Opened: 28 Mar 2026
Location: South Midway
Manufactured By: S&S Worldwide – North Logan, Utah
Ride Model: Screamin’ Swing
Max Speed: 68 mph
Max G-Forces: 4.7 G’s
Min G-Forces: -0.42 G’s
Max Height: 135 ft
Ride Duration: 1 min 48 sec
Structure Height: 105 ft
Number Of Gondolas: 2
Ride Capacity: 40 (20 per gondola)
Hourly Capacity: 1200
A quarter of a century after Lagoon added its first ride made by Utah-based S&S, the two companies began talking again in the summer of 2024 about a second S&S ride at Lagoon. S&S pitched several ride possibilities, but there was one that park management was most excited about.
In November 2024, members of Lagoon’s management team were in Florida for the annual convention of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). During the trip they rode the Serengeti Flyer at Busch Gardens Tampa. Lagoon spokesperson Julie Freed told the Salt Lake Tribune, “As soon as we rode it — done. We knew we had to have this here at Lagoon.”
When Lagoon opened for the 2025 season, many guests were surprised to find that Cliffhanger had been removed from its 24-year home north of the Wild Mouse. Lagoon stated on social media that the ride’s replacement would be announced in the fall.
In mid-August, fences went up around the ride enclosure and large signs teased that “Something BIG is coming.” Meanwhile, excavation and foundation work for the ride was ongoing in the ride enclosure. At the end of September, the park announced a special event for the unveiling of the new attraction, planned to open in 2026.
On Friday, October 10th, just after the park opened for the evening, spokesperson Julie Freed announced to a large crowd of guests near the site of the ride, that the new addition would be a S&S Screamin’ Swing called Nutcracker. A large banner was lifted by a crane on the site showing a nutcracker holding a Lagoon Biergarten stein marking where a giant nutcracker would stand by the ride. Over the off-season, the large figure was created by 3dxScenic of Cincinnati.
The nutcracker was named Hans and stands 50 feet high. Aside from being a new landmark for the park, it also hides part of an air tank on the side of the ride’s structure.
In addition to being decorated to match the Biergarten, the ride’s exit empties out directly into the German-inspired dining area which opened in 2019.
The ride itself measures 105 feet tall and swings guests up to 135 feet, higher than any ride on the South Midway. Like other S&S rides, the Nutcracker is air powered and requires a 7,500 gallon tank. S&S began manufacturing this ride model in 2004 and offers the ride in five sizes. Lagoon’s is one of the biggest.
Structural installation began in November with training and commissioning planned for late winter to early March 2026. Employees were able to enjoy the ride at a special event two days before the ride opened to the public.
MORE LAGOON HISTORY
REFERENCES
Tavss, Jeff. Lagoon drops hints on new thrill ride set to debut in 2026. Fox 13, 6 Oct 2025.
Instagram reel. @lagoonpark, 10 Oct 2025.
Par Kermani. Lagoon unveils plans for new Screamin’ Swing thrill ride. KSL.com, 10 Oct 2025.
Trauntvein, Sorina. Lagoon unveils ‘Nutrcracker’ – new Screamin’ Swing ride opening in 2026. ABC4, 10 Oct 2025.
Marchant, Brock. Here’s the ‘jaw-dropping ride’ coming to Lagoon next year. The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Oct 2025.
Screamin’ Swing. S&S Worldwide, accessed 10 Oct 2025.
3dxscenic.com, accessed 10 Oct 2025.
Baldwin, Tim. Lagoon announces S&S Worldwide Screamin’ Swing: Nutcracker. Amusement Today, November 2025.
S&S Worldwide celebrates Nutcracker opening at Lagoon. Utah Business, 30 Mar 2026.