ARTICLES POSTED MARCH 30

Behind-the-Scenes Maintenance Tour

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. (Posted 3/30/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Pennsylvania: Eastcoaster 2026

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! (Posted 3/30/26) [MORE]

Behind the Sweet Scenes at Hershey’s Chocolate World

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. (Posted 3/30/26) [MORE]

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

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. (Posted 3/30/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED MARCH 23

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

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. (Posted 3/23/26) [MORE]

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

No Coaster Con celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2026. It was ACE’s first midwinter event, established in 1981. (Posted 3/23/26) [MORE]

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

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. (Posted 3/23/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED MARCH 9

Wadatsumi to Debut at Greenland

As has been the case many times in recent history, Skyline Attractions is partnering with Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII) — this time along with Sanoyas Rides Corporation — to create Wadatsumi, a custom wood roller coaster for Greenland amusement park in Arao, Kumamoto, Japan. If all goes according to plan, it will entertain its first riders in spring of 2028. (Posted 3/9/26) [MORE]

ACE Preservation T-Shirt Gala, Day 2

The final day of the ACE Preservation T-Shirt Gala started with attendees showing off their cups/mugs from different parks and coasters and then proceeded into this year’s trivia. Participants were stumped by some challenging questions as they learned about the preservation efforts of ACE. (Posted 3/9/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED MARCH 2

Six Flags Mexico’s Coaster Count Climbs Into the Double Digits

In the mid-1980s, the Vekoma boomerang was causing a stir. Loops were still en vogue, so a compact ride that delivered six inversions on a small footprint was heavily sought after. In all, Vekoma went on to sell more than 50. It was popular for multiple reasons. (Posted 3/2/26) [MORE]

New GCII Woodie Heading to Czech Republic

In an era when the balance of adding new wooden coasters and losing wooden coasters can tip either way, hearing of new wooden coaster projects is always a good thing. (Posted 3/2/26) [MORE]

ACE Preservation T-Shirt Gala, Day 1

The second annual ACE Preservation T-Shirt Gala started with a toast to ACE preservation, featuring this year’s mocktail, the ACE Landmark Lemonade. (Posted 3/2/26) [MORE]