Coaster Con 47 Recap - Thrills Across the Midwest!

Coaster Con 47 rolled through the Midwest in June 2025, and it was a ride to remember! This six-day adventure took the American Coaster Enthusiasts to Six Flags Great America in Illinois, the charming Little Amerricka in Wisconsin and the iconic Indiana Beach.

Whether you missed out and want the inside scoop, or you were there and want to relive the magic, we’re breaking down all the highlights - from ERT and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to unforgettable coaster moments and ACE camaraderie.

Grab your lanyard, strap in, and join host Jessica Gardner along with Johnny McWilliams, Corey Brown and Tori Sereika for a full recap of the fun that made Coaster Con 47 unforgettable. 

1:35 - Get to know Johnny McWIlliams

4:14 Say hello to Corey Brown

10:00 Meet Tori Sereika

14:10 Day 1 - Registration and Six Flags Great America

27:14 Interview with Rachel Kendziora - Regional Public Relations Manager of Midwest Six Flags parks

51:30 Day 2 - BTS Experiences, IAAPA/S&S Presentation, Landmark plaque ceremony for American Eagle, Ninth Annual Rubber Ducky Regatta 

1:09:47 Day 3 - ACE Video Contest, ACE Annual Business Meeting, Tori’s Auction win

1:18:50 Day 4 - Little Amerricka

1:34:27 Banquet at Great Wolf Lodge

1:36:20 Day 5 - Indiana Beach, Midway Olympics

1:46:00 Day 6 - All American Triple Loop open!

1:50:50 Post Con at Holiday World

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: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Podcast Episode Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editors: Bob Randolph and Derek Perry

Correspondent: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

ACE Spring Con 2025 took place this year in Virginia! ACEers visited Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion. Host Jessica Gardner, Correspondent Gerik Gooch and ACE Assistant Regional Rep from North Central, HaeKyung Thompson were there and now they break the three fun-filled days down for us.

1:30 Meet HaeKyung Thompson!

7:45 Discussion of HaeKyung’s visit to the soon to be closed Six Flags America

12:39 Day One at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

20:30 The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge

25:12 Interview with Conner Carr, Corporate Director of Rides and Engineering for United Parks & Resorts

36:47 Day Two at Busch Gardens Williamsburg  and Kings Dominion

57:00 Day Three at Kings Dominion

62:54 Interview with Bridgette Bywater, VP and General Manager of Kings Dominion 

75:38 Meetups and favorite moments from the weekend 

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: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

This episode is all about ACE members marathoning roller coasters! Kalin Profitt talks about getting 10,000 rides on Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Mike Cameron shares the journey to 25,000 rides on Renegade at Valleyfair!

1:57 - Meet Kalin Profitt

34:23 - Meet Renegade Mike

www.youtube.com/watch?v=11yXGiRkpiY‌

www.valleyfair.com/blog/2024/june/renegade-mike-hits-25k-rides

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 501(c)(3) non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Episode Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editors: Bob Randolph

Correspondents: Gerik Gooch and John Davidson

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

At the 2025 Themed Entertainment Awards Gala, the THEA’s, the Buzz Price Life Achievement Award Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements was awarded to Rick Rothschild.

Our host Jessica Gardner was granted an impromptu sit-down with this legend who helped create memorable theme park attractions like Soarin’, The American Adventure, The Adventurers Club, Captain EO, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Hear about Rothschild’s storied career as a Walt Disney Imagineer and beyond.

2:30 - Meet Rick Rothschild and learn how he got his first job at Disney.

20:25 - Captain EO

26:57 - ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

37:17 - Soarin’ and the FLY theatres

46:01 - Advice for working in the Themed Entertainment Industry

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

Editors: Bob Randolph

Correspondent: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

In this celebration of Black History Month, Gerik Gooch moderates a roundtable with four fellow ACE members who are Blusiasts: Black enthusiasts. Airtime Myke, Duwena Tillman, James Mason and Alan Franklin share their stories, reveal their favorite parks, events & coasters and discuss the joy of finding community. They also discuss the history of Black Americans and the importance of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

In this Episode:

[1:02] Introductions

[7:13] Myke’s coaster journey: marathoning Drachen Fire at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[17:06] James’s coaster journey: Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point; Boblo Island; parents who rode and still ride

[25:08] Duwena’s coaster journey: American Eagle at Six Flags Great America; Walt Disney World; theme park enthusiasts; immersive worlds; Universal Studios Japan

