EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: The Spider 

  

 

Opened: 12 April 2003

Location: South Midway

Manufactured By: Maurer-Söhne

Ride Model: Xtended Spinning Coaster 2000

Cost: $3 million ($4 million including landscaping, scenery)

Max Speed: 38 mph

Max Height: 53 feet

Maximum Banking: 82°

Minimum Slope: 50°

Track Length: 1,414 feet

Base Dimensions: 78 feet by 146 feet

Ride Time: 1 min, 10 sec

Number Of Cars: 8

Ride Capacity: 4 per car (2 rows of 2)

Hourly Capacity: 600 riders per hour

Height Requirement: 46" minimum. 46"-50" must ride with an adult.

 

history & info

The Spider is a compact coaster with cars that spin as they go around the track. The four riders in each car are seated back to back, providing a different ride depending on which side you sit on. For example, sitting in the back of the car will send you down the first drop backwards. There are a few parts in the ride when the car slows down allowing it to spin several times.

      This area was once occupied by part of the Speedway, Sr. track which closed in 2000. In anticipation of the ride's opening, Lagoon posted photos of construction progress on their website, which was a first for them. The ride was originally named The Spider And The Fly, but it was shortened by the time it opened in April 2003. The full name can still be seen on the car, which is painted to look somewhat like a fly, which is trying to escape the spider's web.

      When it opened, The Spider was the first ride of its kind in North America. On the park's opening day that year, The Spider experienced some setbacks. Because of a problem with the wheels, it didn't open until the afternoon and only for a matter of minutes. The next day it only ran for a few hours. New wheels were delivered and it had a successful day a week later when the ride's attendance was close to that of the park for the day. The spider in the middle of the ride was added later that season.

      Maurer-Söhne began in 1876 in Munich, Germany. Along with designing and manufacturing rides, they also specialize in steel construction and mechanical engineering. Maurer-Söhne also made Lagoon's steel Wild Mouse. The iron spiders were made by Pioneer Manufacturing & Welding in West Valley City, Utah.

 

photos

Photo: Rick

 

more photos

 

   

 

SOURCES

Lagoon

Maurer-Söhne

Website Visitors

Deseret News 

 

Title Photo: Rick

Updated 28 Feb 2008