More elusive than the credit for the kiddie coaster at your local theme park is EJ Hill’s art installation Brava! which is part of a larger art installation called Brake Run Helix at MASS MoCA. It’s only there for a limited time so if you want to add this credit to your list, it’s time to make your travel plans and secure your reservation to ride. 

Co-host Jessica spent some time with artist and coaster enthusiast EJ Hill recently. His story and his vision stretch far beyond the theme parks.

In this episode:

[02:20] EJ’s home park (Six Flags Magic Mountain) and favorite coaster (listen to find out)

[06:21] His unusual journey into art

[12:20] His experience walking in the world of art, his journey to make art more accessible

[20:00] Creating art from an abandoned theme park/Six Flags New Orleans (Jazzland)

[34:58] Brava! (open until January 2024)

Make your reservation to ride Brake Run Helix here.

Learn more about EJ’s work at his website: EJhill.info

Coaster Con 45 is coming! Check out the tentative schedule, which is full of fabulous ERT, unique tours, and, of course, catered meals.

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

It’s no secret that Halloween Haunt events are a big draw for theme park visitors. As the darkness falls over the parks, many eager scare-ready visitors pass through the gates and into the Haunts that are the cornerstone of many of these events.  It only makes sense that Six Flags has extended the scare into springtime, adding Scream Break to the lineup for the first time. 

Co-host Jessica Gardner chatted with Alex French from Six Flags Magic Mountain about this unique event.   

[00:30] Spring break twist on the mazes that are part of this unique event

[02:28] 6 coasters are open during the event

[03:16] Special food and drinks for the event

[04:10] Will this event return next year???

Coaster Con 45 is coming! Do your summer plans include attending?

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

With construction finished or nearing completion on so many long-anticipated new coasters, our roving band of reporters are out in the field and around the world, riding these new attractions and sharing their experiences with us.  

Join us as co-hosts Jessica Gardner and John Davidson get the lowdown on three exciting new coasters:

• TRON: Lightcycle / Run, Xander Lee (ACE Member Benefits Manager)

In this episode:

[01:00] Gather round as Xander Lee tells us about TRON: Lightcycle Run in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

[13:30] Learn about the Virtual Queue (TRON will use this when it opens)

[22:20] Accessible seats on the TRON: Lightcycle Run trains

[33:07] Teresa Zakova tells us about Mission Ferrari at Ferrari World, Abu Dabhi 

[35:00] Teresa cut the ribbon for Mission Ferrari!

[47:00] Aquaman: Power Wave opened at Six Flags Over Texas.  Rachel Hawkins joins John for a discussion about this exciting new water coaster.

Check out Teresa cutting the ribbon for Mission Ferrari!

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

Finally! The park gates are about to open for the first time and a world of park adventures are about to begin anew. Before that first drop, we’ll take a minute to cover a recent off-season ACE Event: Eastcoaster. Michael Leszkowicz joins co-host Jessica for a rundown of the event.

We move on to hear all about the upcoming ACE events. With the parks open again, these events will shift from off-season tours and talks to real live meetups that include ERT and buffets!

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

This year, more theme parks than ever have stayed open year-round.  Kings Dominion, Carowinds, California’s Great America and other regional parks have offered new-this-year limited hours through the cold, icy and rainy winter. These extra hours were a gift to die-hard enthusiasts but it’s finally time for less limited hours and more ride operations to be in full swing.  

Join co-hosts John and Jessica for a rundown of the various springtime offerings in some of our favorite parks.  The team also explores the many upcoming dates for park openings.  So get out your croakies and your fanny pack, coaster season is about to begin!

In this episode:

[02:20] Six Flags new events (Scream Break, Tacos & Beer Fest and more!)

[09:00] New attractions as far as the eye can see

[19:00] Opening dates and upcoming festivals

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

If you haven’t heard of the Melanin Coaster Network yet, here’s your chance!  This group was founded in February 2022 as a way for coaster enthusiasts of color to come together and share their passion. Founder CEO Martina Moore, Jr (aka Prime), has an infectious personality that is inspiring coaster enthusiasts from across the country to join the new networking group and attend their events. Join us as Prime and MCN President Brichette Reid share their amazing story.

The group started with an informal meetup at Carowinds to celebrate Juneteenth in 2022 and has grown quickly. MCN celebrated their 1st anniversary with an amazing event at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sporting their epically cool MCN shirts, the group enjoyed the rest of the day together, sharing their love of coasters, trading stories about different parks and wrapping up the formal event with a buffet under the watchful eye of X2.

But MCN goes beyond the parks – they’re changing the world by connecting college (and potential college) students with mentors in the theme parks, they’re working with Universal Orlando to expand the presence of people of color in the workforce and they make amazing ride videos.

In this very full episode:

[01:01] What is MCN?  Prime Junior introduces the group and his love of coasters (shout out to Steel Vengeance) 

[03:30] Brichette Reid’s journey as a coaster enthusiast started with the Scooby Doo at Kings Dominion

[05:39] The MCN is born – this is a not-miss story!

