I feel like I care less about the new drummer and am more excited about the release of the new album. Simply put: I don't care about the drummer situation anymore.
Aye, same.
Not to mention, we've discussed all the drummers mentioned in the poll to death - and back - and chances are it's probably one of them. So when Mike Mangini's finally announced we'll just go "ah! It was that one we've already discussed."
I'm exaggerating - people will be more vocal when it's confirmed; more worried about the things they don't like about the drummer and more buzzed about the things they do - but it's not something I'm especially looking forward to any more. They've got a drummer, it'll be great, where's the music?!
An eleventh Dream Theater album exists. Somewhere. It's all "on paper." Possibly demoed, even.
That's where exciting things are happening.