It's hard to believe that Coaster Con 46 has come to a close. Whether you attended the conference or followed along from home, our recap episode has something for you.

Join the podcast team for a lively discussion of the week's events. Derek Perry, Doug Perry, Corey Wooten, Liz Tan and Jessica Gardner walk through the highlights of our week at California's Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

In this Episode:

Pre-Con events at Happy Hollow and Gilroy Gardens 

Tours during the event

Lift hill walks

Special events

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 Volunteer 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

Correspondent: John Davidson

Coaster Con 46 is finally happening!  Hundreds of enthusiastic ACE members converged on Northern California for this epic event. Join our podcast team for a series of episodes about their experience.

This first episode takes you into a special historical presentation by Clayton Lawrence, Cedar Fair Corporate Creative Producer. He called into the enthusiastic group of ACE members while Coaster Con was at California’s Great America.

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

Correspondent: John Davidson

We’re celebrating Father’s Day (and the start of Coaster Con) with a fun conversation for all coaster enthusiasts – two dads chatting about roller coasters, theme parks and their kids. Join correspondent John Davidson as he and Robert Moran talk about theme park road trips and what makes them so special.

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

Correspondent: John Davidson

Creating an attraction is far more than installing track and building a station. Theming and ride design are easy to overlook, but they can add so much more to the experience. Correspondent Bob Randolph meets with Rick Backstrup, president of R&R Creative Amusement Designs, to shed new light on this key facet of the ride experience.

You may not be familiar with his name yet, but if you’re listening to our podcast, you’ve probably seen his work. His team has developed many themed attractions including elements like station design, queue lines, colors, names and more on legendary rides, including Viper (Six Flags Magic Mountain), Exterminator (Kennywood), Adventure Express (Kings Island), Merlin’s Mayhem (Dutch Wonderland) and so many more. One of their beloved attractions is Kings Island’s defunct Phantom Theater. Will that be making a comeback? Listen to find out!

In this Episode:

[1:30] Meet Rick

[8:50] R&R Creative’s unusual origin story

[15:15] How Phantom Theater came to be

[23:11] Creating backstories

[34:09] Working on the National Roller Coaster Museum

Buy Rick’s book! Adventures of a Theme Park Designer from Rivershore Press 

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.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer 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 Bryant Yeager

The ACE Spring Conference took place from May 17-19, 2024 at Kings Island in Ohio. ACE members from across the world joined in the fun, which included morning and evening ERT (Exclusive Ride Time), behind-the-scenes tours, informal takeovers, buffet meals and more.

We’ll finish our coverage of the event with an in-depth recap of the event and conference highlights. Some of Kings Island’s most famous visitors remain The Brady Bunch. Spring Conference included a screening of The Brady Bunch “Cincinnati Kids” episode that was filmed in the park. Listen in as The Gravity Group sings their own special version of The Brady Bunch theme song, then gather round for an interview with Chad Showalter, Director of Communications at Kings Island.

We wrap up with the June events calendar listing all the upcoming ACE events with registration still open as of the release date of this episode.

In this Episode:

[1:25] The podcast team recaps the Spring Conference experience

[56:03] The Gravity Group sings The Brady Bunch theme song 

[1:05:14] Chad Showalter Interview

[1:19:32] Events Calendar 

Listen to the Building a Backyard Coaster episode which is mentioned in this week's show:

https://aceonline.podbean.com/e/61/

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.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer 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 Bryant Yeager

The ACE Spring Conference took place May 17-19, 2024 at Kings Island in Ohio. ACE members from across the region and across the country joined in the fun, which included morning and evening ERT, behind-the-scenes tours, informal takeovers, buffet meals and more.

The event also included some very special presentations from Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services, Inc. Dennis shared his experience working on the 1977 movie Rollercoaster, Mike Koontz, Vice President and General Manager of Kings Island also presented and finally, ACE President Elizabeth Ringas and Events Director Steve Berto gave out some special awards. 

Almost all of the podcast team was on hand to experience the fun and be part of this presentation. We’re thrilled to bring a recording of that presentation in this episode of our podcast.

In this Episode:

[1:42] Dennis Speigel shares the origins of and his role in creating the movie Rollercoaster

[19:43] Mike Koontz takes the stage and shares his theme park experience and great Kings Island stories

[49:55] Elizabeth Ringas and events director Steve Berto bring Chad Showalter to the stage and present several very special awards

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer 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 Bryant Yeager

Join us for a pre Coaster Con roundup with your ACE Northern California Regional Rep team.  The group has planned some great events around the big event. Listen in as Liz Tan, Robert Ingle, Paul Asente and Brian Christensen join podcast correspondent Bob Randolph for a conversation about the great parks, large and small, that comprise the region.  

The group talks about Gilroy Gardens, Happy Hollow, Sonoma Train Town, Roaring Camp Railroad, and some of the other small parks and attractions that make this region special. 

