It all depends on what happens in the "industry."
Back during the first Golden Age of the 1920's, there were coasters all over the place. Then, as new forms of "entertainment" became available in the 1950's and parks started to loose some of their draw, one by one parks, and coasters, started to disappear. By the 1970's, the "traditional" amusment parks were closing right and left as the "industry" began to be dominated by the Themeparks, and along with these closures came the loss of many classic coasters (the most recent victim, the Coney Island Thunderbolt).
Right now, the Themepark industry is booming, and with it, coaster consturction and popularity. But who knows what the next 5 decades may bring. Truthfully, it would not surprise me to see the number of parks start to level off, with the few remaining "traditional" parks closing (good examples, Americanna and Conneaught Lake). Also, as land availability becomes more and more precious, coasters that are in existance now will start to disappear to make room for newer rides as technology advances become available.
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I promise I won't go off on a rant about those @#$%^&*! Toboggan's again.
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 4/23/2001. ***
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 4/23/2001. ***
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 4/23/2001. ***