From the folks who brought you the Samurai (not the Japanese films) comes the Cliffhanger (not the Stallone film). Cliffhanger is the newest thrill ride at Lagoon.
Twisting and turning, Cliffhanger is sure to rid you of any spare change you might have inadvertently left in your pocket and soak the few dry spots you had left on your shirt after cruising the river ride, Rattlesnake Rapids.
The Cliffhanger ride, according to Lagoon's marketing-director Sheldon Killpack, consists of two long gondolas that seat 20 people each and a line of water jets. Once the ride gets going, the gondolas swing freely and, at times, lock in place so that riders never really know which way they will turn.
The riders are teased with getting hit by water from 44 fountains below, not knowing which pass will be a fake-out and which will be the soaker.
Sheldon said the ride, which opened last week, is already a hit with Lagoon crowds. "The response has been really good and the water element adds so much to it . . . it's a human dishwasher."
The ride is a $2.5 million investment for Lagoon, which, in recent years, has made an effort to bring in new rides to get the public's attention. "It isn't a cheap endeavor to do," Sheldon said, "but it's important to bring in new things to keep people coming back wanting to try out the newest ride."
In the past few years, Lagoon has added the rides "Samurai" — which was made by the company that also made Cliffhanger — The Rocket, the updated Wild Mouse, Rattlesnake Rapids and Double Thunder go-carts.
All of these newer rides go along with the Lagoon roller-coaster staples Colossus — Fire Dragon, Jet Star II and White Rollercoaster.