Top 12 for 2012: Most anticipated new rides and attractions at U.S. theme parks

At first I thought it was too early to look ahead at the new attractions coming to U.S. theme parks in 2012, but then I realized a number of big rides have already been announced and many more are being teased in elaborate marketing campaigns.

Photos: Most anticipated new U.S. theme park rides for 2012

It already seems like 2012 is shaping up as a good year for ride enthusiasts and theme park fans as the major industry players are planning to roll out big projects that have been on the drawing boards for a while.

Coming in 2011: Top 10 new U.S. theme park rides debuting this summer

Other projects remain mysteries that the marketing divisions at the individual parks have been relentlessly priming with viral campaigns designed to build excitement in advance of an official announcement.

Since it is still early, I'll update my Top 12 over the coming months as new projects are announced. Until then, here's my list of most anticipated rides for 2012:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-2012-theme-parks-03201118,0,456412.story

What editor decided that was a good story to run? The captions under the slideshow actually made me laugh, especially the Darien and Dollywood ones.

Whats so funny about the Dollywood caption?

They both basically "the park has stated they are going to add something in 2012." I just thought perhaps someone would want a little more detail than 'major' to run it as one of the "most anticipated" of 2012. That beign said it does look like the signs right now point to Dollywood's addition being a coaster.

^ I don't believe more details have been released by the park yet.

* Knoebels (Pennsylvania) — The oft-delayed Flying Turns wooden bobsled coaster remains a perennial possibility.

New for 20??

Did they really use Screamscape as a source? The Dippin Dots guy is more reliable.

Awww, you'll break Lance's hart.

^ I don't believe more details have been released by the park yet.

Which is why the story, IMO, should have been saved until there was more to write about. This could have just as easily been titled "Parks That Are Adding A Ride In 2012."

^ I don't believe more details have been released by the park yet.

Which is why the story, IMO, should have been saved until there was more to write about. This could have just as easily been titled "Parks That Are Adding A Ride In 2012."

For the average park goer, just knowing a coaster is in the works is good enough.

But for the enthusiast..... that's a different story....

Awww, you'll break Lance's hart.

Don't worry, he will change history to show that his heart was never broken.

Awww, you'll break Lance's hart.

Don't worry, he will change history to show that his heart was never broken.

Will he change history, or get more information from a ScreamScape source?

Depends on what he reads here....(or that his 'sources' do)!