2017 Worst Year for new coasters in U.S. ?

[coasterbill]

the impending recession

 

I work in the financial industry and have literally no idea what the hell you're talking about. This is a coaster forum, not an economics forum but I couldn't let this go without pointing out that you're talking completely out of your a**. Anything could happen but there's no indication of this whatsoever. There's always an economist somewhere preaching doom and gloom but it has no basis in reality at this point.

 

So here's a question for you all just to add some interesting discussion into this mix...

 

Is the disappointment no new additions for 2017 or that past additions have gotten stale and boring already?

 

I ask because, while living here in Orlando, yes, we have a lot of great rides, and yes we got new coasters this year like Mako, etc, but I find myself riding a coaster like "Space Mountain" (1975) over and over again, never getting tired of it, and perfectly content without having a brand new giant ride every year.

 

When I see someone bummed that Silver Dollar City isn't getting a new coaster, and I think to myself "man, I would LOVE to have some of SDC's coaster in my backyard that I can ride over and over again" why is it such a bad thing that 2017 is a slow year for coasters? Do we not already have enough to keep us happy or content through an off-year for new additions?

 

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled. Everyone wants their home park and the parks they visit frequently to receive huge new coasters every single year even though that's not at all feasible. I think a perfect example is the Cedar Point thread where people are militant about the fact that they want Mean Streak to be Iron Horsed in 2017 even though a few months ago they got the world's tallest and fastest dive coaster and the year before they got (essentially) a brand new floorless coaster and the straps they were crying about for years on Maverick.

 

There aren't any coasters opening next year that people will want to travel for yet (in the U.S) but at the same time, S&S Free Spins are a lot of fun and if you have one coming to your home park you should be excited. There's nothing wrong with having a year to make road trips out to parks with new rides that you haven't gotten to ride yet. I don't understand the complaining, but I rarely do.

 

There are also some great non-coaster things on the way like the expansion of Christmas events (with coasters) that essentially cut the off-season in half. personally I think those additions are just as exciting (if not more exciting) than a new coaster addition.

[boldikus]

So here's a question for you all just to add some interesting discussion into this mix...

 

Is the disappointment no new additions for 2017 or that past additions have gotten stale and boring already?

 

I ask because, while living here in Orlando, yes, we have a lot of great rides, and yes we got new coasters this year like Mako, etc, but I find myself riding a coaster like "Space Mountain" (1975) over and over again, never getting tired of it, and perfectly content without having a brand new giant ride every year.

 

When I see someone bummed that Silver Dollar City isn't getting a new coaster, and I think to myself "man, I would LOVE to have some of SDC's coaster in my backyard that I can ride over and over again" why is it such a bad thing that 2017 is a slow year for coasters? Do we not already have enough to keep us happy or content through an off-year for new additions?

 

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled. Everyone wants their home park and the parks they visit frequently to receive huge new coasters every single year even though that's not at all feasible.

 

THIS. It amazes me that at my home park GreatAdv people are bitching and moaning we need another new coaster when we just got something completely different and innovative (albeit small, sure) but we still have one of the best line-ups in the country. It baffles me people are not satisfied with paying next to nothing for a season pass to be able to ride things like Toro, Nitro, Ka, Zumanjaro, Batman, I could go on and on... but its not good enough. I am perfectly happy with us getting things like Joker, Diablo, Justice League because I buy my pass for what I already have. And no the great coasters I have at my park never ever get old to me. And I think this applies to so many parks - enthusiasts are straight up spoiled and always want the latest and greatest. Well, get crackin with some investors and open your own damn park. I'll be waiting...

 

And to touch on the topic of 2017 being a down year for coasters in the U.S.? Sure, it definitely feels like its turning out that way but parks need to round things out from time to time and this to me seems like its all happening at once and GIANT crazy coasters are not part of that - at the moment. And that's fine imo. A couple years ago so many people bitched parks were adding coasters coasters coasters and now we get this... the grass is always greener.

[coasterbill]

I agree about Great Adventure but I said that if we got a Holiday event with coasters I wouldn't complain about anything they did for a decade so I'm contractually obligated to say that for another 9 years.

[HAZE]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

[coasterbill]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

 

It's annoying but the world isn't coming to an end. The ride never had lines, it's likely that they'll still be manageable and you don't need to wear them. Plus there's a cool new Dolphin Nursery.

[HAZE]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

 

It's annoying but the world isn't coming to an end. The ride never had lines, it's likely that they'll still be manageable and you don't need to wear them. Plus there's a cool new Dolphin Nursery.

 

True, but...still. Kraken just happens to be my all-time favorite coaster, and to see such an amazing ride get VR'd makes me sick. Save the VR bull$#!t for rides that have no other reason to exist.

[coasterbill]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

 

It's annoying but the world isn't coming to an end. The ride never had lines, it's likely that they'll still be manageable and you don't need to wear them. Plus there's a cool new Dolphin Nursery.

 

True, but...still. Kraken just happens to be my all-time favorite coaster

 

Really? Have you been like... 90 minutes West on I-4? I mean, to each his own, I liked Mean Streak but... really?

