American Coaster Enthusiasts

Last updated

American Coaster Enthusiasts
Founded1978;46 years ago (1978)
Location
Members
over 6,500
Website www.aceonline.org

American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization focusing on the enjoyment, knowledge, and preservation of roller coasters as well as recognition of some as architectural and engineering landmarks. [1] Dues-paying members receive the quarterly magazine RollerCoaster! and bi-monthly newsletter ACE News. [2] Amusement parks have also invited members to exclusive ride events at amusement parks as well as sneak peek events at new roller coasters under construction. [3]

Contents

The organization maintains an online database of roller coasters including ride specifications and archives of published news articles. The club also recognizes historically significant roller coasters with the Coaster Classic and ACE Coaster Landmark statuses.

History

Organization founders Roy Brashears, Paul Greenwald and Richard Munch met at a roller coaster riding marathon event promoting the 1977 movie Rollercoaster at the Rebel Yell roller coaster (now called Racer 75) at Kings Dominion amusement park in Doswell, Virginia. The three discovered they shared the same passion for roller coasters and decided to form a club that would allow others that shared the same interests to join. They organized Coaster Con I the following year at Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park in June 1978. On the final day of the event during a business meeting, the name American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was chosen as the club's name. Coaster Con events have been held annually ever since. [4]

Structure

The organization is almost entirely run by volunteers, with the exception of an independent contractor who runs certain day-to-day operations regarding mailings, receipt of event payment/membership dues and merchandise. ACE members are required to pay annual membership dues that are available in individual, couple, family and corporate packages. The organization fulfills one of its primary goals of providing education through its publications. [2] Other goals include promoting the conservation, appreciation, and enjoyment of roller coasters and their place in history as architectural and engineering landmarks. [1] [5]

ACE is governed by an executive committee of five officers and seven directors. Four of the officer positions are directly elected and one indirectly elected by the club's membership. These officers are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Immediate Past President. The seven directors are appointed by the president and approved by a majority vote of the remaining officers. [6] The Region Director, oversees a system of ACE regions, which sponsors events and publishes regional websites and email newsletters.

ACE Regions

Events

The national organization sponsors the annual Coaster Con convention, international tours, seasonal conferences, and a conference focused on coaster preservation.

Coaster Con

Coaster Con, usually features one to as many as six theme parks where exclusive ride time is made available to members on selected coasters outside of times when the park is open to the public. Coaster Con also features photo and video contests, carnival games competitions, as well as an annual business meeting, banquet (with presentations, awards, industry keynote speaker, and auction to benefit ACE's funds), workshops, discussion groups, displays, and memorabilia sales tables.

