FARMINGTON—For the last few years guests at Lagoon have watched anxiously as a new ride has taken shape. In 2023 the wait will be over. The ride will open to the public when Lagoon’s season starts in the spring. 

“It’s called Primordial,” said Lagoon spokesperson Adam Leishman. “It’s a family friendly ride. Children who are 48 inches have to ride with a supervising adult, those 36 inches can’t ride.”

It’s a unique ride, he said. “It’s an interactive, experiential coaster that is one of a kind in the world. I don’t want to say much more because it’s a fun surprise for our guests.”

Leishman said Lagoon is also unique in that they build some of their own rides. “We built Cannibal. We use local vendors for construction and we have an in-house international designer.”

It’s been seven years in the making, he said. “That includes the design process. In 2020 construction was halted. All of our resources had to go to staying open. Then it picked back up again last year.”

The name Primordial came from employees’ suggestions, said Leishman. “Everyone comes up with weird and funny names and then we pick one and say ‘that’s good.’ We’re family owned, kind of a Ma and Pa shop so everyone is very involved. That’s how it works.”

Lagoon also announced its pricing for the new season and that has gone up. “Everything that’s happening in the world is the same for us,” Leishman said. “Our operating costs have gone up so we can’t maintain the same prices.”

Leishman said they have a Black Friday deal on a season pass. “It’s $160.95 plus tax. It’s tiered pricing as the season goes on but the maximum price for a season pass is $207.95 plus tax. The maximum price for a single day ticket is $97.95 plus tax.”

People are often surprised that the off season is the busiest time for Lagoon, he said. “That’s the time we are making improvements, rehabilitating rides and doing construction. We’re working really hard.”

Lagoon has some iconic rides that can’t be found anywhere else, Leishman said. “The wooden roller coaster was built in 1921 and there isn’t another Terror Ride. It’s one of only four to six dark rides left in the entire world. It turned 50 in 2017 and Dracula’s Castle will be 50 years old in 2024.”

There are three rides that are on the national historic registry, he said. “We don’t like to take rides out. We like to preserve our rides.”

It’s the largest family owned amusement park in the country, said Leishman. “We’re one of few parks that have a picnic area and you can bring food in. There’s a lot of unusual things about Lagoon that we take a lot of pride in.”