Theme Parks Adding New Coasters for the 2011 Season

Through the dead of winter, roller coaster enthusiasts can only dream of what's to come. Over the past several months, amusement parks around the country have been making preparations for new additions to the ever growing number of scream machines. The summer of 2011 promises a whole new slew of record breaking, death defying rides and thrills for aficionados everywhere. Here's a look at some of what's to come:

Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey - Green Lantern

Six Flags Great Adventure is replacing the loss of its iconic Great American Scream Machine with a brand new stand-up coaster. The Green Lantern will be among the tallest and fastest of its kind, standing at 154 feet tall and reaching speeds of up to 63 mph. The ride features a 45 degree vertical loop, and no less than five inversions.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California - Green Lantern

Magic Mountain is unleashing an all-new, one of a kind thrill ride for the 2011 season. The Green Lantern features a completely vertical zigzag pattern track, with eight person vehicles (sitting four abreast and back to back) that spin along a 107 foot long lift hill. In all, the ride navigates its way through 828 feet of misshapen track, with three 360 degree inversions. Check out a preview video of this wild one here.

Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia - Dare Devil Dive

This Six Flags outlet will be opening its 11^th coaster for the 2011 season, a custom designed thrill machine with a special vertical lift hill and a 95-degree, beyond-vertical, first drop. The coaster train makes its inward plunge at a staggering 58 miles per hour before careening into a series of diving loops, a zero gravity hill and three inversions before heading back to the station. This "euro fighter" coaster, designed by Gerstlauer Rides of Germany, is scheduled to make its debut on Memorial Day Weekend. Check out a video preview of Dare Devil Divehere.

Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida - Cheetah Hunt

The cheetah is one of the fastest animals on Earth, and Busch Gardens Africa will be unleashing a new generation roller coaster, where "up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together." Cheetah Hunt is the latest in Busch Gardens' wonderful stable of thrill rides. It is a one of a kind ride, with not one, but three launches that propel riders from 0-60 miles per hour in a matter of seconds. With 4,429 feet of track, it will be the longest of the park's coasters. Spreading out into the Serengeti Plain, this ride does its best to imitate the experience of a cheetah while navigating "over-banked turns, air-time parabolas, and a heart line roll inversion." For a photos and a virtual ride on Cheetah Hunt, click here.

Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire - Untamed

Construction has quickly begun on this all new steel coaster set amongst the woodsy landscape of Canobie Lake Amusement Park. The 43 mph coaster's theme is that of a grizzly bear, with 1,200 feet of track and columns designed to mimic birch trees. Check out a preview of the ride here.

The coasters presented here are all already under construction for planned openings for the 2011 season. In addition, the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin has purchased and is currently rebuilding the historic Zippin Pippin roller coaster that is being relocated from Tennessee to Bay Beach Amusement Park. Other parks rumored to be adding new rides for the 2011 season include Cedar Point, Hersheypark, Knotts Berry Farm, and Valleyfair Amusement Park. Stay tuned...

Sources:

http://www.bgtguide.com/bgt/cheetahhunt

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/buschgardens2011.aspx

http://www.canobie.com/index.html

http://coasterbuzz.com/News.aspx

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101027/GPG0101/310270206/Zippin-Pippin-looking-like-a-roller-coaster

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/info/info_greenlantern.aspx

http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/rides/greenlanternla.aspx

http://www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/info/news_DaredevilDive.aspx

http://www.thecoastercritic.com/2010/07/11-rumored-roller-coasters-attractions-for-2011.html

http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/