No.DatesHost parks
Past Coaster Con events
1June 9–11, 1978 Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA)
2June 15–17, 1979 Kings Island (Mason, OH)
3June 26–29, 1980 Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA)
4June 25–30, 1981 Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX), Six Flags AstroWorld, (Houston, TX), and Fair Park, (Dallas, TX)
5June 24–27, 1982 Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)
6June 23–26, 1983 Elitch Gardens (Denver, CO) and Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver, CO)
7July 11–15, 1984 Crystal Beach Park (Crystal Beach, ON, CA), Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto, ON, CA), and Seabreeze Amusement Park, (Rochester, NY)
8June 27–30, 1985 Lincoln Park (Dartmouth, MA), Rocky Point Amusement Park, (Warwick, RI) Whalom Park, (Lunenburg, MA), and Mountain Park (Holyoke, MA)
9June 26–29, 1986 Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, GA) and Lake Winnepesaukah (Rossville, GA)
10June 22–28, 1987 Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), and California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA)
11June 21–25, 1988 Geauga Lake (Aurora, OH), Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH), and Boblo Island Amusement Park (Amherstburg, ON, CA)
12June 21–25, 1989 Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA) and Clementon Lake Park (Clementon, NJ)
13June 20–25, 1990 Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX) and Wonderland Park (Amarillo, TX)
14June 16–20, 1991 Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA)
15June 21–25, 1992 Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA)
16July 5–9, 1993 Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO) and Joyland Amusement Park (Wichita, KS)
17June 4–11, 1994 Belmont Park (San Diego, CA), Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), and California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA)
18June 18–23, 1995 Carowinds (Charlotte, NC), Family Kingdom Amusement Park, (Myrtle Beach, SC), and Myrtle Beach Pavilion (Myrtle Beach, SC)
19June 1–3, 1996 Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver, CO)
20June 6–13, 1997 Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA) and Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA)
21June 21–24, 1998 Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA), Idlewild (Ligonier, PA), and Sandcastle Waterpark (Homestead, PA)
22June 20–24, 1999 Six Flags Fiesta Texas, (San Antonio, TX) and SeaWorld San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
23June 18–23, 2000 Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville, KY) and Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN)
24June 17–22, 2001 Hersheypark, (Hershey, PA) Williams Grove Amusement Park, (Mechanicsburg, PA) Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, (Allentown, PA), and Philadelphia Toboggan Company, (Hatfield, PA)
25June 16–21, 2002 Six Flags Magic Mountain, (Santa Clarita, CA), Adventure City (Anaheim, CA), and Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA)
26June 15–20, 2003 Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA) and Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA)
27June 20–26, 2004 Cedar Point, (Sandusky, OH) Memphis Kiddie Park (Brooklyn, OH) and Geauga Lake (Aurora, OH)
28June 19–24, 2005 Six Flags Great America, (Gurnee, IL) Little Amerricka, (Marshall, WI), and Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
29June 18–24, 2006 Disney's Animal Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL), Disney's Hollywood Studios (Lake Buena Vista, FL), Old Town (Kissimmee, FL), Magic Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL), Cypress Gardens, (Winter Haven, FL), and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, FL)
30June 17–23, 2007 Kings Island, (Mason, OH), Stricker's Grove, (Ross, OH) Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN), and Beech Bend Park (Bowling Green, KY)
31June 15–20, 2008 Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell GA) and Wild Adventures (Valdosta, GA)
32June 21–26, 2009 Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO) and Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO)
33June 20–25, 2010 Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA), Idlewild and Soak Zone (Ligonier, PA), Conneaut Lake Park (Conneaut Lake, PA), and Waldameer Park (Erie, PA)
34June 19–22, 2011 Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX) and Sandy Lake Park (Carrollton, TX)
35June 17–22, 2012 Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) and Carowinds (Charlotte, NC)
36June 16–21, 2013 Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA), Canobie Lake Park (Salem, NH), Palace Playland (Old Orchard Beach, ME), and Funtown Splashtown USA (Saco, ME)
37June 15–20, 2014 California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA), Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, CA), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), and Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy, CA)
38June 21–26, 2015 Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ), Storybook Land (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), and Morey's Piers (Wildwood, NJ)
39June 19–23, 2016 Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka, MO) and Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN)
40June 18–22, 2017 Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX), ZDT's Amusement Park (Seguin, TX), and SeaWorld San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
41June 17–22, 2018 Six Flags America (Woodmore, MD), Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA), and Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA)
42June 16–21, 2019 Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA) and Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA)
43*June 20–26, 2021 Hersheypark (Hershey, PA), Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA), Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA), and Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, PA)
44June 19–24, 2022 Cedar Point, (Sandusky, OH) and Kennywood, (West Mifflin, PA)
45June 18–23, 2023 Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) and Carowinds (Charlotte, NC)
46June 16–21, 2024 California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA), Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, CA), and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA)
47June 15–20, 2025 Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL), Little Amerricka (Marshall, WI), and Indiana Beach (Monticello, IN)

*Note: These events were delayed one full year due to COVID-19. A virtual Coaster Con known as "Coaster Con at Home" was held on the same dates. [7]

Awards

ACE Coaster Classics

The ACE Coaster Classic award was developed during a period when changes in the design, equipping, and operation of wood coasters threatened to erase these time-honored experiences and rituals. The award is designed to recognize coasters that still adhere to these principles while allowing riders to safely experience the thrill of the classic wooden roller coaster ride. To be eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status, the coaster must meet the following criteria: [8]

The amusement park or theme park operating a coaster that is recognized as a Coaster Classic is usually presented a custom plaque. The plaque typically states:

THE AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS RECOGNIZES THIS COASTER AS AN ACE COASTER CLASSIC.

