Looking ahead: What's new in Coasters and Parks for 2006

It's later in the amusement park season, so that usually means that announcements for next year are taking place. Here's what's in store for 2006:

Today Six Flags over Georgia near Atlanta announced GOLIATH, a massive B&M hyper coaster to be located near the front of the park, and will intertwine with (although dwarf) another B&M masterpiece, the Georgia Scorcher stand-up. For years I've wanted to go to Atlanta, also to check out the city and the MARTA system - this is now a better reason, with 2006.

In July, Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana unveiled the Thanksgiving theme area, featuring The Voyage, a wooden coaster by the Gravity Group. It will be the world's third longest and fastest wood coaster, the coaster with the most airtime, and feature tunnels and 90-degree banking. Building an exciting, highly-rated wood coaster is nothing new to Holiday World, with Raven (1995) and Legend (2000) having been rated in the top 5 wood coaster ratings for years, and the same staff responsible for those two, formerly of the now defunct Custom Coasters International, on hand for more legendary airtime and laterals with GG.

Not long after Beech Bend Amusement Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky will add a wooden twister designed by Great Coasters International, Inc. Not yet named, the park is having a naming contest, and the design is loosely based on the famed Rye Playland Airplane Coaster. Being about 2.5 from Holiday World, Beech Bend will make for a great add-on for the coaster lovers that are drawn to Santa Claus for the Voyage's opening in 2006, as well as the 2007 CoasterCon (co-hosted by Holiday World and Kings Island).

Paramount's Kings Dominion will get their own edition of The Italian Job: Stunt Track. The ride layout is unknown, so it will be a guess on whether the PKD version will be similar to the two that opened this year at Kings Island and Canada's Wonderland, or a new layout. It will be built on the former site of the Diamond Falls water ride.

Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World will open Expedition Everest, to be completed next year in time for CoasterCon 2006. Designed by Vekoma (improved), the project will be $100 million.

While it is doubtful that a coaster will be built there in 2006, Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio will complete the second and final phase of its new Wildwater Kingdom waterpark. The old Hurricane Hannah's water park will close and most likely be redeveloped into new attractions for its third year under Cedar Fair ownership. Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall is for sale, and has in recent times been closed.

Another Cedar Fair property, Worlds of Fun near Kansas City, will add a patriotically-inspired steel inverted coaster by B&M.

The chain's signature park, Cedar Point is sure to add something new. While it has been announced $2 million in improvements to the rooms at Castaway Bay indoor waterpark resort, as well as the sale of Demon Drop, something new is expected to attract the thrill-seekers and families to America's Roller Coast!

Before I sign off, I'm sure Paramount's Kings Island has something exciting for families, namely the younger ones, but until then, the park is getting ready for this year's FearFest and the return of WinterFest in November and December.

For more information on these and other projects, check out the Roller Coaster Database.