Hot AZ Coasters

Location

Schnepf Farms, Castles n Coasters, Wildlife World Zoo Arizona
24810 South Rittenhouse Road Queen Creek, AZ
9445 North Metro Parkway E, Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix area, AZ 85051

Event Date(s)

Starts:  Fri, Oct 16, 2026 (MT)
Ends:  Sun, Oct 18, 2026 (MT)
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Event Contact

Jackie Edwards

jedwards@aceonline.org

Hot AZ Coasters

Join us for coasters, haunts and fun at five southern Arizona attractions:

Castles n’ Coasters, Schnepf Farms, Wildlife World,
Old Tucson and the Arizona State Fair

on

October 16, 17 and 18, 2026

  

Featuring:

  • Discounted admission available to all attractions
  • Discounted ride tickets at Wildlife World
  • Private tours at Old Tucson and Castles n’ Coasters
  • Private lounge at Old Tucson

Attendees may register for activities at any or all five Arizona attractions. What you attend is up to you!

About the attractions:

Old Tucson

https://oldtucson.com/ 

Built in 1939, Old Tucson is a movie set and Western-themed amusement park in Tucson, Arizona. It has served as a filming location for hundreds of classic Western movies and TV shows, including Rio Bravo, Tombstone, The Three Amigos and Little House on the Prairie. Today, the adventure park includes a variety of activities including a train, a classic carousel, antique cars and a former dark-ride-turned-walk-through attraction. In the evenings in October, Old Tucson hosts Nightfall with haunted mazes, scare zones and spooky live entertainment.

Schnepf Farms

https://schnepffarms.com/

Schnepf Farms is a family-owned farm in Queen Creek, Arizona, featuring a roller coaster, bakery, country story and cafe, u-pick vegetables, a petting zoo, a train and more. In October, Schnepf Farms hosts its Pumpkin & Chili Party, one of the few times when the farm’s Gravity roller coaster and a variety of other amusement rides operate. 

Castles n’ Coasters

https://www.castlesncoasters.com/ 

Castles n’ Coasters is an amusement park and family fun center located in northern Phoenix featuring two Hopkins roller coasters (Desert Storm and Patriot), a variety of amusement rides, a mini-golf course, go-karts and a large arcade.

Arizona State Fair

https://azstatefair.com/ 

The Arizona State Fair is held in Phoenix each fall, featuring several roller coasters, a sky ride, a giant Ferris wheel and many other amusement rides, not to mention fair food, games, concerts and other live entertainment.

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park

https://www.wildlifeworld.com/ 

Located just west of Phoenix in Litchfield Park, Arizona, Wildlife World is a 100-acre zoo and aquarium with a variety of amusement rides, including the Family Roller Coaster, a 15-minute skyride, a train, carousel and log flume. 

Tentative itinerary (subject to change)

Friday, October 16

Old Tucson

Daytime park hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nightfall (haunt event): 5 to 11 p.m.

3:30 to 4 p.m.: Event registration 

4 to 5 p.m.: Private studio tour for ACE 

5 to 11 p.m.: Nightfall

Attendees are welcome to visit Old Tucson during the day on their own. Our event will formally begin with registration at 3:30 p.m. followed by a private tour of the studio at 4 p.m. and discounted admission to their haunt event, Nightfall. Amusement rides are included with Nightfall admission.

Saturday, October 17

Schnepf Farms

Park hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

10 to 11 a.m.: Registration for those who pre-purchased tickets. (Those who didn’t pre-purchase tickets can buy tickets at the ticket booth when they arrive at Schnepf Farms.)

12 p.m.: Group meetup for lunch (food not included in event price; buy your food and enjoy lunch with other attendees)

Amusement rides are included with admission, except for the train. (A separate ticket is needed to ride the train.)

Castles n’ Coasters

Park hours: 12 to 9 p.m.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Event registration

4 p.m.: Behind-the-scenes tour

5 p.m.: Informal takeover on Desert Storm

5:30 p.m.: Informal takeover on Patriot

Amusement rides are included with event wristbands.

