We made the decision to purchase season passes to Lagoon again this year.
And, this weekend was our first REAL trip out. (I had taken the kids the weekend before, but it was really just to get our passes as it was too cold to really enjoy)
So, what has that got to do with here?
Well, They have gone and changed the Terror Ride.
THE MURAL IS GONE!
Now, some history.
Terroride (as it’s officially called, despite the fact the name on the SIGN for the ride is terror ride) is Lagoon’s oldest haunted attraction. Making it’s first appearance in 1964, THE MURAL was then created on opening. It is even STILL the official picture of the ride on Lagoon’s website.
Since then, it has served as an icon of fear here in Utah. I have personally considered it an example of what one should strive for in creation.
Let’s take a look from left to right in retrospect.
On the left, we have the “dragon”.
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| From |
Look at this thing. 5 toes, on clearly lizard feet, yet 4 fingers on furry hands. A horn on the head, a pig snout. This creature makes absolutely no sense, yet is menacing none the less.
In the background we have a lizard, in the fore an ant. Then comes the…well, just what IS that wielding the club? Is that a gorilla? The missing link?
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| From Halloween buildup 09 |
Then we have a spider in the foreground, and a dancing man, I’m assuming to be a voodoo priest in the back. Flanked by a mummy, and flying overhead are some ghostly skeletons who’s heads appear to float attached, yet separate from the bodies at impossible angles.
And, there on the far right, we are treated to a snake…and how in the world is that Octopus living ON LAND, in the middle of what appears to be desert?
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| From Halloween buildup 09 |
We will be missing you, oh mighty mural….
In your place has been added an “upgrade”. In the form of a ‘scary’ vulture telling really bad jokes. And, some overhauls inside as well.
2009.
2010:
It’s nice to see the haunted attractions getting some upgrades…but, at the cost of nearly 50 years of history?
Bittersweet.
Thanks for sharing this. I have been on a kick of abounded dark rides lately. I love seeing old dark rides, there is a sense of nostalgia that I just love. Sorry to see yours losing a bit of its history, but I am glad you were able to share the old pictures. Enjoyed them very much!
Cheers!
Sending you my many sympathies. Someone (whoever had the idea to take that down) should kick themselves and be flogged for ruining something with so much history. Even if it is menacing.
I don’t think it will be widely accepted as similar things have been in the past. But who knows.
It’s so funny to me that ODOT was in charge of this whole operation. I can’t believe they didn’t use their heads on this one. But, I suppose if it didn’t happen, we wouldn’t have something to laugh at all these years later. ROFL!