[34:08] Alan’s coaster journey: mom’s bribe to ride Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain; more parents who still ride

[42:54] Alan’s service with the Air National Guard; fighting California wildfires

[46:05] Duwena becomes an enthusiast; plus-size riders and “the walk of safety"; tears of joy for Iron Rattler; victory on TRON Lightcycle / Run

[53:04] HoliWood Nights; custom wristbands & music festival culture; Roller Coaster Rodeo;  last rides on Kingda Ka

[59:39] ACE events: Lost Island; Stricker’s Grove; ACE Spring Conference; Schwarzkopf documentary; paper maps and atlases; media days, connections and more

[1:18:36] Desire for diversity; Myke assembles the Blusiasts

[1:28:41] "Roller coasters as art"; finding Black coaster family; examining our history; shoutout and welcome to our non-Black supporters; Blusiasts are a "great time!"

[1:40:34] Top coasters: Steel Vengeance, Fury 325, VelociCoaster, The Voyage, Intimidator 305, Flying Dinosaur, ArieForce One, Iron Gwazi, El Toro, X2, Stardust Racers, Zadra, Voltron Nevera and The Ride to Happiness

[1:58:09] Outro: where to find us on social media

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

Editors: Bob Randolph and Gerik Gooch

Correspondent and Show Notes: Gerik Gooch

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Jessica Gardner joins fellow members of the podcast team, Gerik Gooch, Derek Perry and Doug Perry for a discussion about upcoming coaster events, new roller coasters being built and theme parks opening in 2025. 

In this episode, the team breaks down ACE’s 2025 international, regional and digital events, along with park-sponsored events and they highlight some of the roller coasters and theme parks opening this year in which they’re most excited about. This episode also features lots of laughs and a game you can participate in.

In this Episode:

[5:51] ACE events

[24:15] Regional ACE events

[33:08] Park-sponsored events

[1:09:17] North American 2025 Coasters

[1:18:37] Universal Epic Universe

[1:25:24] More new theme parks

[1:29:11] International 2025 coasters

[1:31:30] Looking ahead to 2026

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 and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch

Author Bill Shea has written a charming book that tells a story that might be familiar to coaster enthusiasts! Billy's Grandpa Joe is taking him to his favorite amusement park but when Billy wakes up, he sees nothing but rain. Tension mounts – will Billy and Grandpa Joe's day be a washout or will Grandpa Joe save the day?

In this episode, correspondent Bob Randolph talks with Bill Shea about his story and the inspiration for this book. Join us for their heartwarming conversation about the book, the gift of grandparents, Bill's work with Autism Speaks and a whole lot more!

In this Episode:

[1:30] Meet Bill Shea 

[8:30] Bill’s work with Autism Speaks 

[14:43] Behind the book

[21:00] The road to getting published

Links

Get your copy of A Grandpa Joe Day

Autism Speaks 

Playland Park

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 and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch

The annual IAAPA Expo brings manufacturers, innovators and coaster enthusiasts to the Orlando area for a whirlwind of activity. This year’s expo included many exciting reveals, shocking announcements along with a convention hall packed full of everything a theme park might ever need.

Our intrepid podcast team wraps up their coverage of this year’s expo with the second episode in our series. Join the ACE podcast team: Jessica Gardner, Gerik Gooch, Lauryn Heller, Derek Perry and Doug Perry for a walk around the event in our two part series of IAAPA Expo coverage. 

In this Episode:

[03:16] Interview with Lauren Weaver, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Sally Dark Rides about their new mini layout and more

[06:39] Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusive Institute announcement, more about this amazing, accessible park and their expanding inclusivity mission  

[14:00] Announcement about the sale of ZDT’s Switchback coaster and interview with Michael Graham, Engineer and Principal at Gravity Group

[32:27] Interview with Darren Torr, President of Rocky Mountain Construction 

[40:30] ACE booth at IAAPA Expo and The Legacy of Schwarzkopf movie screening at Fun Spot America Orlando

[51:00] Interview with Melissa Oviedo, CEO of the Themed Entertainment Association

Links

Sally Dark Rides

Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusive Institute

Dance Macabre

Kohl Gribble’s coaster model

Will More Gerstlauer Coasters Come To America?

The Legacy of Schwarzkopf documentary

ACE Honorary Member award given to Chris Kraftchick

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 and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: John Davidson and Gerik Gooch