For coasting from spring into summer, nothing beats the fast-banked curves of the double-loop Fire Dragon or the sway of the big wooden roller coaster at Lagoon, Utah's oldest and largest amusement park.
Lagoon has bargain summerlong passes on sale right now and is gearing up for one of its earliest openings ever: the weekend of April 7, after which it will be open on Saturdays and Sundays until Memorial Day weekend, when the park will begin daily operation.Lagoon-A-Beach, the resort's water park, is scheduled to open May 19 and may be open for some of the special pre-season school excursions.
Both family and individual season ride passes are now available - $142.15 for a family of four or $38.20 for one person, good on any of the 118 regular operating days during Lagoon's 1990 season.
Season pass holders are also offered discounts at Lagoon-A-Beach and special bargains at the park's food and merchandise centers. Season passes may be purchased either directly from Lagoon or at all
Smith'sTix outlets.
Ron Van Woerden, Lagoon's entertainment director, has also announced that the park is planning several special events and activities during the season.
On Memorial Day weekend, there will be a Lagoon-A-Beach Party. Frankie and Annette won't be there, but contests, volleyball (on the water park's new courts), bands and other fun-in-the-sun activities are on the agenda.
On June 25, Joyce Becker will bring a bevy of soap opera stars to the park for two big shows featuring question-and-answer sessions for devoted fans and their favorite stars.
On July 4 and 5, Lagoon guests will be treated to "the world's most entertaining hypnotist" - Tony Angelo, plus the comedy and magic of Laff Trix (Bruce Gold and Tom Ogden), a duo direct from Atlantic City and who've been featured in some of the country's hottest comedy clubs.
For July 23-24, Lagoon will help Utahns celebrate Pioneer Days by spotlighting one of the hottest new country-western stars, Lionel Cartwright.
And on Aug. 13, Paul Casey, who tore up the house last year with his tribute to Elvis, will return to Lagoon with his shakin', rattlin' and rollin' Las Vegas show.
During April and May, Lynn Dee Mueller and the Backstreet Boys will entertain country-western fans with their brand of warmth and humor.
And, all season, Lagoon will have its usual entertainment: the popular Lagoon Marching Band (joined this year by the new, smaller, six-member L. A. Goon Clown Band), the crowd-pleasing musical revues in the amphitheater next to the roller coaster (where "Broadway!" will be featured this season), and the exciting Wild West Shootouts in Pioneer Village.
There are no new major rides at Lagoon this season. Instead, the resort has been fine-tuning its Lagoon-A-Beach (which was delayed last summer by construction problems), and focusing on top-notch entertainment.
For further information about season passes or to make reservations for picnics, call Lagoon at 451-0101 (Salt Lake City), 292-2379 (from the South Valley area), or 776-6931 (from Ogden).