Photo: Xander Lee. View full-sized image.
If this is what was seen:
- Tormenta wasn’t ready.
- It was very warm and muggy.
- Shock Wave was standing but not operating.
- A power outage hit Six Flags.
… then the 2026 ACE Spring Conference could have looked dreadful on paper. But it was far from that.
Let’s start from the beginning.
Attendees head for the entrance to Six Flags Over Texas to find the registration table.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
It was Friday, May 15. With 441 registered attendees — representing 40 states, D.C. and three countries — it looked to be a promising event. Those who registered knew Tormenta Rampaging Run still wasn’t operational. Disappointing as that was, the massive beast towered over check-in at Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington), giving an imposing sense of what was to come in the weeks ahead.
Upon picking up the sharp, custom-designed badges, attendees could also shop the mini pop-up store to snag some select ACE items and Spring Conference merch.
Judge Roy Scream.
Photo: Al Putman. View full-sized image.
Mr. Freeze.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Once inside the gates, ACEers headed to the eastern corner of the park to enjoy five rides: Batman The Ride, Joker, Judge Roy Scream, Mr. Freeze and Texas Sky Screamer. Many enjoyed checking out the new theming elements on Mr. Freeze.
The day was besieged with school buses. Complicating this was Six Flags being stuck in a quagmire of new maintenance directives that had several coasters in one-train mode. Fortunately for ACE members, the event credential granted Fast Lane access all day.
Soon, everyone convened in the newly renovated Southern Palace. Events Director Tim Baldwin welcomed attendees and introduced key figures. ACE President Elizabeth Ringas spoke on ACE’s recent IAAPA Brass Ring accomplishment, and History and Preservation Director Josh Brown reported on the anonymous donor matching ACE’s donations up to $50,000.
Elizabeth Ringas updated attendees on ACE’s accomplishments at the IAAPA Expo.
Photos: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Josh Brown discussed a recent donation to ACE’s preservation efforts.
View full-sized image.
Next, Park President Pete Carmichael added to the welcome and made key management introductions, each of which added fun information for attendees. Marketing Manager Jeff Filicko and Baldwin explained more surprises to come during the event. This was a great way to connect to the people behind the park operations.
Pete Carmichael.
Photo: Adam Napotnik. View full-sized image.
Following the time in the Southern Palace, attendees began a smorgasbord of behind-the-scenes (BTS) experiences that were top notch. ACE podcaster Jessica Gardner described the conference with one word: access. The first day launched into multiple opportunities, and they didn’t stop there. The first was roaming within Judge Roy Scream. Photographers had access to the main drops, underneath and the return run to the station — all in areas typically off-limits.
An early behind-the-scenes tour offered attendees views of Judge Roy Scream.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
A nice view of Tormenta was seen over the water during the tour.
Photo: Mark Hoewisch. View full-sized image.
Soon, another BTS opportunity took place on the other side of the park. ACEers entered the far interior of New Texas Giant, Rocky Mountain Construction’s original wood-to-steel makeover. The exclusive views of the innovative coaster made for fun photo ops.
A popular BTS tour was that for New Texas Giant.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
The third BTS experience of Friday was a rare opportunity to enter the fenced-off areas of Titan’s first drop. The special access also offered off-limits views of the rare Giovanola installation’s second drop. Members who like to take pictures found it to be an amazing afternoon.
Once back within the park’s boundaries, attendees convened inside New Texas Giant’s fenced-off area for the first group photo of the event. Gathered alongside the Giant’s lift hill, enthusiasts posed for a great shot.
Dinner nearby was next, bringing all attendees together once again.
While it sprinkled for just a minute after dinner, it provided a great rainbow photo op.
Photo: Aleix Oriole. View full-sized image.
Just outside the picnic pavilions, the night ERT took place. Filicko handed out glow necklaces for rides on the park’s Scrambler (as well as other rides). Also in the mix were the two power-hitters Titan and New Texas Giant. Night drives on Dino Off-Road Adventure were also great fun.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Riders on New Texas Giant were ready for ERT.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Even more exciting at night were rides on New Texas Giant.
Photo: Linda Freeman. View full-sized image.
The Dino Off-Road Adventure was a clever version of an antique car ride.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Whether it was coaster rides, socializing or sharing a frosty Icee, the first day ended wonderfully.
One lucky (?) train on Titan experienced a lift walk down.
The second morning began with some unique opportunities. Dubbed “Wouldn’t It Be Cool?,” attendees had various opportunities to do things virtually no one but ACEers have the opportunity to do. Members had the choice of what to pick, and several accomplished all of them. Choices included being escorted inside the reservoir area of Aquaman Power Wave to see the gate mechanics that raise and lower the water level over the ride’s track. Another choice was going inside the dark ride Pirates of Speelunker Cave to have a selfie with a spelunker. Or perhaps going up to the 50-foot level of the Oil Derrick, where a slide once was attached in the 1970s, was appealing. Attendees also had the chance to go behind the walls in front of the Tormenta construction area to see the bull sculpture installed just the day prior and to look at the ride’s elements from the plaza area. Whatever choice was made, it was certainly cool.
