FARMINGTON — After a season break that was extended for months by COVID-19 restrictions, Utah’s favorite amusement park, Lagoon, announced Friday it will reopen for business just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
The park is set to start admitting visitors at 10 a.m. on Saturday and all guests must be wearing a mask to be allowed entrance.
Lagoon officials said a new reservation system is in place to help manage social distancing and avoid crowding at the park entrance, and capacity will be limited to about 15% of its usual maximum volume. All Lagoon visitors, whether they are purchasing a single-day pass or are season passholders, will be required to make a reservation online for admission.
A press release noted tickets may be purchased online at the same time the reservation is made to speed and simplify the process of entering and obtaining a wristband that will be used to confirm authorization for park privileges. The Lagoon reservation system is available now online and visitors can make reservations up to one week in advance.
The park would have begun weekend-only operations back in March, but those plans were pushed back after a “stay home, stay safe” directive from Gov. Gary Herbert and subsequent COVID-19 related restrictions that shuttered nonessential businesses across the state.
A park spokesman said total guests allowed in the park will be limited to around 6,000, a fraction of its usual summer season traffic and numerous new protocols are in place. Those include regular sanitizing of high-touch areas on rides and other guest areas, masks required for all guests and employees, and the deployment of hand-sanitizing stations parkwide. Walkway markers have also been placed to help maintain social distancing while waiting for rides and/or concessions, but park officials said they expect few if any lines due to the restricted number of patrons.
Social distancing will also be maintained on rides themselves, where household members will be allowed to ride together but empty seats or spaces will be left to separate parties.
The entire park was expected to be open for business Saturday, but the Lagoon-A-Beach swimming and water activity area was still waiting for a final approval Friday afternoon, though officials said they expected a green light in time for the opening. Chilly weather expected over the weekend, however, may keep the area shuttered.
Lagoon is asking a little extra from visitors in order to keep the park as safe as possible, including refraining from gathering in large groups while in the park, sanitizing hands before and after rides, and helping children in and out of rides.
A complete list of guest expectations, the new reservation portal and further details for Lagoon visitors can be found on the park’s website, lagoonpark.com.