Cliffhanger – Lagoon History Project

Opened: 6 Jun 2001
Closed: 2024
Location: South Midway
Manufactured By: Mondial Amusements – Heerenveen, Netherlands
Ride Model: Splash Over
Cost: $2,500,000
Footprint: 40 x 63 ft
Max Height: 53 ft
Number Of Gondolas: 2
Ride Capacity: 40 (20 per gondola)
Hourly Capacity: 700

After Speedway, Sr. closed at the end of the 2000 season, two rides would open in the space formerly occupied by the sprawling automobile ride. The first of these was Cliffhanger, which took up residence in what was the east portion of the track, directly south of Lagoon Music Theatre.

Remains of the Speedway overpass visible from the parking lot after Cliffhanger was built in 2001. This is now part of the walkway from The Spider to Wicked. Photo: B. Miskin

When it opened, Cliffhanger was a much wilder, wetter ride than it would be in later years. The ride seated 20 riders on one of two gondolas suspended by large forked arms on each end. When the gondolas were lowered into place for loading and unloading, walkways would extend to allow riders to exit to the west while the next group entered from the east.

During the ride cycle, the arms would rotate vertically, lifting riders up while the gondolas stayed level or locked in place, slowly turning riders upside-down. As the arms continued spinning, the gondolas would lock and unlock unpredictably, causing them to whip around and spin freely at times. If that wasn’t thrilling enough, water from a row of 44 “geysers” would shoot up at riders as they passed. The height of the water changed constantly, teasing people with near misses only to surprise them with direct sprays or bursts of water that fell down onto riders as they were lifted back up toward the top. Backsplashes and dripping water from the other gondolas would also surprise riders.

Lagoon had been increasingly investing more heavily in the aesthetic appeal of each new ride since the mid-’90s. Cliffhanger’s landscaping and structures were intended to evoke a Swiss alpine setting. A waterfall in the back (which was barely visible to guests) fed a small stream which meandered through rocks and boulders toward a deep pool in front where the fountains were located.

Cliffhanger’s control booth, 2014. Photo: B. Miskin

Despite the beautiful surroundings, it wasn’t long before Cliffhanger became notorious for its downtime. After its first season, parts of the ride were sent back to Mondial because they weren’t chlorine-proof. Lagoon then began using electric currents to clean the water instead of chlorine.

For much of 2003, the ride was partially dismantled and remained closed as it waited for parts. In 2004, an outside company was reportedly brought in to figure out the ride’s problems and while moving back and forth, each arm went separate directions. After that it was down again until the next season.

The ride experience was tamed down, but Cliffhanger still had problems throughout its existence. Some attributed the problems to the fact that Lagoon’s model used AC motors, unlike most other models at other parks that used DC motors.

Given the constant problems and closures, guests often speculated about Cliffhanger’s future at the park, but it kept coming back. More outside help arrived during the 2012-2013 off-season when employees from Canada’s Wonderland came to Lagoon. It was noted that Cliffhanger was operating more the following year than in previous seasons.

In 2014, the ride had fresh paint as well as brand new restraints. It was painted again fairly soon after, during the 2017-2018 off-season. But in 2024, Lagoon guests unknowingly took their final rides on Cliffhanger.

Before the 2025 season began, the ride was no longer listed on the park’s website and Lagoon confirmed via email that Cliffhanger was removed “for future development and expansion”. There has been no official word on what finally caused the ride to close for good or what may become of the space where it operated. If it’s like when the Log Flume unexpectedly closed, it could be years before any plans for the area are finalized and announced.