State Fair

Hours: Saturdays: 12 pm – Last entry at 10 pm

6:30 to 7 p.m.: Event registration for those who pre-purchased tickets

7:30 p.m.: Meetup for “coaster run” and informal takeovers of the fair roller coasters

Ride tickets must be purchased separately from admission.

Sunday, October 18

Wildlife World Zoo

Zoo hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Aquarium hours: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

8:30 to 9 a.m.: Event registration

12:30 p.m.: Group lunch at Dillon’s BBQ restaurant (not included in event price; pay for your meal and enjoy lunch with other attendees)

Ride tickets must be purchased separately from admission. We will offer discounted ride tickets (half off) during registration.

Pricing

Old Tucson

$37 per person for tour and Nightfall admission

Schnepf Farms

$24 per person for the first 15 people to register.

$33 per person for additional attendees. (Attendees can also purchase tickets on your own.)

Castles n’ Coasters

$36 per person for admission and rides.

Arizona State Fair

$13 per person for the first 15 people to register

$20 per person for additional attendees 

$12 for children 5-12

Seniors 62+ can purchase tickets on their own for $14.

Military and first responders can purchase tickets at the gate for $12.

Wildlife World

Adult Admission: $30

Child Admission (3-12 years): $15

Discounted ride tickets: $3 per ticket

To purchase tickets, please visit: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/acesocal/hot-az-coasters

Additional info

Parking is free at all attractions except for the Arizona State Fair, where standard parking is $20 per vehicle. (There is also a free shuttle to the state fair from Phoenix College. More info here.)

Amusement rides are included with admission at Old Tucson, Schnepf Farms and Castles n’ Coasters. Ride tickets are required in addition to admission at the Arizona State Fair and at Wildlife World. We will offer discounted ride tickets during registration for Wildlife World.

Approximate travel time from Tucson to Schnepf Farms is 1.5 to 2 hours.

Approximate travel time from Schnepf Farms to Castles n Coasters is 1 hour.

Approximate travel time from Castles n’ Coasters to the Arizona State Fair is 15 minutes.

Approximate travel time from downtown Phoenix to Wildlife World (Litchfield Park) is 30 minutes.

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Click Here to Review the Event Terms and Conditions
SCHEDULE ADVISORY

Inclement weather, equipment problems or other unforeseen circumstances may affect the published schedule. The park will do its best to provide ride times and rides as listed; however, the schedule of events remains tentative and is subject to change based on the park's operational status and local health restrictions at the time of the event.

ACCESSIBILITY

Should you need special accommodations such as a wheelchair, speech/hearing, etc., refer to the participating parks policy prior to the event date. Most parks offer a complete guide for guests with a disability.

REFUNDS AND REGISTRATION FEES

Refunds will not be given. Registration fees will not be prorated for partial attendance and tickets are nontransferable. Event attendee substitutions are at ACE’s discretion. Permission must be obtained prior to the event, in writing, from the event contact.

The payment of registration fees by, for, or on behalf of participants releases and holds harmless the American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide Inc. and its Officers, Directors, Executive Committee Members and representatives from any and all liabilities related to those activities. Returned checks and chargeback disputes will be treated as uncollected debt. ACE reserves the right to execute debt collection following the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION

Although our host parks are making every effort to keep you as healthy and safe as possible, there remains an inherent and elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place and place where people are present. Refer to park policies for additional information, requirements and latest updates.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Members and their guests should be especially aware that their behavior affects ACE’s reputation, and they are expected to abide by ACE’s Code of Conduct at all times during the event and follow all host park policies, including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption. Members are responsible for the conduct of their nonmember guests. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for supervising minor event attendees. Members found to be in violation of the code are subject to ACE's disciplinary procedures, which may be in the form of, but not limited to, verbal or written warning, membership suspension or involuntary termination.

Any violations of park policies, including underage alcohol consumption are a violation of section C.1 of ACE’s Code of Conduct and could result in suspension of the member’s ACE membership as well as action by the park.

NAME BADGES

You must be registered and your official event name badge must be visible to participate in scheduled event activities.

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