ACE - Ride With Us

IAAPA Expo 2024 Part 2

The annual IAAPA Expo brings manufacturers, innovators and coaster enthusiasts to the Orlando area for a whirlwind of activity. This year’s expo included many exciting reveals, shocking announcements along with a convention hall packed full of everything a theme park might ever need.
 
Our intrepid podcast team wraps up their coverage of this year’s expo with the second episode in our series. Join the ACE podcast team: Jessica Gardner, Gerik Gooch, Lauryn Heller, Derek Perry and Doug Perry for a walk around the event in our two part series of IAAPA Expo coverage. 
 
In this Episode:
[03:16] Interview with Lauren Weaver, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Sally Dark Rides about their new mini layout and more
[06:39] Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusive Institute announcement, more about this amazing, accessible park and their expanding inclusivity mission  
[14:00] Announcement about the sale of ZDT’s Switchback coaster and interview with Michael Graham, Engineer and Principal at Gravity Group
[32:27] Interview with Darren Torr, President of Rocky Mountain Construction 
[40:30] ACE booth at IAAPA Expo and The Legacy of Schwarzkopf movie screening at Fun Spot America Orlando
[51:00] Interview with Melissa Oviedo, CEO of the Themed Entertainment Association
 
Links
 
Sally Dark Rides
Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusive Institute
Dance Macabre
Kohl Gribble’s coaster model
Will More Gerstlauer Coasters Come To America?
The Legacy of Schwarzkopf documentary
ACE Honorary Member award given to Chris Kraftchick
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch

IAAPA Expo 2024 Part 1

The annual IAAPA Expo brings manufacturers, innovators and coaster enthusiasts to the Orlando area for a whirlwind of activity. This year’s expo included many exciting reveals, shocking announcements along with a convention hall packed full of everything a theme park might ever need.
 
Our intrepid podcast team was on the show floor, taking in all of the excitement. Join the ACE podcast team: Jessica Gardner, Gerik Gooch, Derek Perry and Doug Perry for a walk around the expo in our two part series of IAAPA Expo coverage. Our special guest is ACE member Lauryn Heller, who shares her experience with ACE and perspective of attending IAAPA Expo for the first time.
In this Episode:
[03:05] Intro to the episode, meet Lauryn
[07:09] IAAPA Expo Day One!  The train reveals, the press releases and the ways the social media team covers the day.
[28:14] Trever Dyer, Global Director of Sales and Marketing for S&S Worldwide walks through the new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin’ Swing at Hersheypark
[37:42] The VidantaWorld BON Luxury Park announcement included Ricardo Etges from Vekomoa discussing the Tecuani Beast coaster and teases many 2025 announcements!
Links
 
Hersheypark's Twizzlers Twisted Gravity - 2024 IAAPA Expo Official Gondola Unveil
 
Twizzlers Twisted Gravity
 
VidantaWorld
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch

2024 ACE Preservation Conference Recap

ACE’s Preservation Conference marked the end of an amazing summer of conferences, regional events and informal meetups. We round out the summer with a mega episode that recaps 2024’s final national ACE event. Join us as correspondents/producers Derek and Doug Perry and co-host Jessica Gardner introduce our new correspondent Gerik Gooch to walk through this awesome weekend.
 
The Bertch family, owners of Lost Island Theme Park, surprised ACE by making a new coaster announcement during dinner! We can’t wait to see how Firerunner enhances an already-exciting park.
In this Episode:
 
[1:50] Meet new ACE Ride with Us correspondent Gerik Gooch!
[8:50] Gerik is part of the Blusiasts (Black Enthusiasts) group
[11:10] Preservation Con (aka Corn Con) introduces Lost Island Theme Park
[30:35] Moving on to Adventureland for day 2, Doug Perry introduces the ride highlights
[38:42] Adventureland’s Tornado became an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
[40:57] Alex Payne, former Regional Public Relations Manager at Palace Entertainment, talks about the history of Adventureland
[1:01:00] Day 3, Worlds of Fun!  Derek Perry shares some history of the park, the group walks through ERT and ride highlights
 
Check out the Preservation Conference videos on ACE’s YouTube channel!
Day 1: Lost Island
Day 2: Adventureland
Day 3: Worlds of Fun
ACE Roller Coaster Landmark: Tornado
 
Learn more about the Blusiast in their Facebook group or on Instagram.
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch

History of Worlds of Fun

Since Worlds of Fun opened in 1973, it has delighted visitors to the Kansas City, MO location ever since. It’s home to many historic rides and has a rich history. ACE members had a chance to visit the park during the 2024 Preservation Conference, enjoying behind-the-scenes experiences, great catered meals, ERT and some thorough presentations. 
 
