ACE - Ride With Us

First Drop: Gotham City Escape, Toutatis and Primordial

A chill is in the air these days and many beloved seasonal theme parks are now closed for the season. While we’re hunkering down for the winter, it’s a good time to remember some new rides that opened this summer with this First Drop.  
This episode takes a close look at some new coasters from around the world. We start with ACE member Luke Reynolds joining co-host John Davidson to share his ride on Batman Gotham City Escape at Parque Warner Madrid, a Warner Brothers park. We continue as co-host Jessica Gardner chats with our very own "ACE - Ride With Us" Podcast Production Manager, Corey Wooten, about his recent Europe trip, visiting Parc Astérix in Plailly, France and riding their new launch coaster, Toutatis. We finish up as ACE Communications Director, Derek Perry, and Social Media Manager, Doug Perry, interview ACE member Raffi Kilejian about Primordial at Lagoon Park.
These conversations cover everything about each coaster, from queue theming to the first drop!
 In this episode:
[01:00] Meet Luke, discover his home park
[02:00] Visiting Parque Warner Madrid, Luke’s his experience on Batman Gotham City Escape
[12:46] Meet Corey, discover his home park
[16:18] Corey’s epic European theme park trip and visit to Parc Astérix
[43:32] Derek and Doug Perry talk to ACE member Raffi Kilejian about Primordial at Lagoon Park and the ACE Fall Conference
[49:07] Primordial spoiler alert!  Stop listening here if you’d like to avoid spoilers.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson Producer: Derek Perry Correspondent: Bryant Yeager Editors: Bob Randolph Show Notes: Liz Tan Production Manager/Show Guest: Corey Wooten 
Credits (Cover Images)
Toutatis: Samy Debbabi Gotham City Escape: Intamin/Unknown Primordial: Aimee Carver

Steel Yourself: Iron Menace is Coming to Dorney Park

Coaster enthusiasts may know Dorney Park as a charming trolley park that grew from a salmon hatchery in the 1860’s into a park, then into a theme park. Today, it’s known as the home of historic rides like the Whip, some relocated rides from other parks (shout out to Demon Drop and Possessed!) as well as Thunderhawk – an ACE Landmark Coaster plus many other crowd-pleasing attractions. Though Dorney Park has its share of historic rides and thrill rides, it hadn’t had a brand new large-scale attraction in quite some time.
 
Until now! Iron Menace is a thrilling new B&M dive coaster that’s being built in the location where another relocated ride, the Stinger, used to be.  This August announcement took the coaster enthusiast community by storm and created a lot of buzz around Dorney Park.
 
This week, correspondent Bryant Yeager talks to Ryan Eldredge, PR and communications director of Dorney Park about this exciting new attraction and many other great changes coming to the park. 
 
In this episode:
[01:00] Meet Ryan, learn how he found his way from government work to Dorney Park
[05:10] The team explored different options for the space, the dive coaster fit the themed steelyard vision and the space
[12:18] The ride will include first of their kind ride elements, the Zephyr will go through the station!
[15:49] The extra 5 degrees of drop and no mid-course brake run make Iron Menace unique 
[19:10] Additional 2024 projects (including food updates) and 2024 opening date
[20:51] Thunderhawk’s 100th birthday is coming, look for ways to celebrate
 
Follow Dorney Park on Facebook to see construction progress and other announcements.
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Correspondent: Bryant Yeager
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Derek Perry
Show Notes: Liz Tan, huge fan of Dorney Park, the Zephyr and Demon Drop
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
 

Phoenix Phall Phunfest & November Events Rundown

This week’s episode covers two important topics: the Phoenix Phall Phunfest at Knoebels Amusement Park and the ACE Events Rundown for November 2023. 
The first segment has co-host John Davidson chatting with ACE Publications Director and Phoenix Phall Phunfest attendee Lee Ann Draud. It sounds like quite an event, with great food, ERT on the Flying Turns and the Halloween-themed antique cars, plus a Fascination tournament.
We wrap up the show as co-host Jessica Gardner shares ACE News highlights and the ACE November Events rundown. 
In this episode:
[01:30] Meet Lee Ann, she reads and edits almost everything that ACE writes from RollerCoaster! magazine to ACE News, ACE 360 and everything in between.
[04:30] What is Knoebels? A brief introduction.
[08:12] Holding an event with a $5 admission price in an ungated park. That’s right! $5!
[13:10] ERT on Flying Turns (what an opportunity!!)
[17:52] Light lunch – Knoebels style
[25:30] ACE News update and November events rundown
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten
Cover Art Image: Anthony Saporito

