Nutcracker, an S&S Screamin’ Swing, made its debut to media, full-time employees and their families on Thursday, just in time for the park to kick off the 2026 season Saturday.

Julie Reed, director of special events at Lagoon, told the Standard-Examiner that a lot of effort went into making the Nutcracker a reality in time for the season.

“We are so proud of this ride,” she said. “This ride is a direct reflection of the thousands of hours our incredible team members have dedicated towards this ride. People think we’re closed in the winter and the park is really quiet — that is not the case. We have been working day in, day out, trying to get this ride ready to open.”

In October 2025, the Standard-Examiner reported the following specs for the ride:

• “Maximum speed: 68 mph
• “Static ride height: 105 feet (equivalent to Corona Arch in Moab, UT)
• “Dynamic ride height: 135 feet (nearly the height of the Statue of Liberty from heel to crown)
• “Ride capacity: 1,200 passengers per hour, 40 per cycle
• “Ride cycle time: 108 seconds (168 including loading)
• “Forces experienced: From -0.42G airtime to 4.67G — greater than an astronaut’s launch”

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

Reed said thrill seekers will rejoice.

“This is a thrill ride, so for the thrill seekers, this is definitely for them,” she said. “It also changes the skyline. You can see the swing from the freeway. Riders go up 150 feet in the air, which is the same height as our Sky Coaster. It completely changes the skyline of the park and we’ve been working year after year bringing new, exciting, fun attractions and this one is for the thrill seekers, for sure.”

But Nutcracker is far from the only source of excitement as Lagoon opens for the 2026 season.

Reed said there’s a lot to look forward to this year from new aesthetics to additional attractions.

“We have installed a brand new fountain at the front entrance, which is fabulous,” she said. “We have a new courtyard as well. We’ve made little improvements all throughout the park. We have a new food stand coming. And then later this season, we have two social clubs opening and that will be very exciting too.”

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

She said the park is already looking well beyond 2026.

Part of this effort began last year as Lagoon started rehoming the animals that had been a part of the park’s zoo element for years.

“The animals have left, so the Wild Kingdom Train will be closed this year for future park expansion,” Reed said. “People may see some of that construction happening this summer.”

She didn’t elaborate on the future of that space other than to note that it will be “incredible, over-the-top, like no one has seen at Lagoon before.”

In the meantime, Reed said 2026 is going to be a great season for Lagoon.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“We have made improvements all throughout the park, we have great weather, our season pass holders have been chomping at the bit all winter-long, as have we,” she said. “We think this is going to be a really fun, special season.”

For more on Lagoon Amusement Park’s schedule for the 2026 season, visit https://www.lagoonpark.com/park-info/schedule-hours/.