I've been going to SDC for 30+ years. I've been to quite a few theme parks around the country, and SDC is unique in it's natural beauty and the way it just blends into the surounding landscape. I've always thought that if it weren't for the new coasters, you could fly over the park and might not even realize there was a theme park below.
My family rides the occasional coaster, but we really like the smaller more interactive attractions. I think SDC has gotten away from these types of attractions. I know there are a lot of coaster lovers, but I think there are far more people who don't really care about coasters as much. Over the years I've been to SDC with 30 to 40 different people (Family & Friends) and probably only about 10 have ever ridden a coaster, the rest don't care about them. My point is that MOST people are not coaster riders. So why is all of the money spent to add coasters when there are so many existing attractions that need to be updated (Flooded mine, Grandpa's mansion, tree house, Fire in the Hole, etc..)? Is it simply because the "New" attraction generates the buzz they need to get people back to the park?
I liked the old Diving Bell and attractions that are interactive and/or tell stories. Disney does these small attractions better than anyone (Peter pan, Buzz Lightyear, 3D Movies, etc..), and I wish SDC would go in this direction instead of trying to become another Six Flags.