Recapping the 2023 ACE Fall Conference

Over 200 ACE members from around the world gathered in Utah for the 2023 ACE Fall Conference.
The group first visited Lagoon Park (We talked about Lagoon Park in a recent episode) for 2 fun-filled days of ERT, ACE Landmark Coaster rides, fall events and of course, some fabulous food. The final event was a visit to S&S Worldwide, where some lucky attendees got a chance to ride the prototype Axis coaster.  
Join ACE Membership Director Joseph Ciza for a recap of the event. Whether you attended the event and want to relive the amazing experience or didn’t have a chance to attend, Joseph’s recap will bring the experience to you. He also talks about the Executive Committee meeting that was held just after the conference.
In this episode:
[01:20] Meet Joseph, he has two home parks!
[04:07] What the Membership Director does (it includes the all-important ACE merchandise)
[09:11] On to the Fall Conference, ERT included Primordial, most attendees went there first, Joseph gives a spoiler-free description of the epic new coaster
[13:05] Spoiler-free description of Cannibal, rundown of the different meetups and shows during the event
[26:00] Sunday at S&S Worldwide (home to Arrow’s archives) included a tour and of course…
[31:44] The raffle to ride the Axis coaster!
[39:50] Executive Committee meeting recap
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Updates from ACE Europe

As ACE members, our love of theme parks and roller coasters can take us around the world. It’s no surprise that ACE Europe is growing quickly.  Co-host John Davidson joins ACE Europe Assistant Regional Rep Christopher Karlsson for a trackside chat about new coasters and experiences, plus some Europe region updates.  
In this episode:
[01:25] Meet Christopher, his home park is Liseberg in Gothamburg, Sweden, he tacks on theme park visits to his travel plans.
[03:40] He joined when ACE Europe merged smaller groups into one larger organization.
[04:20] Brief summary of the recent Viking trip, travel logistics (spoiler: ACE Europe meets guests at the airport with a charter bus!)
[09:30] First drop, Europe! New rides including Storm the Dragon Legend at Tusenfryd.
[19:16] Liseberg celebrates 100 years with the new Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson Producer: Derek Perry Editors: Bob Randolph Show Notes: Liz Tan Project Manager: Corey Wooten

Lagoon Amusement Park; Past, Present and Future

ACE events happen year-round, with the biggest events bookending the summer.  Our summer started with over 1300 attendees at CoasterCon and it will wrap up with 208 attendees with representation from 34 states (plus Germany and Portugal!) heading to Utah for the Fall Conference at Lagoon Park and the S&S headquarters.
 
Regardless of whether you plan to attend or can’t make it this year, this spoiler-free episode has something for you!  Co-host Jessica Gardner meets with Julie Freed, Director of Special Events for Lagoon Park, to learn all about the family-owned park’s extensive history and the event.
 
In this episode:
[01:51] Meet Julie, park history: Lagoon opened in 1886 and has been a family business ever since
[6:48] Lagoon has three rides on the National Historic Register
[09:30] The park works hard to keep the older rides in riding shape 
[13:20] BomBora was designed in-house (has the same seats as Primordial)
[18:25] Primordial’s seats fit just about everyone (36 inch minimum height!)
[26:13] Naming a coaster is a family affair for Lagoon Park
[35:22] All about Frightmares 
 
Follow Lagoon Park on Instagram
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

Preservation Conference and October Events

As the hot summer days started to fade, a group of ACEers came together in New York to visit some very special theme parks and acknowledge the history behind them. Preservation Conference took place in late August. Attendees visited Playland Park, Adventureland, Luna Park at Coney Island and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, where the park owners, the Vourderis family, gave the group a warm welcome.
 
Co-host Jessica Gardner talks with ACE member and Preservation Conference attendee Maddy Khristov-Weinrach about her fabulous experience at the event.
 
In this episode:
[03:20] Maddy walks through the days at Preservation Conference, including elusive ride credits on kiddie coasters, low crowds, raffle entries and some of the great coasters that the group rode.
[12:20] Behind the scenes of the Cyclone – maintaining that coaster is a labor of love (and ACE members appreciate that!)
[18:00] The episode continues with a rundown of the different rides at Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park and a visit to the nearby Coney Island Museum
[21:45] ACE News spotlight
[22:45] October events rundown
 
Learn more about the parks: Adventureland, Playland Deno's Wonder Wheel Luna Park
 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

ACE Landmark Coasters with Dave Hahner, ACE Historian

Many theme park visitors walk right by something pretty special without ever knowing what it is. That something special is a plaque that’s posted on a small handful of roller coasters throughout the world, designating them as ACE Landmark Coasters.  
 
A committee of dedicated ACE members/historians selects these coasters based on criteria including historical significance of the ride. If you’ve ever posed in front of the plaque before hopping on the coaster or wondered how that coaster was chosen, all will be revealed as co-host John Davidson talks with Dave Hahner, a 43 year ACE member who works with the ACE Preservation Committee.
 
