EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Colossus Fire Dragon
Opened: 1983
Location: South Midway
Manufactured By: Anton Schwarzkopf Company
Ride Model: Double Looping (with Additional Trackway Curve)
Original Cost: $2.5 million
Max Speed: 55 mph
Max Height: 85 feet
Track Length: 2850 feet
Lift Length: 197 feet
Lift Grade: 35º
Loop Diameter: 65 feet
Base Dimensions: 227 feet long x 103 feet wide
Ride Time: 1 min 45 sec
Number Of Trains: 3
Ride Capacity: 28 riders per train
Hourly Capacity: 1,600 riders per hour
Height Requirement: 46" minimum. Children 46" to 50" must be accompanied by responsible person.
history & info
After ascending the lift hill, the train dives into two giant loops and flies through a swirling maze of coaster goodness only Schwarzkopf could create.
Whether you prefer the front or the back, you have to sit in the next available seat because there are no separate lines to wait for a certain row like Roller Coaster.
The Fire Dragon has dominated the coasters at Lagoon over the years. Until the arrival of its new neighbor, Wicked, it was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the park.
Built in 1982, this coaster was originally named Colossus when it was owned by the showmen company Bruch of Germany. It started out traveling with fairs across Europe and was made to be taken down and rebuilt very quickly. No other coaster exists that is exactly like Colossus. Laser at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania is very similar, but has a shorter track (2200 feet).
Lagoon bought the ride and installed it in 1983 at the end of a newly extended walkway on the park's southern boundary. They added the name Fire Dragon and has since caused some confusion about the actual name. It's usually referred to as Colossus or the Fire Dragon for short, but the official name is Colossus Fire Dragon or Colossus: The Fire Dragon. Lagoon has also used the name Colossal Fire Dragon, but the sign on top of the first loop has always said 'Colossus'.
In 1984, the ride was listed in People Magazine as one of the country's top ten coasters. Around 1996, a camera was added at the bottom of the second loop. Pictures were available for $3 immediately after the ride at the shop next to Musik Express, not far from the exit. The camera seemed to be inoperable through most (if not all) of the 2006 season.
Anton Schwarzkopf's father had a company that built trailers for hauling circus equipment. In 1960, Anton took over the company and designed his first coaster, The Wildcat, in 1964. He also designed the first proper looping coaster, Revolution. Jet Star 2 is another coaster at Lagoon designed by Schwarzkopf.
photos & video
A view of Colossus at dusk with Wicked in the background.
Photo: Rick
The loading station at night.
Photo: Rick
Video: Mike Pitcher
more photos
SOURCES
Lagoon
Schwarzkopf Coaster Net
Roller Coaster Database
Website Visitors
Updated 24 Feb 2008
