Thanks for helping to stir the conversation going again, everyone. Swoosh, thanks for reiterating the two major rumors that continue to swirl for next year.
With regard to the work that's already begun in GE (new paint on all the rides), can you give us any insight into whether or not this could be early work that's in fact indicative of a complete theme overhaul and could possibly tie into a new coaster down the line, or is this new paint simply a sprucing up of sorts? In short, are the changes we'll see in GE going to make it look like an entirely new area, or will they go relatively unnoticed with the exception of looking fresh, if that makes sense?
Is it fair to assume that if scenario one you outlined is in fact part of the 2017 plan, that ground work would need to begin pretty quickly? Would they keep Echo open for this season and wait to demo it after the season, or would they need to begin demo now to make way for a new attraction there? I would imagine that work on a relocated Echo could begin immediately if that is the plan. Based on where it sounds like it could move, I don't think it would create any disruption to the park.
Pretty exciting to consider both possibilities, but I will say that I lean toward scenario one for the immediate future. As much as I would love to see a much larger coaster in the park, I do think it's very important for park flow to have a major coaster attraction in or near the areas of GE and/or FL to help balance out the crowds a bit. Putting another major coaster between PK and WF now could really create a lopsided situation with WF, PK, FITH and OR all pretty close to one another already. That would put five coasters in the same vicinity. Doesn't make a ton of sense to me. There is one caveat to point out though. In looking at the satellite view the area near EH, there doesn't appear to a be significant amount of real estate to work with here, so that worries me quite a bit.