Drbcoaster

Something from RMC would be perfect for VF, but you're right - we need a good steel coaster first. Personally, I prefer Outlaw Run over Goliath. Both are good, but Outlaw is better. If VF ever does get an RMC, I'd like to see something closer to Outlaw than Goliath - though that 1st drop on Goliath is EPIC!!!

I think that would be a great idea! The land behind it, where the bumper boats used to be, is also vacant. I could see a large flat ride back there, like a Huss Giant Frisbee. But, I don't think that would mesh well with the Route 76 branding of the area. I'd think the more likely option for that building's plot would be a few smaller flat rides more in keeping with the Route 76 theme, like Flying Scooters from Larson Int'l Inc., or - if they want to go a little bigger - a Booster from Huss.

I enjoy RipCord. I also enjoyed Skyscraper and was very upset when the moved it to CP. The upcharge attractions are fine by me - as long as they're worth it. Also, GCI Wooden is right in that RipCord attracts a lot of onlookers, which I believe adds to the ambiance and excitement of the park. Sure, it's pricey, but as long as there are people willing to pay (and it recoups its operating expenses) it'll probably stay. I don't think taking out RipCord is a good idea. I think moving RipCord and adding more classic-styled flat rides to Route 76 makes more sense. As to where to move RipCord, I have no clue. Also, if VF were to get a Giant Frisbee, I'd like to see it by Wild Thing - where the Tilter used to be. They'd have to adjust Wild Thing's queue, clear some trees, and level out the ground, but it would fit. I'd put it there because my thinking is a new roller coaster for 2016 would use the Amphitheater space for a large portion of it's layout.

I have been on Northern Lights. I wouldn't describe it as a 'thrill ride' (or a roller coaster, like VF tried to initially). I just feel like VF is due for another thrill ride IN ADDITION to a new coaster. It's also not unprecedented for a new thrill ride to precede a new coaster. Xtreme Swing came in 2006 and Renegade came in 2007. A giant frisbee would be EPIC! I'd also take a shorter WindSeeker - perhaps in Wild Thing's turnaround.

I think the Flyers could also fit on the plot of land where the bumper boats used to be - at least that way they'd be located in/near Route 76. I'm still inclined to believe that VF will get a thrilling flat ride in addition to the water park improvements next year. I can't really explain why - it's just a hunch. The last thrilling flat ride added to the park was Xtreme Swing, and that was in 2006. I think we're due.

Of course CF will work with Intamin again. As GCI Wooden said, they're just spending some time with B&M right now. CF has had phases with DH Morgan, GCI, B&M, and Intamin. All the chains do this. Six Flags is currently having a love affair with RMC. I'd love to see an Intamin ride come to Valleyfair. As I've stated before, the assumption of a B&M invert for VF's next coaster wouldn't be my 1st choice. I'd much rather see an Intamin Blitz or Mack Launch coaster. Also, for whatever new coaster we get, don't discount the possibility of something from a manufacturer CF hasn't worked with before. VF got the first DH Morgan Hypercoaster and the first GCI wooden coaster in the chain.

There is that Screamscape rumor that VF would be getting a multi-year investment similar to what Carowinds is getting ($50 million over 3 years). Presumably, nearly half of that investment is going into the giga coaster Carowinds is supposedly getting next year. If VF got a similar investment, it isn't outrageous to think that we could get a Maverick-sized or Banshee-sized ride for our next coaster. Also, am I the only one who is hoping for something OTHER than a B&M invert?