[13:00] Prime and Brichette are both ACE members, ACE events inspire them as they plan MCN events

[18:45] MCN is partnering with Universal Orlando to bring more people of color as employees!

[26:00] The network is coordinating mentors for hopeful theme park employees

[30:00] MCN’s ride videos

Learn more about the Melanin Coaster Network: https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Melanincoasternetwork Instagram: @melanin_coaster_network, TikTok: @melanincoasternet, Facebook

Join the MCN for their upcoming events (full listing available here): https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/events 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Network & Thrillz: The Universal Takeover

Friday, May 5, 2023

Fury Friday at Carowinds

Sunday, June 18, 2023

"Hotlanta" Fun Spot - ArieForce One

Monday, June 19, 2023

"Hotlanta" Six Flags Over Georgia

Become an ACE member at ridewithace.com/join

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Ben Weinrach

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

ACE may stand for American Coaster Enthusiasts but we’re actually worldwide! ACE Europe is growing rapidly; learn more about the European coaster-riding scene and the upcoming Viking Tour from ACE Europe’s regional rep, Jo Pools.

Our episode then heads back to the United States for a March events rundown. Spring is almost here, which means one very important thing to coaster enthusiasts – the parks that have been sleeping all winter are getting ready to open! Before the gates open, ACE welcomes the change in seasons with a number of pre-season events.

In this episode:

[00:35] ACE Europe regional rep Jo Pools joins co-host Jessica to discuss coasters in Europe and the Viking Tour

[20:30] Europe’s first ACE Landmark Coaster at Tivoli Gardens 

[28:00] ACE March events rundown

Learn more about ACE Europe: jointheride.eu

Follow ACE Europe on Instagram: ace_europeregion and on Twitter: aceeuroperegion.

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten

In this episode, co-host John does a deep dive with Barry Hill and Kings Island superfan John Keeter from Rivershore Creative about creating Kings Island: a Photographic Journey. Kings Island opened their photo archives and the team assembled the color photos, concept art and blueprints that emerged into an impressive coffee table book that completes the iconic park’s 50th anniversary celebration. Kings Island legend and Area Manager, Digital Marketing Don Helbig rounds out the show!

If you visited Kings Island for that celebration or just wanted to attend, this episode is sure to bring back great memories of your time in the park.

—---

In this episode:

[01:40] Introducing the beautiful hardback coffee table book and the team

[05:27I Behind the scenes look: how the team convinced Kings Island to access the archives

[05:27-18:00] Bonus mentions of the original Bat!

[27:51] Don Helbig explains how the team came together

[31:55] Don’s records and current ride count on The Racer

The book is available online: https://www.kingsislandgear.com/products/kings-island-a-photographic-journey and will be available in the Kings Island gift shop once the park opens for the season.

The book will also be available at Barry’s website:

https://www.rivershorecreative.com/kings-island-a-photographic-journey

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

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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

Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan (big fan of the original Bat)

In this episode, we cover a lot of ground!  From California to Colorado and Texas, the First Drop: Part Two looks at a new coaster, a relocated coaster and a brand new themed land.

The Prairie Screamer coaster made a big move, from a defunct park in California to Texas.  ACE News Editorial Director Tim Baldwin talks to John about this screaming location change and the coaster enthusiast preview day in the coaster’s new home.  

Then, Jessica talks to Amber Lightbody, ACE Rocky Mountain Regional Rep about the new Gerstlauer coaster Defiance at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs, CO). 

We finish the episode by joining Jessica as she, Derek and Doug Perry recall their trip down a warp pipe and into Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood  (Universal City, CA).  This extensively-themed new land is getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so.    

[01:20] Prairie Screamer

[08:59] Defiance

[22:03] Super Nintendo World

Volunteer with ACE!

Join the team of ACE volunteers.  Volunteering offers you even more opportunities to enhance the enjoyment of your roller coaster hobby by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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

Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

ACE members, your membership includes access to a wide variety of amazing content!  In this episode, we discuss some of the many ways ACE volunteers work to bring that content to you and how you can access it.

Highlights include: digital meetups, ACE News, ACE 360, and ACE’s YouTube channel.

Join John and Jessica as they talk to a trio of ACE volunteers: Jes Niemiec who hosts digital events for ACE members (she’s looking for volunteers!!) and works on the newsletter, Kohl Gribble, Creative Writing Coordinator as he talks about ACE 360 and Tim Baldwin, Editorial Director for ACE News.  

[01:30] Jes Niemiec walks through the Digital Events/Newsletter 

[23:40] John interviews Kohl Gribble about ACE 360

[30:00] John interviews ACE Magazine Editorial Director Tim Baldwin

ACE 360 is a home for authors to share their personal stories and unique outlook on our shared enthusiasm for theme parks.  ACE News offers readers the latest and greatest news about new attractions, park changes, summaries of ACE events, and other newsworthy items.

Volunteer with ACE!

Join the team of ACE volunteers.  Volunteering offers you even more opportunities to enhance the enjoyment of your roller coaster hobby by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

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

Visit www.aceonline.org to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Ben Weinrach

Show Notes: Liz Tan