[RideWoodenCoasters]

I think posters here (not necessarily lurkers) enjoy thinking about new ride designs and following the construction process in the ‘off season‘--especially when they can imagine/plan a trip to ride them…even if that trip might be years off. For the majority of US-based readers this would be a domestic trip, so when less is on the horizon there’s less to dream about.

 

It’s amazing the difference in forum activity for a park when a new coaster is rumored-announced-construction starts-vertical-topped-testing-opened-new rider reports. Many parks disappear from the front page outside of this cycle.

 

Still, Robb, you’re quite correct. Even though my daughter’s (and my) focus is wooden coasters (and there’s two of those coming next year in the US) our favorite steel is this lil’ ride* at SFMM that isn’t new and doesn’t make the Golden Ticket top 50 anymore. Just as you feel about MK’s Space Mountain, we can ride it over and over and never be tired of the miracle that is this ride, and it’s always amazing to introduce a new rider to it.

 

We’re all very blessed to have this hobby, no matter what involvement we have in it. Your site has made the hobby much more enjoyable, and we’re very appreciative of your contributions to it.

 

*Tatsu

[HAZE]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

 

It's annoying but the world isn't coming to an end. The ride never had lines, it's likely that they'll still be manageable and you don't need to wear them. Plus there's a cool new Dolphin Nursery.

 

True, but...still. Kraken just happens to be my all-time favorite coaster

 

Really? Have you been like... 90 minutes West on I-4? I mean, to each his own, I liked Mean Streak but... really?

 

 

Actually, yes. Busch Gardens is an amazing park. ^^

[Intaman]

I'm actually pretty content with the number of new coasters that have been installed at parks over the past few years; having fewer new coasters to contend with in 2017 will enable me to catch-up on those I have yet ridden (and there are plenty!) like Cannibal, Joker, and Lighting Rod, among others. I embrace 2017 and look forward to what parks will have ready for 2018 and 2019.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

Really? Because you have 4 Disney parks, 2 Universal parks, 2 Fun Spot parks, Legoland, and Busch Gardens all either IN THE SAME CITY or an easy drive from it. Orlando won't suck for any reason, in 2017 or any time in the foreseeable future.

[chickenbowl]

I think people might attribute a lack of new coasters next year to "OMG the amusement industry is collapsing!" or something. I think the chances are that a lot of parks investment cycles coincidentally lined up a little bit (2016 was HUGE for many parks). But people are forgetting how many other things are getting built that aren't coasters, for example both WDW and Disneyland have MASSIVE projects underway.

 

If you look at the future schedule at my amusement company, you will see that parks/venues have not stopped buying rides! In fact, this is one of the busiest years we've ever had!

[Ace Of Spades]

I agree with prior posters, in that some of those of us disappointed are not necessarily bummed about having nothing new to ride, but rather no new construction projects to follow.

 

Personal and anecdotal evidence here, but I live in Vegas. Our only new coaster since the mid 90's was a few years ago. While it's nice to have around, I can freely admit to not having been on it for over a year. But you can bet that I followed those construction updates like my life depended on it while it was being built. It's the excitement, the anticipation, and (for those of us who grew up playing RCT) the sheer fascination with building something like a coaster.

 

In the years before and since, I've had to live vicariously through other parks' new additions every year, 95% of which I'll probably never get to see or visit. Now, once those rides open, and are around forever, you all get to go ride them and experience them. But in a city with no sizable, fiscally reasonable local park to visit all the time, or anything within 400 miles that matches that description, the closest I can get is watching P.O.V.'s and dreaming. It's disheartening. It feels like I'm an outlier to such a fun community.

 

When new things are being built though, I feel like I get to be on the same level as the rest of the community. We all get to speculate and hype and keep up together. We're all equal. And that's awesome! So when there's nothing new, or at least nothing new that's interesting beyond Mystic Timbers and SWSA's new coaster, there goes that one link. And it's hard to hype when the remaining construction projects are all nearly identical to ones from previous years.

 

Anyway, yeah, that's my lurker take on it. The rides the U.S. already has are awesome, but for those of us who have no immediate way to ride, experience, or discuss them in any real capacity, we rely on new rides as a way to participate in a hobby that's normally far from our reach!

[TheCoasterKid211]

2017 is gonna suck for one reason. VR goggles on Kraken @ Sea World Orlando.

 

It's annoying but the world isn't coming to an end. The ride never had lines, it's likely that they'll still be manageable and you don't need to wear them. Plus there's a cool new Dolphin Nursery.

 

True, but...still. Kraken just happens to be my all-time favorite coaster

 

Really? Have you been like... 90 minutes West on I-4? I mean, to each his own, I liked Mean Streak but... really?

 

Actually, yes. Busch Gardens is an amazing park. ^^

If you prefer Kraken over any BGT coaster...

 

I mean...

 

Come on dude.

[DoinItForTheFame]

2017: The year of VR.

 

Yeah, so far 2017 is shaping up to be one of the more disappointing years. But it's still early, maybe there will still be a few surprise GOOD, non-VR announcements.

