ACE - Ride With Us

By American Coaster EnthusiastsSociety & Culture Leisure Places & Travel

ACE - Ride With Us episodes

October 02 Preservation Conference 2026: Preserving the Stories Behind the Rides
What does preservation really mean in the amusement industry? It’s about more than keeping an old roller coaster standing. It’s about the stories, the people, the craftsmanship, the communities, and the memories that make these places worth preserving.
In this episode of the ACE Ride With Us Podcast, host Jessica Gardner is joined by Gerik Gooch, podcast team correspondent, and Jes Niemec, ACE Events Director, to look back at the 2026 ACE Preservation Conference in the Pacific Northwest.
The conference took ACE members to three very different parks with remarkably rich histories: the hand-built Enchanted Forest in Oregon, historic Oaks Park in Portland, and Wild Waves Theme & Water Park in Washington during its final season.
Along the way, Jessica, Gerik, and Jess talk about the history of these parks, the rides and attractions that make them special, their personal experiences during the conference, and why enthusiasts play such an important role in preserving amusement history.

01:23 — Meet Our Guests
Welcome back to Gerik Gooch and Jes Nemec, including Jes's new role as ACE Events Director.
03:18 — Why the Pacific Northwest?
The team discusses why these parks were chosen and why this particular Preservation Conference felt so connected to ACE's preservation mission.
06:24 — Enchanted Forest: A Park Built by Hand
Gooch introduces Enchanted Forest and the remarkable story of founder Roger Tofte.
38:00 — From Enchanted Forest to Oaks Park
The conversation moves to the next stop of the conference and what makes Oaks Park such an important piece of Pacific Northwest amusement history.
40:29 — Oaks Park: More Than a Century of History
Jess takes us through Oaks Park's origins as a 1905 trolley park and its evolution over the decades.
49:00 — The Importance of Preserving the Rides
The group talks about Oaks Park's historic attractions, its preservation mission, and the rides that have come and gone over the years.
55:00 — What Does Preservation Really Mean?
Jessica, Gooch, and Jes discuss what makes a ride, park, or attraction worth preserving—and why the history behind the experience matters.
01:01:43 — The Role of Enthusiasts in Preservation
Gooch explains why enthusiasts care so deeply about the details and stories behind amusement parks and why that passion matters.
01:03:02 — Wild Waves: A Final Season
The conference's final official stop takes on a more emotional tone as the group visits Wild Waves during its final season.
01:04:00 — The History of Wild Waves
Jessica shares the history of the park, from Enchanted Village to the development of the Wild Waves property.
01:08:30 — What Does It Mean When a Park Closes?
Jessica, Gerik, and Jess reflect on Wild Waves, its community, and the experience of visiting a park knowing it won't be there the following season.
01:20:24 — Parks Closing & Parks Being Born
Jessica connects the experience at Wild Waves with her visit to the brand-new COTAland, reflecting on the strange cycle of amusement parks closing while new ones are being built.
01:23:00 — What Preservation Means to ACE
The conversation returns to the larger mission of preservation and why ACE's focus on amusement history is so important.
Have a question, comment, or an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected].
Visit ridewithace.com and follow @RideWithACE on social media for more coaster, park, and preservation news.
1 hr 34 min
July 15 Coaster Con 48: A New England Adventure
Join us as we look back on Coaster Con 48, ACE’s annual convention that took members across New England for six unforgettable days of roller coasters, behind-the-scenes experiences, exclusive ERT, and plenty of memories.

From the opening festivities at Six Flags New England, to marathon rides on Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce, to bucket-list moments on Comet at Great Escape, we recap the highlights, funny stories, favorite experiences, and the people who made Coaster Con special.

Whether you attended Coaster Con 48 and want to relive the adventure or you’re curious about what makes ACE’s biggest annual event so unique, this episode is for you.

