Big enough that, on Friday, Lagoon needed a crane and the accompaniment of Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” to introduce a tall banner announcing the park’s next thrill ride — “The Nutcracker.”

Julie Reed, director of special events at Lagoon, told the Standard-Examiner that the ride is an S&S Worldwide “Screamin’ Swing.”

“It will dominate the skyline at Lagoon,” she said. “Riders will soar up to 150 feet; that’s the same height as our Sky Coaster. … This ride is so massive. It’s powerful. It’s going to be fun and exciting and we can’t wait to open.”

Ahead of the official announcement, Lagoon Amusement Park sent the following specs for the Nutcracker to the media:

• “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”

Reed said that this will be something that Lagoon hasn’t quite experienced yet.

“There is nothing like this at Lagoon,” she said. “This is something brand new.”

Reed said the Nutcracker will be ready sometime during the 2026 season.

“We’re so excited about it,” she said. “I rode it last year in Orlando. It’s intense. It’s fun. I think it’s what our guests want — and we want to give them what they want.”

S&S Worldwide has installed several “Screamin’ Swings” at amusement parks across the country, including Cedar Point (Ohio), Valleyfair (Minnesota) and Dollywood (Tennessee).