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
• Happy Hollow: 5/24
• Gilroy Gardens: 5/31

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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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

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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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: podcast@aceonline.org. 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
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with 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