originally posted on 3/3/2023
Pepsi Orange Streak.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, ACE North Central hosted an event at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. A record number of ACEers and their guests registered for this event (50), and the event did not disappoint.
Fairly Odd Coaster.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
The day started off with a full hour of ERT on SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge, Fairly Odd Coaster and Pepsi Orange Streak. This is the first time the park has given attendees one hour of ERT; in past years, ERT has been only 30 minutes. It is also the first time the park was able to provide more than one coaster for ERT.
SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge.
Photo: John Christle. View full-sized image.
After the ride session, attendees were given a tour of the Mall of America. The group was split in two so that the groups would not be too large, and both groups were led by a few wonderful tour guides. Attendees learned some of the history of the mall and were able to enter several behind-the-scenes locations that are not accessible to the public. The most exciting part of the tour was seeing the maintenance and storage area for the Log Chute, including the inner workings of ride operation, and hearing about some of the challenges the maintenance team faces when working on the ride. They also were allowed to enter a restricted area to see the tall Paul Bunyan animatronic up close. It was a real treat, since most riders only get to see Paul and Babe the Blue Ox from the ride vehicles.
Log Chute, not a ride often found in an indoor amusement park.
Photo: John Vircks. View full-sized image.
Up next were giveaways of various ride parts from rides in the North Central region and other park merchandise, along with several informal takeovers of a few of the roller coasters. It was a fun event, and the North Central region is very fortunate to be able to ride roller coasters in the middle of the cold Minnesota winters.
ACE North Central is excited for the upcoming events this summer at Valleyfair, Adventureland and Lost Island. North Central is also looking forward to hosting an event at Nickelodeon Universe again next year, when they hope to welcome even more ACEers.
— Calvin Duane, ACE North Central Assistant Regional Representative
Pepsi Orange Streak.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
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