The park was closed for three seasons during World War II. By 1946, the park was in bad condition and on the brink of permanent closure. The Bamberger family considered razing it. However, Ranch S. Kimball and Robert E. Freed, seeing an excellent opportunity, convinced the Bamberger family to lease the park to their newly formed Utah Amusement Corporation. Kimball served as President while Freed served as Secretary and Assistant Manager. The Freed family's Lagoon Corporation later bought the resort outright from the Bamberger family in 1983.