ACE - Ride With Us

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
 

Creating A Photographic Journey of Kings Island

In this episode, co-host John does a deep dive with Barry Hill and Kings Island superfan John Keeter from Rivershore Creative about creating Kings Island: a Photographic Journey. Kings Island opened their photo archives and the team assembled the color photos, concept art and blueprints that emerged into an impressive coffee table book that completes the iconic park’s 50th anniversary celebration. Kings Island legend and Area Manager, Digital Marketing Don Helbig rounds out the show!
 
If you visited Kings Island for that celebration or just wanted to attend, this episode is sure to bring back great memories of your time in the park.
 
—---
In this episode:
[01:40] Introducing the beautiful hardback coffee table book and the team
[05:27I Behind the scenes look: how the team convinced Kings Island to access the archives
[05:27-18:00] Bonus mentions of the original Bat!
[27:51] Don Helbig explains how the team came together
[31:55] Don’s records and current ride count on The Racer
 
The book is available online: https://www.kingsislandgear.com/products/kings-island-a-photographic-journey and will be available in the Kings Island gift shop once the park opens for the season.
 
The book will also be available at Barry’s website:
https://www.rivershorecreative.com/kings-island-a-photographic-journey
 
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: mailto: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 (big fan of the original Bat)
 

The First Drop: Prairie Screamer, Defiance, and Super Nintendo World

In this episode, we cover a lot of ground!  From California to Colorado and Texas, the First Drop: Part Two looks at a new coaster, a relocated coaster and a brand new themed land.
 
The Prairie Screamer coaster made a big move, from a defunct park in California to Texas.  ACE News Editorial Director Tim Baldwin talks to John about this screaming location change and the coaster enthusiast preview day in the coaster’s new home.  
 
Then, Jessica talks to Amber Lightbody, ACE Rocky Mountain Regional Rep about the new Gerstlauer coaster Defiance at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs, CO). 
 
We finish the episode by joining Jessica as she, Derek and Doug Perry recall their trip down a warp pipe and into Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood  (Universal City, CA).  This extensively-themed new land is getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so.    
 
[01:20] Prairie Screamer
[08:59] Defiance
[22:03] Super Nintendo World
 
Volunteer with ACE!
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers.  Volunteering offers you even more opportunities to enhance the enjoyment of your roller coaster hobby 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: mailto: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
 

ACE Content Rundown

ACE members, your membership includes access to a wide variety of amazing content!  In this episode, we discuss some of the many ways ACE volunteers work to bring that content to you and how you can access it.
 
Highlights include: digital meetups, ACE News, ACE 360, and ACE’s YouTube channel.
 
Join John and Jessica as they talk to a trio of ACE volunteers: Jes Niemiec who hosts digital events for ACE members (she’s looking for volunteers!!) and works on the newsletter, Kohl Gribble, Creative Writing Coordinator as he talks about ACE 360 and Tim Baldwin, Editorial Director for ACE News.  
 
[01:30] Jes Niemiec walks through the Digital Events/Newsletter 
[23:40] John interviews Kohl Gribble about ACE 360
[30:00] John interviews ACE Magazine Editorial Director Tim Baldwin
 
ACE 360 is a home for authors to share their personal stories and unique outlook on our shared enthusiasm for theme parks.  ACE News offers readers the latest and greatest news about new attractions, park changes, summaries of ACE events, and other newsworthy items.
 
Volunteer with ACE!
 
Join the team of ACE volunteers.  Volunteering offers you even more opportunities to enhance the enjoyment of your roller coaster hobby 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: mailto:podcast@aceonline.org
 