In this episode:
[06:52] The birth and evolution of the History Committee, it takes many contributors to do this work
[12:00] On to ACE Landmark Coasters!
[21:00] Losing coasters, the role of landmark plaques in preservation
[38:00] Implications of hybrid coasters 
[41:08] Join the history committee! Overseas contributors especially welcome!  Contact Jimmy Titko: jtitko@aceonline.org
[43:30] Walking through the plethora of plaques and landmark coasters at Cedar Point (shoutout to Gemini!!)
[46:47] Nod to Cedar Fair for restoring Racer 75 at Kings Dominion and The Racer at Kings Island
 
Learn more about ACE Landmark Coasters
https://www.aceonline.org/page/Landmark
https://www.facebook.com/ACErollercoasterlandmark
 
In an effort to recognize and promote rides that are noteworthy in coaster history, the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark program was established in 2000. This special designation is reserved for rides of historical significance, as determined by ACE. Additional coasters are designated on an ongoing basis. A permanent historical marker is presented to each park to display as desired, and it serves to educate park guests about the extensive history of the ride. Look for our ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaques in the parks near each of these designated coasters!
 
Sources 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

50 Years of Frights: Celebrating Knott’s Scary Farm’s 50th Anniversary

The end of summer means one thing for theme park enthusiasts: Halloween! 
Many parks bring out their best theming and scares this time of year; Knott’s Berry Farm has been leading the way since 1973, when local personality Larry Vincent brought his Sinister Seymour character to the park for an appearance that started a trend.
That first year, Scary Farm was three nights long, it included scare actors in the Calico Mine Ride, Timber Mountain Log Ride and the now-defunct Haunted Shack. Since then, the event has grown to include numerous scare zones and mazes, plus extensive spooky theming throughout the park.
This extended episode takes a close look at today’s Scary Farm. Co-host Jessica Gardner meets Ken Parks, Corporate Director of Creative Development at Cedar Fair. She also talks with Owner and Creative Director of Plague Productions John Cooke.
This jam-packed episode continues with Ted Dougherty, author of The History of Knott’s Scary Farm and writer/director for Plague Productions. Next up is Chris Do, a Knott’s Scary Farm producer. Our last interview is KC Gussler, Show Director of Music, Monsters and Mayhem.
In this episode:
• [9:40] Ken Park’s advice for anyone who dreams of working in theme parks: Get your hands into as many pots as possible, be pleasant to work with, complete your tasks.
• [16:07] Planning for Knott’s Scary Farm’s 50th anniversary celebration
• [36:00] Newly-rethemed lands across so many Cedar Fair parks
• [38:00] Meet John Cooke, his start as a set carpenter
• [1:10:14] Ted Dougherty, author of The History of Knott’s Scary Farm 
• [1:48:42] Chris Do covers the new-this-year mazes
• [1:54:42] KC Gussler, show director of Music, Monsters and Mayhem
Learn more
www.plagueproductions.com 
plagueproductionsLA 
johnnyxplague
https://www.ultimatehaunt.com/the-book/ (the book is for sale at the Knott’s Marketplace)
Ted Dougherty’s Instagram: ultimatehaunt
Chris Do’s Instagram: heychrisss
Sources
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/knotts-scary-farm-inspired-halloween-17542070.php
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/08/01/knotts-scary-farm-teases-return-of-the-hanging-for-50th-anniversary-season/
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Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
• Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
• Producer: Derek Perry
• Editors: Bob Randolph
• Show Notes: Liz Tan
• Project Manager: Corey Wooten 
 

Behind the Thrills: Inside Coaster Maintenance and Safety

Behind the Thrills: Inside Coaster Maintenance and Safety
The thrill of experiencing rides is based on the trust that comes from knowing that every park’s maintenance team works diligently to keep each ride safe for all riders.
When a ride or attraction has an incident, it’s sure to get a lot of negative attention. The less visible side of maintenance is the number of hours and the attention to detail that every park spends maintaining their most precious commodity: the safety of their park visitors.
Today, co-host John Davidson talks to Will Meldrum-Thush a Mechanical Engineer at Roush Entertainment Systems about the important work his team does to keep their rides safe for all guests to enjoy. Listen carefully for a pro tip about getting out of a B&M hyper coaster’s train!
In this episode:
[02:00] Introducing Will Meldrum-Thush, mechanical engineer at Roush Entertainment Systems 
[06:20] John recaps his Ice Breaker maintenance bay tour at SeaWorld Orlando
[08:10] Annual maintenance insights (spoiler: it’s VERY thorough!)
[18:30] Daily checks: Every bolt on every support
[25:20] Testing block zones and avoiding "bumper cars"
[26:53] Transition from manufacturer to park maintenance
[32:10] Complex coaster maintenance (i.e., flying coasters vs. hyper coasters) 
[36:55] Coaster operating costs
[38:15] Dealing with delays in operations 
[40:00] The secret behind one-train operations
[43:15] The key to coaster education 
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:
Having an impact on the future of ACE
Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
Developing friendships in a small group
Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editors: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Project Manager: Corey Wooten 
Correspondent: Bryant Yeager 
Cover Photography: Andrew Pace, Anthony Saporito, and Rafael Larios