I'm gonna guess the Soak City expansion will be significant. The water park is really kind of sad, even compared to other local water parks. I think that the Panic Falls slide complex will be removed and replaced with a new slide complex. New slides will likely be added to the IMAX site. The Splash Station will be replaced. I think that Raging Rapids, Ripple Rapids, Hurricane Falls, and Breakers Bay will remain. I also think there will be a new flat ride next year. It's just a hunch - with the newly opened spaces where the Tilter and the Scrambler used to be, I think a small to medium-sized flat ride to fill one of those spaces is likely. I'm also gonna guess that the announcement will be made sometime in late August, which is when most amusement parks announce their capital projects for the following year. As far as the continued speculation as to when we get a new coaster, I agree with what most folks have been saying about 2016. Another reason that year is significant is that it marks Valleyfair's 40th Anniversary. Though nothing really huge went in for the park's 30th Anniversary (Xtreme Swing), the park's 20th Anniversary brought Wild Thing. I'm guessing we'll get a significant coaster addition. As to what type and where it's built, I have no clue.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know who's designing/building Lightning Run? It sorta looks like Chance Morgan's Hyper GT-X coaster model.

I agree with what others have said about it depending on who you're going with and what you're looking for, but I'm going with Cedar Point. Walt Disney World is incredible. It's truly an immersive experience. However, I feel that over the years WDW has let its position as the premiere vacation destination of the planet go to its head. The rides and attractions there are still amazing, and they've done a good job at keeping things fresh and innovative. But the other parts of a theme park experience - the ambiance, the food, the on-property hotels - they seem to be losing their sparkle. My last trek to WDW was last year, I went with my sister and her kids (ages 7 & 10). Getting past the sticker shock one often experiences with a trip to WDW, it met my expectations in most areas, but failed miserably in others. If one is going to spend over $4000 for a group of 4 people for a week of Disney-esque bliss, I expect more bliss. Mainstreet USA was starting to show its age. The cleanliness I associated with Disney appears to be slipping, with quite a bit more litter and overflowing trash cans than my last visit. The once avant-grade 5-star food found at the Deluxe Resorts (we stayed at the Grand Floridian) felt more reminiscent of an IHOP than a high end restaurant, though the prices sure didn't! The slightly annoying - though always smiling - 'cast' of employees, who used to be freakishly effective at anticipating our needs, now seemed more nonchalant and ambivalent. I understand that, over time, it is difficult to maintain the level of service that is supposed to be unmatched in the industry. That's one of the reasons Disney can get away with a walk-up gate price at the Magic Kingdom of over $100. But, to be honest, this time around it didn't feel worth it. The Mouse appears to be slacking a bit these days. Cedar Point, on the other hand, doesn't try to live up to an expectation it can't meet. I went there this summer with my niece and nephew. You want thrill rides? Check. You want decent food at a relatively fair price? Check. You want lots of areas for the little ones to play? Check. You want recognizable themed characters in costumes? Check. Cedar Point succeeds because, unlike several other amusement parks, it isn't trying to be Disney (though I worried it may go down that road when Ouimet took over from Kinzel as Cedar Fair CEO). Yes, the lines are long, the crowds get ridiculous. The rides aren't really themed. The park can be a tad dingy. There's no 5-star dining. Hotel Breakers & Sandcastle Suites cannot even be compared to The Grand Floridian, or the Polynesian, or the Wilderness Lodge. However, I think these things give Cedar Point a distinct advantage over Walt Disney World. It's no frills and AFFORDABLE, and manages to do so without feeling like you're sacrificing on quality. Plus, there are the roller coasters. I know Disney has never really portrayed itself as a "thrill ride" destination. But, if they continue to slack off in so many areas, they'll end up losing the right to justify their prices... and people will stop coming. I know, for me, if and when I go again, I'll be staying off-property. My next trip to Cedar Point, however, will include a suite at the Hotel Breakers... my niece liked to watch the sun rise over Lake Eire.

Does Europe really need another "American-Style" mega resort/amusement park? And Paramount? I get that Paramount's parent company, Viacom, is a more passive licensing broker than directly managing this project, but the state-side Paramount Parks all ended up with Cedar Fair - their themes stripped. I'm going with what others have said - this will NOT last more than 5 years after it opens, at least not as a 'Paramount' park. Maybe by 2020, Cedar Fair will snag their first property outside of North America!