- Lagoon announces the Nutcracker, a new Screamin' Swing ride opening in 2026.
- The ride will stand over 100 feet tall reaching speeds up to 68 mph.
- The Nutcracker is Lagoon's first new ride in three years, enhancing visitor experience.
FARMINGTON — Thrill seekers will have a new reason to visit Lagoon next season.
The amusement park unveiled plans Friday for a high-flying swing ride called the Nutcracker, set to open in 2026. Park officials say it aims to be one of "the most innovative and daring rides" in Lagoon's long history.
Engineered by S&S Worldwide, the Screamin' Swing ride will stand over 100 feet tall and catapult swinging riders at speeds up to 68 mph.
"As you swing, you won't just see the sky, you'll hang with it," said Julie Freed, Lagoon's director of special events.
Riders will fly up nearly 150 feet above the ground, putting them at the same height as the Sky Coaster, according to Freed.
Lagoon has partnered with industry leaders to bring this vision to life. S&S Worldwide is responsible for the ride's innovation and fabrication, Big D Construction is building the foundations and support structure and 3dxScenic is crafting the Nutcracker icon, the amusement park said.
Seating 1,200 passengers per hour, the ride features g-forces "greater than an astronaut's launch," according to a park press release.
"Next year, a 50-foot Nutcracker icon will proudly stand guard, ready to welcome every guest to join the fun. The best part, this icon will be dwarfed by the sheer size of the ride itself," Freed said
At its most dynamic swing height of 135 feet, the Nutcracker will come in just short of the Cannibal's tallest loop at 140 feet.
Shane Dustman is a frequent Lagoon visitor and pass holder. The ride enthusiast shared his excitement about the working relationship between Lagoon and S&S Worldwide. "They (Lagoon) worked with S&S in the past ... they did the Rocket with S&S, so I knew it was a swing," Dustman said.
When comparing the Nutcracker to other swing rides at Lagoon, such as Tidal Wave, Dustman said, "This one is way bigger — about the same size as the Twizzling Twister at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania."
Masen Curtis and Mei Gregory are high school students who visit Lagoon frequently.
"I'm actually really excited for the new ride. I think it's a new opportunity for people to get more excited about Lagoon, especially since they've been making new rides. For people who like more extreme rides, it's going to be more fun, because I feel like that's what Lagoon is going for," Curtis said.
"I go to Lagoon basically every year," said Gregory. "I've been so many times I know it's like the back of my hand."
"My favorite ride by far is Wicked. I also really like Samurai. It's a classic. For the new ride, that looks freaking awesome, I am so excited," she said.
Celebrating 139 years of family fun this year, the amusement park has been Utah's only amusement park for well over a century. The park features 55 rides, a water park and other features that make it a unique experience for attendees.
Lagoon's newest ride is part of the park's ongoing commitment to refreshing the visitor experience and offering more extreme attractions, park officials said. As excitement grows, fans such as Curtis and Gregory are already planning to be among the first to experience the latest thrill.
The Nutcracker is the first new ride at Lagoon in three years. The park introduced Primordial, a fantasy-themed roller coaster, in 2023.
