ARTICLES POSTED AUGUST 17

ACE Europe: Le Voyage Lumière — Summerfest 2026

ACE Europe chose France for its 2026 Summerfest, Le Voyage Lumière. Sixty-five “Voyageurs” attended the entire Summerfest trip, July 4-12, 80% of whom came from the United States and the remainder included enthusiasts from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Czechia, Slovenia and Portugal. Twenty-six persons also participated as individual day invitations, which ACE Europe always offers. France is one of the most popular countries in Europe, but many attendees had never visited any other French parks except Disneyland Paris, which wasn’t included on this trip. (Posted 8/17/26) [MORE]

Reviews of the Coasters of Le Voyage Lumière

Most of the 44 roller coasters in the parks visited during Le Voyage Lumière were new to the attendees. Below are some of their thoughts on coasters they were asked to review. (Posted 8/17/26) [MORE]

Favorite France Moments During Le Voyage Lumière

Attendees voted for their favorite coasters at the Le Voyage Lumière parks and offered observations. (Posted 8/17/26) [MORE]

Surprising Moments from Le Voyage Lumière

When ACEers sign up for events, they usually have definite reasons for choosing the event: it’s in their region, it’s a new park for them, a new ride has opened, some of their friends are going. What they won’t know in advance are the unexpected finds and surprises they’ll experience. Here are some from Le Voyage Lumière. (Posted 8/17/26) [MORE]

Fun Facts of Summerfest

The U.S. state that most closely resembles France in size is Texas. Its land area is remarkably similar, making it the closest continental comparison. France is 210,000 square miles, about 50,000 square miles larger than California and 50,000 square miles smaller than Texas. However, France’s population is 71% larger, 43 million compared to Texas’s 25 million. (Posted 8/17/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED AUGUST 10

ACE Western Pennsylvania: Ravine Flyer Frenzy 2026

It was sunny and windy on June 6 at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, and the 211 attendees who arrived for Ravine Flyer Frenzy came with expectations of a fun day riding coasters with friends at this family-owned traditional park on the shores of Lake Erie. The event flyer listed a day filled with informal takeover times (ITOTs), ERT, a behind-the-scenes opportunity, a picnic dinner and even the showing of a documentary. Wasn’t that enough? They were to learn later that Waldameer had a special surprise — an ACE exclusive! (Posted 8/10/26) [MORE]

ACE New Jersey: Seaside Screams again, and again…

Various challenges have shown one more time that a great event will maintain its own greatness. Seaside Screams at Casino Pier, ACE New Jersey’s longest-running annual event, was held on June 14 — a Sunday — but not as a result of a weather postponement like last year’s drippy June weekend. This time the late date was owed to maintenance projects on the pier and an abundance of events in neighboring regions (both being “problems” every ACE region should be lucky enough to have). (Posted 8/10/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Picnic at the Grove

Friends, family and fond memories are core tenets of each and every ACE event, and for the sixth straight summer, the Eastern Great Lakes region’s Picnic at the Grove was no different. Held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the elusive Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton, Ohio, ACE members were treated to a full day of fun, food and, most important, rides. (Posted 8/10/26) [MORE]

Coaster Milestones

ACE News posts coaster milestones in increments of 50 (1, 50, 100, 150, etc.). We have received so many coaster milestones in the past month that we decided to begin including some with each ACE News post instead of doing one Milestones post every two months. If you don’t see your coaster milestone in this post, be sure to check ACE News posts each week for more milestones. (Posted 8/10/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED AUGUST 3

Knoebels Amusement Resort Celebrates 100 Years

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On that same day, Knoebels Amusement Resort celebrated its 100th anniversary at the Hawaiian Bandshell in the center of the park. Despite the heat and humidity, the benches were filled as family, friends and representatives from amusement parks across the country gathered to mark this milestone in the history of the park. (Posted 8/3/26) [MORE]

ACE Mid-Atlantic: Wild West Fun Day at Adventure Park USA

On July 18, 2026, ACE members met at Adventure Park USA in Monrovia, Maryland, for Wild West Fun Day. The event traces back to the 2007 SpringFest, which was the year Adventure Park got its first coaster — Wildcat. The 38 attendees for Wild West Fun Day came from six different states. For 11 members, it was their first time at Adventure Park USA, and it was two members’ first ACE event! (Posted 8/3/26) [MORE]

Kumba to Roar One Last Time… Maybe?