The view from the 50-foot level of the Oil Derrick offered a new perspective of the park.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Attendees could explore the reservoir area of Aquaman Power Wave.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
The bull sculpture in the Tormenta construction area was a popular site for selfies.
Photo: Linda Freeman. View full-sized image.
Attendees could go inside the dark ride to photograph themselves with a spelunker resident.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Two hours of ERT included Pandemonium, New Texas Giant, Aquaman, Pirates of Speelunker Cave and Runaway Mountain, the latter offering “lights on” so that enthusiasts could see the indoor Windstorm model while riding. Of note, the park added Wile E. Coyote’s Grand Canyon Blaster. And in fun news, a child is no longer required for adults to ride.
Adults can now ride Wile E. Coyote’s Grand Canyon Blaster without being accompanied by a child.
Photo: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
New Texas Giant.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Lunchtime not only was a time to feed ACEers; it was also time to look over some outstanding auction items. The park donated the majority of pieces, which included ride parts (original Texas Giant panels, squares of steel cut from the La Vibora bobsled trough, Skyscreamer chains, etc.), photos, signs and more. An ACE member also donated fantastical art prints. It was all quality stuff. Once everything was all said and done, the total raised for ACE funds was just under $3,000. And, as Brown had pointed out the morning before, donations were going to be matched.
Checking out the auction items during lunch was a popular activity.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The BTS experience around Shock Wave was especially valued since the coaster hasn’t been running.
Photo: Mark Hoewisch. View full-sized image.
One more BTS opportunity took attendees under the loops of Shock Wave. The photo ops were great, but it brought a more personal urgency for the ride to see operation one day again in the future.
The afternoon hours were intentionally light in scheduling, allowing for coaster fans to dart a few miles south to hop aboard Prairie Screamer at Prairie Playland in Traders Village. The large Miler coaster is a kick-butt experience. The park was able to get the second train operational, so lines weren’t long, even if 400 people wanted to snag that credit or revisit the coaster from its earlier California roots.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
It was this moment on Saturday afternoon when the conference reached its midpoint. If the first half was noted for its “access,” then the second half could have been exemplified as “hospitality.”
Here’s what happened. Late afternoon when many ACEers were out at Traders Village, snagging other coaster credits, taking a nap or getting a pedicure (yeah, it happens; whatever), Six Flags Over Texas had a crisis to deal with. A power outage plunged the park into silence with restaurants and bathrooms going completely dark. Before long, day guests were pouring out of the park by the thousands with their tickets reactivated. ACEers returning were shocked but eventually allowed to come back in — but only ACE.
ACEers hung out near Southern Palace during the power outage, hoping for good news.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
As it turns out, one of the outside contractors using a jackhammer near Flume II at the construction site hit a power line. Certainly, receiving a jolt, he was in need of care but thankfully was fine by night’s end. Nonetheless, it resulted in the shutdown of everything.
Day guests had their tickets reactivated for another day, but attendees wondered, was this the end of the event at Six Flags?? While waiting for official word, members remained patient around the Southern Palace. It was honestly an opportunity just to chill and socialize. What made it more enjoyable is that park management came up to ACEers and invited them to stroll down Smith Street near Southern Palace to the ice cream store. Windows allowed enough light for workers to see, and attendees enjoyed a free scoop of ice cream. Whether the potential for it all to melt prompted the idea, it didn’t matter as management thought of attendees first — kill time, cool off with a sweet treat.
Who wants free ice cream?.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
It was during this dairy pitstop that the power was restored — for much of the park at least. Six Flags’ entertainment team only needed a short time to get systems up inside the show
Suddenly, ACE had a story to tell. The park was virtually closed except for a handful of holdouts. In reality, Six Flags Over Texas could have made the decision to cancel the evening as the various departments all scrambled to handle the crisis. It would have been understandable. But no. The hospitality toward the Spring Conference soared.
Inside the Palace, Baldwin updated attendees on as much as he could at the time. The evening program began with a flashback of Six Flags’ history with commercials from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, as well as some news clips from Coaster Con XIII at the park in 1990 and a media day clip. The look back was fun for both regional members who could remember back that far and out-of-state visitors enjoying Six Flags Over Texas for the first time.
Elizabeth Ringas and Tim Baldwin presented the park with a gift and announced that Six Flags Over Texas was now an ACE Honorary Member.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Ringas and Baldwin presented a host gift to the park and announced that the park was the newest ACE Honorary Member. Was top management there? Unfortunately not, as they had their hands full. But ACE’s sincerity was still at the forefront.
Kris Rowberry, representing the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives, was next. He updated the audience with new items at the museum, as well as a new merchandise item: reproductions of posters from Playland in San Antonio. Most enthusiasts know that Playland was the birthplace of Knoebels’ Phoenix.
