In the early days of roller coasters, the concept was pretty simple: Tow a train of cars up a lift hill and let gravity send it careening around a track. The basic principles still hold true, but many of today's thrill machines incorporate all kinds of modifications and innovations, such as inverted trains, magnetic launches, and 90-degree diving drops. Alton Towers, the theme park in North Staffordshire, England has added a new wrinkle: the freefalling coaster track.

The park's new attraction, Thirteen, marries elements of drop tower rides, such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, with a roller coaster. Towards the end of the ride, passengers roll onto a section of track inside a tunnel and come to a stop. Doors at either end of the tunnel close, plunging the riders into darkness. The track, with the train straddling it, then plunges down. It appears to be a cool effect. See for yourself in this video.

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Starting tomorrow, Universal Studios Japan is going to deputize guests for an important mission to save the sun. To help them accomplish their mission, the park will be debuting Space Fantasy, an indoor, highly themed, spinning coaster. Taking its cue from Disney's Space Mountain, the ride will incorporate special effects, including twinkling stars, frozen bubbles, a shimmering nebula, and an encounter with the rings of Saturn, to blast riders into orbit. See the new coaster in the Space Fantasy photo gallery. You can also check out the attraction in the Space Fantasy onride video.

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Photo: The loading station for the Space Fantasy coaster. Universal Studios Japan.

OK, park fans. Winter is just about over. Some seasonal parks have already opened (albeit on a limited schedule). It's time to start making your park plans. But where should you go? Consult About.com's handy-dandy Ride Guide 2010. It lists virtually every major and minor new attraction debuting at parks in North America this year. Whether you'll be heading to parks near where you live or hitting the road, check out the new coasters, water rides, parades, spin-and-puke rides, and other fun that awaits you in the Ride Guide 2010.

• Wildebeest- The world's longest water coaster is coming to Holiday World.
• Stratosphere Sky Jump- Wacky freefall ride coming to Las Vegas.

Photo: Shoot the Rapids, the splashdown ride coming to Cedar Point in 2010, will feature an 85-foot drop. Cedar Fair, 2009. Used with permission.

How much do you love theme parks and roller coasters? Because you're here at About.com's Theme Parks site, chances are: a lot. Does your passion run so deep that you'd like to hang with like-minded enthusiasts, visit lots of parks, and get some nifty park discounts and special privileges? If so, you'll want to check out the brand-new Club TPR. It's the latest venture from Robb and Elissa Alvey, premier coaster and park videographers, organizers of incredible group trips to parks around the world, fearless leaders of the wonderful Theme Park Review site, and all-around nice people.