All I need now is "Merlin's investment plans changed after the Smilier incident" and "The guys from Mack were seen there the other day" and I can call Enthusiast Bingo!
Tbh, although I have a little bit of faith in this Merlin investment cycle bollocks that people spout every so often, I think the reality is nobody knows exactly what will happen. I am confident that the Merlin parks are individually allocated a varying sum of cash every year and the nature of the business dictates that every other year or so they must have something big to maintain interest. But this big, big, small, medium, big, small etc whatever stuff seems like bollocks. Mr Varnry probably says to Mr Thorpe or whatever, "In 2020, we're going to give you £20,000,000 to spend". Does that automatically equate to one kick ass coaster? No. It could be spent on several flats or perhaps infrastructure. Yes there is probably a MTDP, but that is just a wish list. In reality, it is a business that has to adapt and react on a frequently changing basis due to cash flow, visitor numbers, sponsorship deals, the wider economy and other external factors. This investment cycle was probably true a decade ago but nowadays it is nonsense and it drives me nuts!
On the surface of things, the opening post is correct. Thorpe Park is due a new coaster and it's been a while since they had one. There might not be any substantial evidence but, yeah, 2019 seems like it could be a possibility. Those who have followed coasters and park companies for years, know that isn't going to happen, but the sentiment is nice.