ACE salutes this park for maintaining this coaster as an American treasure in its purest form. We congratulate you for the use of traditional materials, methods and equipment, which are fundamental to the classic wooden roller coaster experience.

ACE commends this park for operating this coaster in the traditional manner so that future generations may enjoy its classic thrills and its enduring popularity.

It has been noted, however, that most coasters usually have disqualifying ratcheting lap bars, seat dividers and headrests to prevent people from trying to stand up during the ride. For example, Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great Adventure had buzz bars which meet traditional lap bar Coaster Classic requirements, but it is not a classic because of headrests and seat dividers being added in 1981 to prevent people from standing up during the ride.

Coasters awarded

As of 2024, there are 30 coasters worldwide with ACE Coaster Classic status; 20 in North America, 9 in Europe, and one in Australia. [8]

CoasterParkCountryOpenedAwardedStatus
Big Dipper Camden Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1958UnknownOperating
Blue Flyer Blackpool Pleasure Beach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1934UnknownOperating
Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1938May 29, 1993Demolished 2022
Classic Coaster Washington State Fair Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1935UnknownOperating
Comet Waldameer Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1951UnknownOperating
Cyclone Lakeside Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 17, 1940UnknownSBNO
Cyclone Luna Park, Coney Island Flag of the United States.svg  United States June 26, 1927UnknownOperating
Cyclone Williams Grove Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1933UnknownClosed 2005
High Roller Valleyfair Flag of the United States.svg  United States 19761996Operating
Hochschaubahn Wiener Prater Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1950UnknownOperating
Hullámvasút Vidámpark Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1926UnknownClosed 2015
Jack Rabbit Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1920UnknownOperating
Kiddy Coaster Playland Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1928UnknownOperating
Leap-The-Dips Lakemont Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1902UnknownSBNO
Lil' Dipper Camden Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1961UnknownOperating
Little Dipper Six Flags Great America Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1950; relocated 2010UnknownOperating
Meteor Little Amerricka Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1953; relocated 2003, 2007UnknownOperating
Montaña Suiza Parque de Atracciones Monte IgueldoFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 1928Not yet presentedOperating
Nickelodeon Streak Pleasure Beach Resort Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1933UnknownOperating
Nightmare Joyland Flag of the United States.svg  United States June 12, 1949UnknownDemolished 2015
Roller Coaster Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1932UnknownOperating
Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1914UnknownOperating
Scenic Railway Luna Park, Melbourne Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1912UnknownOperating
Sea Dragon Rides At Adventure Cove Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1956UnknownOperating
Teddy Bear Stricker's Grove Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1996UnknownOperating
Thunderbolt Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1924UnknownOperating
Tomahawk PortAventura Park Flag of Spain.svg  Spain March 17, 1997Not yet presentedOperating
Vuoristorata Linnanmäki Flag of Finland.svg  Finland July 13, 19512001 [9] Operating
Wooden Roller Coaster Playland (Vancouver) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1958UnknownOperating
Zach's Zoomer Michigan's Adventure Flag of the United States.svg  United States July 22, 1994UnknownOperating

Rescinded awards

Another 13 coasters were awarded ACE Coaster Classic status; 12 in North America and one in Europe. However, due to subsequent changes to the coasters, the awards have been rescinded. [8]

