Wow. Thank you. I believe you have said all of my thoughts in one post...I have Canada's Wonderland too.
I would have to say though that the new owner may come into place before next year and this year would be even better. I would like to think that Darien Lake is closing earlier this year (no October at all) to prepare for change. But I hope operation into October resumes next year.
UFO gone, Ranger will be gone, Twister soon to be, Herschend will likely have all the right plans made for the successors of those rides. Corn Popper may be in line too. If so happens that Premier 2.0 stays, they will likely improve much more slowly than possible by Herschend, but each year, there would be a guaranteed new attraction...which would replace the aforementioned rides. Ranger of course first, maybe next year. Rolling Thunder is a good start, but now more changes will have to be made. I would also love to have this hype for my own home park too, but it doesn't seem to want to be right now. As for 2Ops, Viper done, Predator asap. I would of suggested the Ride of Steel first, but at least Viper got its second train. Mind Eraser is next year definitely alongside Ride of Steel (or at least one could hope). Same for LED lights for the Giant Wheel, which one could hope comes soon too.