Visit www.aceonline.org 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
 

No Coaster Con and ACE Event Rundown for February 2023

Winter and the off season for many parks may be upon us but the ACE events continue throughout the year.  Join us for a rundown of John’s visit to No Coaster Con, which was held on January 14, 2023 near the Chicago airport.  Though the event may not be held in a park, rest assured that like most ACE events, lunch was served and coaster enthusiasts gathered to enjoy each other’s company.
[01:00] John attended No Coaster Con for the first time!
[01:15]  Spoiler: no coasters were part of the event
[02:30]  Announcements from the event
[02:50]  Santa’s Village (East Dundee, IL) held a waterslide duck race
[03:40] VR sleigh
[03:58] New spinner coaster coming soon
[04:10] Knoebel’s announcements – retracking the helix on Twister
[04:45] Birthday party for various Knoebel’s rides
[05:11] Dollywood, (Pigeon Forge, TN) – Big Bear Mountain updates (last piece of track is in!!)
[06:00]  16,000 pumpkins at Dollywood’s Harvest Festival
[07:00] Raging Waves water park (Yorkville, IL) presented, no big announcement but a great intro to their park and their family
[08:30] King’s Island (Mason, OH shared highlights of the park’s 50th anniversary
[09:00] Phantom Theater (retired dark ride) became a theater show last season
[09:26] Adventure Port themed area construction is coming along
[09:30] What about the land where Vortex was?  No news.
[10:10] The Beast’s reprofiling – the Beast is back!!
[11:00] Holiday World Voyage retracking
[11:30] John droned on about drones at Holiday World and King’s Island
[12:11] Voyage’s retracking uses some prefabricated parts
[13:20] Adventureland (Altoona, IA) purchased by Palace Entertainment
[14:56] Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) do not think about Top Thrill Dragster
[15:57] Top Thrll Dragster reopening in 2024, no plans announced
[16:30] New mouse coaster at Cedar Point
[17:19] National Roller Coaster Museum (Plainview, TX) shared updates
[18:25] Construction continued through the COVID shutdown Larson donated construction time and labor 
[20:18] Six Flags parks had 4 presenters, Six Fiags Over Georgia (Austell, GA) announced a new family racing coaster
[21:16] Six Flags St Louis (Eureka, MO) teased a new family ride
[22:45] Deno’s Wonder Wheel (New York City, NY) announced a new coaster
[23:29] Lost Island (Waterloo, IA) – app that adds backstory to their dark ride, launch coaster opening this year
[25:00] Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX) is adding a waterpark and a skyline racer
[26:35] Gravity Group presented details of their updated, enhanced wood track 
[27:30] Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters owner and friend of ACE Tom Rebbe wrapped up the event
[30:00] Auction and ACE networking during and after the event
[34:57] ACE event rundown
Visit www.ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org
 
Volunteer with ACE!  If you enjoy ACE content, ACE events or just love coasters, there’s a place for you to share your talents.  https://www.aceonline.org/group/Volunteer
 
Thanks to the Ride with Us podcast team
Producer: Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan

Building a Backyard Coaster

In this episode of the ACE Ride with Us podcast, we had the opportunity to talk to two coaster enthusiasts who took on an awesome task – building roller coasters in their backyards!
First, we meet with Justin Nolte, John’s neighbor and backyard coaster builder. He built both a treehouse and a coaster in his yard. Check out his video: https://youtu.be/t7VLPrTd3gE
We then talk to ACE member Ben Densmore, who designed, built and operates Ohio's fourth largest indoor roller coaster, the Whipper Dipper. We’d like to see the first three largest indoor coasters, too!
First up is Justin Nolte, co-host John’s neighbor and backyard coaster builder.
[01:14] Justin’s son asked for a treehouse, his daughter asked for a roller coaster – so he did both!
[02:05]Researched the project online
[02:17]Fabricates for a living
[02:37]Built the car himself
[04:00]Motorized lift mechanism
[05:10]John didn’t know his neighbor was building a coaster
Bryant Yeager from ACE South Central is our guest host for the second segment, he chats with Ben Densmore, creator of the Whipper Dipper.
[10:03] First ride was The Racer at Kings Island
[11:12]First ACE event: Aug 5, 2012 tour of Gravity Group
[12:16]Enjoys the smaller ACE events at regional parks
[12:57]Introducing Ben’s wooden coaster
[13:07]Ben’s background – physics degree but ended up working in food service for a while
[13:37]Used his physics background to build a coaster in his backyard
[14:15]Talked to contractors at Home Depot – learned a lot
[15:00]Designing the track and the car
[15:16]Started as a greenhouse to meet local building requirements and keep the project secure
[17:05]Tight turns in a small space
[17:27]Ball casters instead of wheels
[17:50]Car modeled after an old PTC car
[18:55]Got materials off Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
[20:31]Ben now works at Gravitykraft Corporation, sister company of the Gravity Group!
[20:55]Neighbors' reactions to Ben’s coaster
[23:00]Considering moving the coaster
Watch for Whipper Dipper on Facebook later this year!
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org
Visit www.ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Coaster Con 45 will be held at Dollywood and Carowinds from June 18-23 2023. ACE members worldwide are starting to make travel plans – will you be there?
Thanks to the Ride with Us podcast team
Producer & Guest Interview Segment: Bryant Yeager
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org
Visit www.ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Coaster Con 45 will be held at Dollywood and Carowinds from June 18-23 2023. ACE members worldwide are starting to make travel plans – will you be there?
Thanks to the Ride with Us podcast team!
Producer & Guest Interview Segment: Bryant Yeager
Editor: Bob Randolph
Show Notes: Liz Tan