Benin

Since no new coasters are on the horizon, time for the end of 2011 season results. 1 - Nemesis (Alton Towers) 2 - Katun (Mirabilandia) 3 - Revenge of the Mummy (Universal Studios Florida) 4 - The Beast (Kings Island) 5 - Tonnere de Zeus (Parc Asterix) 6 - Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point) 7 - Fluch von Novgorod (Hansa Park) 8 - Megaphobia (Oakwood) 9 - Duelling Dragons : Ice (Islands of Adventure) 10 - Kumba (Busch Gardens Africa) As a quick break-down, two new entrants, one from each trip abroad hop in, with Fluch initially at number 6 (as mentioned before) due to the excellent story, theme and layout. Katun on the other hand just came in and promptly stood up to Nemesis bold as brass and went, "HELLO, I'M AS GOOD AS YOU ARE", and effectively went into joint first. However, for the purposes of the list, it's second, as Nemesis nicks it for the landscaping factor. And what about the manufacturer breakdown? Well.4 - B&Ms (including 3 Inverted)3 - CCI Wooden coasters1 - Premier1 - Gerstlauer1 - IntaminAnd two new ones missed out this year, both from Italy, Gardaland's Raptor, and Mirabilandia's iSpeed, which were both excellent coasters, but Raptor just didn't have that extra edge in what is a very difficult area, and iSpeed's restraints prevented it from being the 10 it's layout deserved.So in that list, only 3 coasters remain that don't have the 'perfect' Benin marks... Needless to say, it's getting harder and harder to do a top 10. But that's all part of the fun for me.

Did someone mention Queen? One of (if not THE) greatest rock bands of all time... Freddie Mercury <3

Thorpe's marketing team (for the ride, NOT the PR stunts) need to be commended for this.

^Swarm will probs open first, as generally the American parks open later on in the year compared to us and Europe...Dunno which will finish first though...

https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-ash4/346102/659/270093453031526_55684.mp4?oh=b17428ed454cf09a7d825e224c6bc979&oe=4E9B3C00&__gda__=1318796288_4c7011f04c456f9c478afdd038a7c096TESTING VIDEO EQUALS OH MY GOD!

This happened to me on one of my last visits as well... Sometimes you forget how truly idiotic people can actually be...

If Swarm doesn't have a soundtrack to the same level as Raptor or Krake (hell, even Reset at Mirabilandia), then they will have missed a trick...Bring back the old entrance music I say, as I was humming it the other day...

^Right-click + open new tab?

Comparing prices to older coasters isn't well balanced, as it's got a lot more expensive to construct rides and do all the landscaping as well. Times change, and costs go most definitely up.Plus, Merlin are well known to include all the extra costs (theming, landscaping and marketing) into the final cost.What Mark said is right though, a lot of people had a good proper moan at Merlin for going with Gerstlauer instead of something like B&M. Good to see them proving the doubters wrong.

More pictures of Wild Eagle as the loop is completed...Hmmm B&M

Call me patronising, then be patronising in your post. Pot, kettle, black.I just can't win here, people moan about my cynical and negative posts, then when I be positive about things, people pick stuff up in them. Yes I do know B&M have stopped doing pre-drops in recent times, but without really focusing on the bit leading up to the first drop (you know, because of the massive dive loop that is much more interesting), I was expecting a more steeper exit off the lift hill instead of the really small gradual thing we see currently. Something we see leaving Hydra's station perhaps before the Jo-Jo Roll?Plus ninja'd by a post that says nothing bar dots? Evidently a joke lost on us with simpler minds who don't want to know everything. Sorry folks, maybe another time. I'll go back to being negative.

Not all of us spend hours staring at every small details on the plans. I like to be surprised if some respects during construction and indeed, opening and initial riding.It's kind of a shame heavily detailed plans are so readily available, really removes the discovery and true wonder at what's being built.

No pre-drop eh?Slow descent into the dive loop it is then... Lovely.

Actually sexy.Need to go.

Click here for random!<3

They spent 6 grand on a camera?What piece of theming is being sacrified for that?

Dunno WHAT ride could have been the inspiration for this... No siree...Looks 'cool' though

New coaster for Billund...Polar X-plorer as part of a new Polar Zone, which will also feature a slide and restaurant... The ride will feature a freefall drop, and PENGUINS!Unknown if it's Zierer or Intamin though...

^Yeah, there's still AGES to go yet because of where the bottom of the first drop sits.It's going to look rather imposing.

Also, that's a support.But yay for construction. Imagine all the trackwork will be done by the end of the season, then it's taking fuzzy photos from Monk's Walk for several months of the theming. Hooray!

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/marvel/avengers/Oh I want this... A lot... <3

The trims aren't there YET. But based on other B&Ms, those two holes on the side mean it's prime trim location.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8818400/Japan-offers-10000-free-trips-to-foreigners.html Evidently, now is the time to plan a trip to Japan... Take me to Tokyo please...