CoasterParkCountryOpenedAwardedRescindedStatus
Blue Streak Cedar Point Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 23, 1964UnknownUnknownOperating
Coastersaurus Legoland Florida Flag of the United States.svg  United States November 26, 2004UnknownUnknownOperating
Ghoster Coaster Canada's Wonderland Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada UnknownUnknownOperating
Legend Arnolds Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1927UnknownUnknownOperating
Montaña Rusa La Feria de Chapultepec Mágico Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico October 24, 1964UnknownUnknownDemolished 2022
Rollo Coaster Idlewild and Soak Zone Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1938UnknownUnknownOperating
Rutschebanen Dyrehavsbakken (Bakken)Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1932Unknown2009Operating
Starliner Cypress Gardens Flag of the United States.svg  United States UnknownUnknownDemolished 2008
Wildcat Frontier City Flag of the United States.svg  United States April 20, 1991UnknownUnknownOperating
Woodstock Express Kings Island Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1972UnknownUnknownOperating
Woodstock Express Kings Dominion Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1974UnknownUnknownOperating
Woodstock Express Carowinds Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1975UnknownUnknownOperating
Zippin Pippin Bay Beach Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1912, 1915, or 1917; relocated 2010UnknownUnknownOperating

Coaster Landmark

In 2002, ACE introduced the Roller Coaster Landmark program to recognize coasters of historic significance that may or may not qualify for ACE Coaster Classic status. [10]

An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque for Magnum XL-200, the world's first hypercoaster ACE-landmark-magnum.jpg
An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque for Magnum XL-200, the world's first hypercoaster
The ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award awarded to The Racer at Kings Island Racer (Kings Island) ACE Coaster.jpg
The ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award awarded to The Racer at Kings Island
An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque located outside The Comet at Six Flags Great Escape Comet ACE Plaque.JPG
An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque located outside The Comet at Six Flags Great Escape
An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque for the Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia Great American Scream Machine ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaque.jpg
An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Award plaque for the Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia
CoasterParkCountryOpenedAwardedStatus
Batman: The Ride Six Flags Great America Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 2, 1992June 20, 2005Operating
The Beast Kings Island Flag of the United States.svg  United States April 14, 1979October 2, 2004Operating
Big Dipper Blackpool Pleasure Beach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom August 23, 1923July 2, 2024Operating
Big Dipper Geauga Lake Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1925Never presentedDemolished 2016
Big Dipper Camden Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1958May 12, 2019Operating
Blue Streak Cedar Point Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 23, 1964June 20, 2022Operating
Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1938June 24, 2010Demolished 2022
Cannon Ball Lake Winnepesaukah Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 1967May 20, 2017Operating
Classic Coaster Washington State Fair Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1935September 7, 2013Operating
The Comet Six Flags Great Escape Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1948; relocated 1994September 13, 2009Operating
Comet Hersheypark Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1946June 22, 2021Operating
Coney Island Cyclone Luna Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States June 26, 1927June 29, 2002Operating
Corkscrew Silverwood Theme Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1975; relocated 1990August 27, 2011Operating
Cyclone Lakeside Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 17, 1940August 2, 2003SBNO
Dragon Coaster Playland Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1929August 8, 2009Operating
Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 17, 1924May 5, 2007Operating
Giant Dipper Belmont Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States July 4, 1925April 23, 2010Operating
Grand National Blackpool Pleasure Beach Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1935July 2, 2024Operating
Great American Scream Machine Six Flags Over Georgia Flag of the United States.svg  United States March 31, 1973May 21, 2017Operating
Jack Rabbit Seabreeze Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1920August 15, 2015Operating
Jack Rabbit Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1920June 21, 2010Operating
Kiddy Coaster Playland Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 26, 1928July 28, 2018Operating
Leap-The-Dips Lakemont Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1902May 26, 2002SBNO
Legend Arnolds Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States June 8, 1930August 6, 2006Operating
Loch Ness Monster Busch Gardens Williamsburg Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 20, 1978June 17, 2003Operating
Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 6, 1989June 21, 2004Operating
Matterhorn Bobsleds Disneyland Flag of the United States.svg  United States June 14, 1959Not yet presentedOperating
The Riddler Mindbender Six Flags Over Georgia Flag of the United States.svg  United States March 31, 1978June 17, 2008Operating
Montaña Rusa La Feria Chapultepec Mágico Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico October 24, 1964April 22, 2017Demolished 2022
Montezooma's Revenge Knott's Berry Farm Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 21, 1978June 20, 2019SBNO
Phoenix Knoebels Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1948; relocated 1985October 8, 2005Operating
The Racer Kings Island Flag of the United States.svg  United States April 29, 1972June 18, 2007Operating
Racer Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1927June 21, 2010Operating
The Raven Holiday World Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 6, 1995June 23, 2016Operating
Racer 75 Kings Dominion Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 8, 1975June 20, 2003Operating
The New Revolution Six Flags Magic Mountain Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 8, 1976June 16, 2002Operating
Roller Coaster Lagoon Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States May 28, 1921July 30, 2005Operating
Runaway Mine Train Six Flags Over Texas Flag of the United States.svg  United States August 1966September 9, 2006Operating
Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1914June 30, 2023Operating
Sea Dragon Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1956July 16, 2022Operating
Screamin' Eagle Six Flags St. Louis Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1976June 21, 2016Operating
Swamp Fox Family Kingdom Amusement Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1966April 29, 2016Operating
Thunderbolt Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1924 (as Pippin); rebuilt 1968July 27, 2014Operating
Thunderbolt Six Flags New England Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1941August 2, 2008Operating
Thunderhawk Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom Flag of the United States.svg  United States March 30, 1924June 23, 2021Operating
Tornado Adventureland Flag of the United States.svg  United States July 4, 1978August 17, 2024Operating
Whizzer Six Flags Great America Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1976August 10, 2012Operating
Wildcat Lake Compounce Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1927August 1, 2008Operating
The Wild One Six Flags America Flag of the United States.svg  United States Built 1917 (as The Giant Coaster);
rebuilt 1932 and 1963; relocated 1986
June 18, 2018Operating
Wooden Roller Coaster Playland Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1958July 11, 2009Operating
Yankee Cannonball Canobie Lake Park Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1930June 20, 2013Operating

