Farmington Star

Opened: 1983 (built in 1982)

Location: South Midway

Manufactured By: Anton Schwarzkopf Company

Ride Model: Double Looping with Additional Trackway Curve

Original Cost: $2.5 Million

Max Speed: 55 mph

Max Height: 85 feet

Track Length: 2850 feet

Lift Length: 197 feet

Lift Grade: 35�

Loop Diameter: 65 feet

Base Dimensions: 227 feet x 103 feet

Ride Time: 1 min 45 sec

Number of Trains: 3

Ride Capacity: 28 riders per train (1 to 2 trains run at a time)

Hourly Capacity: 1,600 riders per hour

Height Requirement: 46" minimum. Children 46" to 50" must be accompanied by responsible person.

Other Facts: The Fire Dragon has over 12,000 lights.

RIDE EXPERIENCE

The Fire Dragon has long dominated coasters at Lagoon with the prestige of being the tallest and fastest coaster at the park. After ascending the lift hill, the train dives into two giant loops and continues through a swirling maze of coaster goodness like only Schwarzkopf could create.

Some people like to sit in the back for the airtime, but others favor the very front for different reasons. But you have to be lucky to get the seat you want, because there is a strict seating arrangement for Colossus.

RIDE HISTORY & INFO

This coaster was originally named Colossus when it was owned by the showmen company Bruch of Germany. It started out in traveling fairs across Europe. It was made to be taken down and rebuilt very quickly, but it's been at home in Lagoon for over 20 years now.

The Fire Dragon is much like the Laser at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. Lagoon's model, however, is one-of-a-kind. The main difference is that the Laser has a shorter track (2200 feet).

There's a booth next to the Musik Express not far from the exit of Colossus. Here you can see black and white pictures of yourself riding the Colossus. They can be purchased for $3. (The camera is at the bottom of the second loop.)

There has been some confusion about the name. It is most usually referred to as the Colossus for short, but it's full, official name is Colossus Fire Dragon. Fire Dragon was added to the name when it opened at Lagoon. Lagoon has also been known to use the name Colossal Fire Dragon, but the sign on the top of the first loop has always read 'Colossus'.

Also, in case you were wondering, the word Geschlossen which is found at the ride entrance in the ticket windows is German for 'closed'. referring to the ride or ticket window. This is from when it was used in the traveling carnivals. Don't you feel so much smarter now?

CORRECTION: I used to have pictures of the ride Doppel Looping at the bottom of this page. I originally thought Lagoon's Colossus was the former Doppel Looping, but that is actually the one that is at Dorney Park.

VIDEOS