Timecodes:
1:08 – Meet ACE Members HaeKyung Thompson, Hannah Lee, Luke Reynolds, and Shawn Montano!
5:15 – Six Flags New England: Rainy Day Fun & Behind-the-Scenes Tours
10:05 – ACE Photo Contest & Capturing the Convention
15:09 – Midway Olympics & Volunteer Highlights
17:28 – ACE Business Meeting & Leadership Conversations
23:41 – Heading to Lake Compounce
25:03 – Boulder Dash, Wildcat & Lake Compounce Highlights
32:27 – The Scenic Train Ride (or Walk!) to Lunch
36:12 – The Legendary Lake Compounce ERT Snack Buffet
42:05 – Great Escape / Enchanted Parks Begins
46:02 – Comet, Bobcat Milestones & Favorite Rides
53:01 – SoloCon Community & Making Friends at Coaster Con
59:05 – Rubber Ducky Regatta Turns 10
1:03:18 – Enchanted Parks CEO James and Behind-the-Scenes Stories
1:14:58 – Final Thoughts & Why You Should Experience Coaster Con

Congrats to Spirit of ACE Award winner Mike Matcherz! Also congrats to the following:
Photo Contest Winners
1st – Jason Huber
2nd – John Devecka
3rd – Codi Thordorson

Video Contest Winners
1st - "Thank You" by Dalton Crider
Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TiJ0eoLoq0BOjnJWXfmqlEZD0wk0riPe/view?usp=sharing

2nd - “You might be a coaster enthusiast” by Daniel Scott
Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NIJtqwz1ecfBNlDFQkGlo6TOFDdxyCXM/view?usp=sharing

3rd - “Six Flags State of Mind” by Eric Feichthaler Jr.
Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x6dzKt1KTIMpWgd7A9LHLXABT6J4PG9L/view?usp=sharing

Ride With Us is the official podcast of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) @ridewithus

Podcast Team
Host: Jessica Gardner @themeparkette
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Edited by: Bob Randolph
Podcast Team: Bob Randolph, HaeKyung Thompson, Ben Weinrach, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown, and Parker VanBelleghem.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected].

Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
1 hr 22 min
June 22 Roller Coaster Rodeo 2026 with The Quirky Coaster Couple
Saddle up for a recap of Roller Coaster Rodeo 2026 at Six Flags Fiesta Texas!
Host Jessica Gardner is joined by Nick and Kelly Carlos aka "The Quirky Coaster Couple" to share their coaster love story, from meeting at the park to getting engaged atop Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger and eventually hosting a theme park wedding at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Then they break down everything that makes Roller Coaster Rodeo one of the most unique enthusiast events around, including exclusive ERT, lift hill climbs, behind-the-scenes tours, VIP perks, and tips for first-time attendees.
Whether you’re planning a future Rodeo trip or simply want to hear about one of the industry’s most beloved events, this episode is for you.

0:52 Meet the Quirky Coaster Couple
4:04 A roller coaster love story
21:59 How the Quirky Coaster Couple began
28:35 What is Roller Coaster Rodeo?
34:25 Day One
49:24 Day Two
1:22:17 Day Three
1:26:35 Tips for first-time attendees
1:32:24 What’s next for the Quirky Coaster Couple?
1:33:17 Final thoughts

Follow the Quirky Coaster Couple on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Threads: @quirkycoastercouple
Ride With Us is the official podcast of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) @ridewithus

Podcast Team
Host: Jessica Gardner @themeparkette
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Edited by: Bob Randolph
Podcast Team: Bob Randolph, Ben Weinrach, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown, and Parker VanBelleghem

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

1 hr 32 min
June 11 Preserving The Thrill: A Tour Of The National Roller Coaster Museum
Step inside the National Roller Coaster Museum with host Jessica Gardner as she takes listeners on an exclusive audio tour of one of the most unique collections of amusement industry history in the world. Joined by museum board members Kris Rowberry and Josh Brown, Jessica explores legendary coaster trains, historic artifacts, preservation efforts and the stories behind some of the industry's most beloved attractions. From the Matterhorn Bobsleds to Big Bad Wolf, Iron Wolf, Disaster Transport and more, this episode celebrates the rides, memories and enthusiasts helping preserve roller coaster history for future generations.

