A Rollercoaster of a Weekend (Literally)
On the surface, it might look like the 2026 ACE Spring Conference flew entirely off the rails. The Texas heat was sweltering, the highly anticipated Tormenta Rampaging Run coaster wasn't ready to ride, Shock Wave was standing but not operating, and a massive power outage suddenly plunged Six Flags Over Texas into darkness.
Instead of a disaster, it became an absolute masterclass in theme park hospitality.
Here is a taste of why this 441-person gathering became a weekend for the history books:
- The Blackout Bonus: When a contractor accidentally knocked out power to Six Flags, thousands of day guests had to evacuate. The ACE members? They were told to hang tight, treated to free ice cream by quick-thinking park management, and eventually given a VIP sneak peek of the park's unreleased 65th-anniversary stage show while the lights were still down.
- Unprecedented Access: Coaster fans were given the ultimate VIP treatment with behind-the-scenes tours in areas normally strictly off-limits. Members got to roam the interior of the New Texas Giant, explore the mechanical reservoir of Aquaman Power Wave, and even climb a retired waterslide tower for panoramic views.
- Frontier City's Red Carpet: On day two in Oklahoma, Park Manager Zach Vobornik revealed he had a brand-new pavilion built specifically so the ACE group could dine right next to the Wildcat coaster's first drop. To top it off, every attendee was gifted an actual stamped piece of the coaster's wood!
Between the exclusive night rides, mocktails, auctioning off rare ride parts, and incredible camaraderie from the park staff, this recap proves that a few unexpected twists can make a great ride even better.
Want to see the exclusive views for yourself? Head over to the full ACE News article to check out the amazing behind-the-scenes photos, read the full story of the Six Flags blackout, and experience the ultimate theme park VIP weekend!
ACE News:
Southern Hospitality Makes the
2026 ACE Spring Conference a Crowd-Pleaser