An announcement came today announcing that Nickelodeon will be arriving at The Park at Mall of America in Spring of 2008! The plans include an Avatar: The Last Airbender “looping” coaster. The big question - is this coaster the originally-planned Euro-Fighter? It seems to fit the theme, but something else could be on the way. We’ll have to wait and see.

With the announcement also came news of a drop tower addition to the park. It seems the owners of The Park at MOA are beginning to step in a more teen/adult direction, for the time being, which is fine by us.

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Is it a coaster?

This new Mack water coaster being installed at Seaworld San Antonio this year has brought up a new debate - Is it really a coaster? Being someone who needs some more credits on their list, I would count it. Why? Most log flumes or shoot-the-chutes do not have long portions of dry, coaster-like track. In my opinion, the ride cannot be compared that well to rides such as Splash Mountain or Dudley’s at Islands of Adventure. Or even Jurassic Park River Adventure for that matter.

It might not be 100% coaster, but it does have a decent coaster portion, and this might become a new, more well-known type of coaster that we come to know.

But if you still don’t count it as a credit, then I hope the other two Journey’s aren’t on your list either since they use a similar ride system.

…but is it the right one?

Six Flags recently announced it was removing two of its seventeen coasters - Flashback, a ride that has sat nearly abandoned for several years, and Pysclone, a wooden coaster that had a reputation for being on the uncomfortable side. Park officials stated that the move was done for additions that would appeal to a “wider audience”. These possible additions are thought to be a Wiggle’s World, Thomas the Tank Engine area, or a Johnny Rocket’s restaurant.

These would appeal to a wider audience, and hopefully will bring in a broader crowd that Six Flags is looking for, but will the debt-ridden company continue this trend until the inverse of what has happened in previous years occur? With these children’s areas being added to various parks, will the public become just as tired with these as they supposedly have with Magic Mountain’s coaster offering?

I always thought Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Flashback spot would serve as a prime location for a Gerstlauer spinning coaster, such as the ones that are being installed at Fiesta Texas and St. Louis this year. By doing this, you would cater to both families and thrill-seekers. I don’t dislike “kiddy areas”, but I think attractions should be randomly distributed through-out the park to prevent concentration. I don’t think one area should cater to specifically one group. One area would be great, but three or four children’s areas might become repetitive to the average family with teenagers or even adults.

Hopefully Six Flags has all age groups in mind when they plan out what they will be adding to their great line-up over the next few years. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – Kings Island celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2007 by soaring to new heights with its 14th roller coaster, Firehawk. Debuting Memorial Day Weekend, this innovative flying coaster propels willing test pilots 115 feet in the air and through five inversions at speeds of more than 50 mph – all while facing the ground, experiencing the inconceivable feeling of human flight.

The best of the best begin their mission just behind Flight of Fear roller coaster in Coney Mall. After boarding their four-across yellow and red pilot seats, guests are lowered backward and begin their ascent up the 115-foot-tall red and steel gray lift hill, only to be flipped over and jetted at top speeds through ½ mile of steel track over the course of 2 minutes and 30 seconds!

“The addition of Firehawk reflects our commitment to combining one-of-a-kind thrills with fantastic family entertainment,” said Greg Scheid, Kings Island’s vice president and general manager. “We’re looking for some real thrill seekers who are ready and willing to fly. What a way to celebrate our 35th anniversary!”

Firehawk joins a portfolio of 13 award-winning, industry-leading roller coasters including The Beast (the world’s longest wooden coaster), Son of Beast (the world’s tallest and fastest wooden coaster), Flight of Fear (the world’s first coaster with LIM launch technology), Vortex (the country’s first six-inversion coaster) and Rugrat’s Runaway Reptar (the world’s first inverted coaster for children).

Kings Island opens for weekend operation Saturday, April 21. Gates open at 10 a.m. Daily operation begins Wednesday, May 23. Boomerang Bayâ„¢ opens Saturday, May 26. For more information about Kings Island, guests can call the park at (800) 288-0808 or visit www.pki.com.

Individual gold season passes and four-pack family passes are now on sale by calling (800) 952-PASS [7277] or online at www.pki.com. Discounted park tickets are also available when purchased in advance by calling (800) 288-0808 or online at www.pki.com.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership, which owns and operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, California under a management contract.

“Florida’s best ride is about to raise the rush.”  Later this week Busch Gardens Africa will be announcing their new plans for their biggest coaster.  Sometime this year, the Tampa, Florida park is going to receive a pretty major upgrade. This upgrade will make it’s trains floorless to match Busch Gardens Europe’s Griffon. The major construction for this to happen will of course be in the station which will have to feature the unique load/ unload platform other floorless coasters have.