[boldikus]

Another thing I think its important to consider is that 1. We're not even close to the end of the year. Even though we know what the big chains are getting lots of smaller parks can and likely will make announcements in the coming months... and 2. It just *seems* that its an off year since there isnt a single large B&M, RMC, Intamin, etc etc etc but its not like there are no coasters being built in the U.S. for 2017.

 

New rides/attractions for 2017

USA/Canada/Mexico

Azoosment Park at Santa's Village - Galaxi type coaster?

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - InvadR (GCI wooden coaster)

California's Great Adventure - Vortex conversion to floorless coaster named Patriot

Casino Pier - Gerstlauer Infinity coaster

Cedar Point - RMC to replace Mean Streak????

Houston Downtown Aquarium - Chance family coaster

Kings Island - Mystic Timbers (GCI wooden coaster)

Morey Pier - rebuild of Great Nor'Easter

Sea World San Antonio - Wave Breaker: Rescue Coaster

Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Thunder Rapids (water coaster for the water park)

Six Flags Great America - Joker (S&S Free Fly)

Six Flags New England - Joker: S&S Free Fly

Six Flags over Texas - Joker (S&S Free Fly)

 

Not to mention Gale Force (since you know that thing ain't opening this year) and the Miler coaster around it. And also whatever may/may not be happening to Hurler. I also think we might see something going on with Gwazi sooner rather than later.

[southpuddle]

 

True, but...still. Kraken just happens to be my all-time favorite coaster

 

Really? Have you been like... 90 minutes West on I-4? I mean, to each his own, I liked Mean Streak but... really?

 

I'm curious to know if he's even been on every coaster at SWO I joke, I joke

[savetheclocktower]

If not for this thread, I would have never even thought of 2017 as a "coaster drought". The only time I go to a park for a new coaster is if it's at Cedar Point or Kings Island, but only because I go every year anyway! I'm quite satisfied with being close to (and spoiled by) those two fantastic coaster collections and only occasionally do I venture to out-of-state parks.

 

I did go to Hershey (those Intamins! ), Knoebel's (sorry Bill, didn't know about the pierogis yet ), and Great Adventure (rode Boldikus Mountain, but wasn't brainwashed by the cult yet ) last year and it was a great change of pace, but as far as traveling to parks for new coasters, I don't go out of my way to do so.

 

P.S. You East Coast people are also spoiled by fantastic lineups! I will definitely be back someday!

[WOFanatic]

2017 may not be great for new coasters, but I feel that what we lack in coasters, we gained in flat rides. We're getting 3 troikas, a top scan, a condor, a wave swinger, a giant Frisbee, 2 star flyers, and 3 S&S Shot Towers.

[robbalvey]

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think past additions have gotten stale and boring, I think enthusiasts are just spoiled.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

I'm surprised it took 4 pages for someone to say this, because this is the obvious answer for me:

I think posters here (not necessarily lurkers) enjoy thinking about new ride designs and following the construction process in the ‘off season‘--especially when they can imagine/plan a trip to ride them…even if that trip might be years off. For the majority of US-based readers this would be a domestic trip, so when less is on the horizon there’s less to dream about.

 

It’s amazing the difference in forum activity for a park when a new coaster is rumored-announced-construction starts-vertical-topped-testing-opened-new rider reports. Many parks disappear from the front page outside of this cycle.

For me, it has nothing to do with past additions being stale, or feeling entitled, or not having places to visit. It just makes the off-season more exciting to follow the construction and general unfolding of an impressive new ride. I, too, realized recently that this was an off-year. It struck me as odd because it's the first year I remember in a while that none of the major US chains/parks have announced a huge new project by this time, but like others said, it gives me next year to catch up on recent additions I haven't been able to ride yet.

 

While even with construction, enthusiasts still get into the most effing obnoxious conversations, at least there's some new obnoxiousness to chuckle about.

[_koppen]

To be honest I think the US parks have been focusing to much on coasters in the past. We now see a much needed shift (IMO) towards other rides. For an example Six Flags is adding lot's of big flat rides and Cedar Fair have been in Europe to get some classical rides.

 

Rescue coaster at Sea World San Antonio was announced. Although it is not great it is another coaster.

 

That is a really stupid thing to write, have you even been on such a coaster?

[A.J.]

I for one wish more years were off years. I'd gladly take a year with no buzz-worthy new additions if it meant the park took the time to polish its core guest experience and make it a better place for everyone.

 

Evolution, not revolution.

[gerstlaueringvar]

I would take an obvious improvement in overall experience of guests over a major coaster. I love RMC, Intamin, Gerstlauer just like every other enthusiast but an area re-theme, improvement in park infrastructures, better queue line design, area music, healthier and better food options etc are equally appreciated.

[Ace Of Spades]

I would take an obvious improvement in overall experience of guests over a major coaster. I love RMC, Intamin, Gerstlauer just like every other enthusiast but an area re-theme, improvement in park infrastructures, better queue line design, area music, healthier and better food options etc are equally appreciated.

I think, deep down, most of us know how true this is. I definitely believe it!

 

Does it make for exciting off-season discussion? Not really.

 

Is it what pays the most dividends when we actually go back to the parks? YES.