00:28 – Meet museum board members Kris Rowberry and Josh Brown and learn about the mission of the National Roller Coaster Museum
01:23 – How artifacts are acquired and why preservation matters
05:51 – The museum's master plan and future guest experience
06:45 – Disaster Transport, Avalanche Run and a massive piece of coaster history
08:00 – How the museum became a reality and the role of fan donations
10:47 – The Mean Streak Buzz Bar built from actual coaster materials
12:18 – Hidden coaster Easter eggs throughout the museum
13:06 – Inside the main exhibit hall: Kingda Ka, Montezooma's Revenge, Volcano, Disney artifacts and more
14:48 – The oldest coaster car in the collection: Lakeside Park's Derby Racer
15:15 – Revolution's 50th anniversary and restoration discussions and challenges
16:45 – Future expansion plans and the museum's 20,000-square-foot facility
18:14 – Texas Cyclone, Rollo Coaster, a modern GCI track display and the restoration of the Iron Wolf train
20:15 – Six Flags New Orleans artifacts and the impact of Hurricane Katrina
21:24 – Big Bad Wolf and an interactive restraint demonstration
22:20 – How listeners can support the National Roller Coaster Museum

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/2WbPksGRGio?si=fZ--u2Vr8PcGyCcJ
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected].
Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Podcast Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Edited by Ben Weinrach and Derek Perry
Podcast Team: Bob Randolph, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown and Parker VanBelleghem

24 min
May 22 ACE Spring Conference Recap + Coaster Con 48 Preview
ACE Spring Con may be in the rearview mirror, but Coaster Con 48 is right around the corner!

Host Jessica Gardner is joined by ACE Communications Director Derek Perry and Events Director Tim Baldwin to recap all the excitement from Spring Con and look ahead to ACE’s biggest event of the year.
From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and unforgettable ERT sessions to unexpected moments (including a park-wide power outage), we revisit the highlights from Texas and Oklahoma, including visits to Six Flags Over Texas, Frontier City, and briefly discuss the National Roller Coaster Museum.

Then we shift gears and preview ACE Coaster Con 48 in New England and New York, covering what first-time attendees can expect, how ERT schedules are created, event traditions, insider tips, and why Coaster Con continues to be a can’t-miss experience for coaster enthusiasts.

Plus… a few early thoughts on Preservation Con.

Timecodes:

3:01 - Spring Con! Days 1 and 2 at Six Flags Over Texas
22:50 - Frontier City
35:26 - National Roller Coaster Museum
36:22 - Coaster Con 48 Preview
57:55 - Preservation Con sneak peek

Have a favorite Spring Con memory or heading to Coaster Con? Share your thoughts with us and join the conversation.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected].
Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Podcast Team: Bob Randolph, Ben Weinrach, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown and Parker VanBelleghem

#RideWithUs #ACE #AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts #CoasterCon #SpringCon #RollerCoasters #ThemeParks
1 hr 9 min
April 04 Inside Zamperla with Adam Sandy
Jessica Gardner sits down with Adam Sandy, Roller Coaster Sales and Marketing Director at Zamperla, to explore how modern roller coasters are designed, built, and evolving.
From the massive undertaking of Top Thrill 2 to the growing importance of accessibility in attractions, Adam shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring rides to life from concept to opening day.
They dive into how coaster projects are developed, the rise of family coasters and “broad appeal” attractions, why accessibility is becoming a major focus for parks, the technology behind interactive rides like WINGZ, the challenges of building record-breaking coasters, and the business side of theme parks that enthusiasts don’t always see. Plus, Adam shares career advice for aspiring industry professionals and what excites him most about the future of theme parks.

