Lagoon opening sans 'Wicked'

Park's newest roller coaster should be ready to roll in June

By Lynn Arave, Deseret News

Published: Friday, April 6 2007 12:14 a.m. MDT

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Lagoon employee Dillon Linck works on the children's Red Baron ride in Farmington. The amusement park will open on Saturday.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Summary

When Lagoon opens Saturday for its 121st season, it won't be "wicked." But, as with most preseasons at Lagoon, the park will likely have short lines for all the rides that are open that day.

FARMINGTON — When Lagoon opens Saturday for its 121st season, it won't be "wicked." But, as with most preseasons at Lagoon, the park will likely have short lines for all the rides that are open that day.

Wicked is the park's new $10 million roller coaster, which won't be ready for opening day. "We ran into some manufacturing problems that we had to correct," said Lagoon spokesman Dick Andrew.

The roller coaster will be ready in June; however, he said, "We haven't set a specific date."

This new "launch tower" roller coaster is being built just west of the Fire Dragon, and it will be Lagoon's tallest at 110 feet and its fastest at 55 mph. (Riding the Fire Dragon or the Spider will afford fans a nice view of the new coaster under construction.)

Despite the absence of Lagoon's new premier ride during the preseason, the park should have all of its usual rides operating (except Lagoon-A-Beach), and three of the old rides have been extensively refurbished for the 2007 season.

Lagoon has also refurbished its two "scary" rides — the Terroride and Dracula's Castle. "We've refurbished the interiors," Andrew said. "They'll be a lot more fun."

Another key change this year is the Tidal Wave — a favorite stomach-tickler — which has also been refurbished. Lagoon's staff repainted and rebuilt the ride from the ground up. "It will look like a new ride," Andrew said.

Lagoon also plans to use its overflow parking area north of the park — if needed — because of the addition of Wicked in what was once a parking area.

The park will also continue its picnic policy of allowing outside food in, to be eaten at one of its numerous shady picnic areas. And there are the usual options of purchasing edibles at Lagoon's many food outlets.

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