ACE - Ride With Us

What to Expect at Coaster Con 45: Essential Advice from ACE’s Events Director

Ride With Us: Episode 75 
The moment many ACE members have been waiting for has arrived! Coaster Con 45 registration is open! 
The multi-day event will take place June 18 - 21, 2023; starting with Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) through June 21, then moving to Carowinds (Charlotte, NC) June 22 and 23.  
Steve Berto, ACE’s Events Director, joins our co-host Jessica Gardner for an informative deep dive into Coaster Con. He discusses the planning, attendee information, and other aspects of putting together such an influential event. Tune in to find out what you can expect from this summer’s biggest ACE event! 
In this episode:
[10:00] History of Coaster Con/Coaster Con Explained 
[17:35] What’s included in the price? 
[22:00] Registration perks and add-ons
[29:30] Event accessibility, banquet and dietary options 
[36:00] General store and event t-shirt pre-orders 
[45:55] Hotels and accommodations 
[51:20] Transportation options (spoiler: there’s an optional bus!)
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten

CoasterBash! and Great Nor-Easter, ACE Event Rundown for May 2023

Co-host Jessica Gardner chatted with Adam Napotnik, ACE Facebook Coordinator about recent events and what the Facebook team does to keep ACE members in the loop about new coasters and upcoming events. Adam walks us through the last few years of CoasterBash! and explains how the annual event finally returned to the pre-Covid format at Salvatore’s. Adam walked us through the full experience, stay tuned for lots of great details about the event.
The Great Nor’Easter is another off-season event that Adam attended at the Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT. This preservation-focused event included presentations about the the museum’s work to restore carousel horses, a photo contest, tours of the facility and of course, the event included a food component!
Moving on, we cover the myriad of upcoming ACE events that herald the start of the summer coaster enthusiast season. 
[2:35] Behind the scenes on the ACE Facebook team
[6:35] Coaster Con registration is open!!!
[7:40] Coaster Bash! recap
[51:10] The Great Nor’Easter recap
[73:15] May events roundup
 
Like and follow the ACE Facebook page, plus the regional pages that interest you..
Coaster Con 45 registration is open! Watch this space for more information about the event.
 
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten

Taking Off with ArieForce One: The Epic Launch of Fun Spot Atlanta’s Newest Coaster

If you're a coaster enthusiast who has spent any time on social media in the last year, it’s quite likely that you’ve experienced the anticipation around RMC’s newest completed coaster: ArieForce One at Fun Spot America Atlanta.
The coaster opened recently, and many members of the ACE team were on hand for the big day. In addition to filming POV videos and live streaming with members of the ACE social media team, co-host Jessica Gardner went behind the scenes for our podcast listeners and interviewed a full lineup of the ArieForce One team!
In this episode, we’ll meet:
[2:51] Fun Spot America CEO John Arie Jr.
[11:15] RMC President Darren Torr
[16:16] RMC Director of Design and Engineering Jake Kilcup
[19:40] Procurement Operations Specialist from Irvine Ondrey Engineering William Buckley Jr.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to join us every week for a new episode. 

Brake Run Helix with Artist EJ Hill

More elusive than the credit for the kiddie coaster at your local theme park is EJ Hill’s art installation Brava! which is part of a larger art installation called Brake Run Helix at MASS MoCA. It’s only there for a limited time so if you want to add this credit to your list, it’s time to make your travel plans and secure your reservation to ride. 
Co-host Jessica spent some time with artist and coaster enthusiast EJ Hill recently. His story and his vision stretch far beyond the theme parks.
In this episode:
[02:20] EJ’s home park (Six Flags Magic Mountain) and favorite coaster (listen to find out)
[06:21] His unusual journey into art
[12:20] His experience walking in the world of art, his journey to make art more accessible
[20:00] Creating art from an abandoned theme park/Six Flags New Orleans (Jazzland)
[34:58] Brava! (open until January 2024)
Make your reservation to ride Brake Run Helix here.
 
Learn more about EJ’s work at his website: EJhill.info
Coaster Con 45 is coming! Check out the tentative schedule, which is full of fabulous ERT, unique tours, and, of course, catered meals.
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

[Minicast] Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Scream Break

It’s no secret that Halloween Haunt events are a big draw for theme park visitors. As the darkness falls over the parks, many eager scare-ready visitors pass through the gates and into the Haunts that are the cornerstone of many of these events.  It only makes sense that Six Flags has extended the scare into springtime, adding Scream Break to the lineup for the first time. 
Co-host Jessica Gardner chatted with Alex French from Six Flags Magic Mountain about this unique event.   
[00:30] Spring break twist on the mazes that are part of this unique event
[02:28] 6 coasters are open during the event
[03:16] Special food and drinks for the event
[04:10] Will this event return next year???
Coaster Con 45 is coming! Do your summer plans include attending?
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
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.
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

The First Drop: TRON: Lightcycle/Run, Mission Ferrari and Aquaman: Power Wave

With construction finished or nearing completion on so many long-anticipated new coasters, our roving band of reporters are out in the field and around the world, riding these new attractions and sharing their experiences with us.  
 
