As the seasonal parks start to emerge from their winter hibernation, it’s time to celebrate with some upcoming ACE events! This episode covers all of the events on the horizon with a special focus on Dollywood’s media day. Production Manager Corey Wooten joined ACE Secretary Jeff Niemiec for this event. Listen in as they chat about that special day, give us some Lightning Rod updates, and finish off their conversation with coverage of the new food items for this season!  

Our episode continues with an ACE news roundup and finishes with the all-important ACE events rundown.

In this Episode:

[01:35] Corey Wooten talks to Jeff Niemiec during their day at Dollywood

[16:59] ACE News 

[18:11] Events roundup 

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 and John Davidson

ACE Social Media Manager Doug Perry joins his twin brother, ACE Communications Director Derek Perry to recap some of the most exciting roller coaster and theme park news for the upcoming year! Between roller coaster opening dates, name changes, construction updates and new details being released, you'll get all the week's updates plus the latest information on the ACE Spring Conference.

In this Episode:

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: John Davidson, Doug Perry, Bryant Yeager

This episode was edited by Quinn Coleman

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, which realistically means one thing to coaster enthusiasts: theme park season is just around the corner! However, whether you’re celebrating this day or eagerly anticipating your next theme park adventure, this episode has something for everyone. Join us in exploring how “Love Is in the Air” in more ways than one. 

First, correspondent Bryant Yeager chats with Rick Boss from Sky Elements Drones. You may remember us marveling at the world record-setting drone show during IAAPA Expo – a show that was brought to you by none other than Sky Elements. We’re so excited to have them on the show.

The love continues as our Production Manager and correspondent Corey Wooten introduces Sam Cooper, who has an Instagram channel called Mid Course Blues featuring his original series, “Speed Dating for Coasters.” In this highly entertaining series, two coasters are matched with one another, he compares their similarities and differences to explain how they'd be compatible as a couple. Sam also posts amazing shots of roller coasters, one of which won the ACE Photography Contest during Coaster Con 45!

In this Episode:

[01:56] Bryant Interviews Rick Boss from Sky Elements Drones

[28:07] Corey interviews Sam Cooper about his Instagram series “Speed Dating for Coasters”

Check out Speed Dating for Coasters and Sam’s amazing photos: https://www.instagram.com/mid.course.blues/

Watch Sky Elements’ video of the historic, epic, record-breaking drone show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxYNHt7mThg

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: John Davidson, Bryant Yeager, Doug Perry

It’s almost that time of year again – time for ACE elections and summer in the theme parks!

This episode covers both of these critical summertime topics. In our first segment, co-host Jessica Gardner talks with current ACE President Elizabeth Ringas about the upcoming elections.

We change tracks in the second segment and start looking toward summer as podcast correspondent Bryant Yeager shares his conversation with Dalton Fischer, Communications Manager for Silver Dollar City, during the recent ACE Winterfest event in San Antonio Texas.

Indoor coasters offer more than thrills – they often bring a story to life. Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri is no exception. The indoor coaster was built in-house in 1972; it’s often considered a cross between a dark ride and a roller coaster. 

This well-loved attraction is getting some new life as Rocky Mountain Construction is rebuilding the ride. While coaster enthusiasts know RMC for their thrilling I-box track and wood/steel hybrid coasters, the company is also well-equipped to transform this classic ride into a modern experience.

In this Episode: 

• [01:45] Elizabeth Ringas talks about the ACE election process

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

• Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson

LEGOLAND® Florida is a unique park with a rich history.

It began as Cypress Gardens and became LEGOLAND in 2011 after the original park closed. Home to three adorable hotels, a water park and the Peppa Pig theme park, this park has a lot to offer, including a swimming pool that was featured in the 1953 film Easy to Love!  

Co-host Jessica Gardner met with Banks Lee, LEGOLAND Production and Marketing Support Specialist to learn more about the park and hear about some upcoming attractions. 

