I'm not overly impressed by this news.
I understand from a marketing point of view, being able to boast about having the longest coaster in the world will raise awareness of the park.
For example, with Mumbo Jumbo at Flamingoland, it even made the local paper where I live - 250 miles away!
Anything that could raise awareness, get punters through the door spending money which can be reinvested is a positive direction.
However, I like the Ultimate as it is. I like the way it relentlessly rips around the track through the woods battering me in the process. That, imo, defines the Ultimate's character. When I rode the first train out during ERT, it was slow and I found it boring. It took 3 or 4 goes to warm up. By making the ride smoother by increasing the bends, it may ruin the ride. If they can increase the size and maintain the pace and joltiness, then I'm all for it.
The Rat ride is pretty cool. Tbh, I don't think it needs changing...aside from a quicker throughput.
It's inevitable that a spin & spew will replace Hornet's Nest. I don't do spin & spew, therefore not interested.
That comes across as a very selfish post. Just because I'm not jizzing over these new plans doesn't mean to say everybody isn't.
On a plus note, the rapids the have this year is MUCH better than the coaster they had in its place, so perhaps they do have a sense of what people want?
As Marc said, they need to try and bring the park together a bit more. Fill in some of the large open spaces and sort out the overpriced, terrible food they have to offer.