Riding Lagoon's Terroride, known to those of a certain age as the "spook alley," has been a rite of passage for several generations.
For youngsters, being old enough to enter the classic dark house with its goblins, skeletons and scenes of horror meant they were finally growing up. More than a few teenagers hoped to lure their significant other into the ride in hopes of getting a hug or kiss in the dark.
It's difficult to believe the classic ride, which was refurbished this year, is only 50 years old. That's because Terroride seems as if it has been part of Lagoon forever.
The park is celebrating the ride's anniversary Monday through Friday with special deals. Day passes have been discounted to $39.95 if purchased online at www.lagoonpark.com. The first 50 guests entering the park will receive a prize. And limited-edition Terroride T-shirts are available all week.
On Friday, July 14, at noon, there will be a Terroride celebration cake and goodies for all park guests.
Terroride is one of only eight of its type remaining across America that were designed by Bill Tracy, a famous dark-house designer. Lagoon's Dracula's Castle is also a Tracy design.
The park worked to restore Tracy's wax and papier-mâché figures while working with feature film director Joseph Wartnercheney on a new story line. Utah Opera's scenic department worked to update the sets.
The story follows main character Louis von Black, seen throughout the redesigned ride. The park also brought back a restored historic mural painted by Tracy that once appeared at the entrance of the ride.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune From 1967 to 2010, visitors to Lagoon passed by this massive hand-painted mural painted by Bill Tracy, at the entrance of Lagoon's Terroride. The mural's characters included a dragon and an ape in a stand-off, a giant octopus and eery-looking flying skeletons. The mural was moved to Lagoon's corporate office in an effort to preserve the original work. The newly copied and painted mural will debut summer 2017.
