NEWS: Lagoon opening sans 'Wicked'

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

By Lynn Arave
Deseret Morning News

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.

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

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.

If you go
What: Lagoon
Where: Farmington
When: new season begins Saturday
Lagoon employee Jesse Hanson works on the Tidal Wave ride, which was rebuilt from the ground up during the off-season.Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning NewsHours for April, May and September: open Sundays at 11 a.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m.
Hours for June-August: open daily at 11 a.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m.
How much: $20.95-$36.95 daily admissions, $7 parking (season passports, $74.95-$95.95; season parking $40)
Phone: from Salt Lake County, 401-5555;
Davis County, 451-8000;
Ogden, 605-5555;
Utah County, 607-5555;
other areas, 800-748-5246
Web: www.lagoonpark.com
Also: Lagoon-A-Beach, May 26-Sept. 15; Frightmares, Sept. 28-Oct. 30