Golden Age Coaster

The Golden Age Coaster award, a prequel to the Roller Coaster Landmark award, was established to recognize significant roller coasters that were built during the 1920s. Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Giant Dipper at Belmont Park (San Diego) both received the Golden Age Coaster award in addition to the Roller Coaster Landmark award. [8]

Preservation

ACE takes an active role in the preservation of endangered roller coasters. Since 1985, the club has either directly or indirectly helped save more than half a dozen. One of the most notable include the Phoenix located at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The wooden coaster was relocated from Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. Another that the organization saved was Leap the Dips, the world's oldest operating roller coaster, located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In addition to preservation, some parks have also sought the opinions of ACE members regarding roller coaster installations, such as Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point [11] and roller coaster design, as was the case with The Legend and The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverted roller coaster</span> Type of roller coaster

An inverted roller coaster is a type of steel roller coaster in which the train runs under the track with the seats directly attached to the wheel carriage. Riders are seated in open cars, letting their feet swing freely. The inverted coaster was pioneered by Swiss roller coaster manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard in the early 1990s with the development of Batman: The Ride, which opened at Six Flags Great America on May 9, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roller coaster train</span> Vehicle on an amusement park ride

A roller coaster train is a vehicle made up of two or more carts connected by specialized joints which transports passengers around a roller coaster's circuit. Roller coasters usually have various safety features, including specialized wheels and restraints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnum XL-200</span> Steel roller coaster at Cedar Point

Magnum XL-200, colloquially known as simply Magnum, is a steel roller coaster built by Arrow Dynamics at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. When it opened in 1989, it was the tallest, fastest, and steepest complete-circuit roller coaster in the world as well as the first hypercoaster – a roller coaster that exceeds 200 feet (61 m) in height. Some have credited Magnum with starting a period in the industry known as the roller coaster wars, in which amusement parks competed with one another at a rapid pace to build the next tallest and fastest roller coaster. More than 40 million people had ridden Magnum by 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leap-The-Dips</span> United States historic place

