rightful holders, which I appreciated.
Along with our tickets and wristbands, we also received our official merch freebies for this package: a Bongbongie keyring (so cute!) and a trading card set. It was such a nice touch like a mini unboxing moment right there in the hotel.
As for the seating, it was randomly assigned but guaranteed to be in the R section, as mentioned in Interpark's announcement. While some hotels might get you better R seats (I assume the more premium ones), the difference wasn’t huge. Our seats still offered a great view of the stage, and I was able to fully enjoy the fan meeting without feeling like I was too far from the action.
Shuttle service to and from the venue
One of the biggest perks of the Play & Stay package was definitely the included shuttle service and I can’t emphasize this enough! Since Caratland 2025 wasn’t held in Seoul, going home from the venue on your own could’ve been a bit of a headache. But thanks to the shuttle, transportation was the least of my worries.
The shuttle buses were organized by the hotel and Interpark, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. All we had to do was remember the pickup time and location that our guide mentioned during claiming of tickets. We just showed up at the designated spot, and there they were.
Our assigned guide was super kind and friendly, and honestly made the ride feel like a mini field trip. They gave us reminders in both Korean and English, helped fans stay organized, and even cracked a few jokes along the way. It really helped lighten the mood and added to the overall experience.
Bonus points for the free bottled water they handed out on board. It made me feel well taken care of, and it was clear they’d thought about the little things that make a big difference for concert-goers.
After the show, the shuttle was also waiting to take us back to the hotel, which meant no stress about navigating public transportation at night. I literally just followed the guide, hopped back on the bus, and was dropped off safely at our hotel.
Final Thoughts: Is Interpark Play & Stay Worth It?
Absolutely, if you have the budget. The convenience it offers - from ticketing and accommodations to shuttle service and freebies - is worth the price, especially for international fans or those who want to attend multiple days.
I didn’t feel any of the usual concert ticketing stress, and everything was organized and smooth. I’d definitely consider booking again for future events.
Mini Vlog
@annyeongruth Wondering what the Play&Stay Package for concerts and fanmeets in Korea? Here’s my experience! #kpop #seventeen #세븐틴 #캐럿랜드 #caratland #playandstay #interpark with @DM ♬ 蜜桃物语 - 仁辰 & 于行