Kris Rowberry showed a reproduction of Playland posters.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Attendees were treated to the opening and closing numbers of “Celebrate,” the park’s 65th anniversary show.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Following that presentation, the screen was removed and ACEers were in for a treat. “Celebrate” was the 65th anniversary show set to debut Memorial Day weekend. However, the performers stayed around through the blackout and dazzled attendees with the opening and closing numbers as a sneak peek. Everyone enthusiastically applauded, agreeing it looked to be a great show for the summer. What a marvelously hospitable gesture from the entertainment team.
Filicko arrived at this time to announce that the park had assembled an ERT package, although it was slightly tweaked. All the snacks and drinks, including a Texas Giant Drop mocktail, were still at the tower, even if attendees couldn’t go to the top.
The two big guns were available — Titan and New Texas Giant — as well as Pandemonium and Pirates of Speelunker Cave. (The dark ride was popular.) Two complete hours of ERT wrapped up ACE’s time at Six Flags.
The ERT schedule had to be altered, but the park came through with appreciated options.
As attendees exited the park — parts of which were still really dark — the glow of the carousel lights in the front plaza offered one bit of illuminated farewell for ACEers to remember their time at the park. It had been a great time.
Sunday morning began with a drive. Once members arrived in Oklahoma City, Frontier City was prepared to welcome everyone.
Park Manager Zach Vobornik received an event T-shirt shortly after the park opened and immediately donned it for the rest of the day. During the event, attendees learned that Vobornik was on the Wildcat ride crew during the infamous 1991 Spring Conference ERT that went into the wee hours of the morning.
The new Wildcat pavilion was finished in time for Spring Conference.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
During the event, ACEers learned that the Spring Conference visit was the catalyst for a brilliant idea of Vobornik’s. Wanting to do something special for ACE, he proposed to the higher ups to build a new pavilion to use for future events. Dining inside a roller coaster seemed like a good idea for enthusiasts, so it should work for future groups as well. On receiving approval, he pulled it off. Within weeks, it was built and ready. The week before, a park carpenter built the picnic tables himself. ACE was the premiere group to enjoy the new facility. Not only was the concept cool, but it also offered enthusiasts great views of Wildcat’s first drop.
Wildcat.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
After feasting on a great Mexican buffet, Ringas presented the host gift to Vobornik. At that time, he hinted at a gift for each attendee as well.
Next on the schedule was the gunfight stunt show. Attendees were allowed in first. As the dessert item didn’t make it in time for lunch, the park handed everyone a package of cookies when entering the theater. Nice!
The show was a hoot, and ACEers seemed to enjoy it. Upon completion, the performers stayed around for pictures and were a part of the group photo. After explaining the logistics for the behind-the-scenes tours, Vobornik announced that everyone would receive a piece of wood from Wildcat, stamped with the ride’s logo. How fun!! He also shared that Diamondback would be added to the evening ERT, which brought about cheers.
The gunfight stunt show was clever and amusing.
Photo: Adam Napotnik. View full-sized image.
Events Director Tim Baldwin and Park Manager Zach Vobornik address the crowd following the show.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
For the next hour, many ACEers enjoyed special opportunities. The Sweet Adeline train car housed in the park dates back to the early 1900s, and that was a popular tour. Others chose to climb a waterslide tower for snazzy views of Wildcat. A tour of the maintenance facility was available, and many enjoyed being escorted into industry legend Gary Story’s old office when the Six Flags chain of theme parks was headquartered right there at Frontier City.
One of the BTS options let ACEers climb a waterslide tower for great view of Wildcat.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
Park Manager Zach Vobornik showed Gary Story’s old office when the Six Flags headquarters were located at Frontier City (and told some wild tales).
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Dating back to around 1900, the interior of the Sweet Adeline train car was elegant and nostalgic.
Photos: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
It was a full day, and attendees tried to see everything in the park.
ERT was abundant. Seven rides were on offer: Silver Bullet, Wildcat, Steel Lasso, Diamondback and Frankie’s Mine Train covered the coasters; the Quick Draw dark ride and Soarin’ Eagle zipline rounded out the mix.
Silver Bullet.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Steel Lasso.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
In the center of it all was Vobornik himself, enjoying talking to ACEers from the park’s rocking chairs. Telling his stories and listening to those from far off places, he truly felt the appreciation from hundreds of fans who admire small parks. He was undoubtedly showered with compliments on how great the park looked — from paint to landscaping, it did! — or expressions of appreciation for his hospitality.
The churros that didn’t make it to the luncheon were added to the popcorn and drink snack during ERT, adding just one last touch of welcome as the Spring Conference came to a close.
Silver Bullet.
Photo: Krista Keyes. View full-sized image.
Frankie’s Mine Train.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
Wildcat.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
Diamondback.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
It had been 35 years since ACE had visited Frontier City for a flagship event, and it was a treat to return. As night fell, it was a shame to see it end, although a good portion of the attendees were driving to the museum the next day in Plainview to see what incredible artifacts are displayed there.
It may not have been ideal, with a 300-foot coaster not being quite ready, but 18 roller coasters later, everyone who attended the 2026 ACE Spring Conference was glad they did, with gratitude expressed to the host parks and the ACE volunteers who made it a memorable weekend.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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