Blogs

ACE South Central: Fiesta Fest

By ACE News posted 8 days ago

Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image . ACE members and the Melanin Coaster Network had the opportunity to take part in Fiesta Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This special event happened during Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration, coinciding with the busy spring break period. Fortunately, participants had Fast Lane passes, which proved invaluable for skipping long ride lines. They also enjoyed exclusive access to the Coca-Cola VIP lounge for a more relaxed experience. Jeffrey Siebert led a tour of the site of an “upcoming attraction.” Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image . ...

From the President

By ACE News posted 8 days ago

March always brings a special kind of reflection for me. With Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day woven throughout the month, I’ve found myself thinking more intentionally about my own journey as a female coaster enthusiast. Years ago, another enthusiast once told me, “Women don’t love coasters the way men do.” I’ve replayed that comment more times than I can count — not because it discouraged me, but because it surprised me and, honestly, inspired me. Of course we don’t all love coasters the same way. Does anyone ? We might share preferences, but the reasons we fall in love with a ride — or with the hobby itself — are deeply personal. Our ...

Flight Deck Becomes The DareDeviler

By ACE News posted 10 days ago

Originally introduced as Top Gun in 1995 at Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario, the inverted roller coaster more recently known as Flight Deck (2008-2025) will debut in early summer as The DareDeviler . Artwork courtesy of Canada’s Wonderland The coaster is being re themed to align with the original vision of the Grande World Expo area and the daring spirit of early aviation to soar, dive and twist through the legacy of a legendary stunt plane built to thrill the world. Enhanced by targeted track refinements and new trains, the ride is expected to deliver a smoother, more immersive experience, featuring improved seating and ...

Behind the Sweet Scenes at Hershey’s Chocolate World

By ACE News posted 21 days ago

Photo: Mike Matscherz collection. View full-sized image . ACE members got an exclusive early morning look inside one of Hershey’s most beloved attractions during a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride at Hershey's Chocolate World (Hershey, Pennsylvania). Held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, this unique experience offered attendees a rare opportunity to step off the ride vehicles and into the inner workings of the attraction before it opened to the public. Attendees began the event with a guided tour. Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image . The morning began with a guided tour led by the knowledgeable ...

ACE Eastern Pennsylvania: Eastcoaster 2026

By ACE News posted 21 days ago

Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image . There are no coasters to ride or credits to add to a coaster count, but that’s not the point of preseason nonriding events. Inquiring minds want to know what will be new and fun during the upcoming coaster season, and what better way to find out than to go to a comfy indoor venue for an all-day nerdout with park presenters and fellow enthusiasts? Welcome to Eastcoaster 2026! Volunteers were ready to greet attendees in the lobby of the Best Western. Photo: Sue Yekel. View full-sized image . The threatened snowstorms didn’t stop 275 eager attendees and presenters from arriving at the Best Western ...

Behind-the-Scenes Maintenance Tour

By ACE News posted 22 days ago

Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image . ACE members were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Hersheypark during a special tour of the park’s Service Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Held on the afternoon of Friday, February 6, 2026, this unique experience gave attendees a rare opportunity to explore the spaces where Hersheypark’s rides are maintained, restored and prepared for another season of thrills. The tour began with a guided walkthrough led by Scott Silar, director of attractions at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, who shared his insight into the extensive off-season work that keeps the park’s attractions ...

Preservation News: An Update on ACE’s First Centennial Award Winner, Giant Dipper

By ACE News posted 22 days ago

All Photos: Tim Cole. View full-sized image . View full-sized image . Following a five-week and purported $1.6-million renovation, the 100-year-old classic wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster at the revived Belmont Amusement Center at Mission Beach, California, is once again open. Included in this year’s renovation was an extensive replacement of track and added reinforcement of the supporting frame on the Dipper ’s north end. Lots of new batter-bracing reinforces the north end. View full-sized image . The 70-foot-tall roller coaster has been the flagship of the Mission Beach Amusement Center since it opened on July ...

New Coaster Coming to Lake Winnie

By ACE News posted 22 days ago

Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, Rossville, Georgia, will welcome a new family-friendly roller coaster this summer, Lookout Safari . Park officials announced the new attraction, which is designed to offer a mix of speed and twists for riders of all ages. The ride will feature a 656-foot track with two laps and reach speeds of up to 21 mph. Riders will board a jeep-themed coaster that includes quick turns, a small first drop, and smooth, moderate thrills throughout. The coaster was previously operated as Kombo at the Indianapolis Zoo and is being reimagined with a safari theme for its new home. #ACENewsNow

Barracuda Strike Maximizes Thrills for “Family” Coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio

By ACE News posted 28 days ago

Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image . A clear industry trend is the strong push for family attractions. There will always be a place for towering thrill-seeker extreme rides — which are great for marketing — but parks have demonstrated great effort in adding rides that most of the family can enjoy together. SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas) has embraced this philosophy, but in its own way has pushed family attractions to the edge. In 2023, the park opened Catapult Falls, an Intamin flume ride. That attraction included innovative features like an elevator lift, a record-setting drop for steepness and a launch (on a flume!). In 2025, the park replaced ...

No Coaster Con — A Look Back at ACE’s Original and First Midwinter Event

By ACE News posted 28 days ago

Photos: courtesy ACE photo archives. View full-sized image . View full-sized image . No Coaster Con celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2026. It was ACE’s first midwinter event, established in 1981. During this year’s function, held in January 2026 [see ACE News post, February 23, 2026], most of the primary movers and shakers for this long-lasting, middle-of-winter, coaster-appreciation gathering were present for a panel discussion detailing the event’s rich history: Randy Geisler, Marty Moltz, Richard McClowry, Bob Prentki and Scott Heck. First called the ACE Mid Winter Conference, No Coaster Con was a national ACE event, originated ...

ACE South Central: Winterfest (Take Two) a Spectacular Success in Texas

By ACE News posted 28 days ago

Several of the day’s presenters gathered for a group photo. Photo: Xander Lee. View full-sized image . Sometimes Mother Nature and Murphy’s Law have a collision — it’s not a good thing. Although January in Texas was considerably warmer than normal, when an ice storm hit, it naturally chose the weekend of Winterfest and canceled the ACE South Central midwinter event. Epic Waters and The Epic were the host locations for Winterfest 2026. Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image . So … on February 28, a determined 168 attendees arrived in Grand Prairie, Texas, to a glorious warm weekend. The host facilities were The Epic and Epic Waters. ...