EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Dragonfly 

  

 

Opened: 10 April 2004

Location: Kiddie Land

Manufactured By: Eli Bridge Company

Ride Model: SpiderMania

Ride Capacity: 48 small children or 24 adults

Number Of Seats: 24

Hourly Capacity: 480 riders per hour

Structure Height: 35 feet

Base Dimensions: 49 feet in diameter

Height Requirement: 36" minimum. Due to the design of the seat and restraints, exceptionally large and/or tall guests may not ride.

 

history & info

This ride is similar is much like the Scrambler. Three arms each have a "sweep unit" with eight seats which spin as the entire ride goes around.

      The Dragonfly opened with Kontiki in an updated Kiddie Land in 2004. The addition of these two rides caused Bulgy The Whale to be moved next to Baby Boats and a reconfigured Speedway, Jr. track. The Dragonfly was one of the first of its kind to be installed in an amusement park. The actual dragonfly on the top of the ride was added in May or June of its first year. It weighs 200 pounds and has a wing span of 16 feet.

      When W.E. Sullivan rode the first Ferris Wheel at the 1893 Columbian Exposition, he was determined to build his own. His first "Big Eli" Wheel was built in 1900 and the success changed his bridge building business forever. Other Eli Bridge Company rides that have operated at Lagoon include the Space Scrambler and the Ferris Wheel.

 

photos

The Dragonfly accommodates all ages.

Photo: Nile Miskin

 

With the addition of the Dragonfly in 2004, the Speedway, Jr. track was altered and updated.

Photo: Braden Miskin

 

Dragonfly as seen from the Sky Ride in its first month of operation.

Photo: Braden Miskin

 

  

 

SOURCES

Lagoon

Eli Bridge Company

 

Updated 30 Jan 2008