03:25 – How coasters are designed
05:50 – Accessibility in theme parks
12:07 – Top Thrill 2
13:53 – Innovation vs operations
21:46 – Family coaster trend
26:41 – Maintenance & after-sales reality
38:42 – Career advice

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected].
Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Podcast Team: Ben Weinrach, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown and Parker VanBelleghem
42 min
March 12 Six Flags Great Adventure's Next Chapter: Boardwalk Upgrades, Wild Safari & a Mysterious Purple Coaster
Ryan Eldredge, Regional Manager of Public Relations for the East Region at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation oversees communications for Six Flags Great Adventure and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
In this revealing episode, he chats with Jessica about the evolving future of Six Flags Great Adventure, current developments at the park and the role of public relations in the theme park industry. Ryan also shares insights into working with the enthusiast community, managing major park announcements, and balancing historic park legacies with new investments.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Podcast Team: Ben Weinrach, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown and Parker VanBelleghem
52 min
March 12 From Concept To Launch: Building Galacticoaster at Two LEGOLAND Parks
The offseason is over and coaster season is back! The Ride With Us Podcast returns with a brand-new season and a brand-new original theme song created by The Perry Twins.
In this episode, host Jessica Gardner heads to both LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort to explore the new LEGO Galaxy themed lands at both parks.
The expansion introduces a new family launch coaster, Galacticoaster, developed by Merlin Magic Making and built by ART Engineering. Designed for younger riders and families, the coaster combines space-themed storytelling with a twisting layout and controlled spinning elements inspired by classic LEGO Space sets.
Jessica speaks with members of the team who helped bring the project to life, including Senior Project Manager Blake Boyter, Senior Project Manager Flora Liu and Project Manager Jordan Sloane. The episode features interviews and a walk-and-talk tour through the new land while exploring how designers, engineers, and storytellers worked together to create the experience.
Thanks for listening and helping kick off another coaster season with us. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and share the podcast, and follow ACE on social media for updates from parks around the world.
04:00 - Senior Project Manager Blake Boyter
11:40 - Senior Project Manager Flora Liu
21:28 - Project Manager Jordan Sloane

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Doug Perry and Derek Perry
Editors: Ben Weinrach, Jessica Gardner and Derek Perry
Podcast Team: Bob Randolph, Gerik Gooch, Brichette Reid, Corey Wooten, Corey Brown and Parker VanBelleghem

31 min
December 22, 2025 12 Interviews of IAAPA Expo 2025
On the 12 Days of Christmas, the Ride With Us Podcast gave to you… 12 interviews from IAAPA Expo!

Our latest episode features Jessica Gardner and Rachel Hawkins talking with parks and manufacturers straight from the show floor, sharing what they showcased and what exciting new additions are coming in 2026.

It’s the perfect holiday listen for coaster fans counting down to a thrilling new year.

2:33 - Dollywood
16:24 - Six Flags Over Texas
19:25 - Family Kingdom
23:36 - Legoland
28:12 - S&S Worldwide, Inc.
32:25 - Sally Dark Rides
38:37 - SeaWorld Orlando
44:30 - Chance Rides
46:29 - Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.
51:22 - Zamperla

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor: Bob Randolph
Correspondent: Rachel Hawkins
56 min
October 29, 2025 Remembering Six Flags America

As Six Flags America prepares to close its gates for the final time, the ACE Ride With Us Podcast takes a heartfelt look back at the park’s incredible legacy. Correspondent Bob Randolph chats with Brichette Reid and B. Derek Shaw to share stories, laughter and nostalgia about the park’s roller coasters, history and the community that grew around it.
You’ll hear:
Personal memories and fan-favorite rides from decades past
Reflections on the park’s evolution and its impact on coaster enthusiasts
How Six Flags America became a beloved gathering place for thrill seekers
Thoughts on celebrating its history during this final week of operation
Whether you grew up visiting the park, or you’re saying goodbye for the first time, this episode is a touching tribute to the thrills, friendships and memories that made Six Flags America unforgettable.
Take a stroll down memory lane and ride with us one last time.
Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Episode Team
Host: Jessica Gardner
Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry
Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph
Editor: Ben Weinrach
Correspondent: Gerik Gooch
56 min