Leap-The-Dips is a wooden roller coaster located at Lakemont Park near Altoona, Pennsylvania. Built in 1902 by the Federal Construction Company and designed by E. Joy Morris, it is the oldest standing roller coaster in the world and believed to be the last surviving side friction roller coaster of the figure-eight variety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress</span> Roller coaster at Knotts Berry Farm

MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, previously known as Montezooma’s Revenge, is a shuttle roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States. Designed by Anton Schwarzkopf, the ride opened on May 21, 1978, and is one of eight flywheel-launched units manufactured for theme parks around the world. It is also the oldest looping shuttle roller coaster still operating in its original location. The ride was closed in February 2022 for a major refurbishment and has been scheduled to re-open in 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Dipper</span> Historic roller coaster in California

The Giant Dipper is a historic wooden roller coaster located at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. The Giant Dipper, which replaced the Thompson's Scenic Railway, took 47 days to build and opened on May 17, 1924, at a cost of $50,000. With a height of 70 feet (21 m) and a speed of 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), it is one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the world. As of 2012, over 60 million people have ridden the Giant Dipper since its opening. The ride has received several awards such as being named a National Historic Landmark, a Golden Age Coaster award, and a Coaster Landmark award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Revolution (roller coaster)</span> Steel roller coaster

The New Revolution is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel, the roller coaster opened to the public on May 8, 1976. The New Revolution is the world's first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop and has been recognized for that accomplishment by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), who awarded the roller coaster its Coaster Landmark status. However, there were earlier examples of roller coasters with a full vertical loop, such as the steel roller coaster called "Looping the Loop" in Parque Japonés in Buenos Aires, which operated from 1911 to 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Streak (Conneaut Lake)</span> Former roller coaster located in Pennsylvania, USA

Blue Streak was a wooden roller coaster built in 1938 at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. It was the only wooden coaster operating in the park, as well as the largest. Blue Streak followed an out and back design. It was the 17th oldest wooden roller coaster in the United States, and it was one of two shallow coasters designed by Ed Vettel still operating until 2021. Blue Streak opened in 1938, and operated inconsistently until 2019. It stood out of operation until 2022, when it was destroyed in a fire during demolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Raven (roller coaster)</span> Wooden roller coaster at Holiday World

The Raven is a wooden roller coaster at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's Halloween section in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States. It began to be designed and built in 1994 by the now-defunct roller coaster manufacturer Custom Coasters International, with the help of designers Dennis McNulty and Larry Bill. The roller coaster opened on May 6, 1995. The Raven takes its name from Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and features sudden drops and turns which mimic the flight of a raven. From 2000 to 2003, The Raven was voted the world's "Best Wooden Roller Coaster" at the Golden Ticket Awards, which are presented annually by Amusement Today magazine. It was named an "ACE Roller Coaster Landmark" by American Coaster Enthusiasts on June 23, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great American Scream Machine (Six Flags Over Georgia)</span> Wooden roller coaster

Great American Scream Machine (GASM) is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, United States. Manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, the ride opened in 1973 as the tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster in the world. Often shortened to GASM, the 105-foot-tall (32 m) ride reaches a maximum speed of 57 mph (92 km/h). At the time of opening, early riders were given a "Red Badge of Courage" button for riding the coaster. On May 21, 2017, Great American Scream Machine received an ACE landmark designation from American Coaster Enthusiasts, recognized for becoming the first wooden coaster built by Six Flags and for being well maintained.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollo Coaster</span> Roller coaster in United States

Rollo Coaster is a wooden roller coaster located at Idlewild and Soak Zone near Ligonier, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1938 by the leading roller coaster designer and builder of that era, Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It was Idlewild's first and only roller coaster for decades until the larger Wild Mouse coaster was erected in 1993. The coaster closed in 2016, amidst safety concerns, but was reopened for the 2018 Operation Season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway Mine Train (Six Flags Over Texas)</span> Steel roller coaster

