EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Jet Star 2

Opened: 1976

Location: North Midway

Manufactured By: Anton Schwarzkopf Company

Ride Model: Jet Star 2

Max Speed: 45 mph

Max Height: 45 feet

Track Length: 1919 feet

Ride Time: 1 min 30 sec

Number Of Trains: 8

Ride Capacity: 6 per train

Hourly Capacity: 1,680 riders per hour

Height Requirement: 50" minimum

history & info

This classic Schwarzkopf coaster packs a punch and often surprises unsuspecting riders. After quickly traveling up the spiral lift, you take a plunge into a spaghetti bowl of tight, banked turns. At the end, the brakes stop your car very rapidly, so be ready.

The Jet Star 2 was introduced at the 1974 World's Expo in Spokane, Washington where it operated from May 4th to November 3rd. Here's some more information from a website about that year's expo:

"The Great Northwest Midway was publicized as a state-of-the-art amusement park, although that wasn't true. The 21 rides were brought in virtually at the last minute and when some organizers saw them, they were disappointed. Although the ride owner was lambasted for high prices (70¢ per ride!) and the amusement area had a reputation as the drug-dealing center of Expo, the Midway was very popular with fairgoers.

The Jet Star II roller coaster—made in Germany at a cost of $500,000 was the star attraction. Eight cars covered 2,000 feet of track at up to 55 miles-per-hour. The other must-ride was a $300,000 Ferris wheel made in Italy, with cars that could revolve 360 degrees. The Trabant, Roundup, Flight to Mars, Matterhorn and Apollo 11 rounded out the list of popular rides.

After the fair, all the rides were supposedly shipped to Tel Aviv, Israel, however, the Jet Star II is currently in service at the Lagoon amusement park in Farmington, Utah."

In a space north of Opera House Square and east of the Sky Ride station, the Jet Star 2 was installed and opened in 1976. Part of the track was rebuilt by Fabri-Weld in 1991. In that same decade, Jet Star 2 started to see a lot of downtime, so Lagoon had Setpoint install a new control system. This increased the ride's efficiency to a higher level than it had ever been before.

After the end of the 2004 season, work began on improving the Jet Star 2. It received a "complete overhaul of [its] computer, supports and cars" and re-opened on 23 July 2005.

A lot of people ask if there was a Jet Star 1 at Lagoon. It's called the Jet Star 2 by the manufacturer because it was the second in a series of Jet Star models. Five models were designed in total. The first being completed in 1968 and the last in 1983.

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. Aside from the Jet Star 2, Schwarzkopf also designed the Colossus: Fire Dragon.

photos & video

Photo: Braden Miskin