Lagoon amusement park in Farmington will open for its 118th season — weather permitting — on Saturday at 10 a.m.
The park will be open Saturdays (at 10 a.m.) and Sundays (at 11 a.m.) through Memorial Day, May 31, when a daily operating schedule will begin. Closing times for the park will vary during the April and May preseason. Lagoon-A-Beach, the park's water feature, will open May 29, weather permitting.
Lagoon has 27 "big kid" rides and 12 "kiddie" rides — including two new attractions for children this year. Kontiki, a new boat ride, will open this season for kids and parents. Dragonfly, a new swing ride, will thrill little kids this year.
Kontiki is similar to Lagoon's existing Tidal Wave ride, though geared for children. Dragonfly is a circle-motion ride that features a huge dragonfly with a 16-foot wingspan.
In addition, Lagoon will open an interactive water fountain in its central plaza this season, and there will also be a new theme — metal flowers and bugs — in its expanded "Kiddieland."
Lagoon has spent approximately $2.5 million on this year's improvements, according to Dick Andrew, Lagoon spokesman. He added that it was also time for Kiddieland, last remodeled in 1985, to have a face lift.
Traditionally, the pre-season at Lagoon is a great time to enjoy the park, as crowds are smaller. Patrons can go from one ride to the next with little or no waiting. Saturday morning is also the best time to do the park's biggest attractions, when the lines are the smallest.
Later in the preseason, there will be additional free entertainment, such as youth clogging competitions.
Lagoon's daily admission prices are $31.95, plus tax, for patrons 51 inches tall to age 64. For children age 4 to 50 inches tall, daily passports are $26.95. Toddlers are $17. Seniors are $20. Season passports come at a reduced price for four or more, $72.95, plus tax, through June 6 (for three or fewer, $82.95).
The "X-Venture Zone" attractions — Skycoaster, Top Eliminator, Double Thunder Raceway, Catapult and Peak Exposure — all charge an additional fee, above daily admission or season passports.
Toddlers, 3 and younger, may enter the park free without a ticket and without a stamp. If a toddler is accompanied by a riding adult with a regular ride passport, he or she may be taken on the train, merry-go-round or the ferris wheel for free. All other rides require individual ride tickets.
Seniors, age 65 and older, may enter the park free. However, all rides require individual tickets or the $20 senior passport.
Daily parking at Lagoon is $7, or $10 for a car or truck with a trailer or an RV. Season parking passes are $38.
Lagoon's 118-year-old tradition of offering free picnicking also continues this year, and the park has a wide variety of food and snacks available for purchase.
Detailed information for guests with disabilities is available on Lagoon's Web site.
Lagoon is also planning another Frightmares Halloween season starting Oct. 1, which will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31.
Various discount offers for Lagoon's daily admission are also available, including Lagoon's "Fun Time Club," which can be joined for free on the park's Web site, offering $19.25, plus tax, admission during the first part of the preseason.
For more information on Lagoon, call 451-8000 or go online to www.lagoonpark.com.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com