Join us as co-hosts Jessica Gardner and John Davidson get the lowdown on three exciting new coasters:
TRON: Lightcycle / Run, Xander Lee (ACE Member Benefits Manager)
Mission Ferrari in Abu Dabhi, Teresa Zakova (ACE Europe Assistant Rep) 
Aquaman: Power Wave, Rachel Hawkins (Six Flags Over Texas)
In this episode:
[01:00] Gather round as Xander Lee tells us about TRON: Lightcycle Run in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
[13:30] Learn about the Virtual Queue (TRON will use this when it opens)
[22:20] Accessible seats on the TRON: Lightcycle Run trains
[33:07] Teresa Zakova tells us about Mission Ferrari at Ferrari World, Abu Dabhi 
[35:00] Teresa cut the ribbon for Mission Ferrari!
[47:00] Aquaman: Power Wave opened at Six Flags Over Texas.  Rachel Hawkins joins John for a discussion about this exciting new water coaster.
 
Check out Teresa cutting the ribbon for Mission Ferrari!
 
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten
 

Eastcoaster and ACE Event Rundown for April 2023

Finally! The park gates are about to open for the first time and a world of park adventures are about to begin anew. Before that first drop, we’ll take a minute to cover a recent off-season ACE Event: Eastcoaster. Michael Leszkowicz joins co-host Jessica for a rundown of the event.
 
We move on to hear all about the upcoming ACE events. With the parks open again, these events will shift from off-season tours and talks to real live meetups that include ERT and buffets!
 
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten

Spring Theme Park Offerings 2023

This year, more theme parks than ever have stayed open year-round.  Kings Dominion, Carowinds, California’s Great America and other regional parks have offered new-this-year limited hours through the cold, icy and rainy winter. These extra hours were a gift to die-hard enthusiasts but it’s finally time for less limited hours and more ride operations to be in full swing.  
 
Join co-hosts John and Jessica for a rundown of the various springtime offerings in some of our favorite parks.  The team also explores the many upcoming dates for park openings.  So get out your croakies and your fanny pack, coaster season is about to begin!
 
In this episode:
 
[02:20] Six Flags new events (Scream Break, Tacos & Beer Fest and more!)
[09:00] New attractions as far as the eye can see
[19:00] Opening dates and upcoming festivals
 
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten

Melanin Coaster Network

If you haven’t heard of the Melanin Coaster Network yet, here’s your chance!  This group was founded in February 2022 as a way for coaster enthusiasts of color to come together and share their passion. Founder CEO Martina Moore, Jr (aka Prime), has an infectious personality that is inspiring coaster enthusiasts from across the country to join the new networking group and attend their events. Join us as Prime and MCN President Brichette Reid share their amazing story.
 
The group started with an informal meetup at Carowinds to celebrate Juneteenth in 2022 and has grown quickly. MCN celebrated their 1st anniversary with an amazing event at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sporting their epically cool MCN shirts, the group enjoyed the rest of the day together, sharing their love of coasters, trading stories about different parks and wrapping up the formal event with a buffet under the watchful eye of X2.
 
But MCN goes beyond the parks – they’re changing the world by connecting college (and potential college) students with mentors in the theme parks, they’re working with Universal Orlando to expand the presence of people of color in the workforce and they make amazing ride videos.
In this very full episode:
[01:01] What is MCN?  Prime Junior introduces the group and his love of coasters (shout out to Steel Vengeance) 
[03:30] Brichette Reid’s journey as a coaster enthusiast started with the Scooby Doo at Kings Dominion
[05:39] The MCN is born – this is a not-miss story!
[13:00] Prime and Brichette are both ACE members, ACE events inspire them as they plan MCN events
[18:45] MCN is partnering with Universal Orlando to bring more people of color as employees!
[26:00] The network is coordinating mentors for hopeful theme park employees
[30:00] MCN’s ride videos
Learn more about the Melanin Coaster Network: https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Melanincoasternetwork Instagram: @melanin_coaster_network, TikTok: @melanincoasternet, Facebook
 
Join the MCN for their upcoming events (full listing available here): https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/events 
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Network & Thrillz: The Universal Takeover
Friday, May 5, 2023
Fury Friday at Carowinds
Sunday, June 18, 2023
"Hotlanta" Fun Spot - ArieForce One
Monday, June 19, 2023
"Hotlanta" Six Flags Over Georgia
Become an ACE member at ridewithace.com/join
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Ben Weinrach
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten

ACE Europe with Jo Pools and ACE Event Rundown for March 2023

ACE may stand for American Coaster Enthusiasts but we’re actually worldwide! ACE Europe is growing rapidly; learn more about the European coaster-riding scene and the upcoming Viking Tour from ACE Europe’s regional rep, Jo Pools.
Our episode then heads back to the United States for a March events rundown. Spring is almost here, which means one very important thing to coaster enthusiasts – the parks that have been sleeping all winter are getting ready to open! Before the gates open, ACE welcomes the change in seasons with a number of pre-season events.
In this episode:
[00:35] ACE Europe regional rep Jo Pools joins co-host Jessica to discuss coasters in Europe and the Viking Tour
[20:30] Europe’s first ACE Landmark Coaster at Tivoli Gardens 
[28:00] ACE March events rundown
 
Learn more about ACE Europe: jointheride.eu
Follow ACE Europe on Instagram: ace_europeregion and on Twitter: aceeuroperegion.
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
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.
 
Podcast Volunteer Team 
Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan 
Project Manager: Corey Wooten