Theme parks: What's new in the Northeast
Six Flags' SkyScreamer, which opened in May of 2012, spins 32 riders at 40 mph high above the park. Credit: Six Flags
Looping, boomeranging, dizzyingly high -- roller coasters continue to capture theme park fans' imaginations as the summer of 2012 roars in.
Among locals looking forward to a good shake, rattle and roll: John Hunt, 49, of Coram. Hunt has ridden 600 coasters around the country and even builds miniature replicas of his favorites. But his all-time fave is just across the city line: the venerable Cyclone at Coney Island's Luna Park, which has all of Hunt's favorite things: "the rush, the sound of the roller coaster, and the people screaming."
A number of new roller coasters will be bringing fresh ups and downs to metro area parks, including the new "winged" variety. Here's what's new for 2012 at eight theme parks within a few hours' ride of New York.
Hershey, Pa.
800-437-7439, hersheypark.com
Langhorne, Pa.
866-464-3566, sesameplace.com
Allentown, Pa.
610-395-3724, dorneypark.com
Jackson, N.J.
732-928-1821, sixflags.com/greatadventure
Lancaster, Pa.
866-386-2839, dutchwonderland.com
Rye, N.Y.
914-813-7000, ryeplayland.org