This episode also covers the two Pre-Con events on Saturday June 15, Morning Zoo at Happy Hollow, then Horticulture Hoopla at Gilroy Gardens in the afternoon.

We wrap this week’s episode up as correspondent Bob spoke with Michael Fulcher, Director of Marketing and Operations from Gilroy Gardens about the park’s history, unique rides and the very special trees that make the park unique.

Time is running out, registration for these events ends soon: 

• Coaster Con: 5/22

In this Episode:

[02:19] Meet the team, learn their favorite local and not-local rides

[05:38] What should I expect at Coaster Con?

[06:19] What is a must do?

[07:32] Where should I venture outside of Coaster Con?

[09:28] What do I need to pack? 

[10:25] What’s the ride I MUST do at California’s Great America?

[11:08] Demon special announcement

[12:02] The NorCal team will be ready and willing to help

[15:47] The Midway Olympics

[16:10] Pre-Con Events

[18:13] What should first timers know?

[20:43] Last minute need to knows

Gilroy Gardens

[26:55] Meet Michael from Gilroy Gardens

[27:25] Location of Gilroy Gardens

[25:15] History of the park

[31:41] Monarch Gardens

[32:21] Rainbow Garden

[33:00] South County Backroads Garden

[34:44] The Circus Trees

[39:47] The Coasters

[42:46] Any other “secrets”?

https://roaringcamp.com/excursions/santa-cruz-beach-train-2 

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer 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 Bryant Yeager

The heart of ACE is driven by two separate and vital things: volunteers and donations. This episode celebrates two of our amazing volunteers, takes a deep dive into the dollars and concludes with a May Events Rundown.

First up, Communications Director Derek Perry chats with ACE Volunteer Ella Watylyk. Her journey started with the volunteer form on the ACE website; working with ACE has taken her all over, including to the IAAPA Expo, where she filmed a viral video during her first show. She’s also named a ride!

Money talks! ACE Treasurer and Executive Committee member Chris Tilsley joins Correspondent Bob Randolph to talk about the ways the organization is funded, how those funds are used and how members can contribute toward ACE’s mission of conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel roller coaster.  

In this Episode:

[02:00] Meet Ella! Introducing her home park

[10:30] You can volunteer at any time with ACE – large or small, we have a role for you!

[13:00]  Ella’s day job – content creator for Six Flags Great America 

[23:39] Bob Randolph meets Chris Tilsley

[29:33] Rules around the way ACE handles money

[31:15] ACE’s mission as a non-profit

[45:40] The ACE archives (a treasure trove of park memorabilia!) 

[51:30] May events rundown

Read Ella’s Article: PollyWorld: How a Children’s Film Dismantles Gender Stereotypes in Roller Coaster Culture, check out her IAAPA video and her epic rap video.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

This episode edited by Derek Perry

Podcast Volunteer 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 Bryant Yeager

With Kings Island now open for the 2024 season, it’s a great time for Bob Randolph to check in with Chad Showalter, Director of Communications at Kings Island. Their discussion covers the topics enthusiasts want to know about – everything from Chad’s history with the park to Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, updated theming and the future of the Vortex plot of land inside the park.

In this Episode:

[01:39] Get to know Chad Showalter

[06:58] What keeps Chad busy during the “offseason”?

[08:56] Where do the “big decisions” happen?

[10:17] Chad’s favorite place to eat in the park.

[12:01] Chad’s favorite ride in the park

[14:27] Updates on Planet Snoopy/Camp Snoopy

[18:05] Why did some rides get renames?

[19:55] ACE Spring Conference

[23:48] What’s coming up at the park?

[26:17] What’s going into the old Vortex plot of land?

[28:34] What to expect this season

 Learn more about Kings Island and the upcoming season at visitkingsisland.com

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: Doug Perry, Bryant Yeager, John Davidson and Bob Randolph

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, join us as we highlight two women with one important thing in common: a love of roller coasters and theme parks.

First up is Brichette Reid, ACE member and founder of Women Love Coasters. She and co-host Jessica Gardner talk about her latest endeavors. Learn how the group came to be, discover upcoming events and find out how to meet up with the group in person!

Our second segment has correspondent Bryant Yeager’s interview with Kris Leach, ACE Cares Committee Coordinator. This important committee connects ACE members with a variety of fundraising and other volunteer events for Give Kids the World Village.

In this Episode:

[00:51] Introducing Brichette and Women Love Coasters

[12:10] How Women Love Coasters came to be

[32:40] Bryant Yeager interviews Kris Leach about ACE Cares

[37:33] Zamperla’s ride donations – they refabricated the rides to make them accessible!

[39:10] Gingerbread Run

[45:31] Coasting for Kids

Visit the Women Love Coasters Facebook group.

Learn more about Give Kids The World Village. Traveling to Orlando?  Consider working a shift or two at Give Kids the World Village, participating in the Gingerbread Run or Coasting for Kids.  Contact Kris directly for more ACE-specific information.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: Bryant Yeager, Doug Perry and John Davidson