Niles: California’s coaster fans say, ‘Wait ’til next year’

It’s going to be another lean summer for roller coaster fans in Southern California this year. But 2026 is shaping up to be the best year for coaster fans in more than two decades.

None of the top seven theme parks in Southern California are planning to open new roller coasters in 2025. That follows a single opening last year — and that one was a kiddie coaster, the Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster from Zamperla at Knott’s Berry Farm. Knott’s also has announced a reopening for a rebuilt...