Although home to an Arrow Corkscrew (Python) and a Schwarzkopf Silverarrow (Scorpion), Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Florida) was once known as a destination for wildlife experiences first and thrill rides second. That changed in 1993 when Bolliger & Mabillard’s (B&M) multi-element Kumba debuted. Perhaps foreshadowing the roller coaster installations to come in the following decades, the massive coil of turquoise track was situated at the back of the park adjacent to Congo River Rapids, thus highlighting the sheer massiveness of the available real estate. (Posted 8/3/26) [MORE]

Coaster Milestones

ACE News has received so many coaster milestones in the past month that we decided to begin including some with each ACE News post instead of doing one Milestones post every two months. We’re starting with 20 of the earliest milestones received (in late June) and moving forward until we’re caught up. If you don’t see your coaster milestone in this post, be sure to check ACE News posts each week for more milestones. (Posted 8/3/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED JULY 27

Remembering Richard (“Dick”) Knoebel, 1939-2026

The “facts” of Dick Knoebel’s life aren’t adequate to express his legacy to his family, Knoebels Amusement Resort and his community, which includes amusement park enthusiasts as well as the amusement industry. Born into the family that founded Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1926, Dick worked at the park from an early age and later earned a degree in engineering geophysics from Lehigh University. He served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1965. In 1968, he married Barbara Cook, and they had two sons, Rick and Brian. Dick was president of Knoebels from 1988 to 2025, after which Brian assumed the presidency and Dick became president emeritus. (Posted 7/27/26) [MORE]

Twelve Things You Missed if You Weren’t at Coaster Con 48

Complete coverage of Coaster Con 48 will be in the fall issue of RollerCoaster!, but the week was certainly filled with some memorable moments. Depending on one’s location, there were instances of a bear, downpours, snakes or … hundreds of hugs. (Posted 7/27/26) [MORE]

Tormenta: Rampaging Run Takes Texas by the Horns

While it had dominated the skyline for months, including during the ACE Spring Conference, Tormenta: Rampaging Run officially opened at Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington) on July 9, following several days of previews. (Posted 7/27/26) [MORE]

Remembering Dave Bird (1937–2026)

David G. Bird passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Paulie, and two sons, David and Robert, their wives and three grandchildren. There will be a private funeral with no public viewing. The family has requested that no cards, flowers or gifts be sent. (Posted 7/27/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED JULY 6

Universal Kids Resort Debuts a New Concept for the Chain

One of the biggest challenges Universal had when it announced Universal Kids Resort for Frisco, Texas, in January of 2023 was conveying that it was not a Universal Studios park. With its opening on July 1, part of that stigma remains. (Posted 7/6/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Timbersfest Returns to Michigan's Adventure

On a warm June Sunday in Muskegon, Michigan, 100 ACE members from 10 states gathered at Michigan's Adventure for Timbersfest, highlighted by exclusive access, unique experiences and a strong sense of community. (Posted 7/6/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Cruisin' at Craig's

Back for its second year, Cruisin' at Craig's in Mears was a chance for a small group of ACE members to visit the beautiful Silver Lake area of Michigan. Covered in almost 3,000 acres of rolling sand dunes, the area is home to the original Craig's Cruisers location, dating back to 1976. Founded by the Cihak family, the other three locations are now members of the Five Star parks chain, while this original location remains family owned and operated. (Posted 7/6/26) [MORE]