During the conference, Unofficial Worlds of Fun Historian Jennifer Lovesee-Mast shared a delightful presentation that highlighted the park’s history. Join us for a replay of this presentation plus a Q&A with the ACE members in the audience.
 
In this Episode:
[06:40] Unofficial Worlds of Fun Historian and worldsoffun.org founder Jennifer Lovesee-Mast shares the park’s history
[11:10] Shoutout to the original Von Roll skyride from the park’s opening days
[12:00] Moving the steamboat Cotton Blossom from California to Kansas City! 
[19:00] Adding and subtracting rides over the years
[41:40] Questions and answers about the park 
 
Learn more about Worlds of Fun
Visit worldsoffun.org to learn more about the park’s history or visit their Facebook page.
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson
 

First Drop: Voltron Nevera, Fire In The Hole, Iron Menace, The Bobcat

Tim Baldwin, John Davidson, Doug Perry and Derek Perry talk about four fantastic new roller coasters to open in 2024. Learn all about Voltron Nevera at Europa Park, Fire In The Hole at Silver Dollar City, Iron Menace at Dorney Park and The Bobcat at Six Flags Great Escape.
In this Episode:
[3:00] Voltron Nevera
[22:22] Fire In The Hole
[33:21] Iron Menace
[42:32] The Bobcat
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson
 

Hearing the Ride with Devin Flannery

Onboard audio can add so much to an already exhilarating roller coaster experience. Join correspondent John Davidson for his conversation with Devin Flannery, Solutions Architect at Alcorn McBride Inc. They take a deep dive into Devin’s journey to the role and uncover some tricks of the trade along the way!
 
Check out Alcorn McBride events during IAAPA Expo 2024!
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson

Coaster Con 46 Part 3: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Baynum Solutions

We're wrapping up our coverage of Coaster Con 46 with a recording of a very special night at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Members of the Canfield family share their experiences owning and running the park, the ACE Northern California Regional Rep team presents a plaque commemorating the Giant Dipper's maintenance team and the evening ended with a fantastic presentation by Chris Baynum of Baynum Solutions. This team of dedicated professionals paint roller coasters and attractions throughout the world.  
 
The many presentations on this night held the attention of our in-person attendees, we're thrilled to share the experience with you.
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson

Coaster Con 46 Recap

It's hard to believe that Coaster Con 46 has come to a close. Whether you attended the conference or followed along from home, our recap episode has something for you.
 
Join the podcast team for a lively discussion of the week's events. Derek Perry, Doug Perry, Corey Wooten, Liz Tan and Jessica Gardner walk through the highlights of our week at California's Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
 
In this Episode:
Pre-Con events at Happy Hollow and Gilroy Gardens 
Tours during the event
Lift hill walks
Special events
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson

Live From Coaster Con 46

Coaster Con 46 is finally happening!  Hundreds of enthusiastic ACE members converged on Northern California for this epic event. Join our podcast team for a series of episodes about their experience.
 
This first episode takes you into a special historical presentation by Clayton Lawrence, Cedar Fair Corporate Creative Producer. He called into the enthusiastic group of ACE members while Coaster Con was at California’s Great America.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson

Happy Father's Day

We’re celebrating Father’s Day (and the start of Coaster Con) with a fun conversation for all coaster enthusiasts – two dads chatting about roller coasters, theme parks and their kids. Join correspondent John Davidson as he and Robert Moran talk about theme park road trips and what makes them so special.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Podcast Team 
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Correspondent: John Davidson