In this Episode:

• 0:00 - Introduction to the podcast and LEGOLAND Florida

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 

• Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson

Coasting Around the World: Planning the 2024 ACE International Trip

ACE’s Journey to Central Europe is happening this July and Jessica Gardner talks to three of the members of the International Trip Committee who are planning this epic adventure. Cheri Armstrong, Vanessa Thomas and Jimmy Titko discuss everything you need to know about joining this trip or planning your own journey to parks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland!

For more information, please visit https://www.aceonline.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1778704 

In this Episode:

[01:37] Meet the travel dream team

[05:21] Trip details

[23:12] Parks in the Netherlands and Belgium

[41:21] Parks in Germany

[59:50] Add-on parks in Poland

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 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: Bryant Yeager and Doug Perry

Now that 2023 is but a memory, your podcast team is pausing for a moment to recap many of the amazing ACE events that happened during the year. Podcast producer Derek Perry joins his brother/ACE social media manager Doug Perry for a rousing conversation about their adventures with ACE.

This episode also includes the all-important winter events roundup. Stay tuned to hear about all of the upcoming ACE events that are sure to break up the long, coaster-free winter.

In this Episode:

[01:33] 2023 events review (national, regional and digital)

[19:42] 2023’s new roller coaster highlights

[24:14] 2024 roller coaster construction update and upcoming events

[34:56] January event rundown 

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 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner and John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: Bryant Yeager and Doug Perry

Vekoma Rides: Good Gravy, Tilt Coaster, Super Boomerang and More (IAAPA Expo)

The show floor has been wiped clean, but the memories of IAAPA Expo 2023 continue as co-host Jessica Gardner interviews the team from Vekoma.

Jessica talks with Ricardo Tonding Etges and Carin Davits about the new Good Gravy roller coaster at Holiday World and other upcoming/newly opened projects that many ACE members have already enjoyed. Jessica and the team take a tour of the Vekoma booth and get a close look at the tilt coaster train model.

We hope our continued coverage of the IAAPA Expo is helping to keep the winter months bearable. (See what we did there?)

In this Episode:

• [1:42] Designing the Good Gravy roller coaster for Holiday World, a close look at the train on display

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

IAAPA Expo 2023 was a whirlwind of activity for your podcast team. From setting up the ACE booth before the show began to doing interviews with anyone and everyone we could, we were on the show floor from start to finish. This episode brings several IAAPA Expo show floor conversations together with the teams who are bringing new life to the Comet coaster at Hersheypark.

Jessica Gardner does a carside chat from inside the new Comet train with Tom Rebbe and Laura Woodburn Krolczyk about the design and build process for these eye-catching new trains.

The series of conversations moves on to a chat with Quinn Bryner, Director of PR at Hersheypark. Our episode finishes with Tyler Hoffman and Mike Birardi from Illuminated Integration – all of these fantastic conversations add up to a detailed glimpse into what Hersheypark will look like next summer.

In this Episode:

• [02:48] Tom Rebbe and Laura Woodburn Krolczyk “live” from the Comet train

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 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: Bryant Yeager and Doug Perry

Legacy of Schwarzkopf – Documentary Team Highlights

Fellow ACE members and documentarians Robert Ingle, Kris Rowberry, Nicholas Laschkewitsch, and Scott Schaffer are currently filming the next ACE documentary, exploring the multitude of roller coasters and flat rides worldwide created by the legendary Anton Schwarzkopf. The team has been tirelessly capturing these rides and coasters in action, traveling across the globe this year to bring the story to life for coaster enthusiasts everywhere.

A familiar voice joins us once again. Listen in as one of the original Ride With Us Podcast co-hosts, Kris Rowberry, and the team discuss what they've been up to since our last conversation. (Spoiler: They've been BUSY!)

In this Episode:

• [02:23] Filming at Six Flags Great America and a comparison between that park and California's Great America.  

Legacy of Schwarzkopf: Trailer #1

Legacy of Schwarzkopf: Trailer #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 various ways to share your talents by:

• Making an impact on the future of ACE.

Podcast Volunteer Team:

• Hosts: Jessica Gardner and ACE's Documentary Team