With 2009 coming to a close, we look forward to what 2010 is to bring us. A quick look at RCDB.com will show that we have a lot to look forward to, and plenty of big attractions in that list to satisfy the most seasoned coaster enthusiast. A few new overseas parks on top of the usual American parks are the recipients of the next season of roller coaster riding.

The first and by far the most impressive addition will be located at the newly built Universal Studios Singapore. In an effort to resemble Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, Singapore’s version was to include a ride similar to Dueling Dragons. Vekoma was hired to design a state-of-the-art dueling coaster, with one side inverted and full of intense inversions and maneuvers, while the other side is less intense and more for those not up to stomaching the inverted side. The ride is to be named and themed to Battlestar Galactica, a popular science fiction series. Not only is the ride impressive, but it shall utilize Vekoma’s new track systems and trains. Both the inverted side and sit down side shall feature 4 across trains and speedy lifts for a unique experience that Vekoma has only begun to venture. Many speculate it will be a direction in which Vekoma can put behind the reputation of building head banging coasters and put up designs in league with B&M and Intamin.

Back in the US, two Cedar Fair located coasters show the continued effort to expand on their newly acquired Paramount Parks. Kings Dominion and Carowinds are both to receive coasters with racing themes with the NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt. Both coasters are awe inspiring in their own right. First, let’s look at the Carowinds’ version. Bolliger and Mabillard are the designers of this new hyper coaster, continuing the additions of B&M hypers to the chain, with Behemoth and Diamondback the two previous additions. Intimidator at Carowinds will be 230 ft tall with a 210 ft drop. A 10 drop course will be ready in spring to totally change the skyline of Carowinds forever. The most unique aspect is the use of s-curves, which are dominant in the second drop and turn around. The trains shall be painted to resemble Dale’s #3 Monte Carlo stockcar.

Kings Dominion is taking the idea a bit further. They chose Intamin to build their steel beast. And, by going a bit further, I refer to the fact that it is 100 ft taller than Carowinds’, as Intimidator 305 will be the world’s third giga coaster. Standing 305 ft tall, an 85 degree drop will send trains to 92 mph. After a high speed curve right, a second hill will feed the stockcar shaped trains into a plethora of air time hills and helices, a similar course to Intamin’s megalites at parks around the world.

Not every coaster as of this writing is named yet, but details do leak out and early construction can leave many to speculate. Six Flags Magic Mountain has teased about adding a 17th coaster to tie Cedar Point in having the most coasters at one park. As time passed, it was apparent that it would be a family style coaster, which is a change in direction from the last few additions in Scream, Tatsu and Terminator. It is said it may be a Tony Hawk spinning coaster or perhaps a small kids coaster.

Kennywood has cooked up something interesting in their 20 years since Steel Phantom entered the park. Premier Rides has been contracted to build what looks to be one of their most unique launchers to date. Though only 2100 ft in length it will cram a ton of elements into it including a 50 mph launch, a 95 ft vertical lift, an inverted top hat, and a corkscrew. The ride is rumored to be named Sky Rocket.

Alton Towers in England has been busy with something, code named Secret Weapon 6 in line with their past projects code named along the same idea. It has been put out by Alton Towers that it will be designed by Intamin, and their signature lattice work track has already been put up, including a multi-layer track structure, a tire driven lift, and a few swooping drops in the woods. The name Surrender has popped up in an effort to find a name.

Two big relocations are also in the works. The former Orochi of Expoland in Japan will be moved to Walygator Park in France under the name Monster. This inverted coaster is a duplicate of Raptor of Cedar Point, being 137 ft tall, featuring 6 inversions, and a top speed of 56 mph. Also spotted is the former stand up coaster Chang, once a dominate ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, now in the Chicago area at Six Flags Great America. Many theories to where it may be going are still buzzing around even though it’s at Six Flags Great America as the park already houses a stand up in Iron Wolf.

Stay tuned next week as my monthly coaster review will be available.