Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
On the morning of June 6, 2026, almost 200 enthusiasts from 18 different states and Canada made their way to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia). It was a bright and sunny morning, which was good because most people do not like to ride roller coasters in the rain.
Group photo the night before ACE Dives at Go-Karts Plus with Python Pit coaster.
Photo: Derek Brooks. View full-sized image.
The night before, Regional Rep Evangelos Ringas had arranged with Go-Karts Plus for ACE members to get a complimentary ride on the Python Pit kiddie coaster or a 50% off all-you-can-ride wristband. About 25 ACEers took advantage of this opportunity.
The lanyard conveniently listed the event schedule on the back.
Photo: Elizabeth Hollingshead. View full-sized image.
Attendees parked in the Germany parking lot and met ACE volunteers who distributed lanyards, tickets and complimentary snack vouchers. ACE merchandise was also available for purchase.
Everyone entered the park through a security gate that led directly to Festa Italia, where ERT was scheduled on two amazing coasters, Apollo’s Chariot, the world’s first Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hypercoaster, and Pantheon, an Intamin multilaunch coaster with a switch track.
Evangelos Ringas (left) and Justin Barlow (right) congratulate David Rolf (middle), winner of the Pantheon Hoops challenge. Game supervisor Michael is in front.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
When the park opened, some ACE members gathered for Pantheon Hoops, a midway basketball challenge. David Rolf was the winner. Others ran to Verbolten and turned right!
Griffon and Loch Ness Monster were also popular choices. At noon, everyone lined up for an informal takeover time (ITOT) on Le Scoot, the park’s log flume. It was a refreshing experience!
Attendees heard from park Operations Manager Kristina Wilby at lunch.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Mia Moore was the winner of the Alpengeist wheel.
Photo: Wil Rook. View full-sized image.
Lunch was at the Black Forest Picnic area next to Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge. Several door prizes were offered, and attendees heard updates from Park Operations Manager Kristina Wilby. There was a silent auction in a digital format, the first of its kind for a regional park event. A piece of Loch Ness Monster track and a large Alpengeist wheel were two of the items up for bid. The auction raised $1,055.
Another perk of the event was VIP seating for “Celtic Fyre.”
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
As part of the event, ACE members had VIP reserved seating to see “Celtic Fyre,” an Irish Step Dance performance. Attendees were able to meet with cast members following the show.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg was in the middle of its annual Food and Wine Festival, and several attendees enjoyed sampling food from around the world. Twenty-one attendees went on the Rhine River Wine Cruise.
A group photo before the ITOT on Griffon.
Photo: Elaine Bailey. View full-sized image.
Later ITOTs were on InvadR, the park’s wooden coaster from Great Coasters International, Inc., and Griffon, an exciting B&M dive coaster.
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn.
Photo: Richard Scavone. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
During the lights-on, behind-the-scenes tour of the reimagined Verbolten, attendees could see the changes up close.
Photo: Richard Scavone. View full-sized image.
Then, it was time for an hour’s ERT on Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, some of that time with the lights on. It was so cool to see all the tracks and the special effects and even another train rolling in behind the train one was riding. ACE Dives was this author’s first ACE event but definitely not his last.
— Barrett Olms
#ACENews