Runaway Mine Train is a steel roller coaster located in the Boomtown section of Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. Built in 1966, Runaway Mine Train is the oldest roller coaster in the park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Rabbit (Kennywood)</span>

Jack Rabbit is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Designed and built by John A. Miller and Harry C. Baker, Jack Rabbit opened in 1920, making it one of the oldest roller coasters in the world still in operation. The ride's three trains were manufactured by Edward Vettel Sr. in 1951 and contain three cars of six seats each. Due to the use of a small lap bar in the cars, some young children are disallowed to enter the ride, as 42” is the minimum. A popular early feature of the ride was a tunnel which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, but this was removed in 1947. In 1991, the tunnel was restored at a slightly shorter length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Rabbit (Seabreeze)</span> Wooden roller coaster

Jack Rabbit is an "out and back" wooden roller coaster located at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New York. The Jack Rabbit is a terrain coaster that features seven dips, a helix, and a tunnel. It opened on May 31, 1920. Jack Rabbit is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the world and the second oldest in the United States. The oldest, Leap-The-Dips in Altoona, Pennsylvania, was closed from 1985 to 1999, making Jack Rabbit the oldest continuously operating coaster in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodstock Express (Kings Dominion)</span>

Woodstock Express is a wooden roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. It opened as Scooby-Doo in 1974 after the Hanna-Barbera cartoon character. Despite being classified as a family roller coaster and located in the children's area of the park, the ride notably has a intensity rating of 4 out of 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodstock Express (Carowinds)</span> Roller coaster at Carowinds

Woodstock Express is a wooden roller coaster located at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina that was formerly named after the Nickelodeon cartoon The Fairly OddParents. Though containing all of the elements of a "full-size" or standard wooden roller coaster, its short drop heights, slower speed, gently curving layout and short track length lead to its mistaken identity as a 'junior roller coaster'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vuoristorata</span> Roller coaster at Linnanmäki in Helsinki, Finland

Vuoristorata is a classic wooden roller coaster located at the Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. It was built in the winter of 1950 by Linnanmäki's staff on the basis of drawings by Valdemar Lebech, a Danish builder specialising in fairground rides. The construction work was led by the Danish ride operator Svend Jarlström, who at the time owned most of Linnanmäki's rides. Opened on 13 July 1951, Vuoristorata was the largest roller coaster in the Nordic countries and the tallest in Europe at the time. Expected to last up to 15 years, it was originally designed as a temporary attraction for the amusement park, opened in 1950. One of the main reasons for its construction was to attract tourists from the 1952 Summer Olympics held in the city. Since then, its temporary status was renewed for extended periods, until it was eventually regarded as a permanent structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yankee Cannonball</span> Roller coaster in United States

The Yankee Cannonball is a wooden out-and-back roller coaster built in 1930 at Lakewood Park and relocated in 1936 to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman The Ride</span> Steel roller coaster

Superman The Ride is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. Built by Liechtensteiner manufacturer Intamin, the hypercoaster opened to the public as Superman – Ride of Steel in 2000. It features a 208-foot (63 m) lift hill, a 221-foot (67 m) drop, and a maximum speed of 77 mph (124 km/h). In 2009, the park changed the name to Bizarro, named after a DC Comics character portrayed as the antithesis of Superman. In accordance with the theme change, the coaster's track and supports were repainted with a purple and dark blue color scheme, and other special effects were added. In 2016, the Six Flags reverted to the original theme, but instead of restoring the name, it was changed to Superman The Ride. A virtual reality feature was added the same year, which created an optional 3D experience for passengers, but was removed prior to the 2017 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone (Lakeside Amusement Park)</span> American roller coaster

The Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster located at Lakeside Amusement Park in Lakeside, Colorado. Designed by Edward A. Vettel, the coaster opened in 1940. Following the closure of Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake Park, Cyclone is the last remaining roller coaster ever designed by Edward A. Vettel.

References

  1. 1 2 Munch, Richard (1982), Harry G. Traver: Legends of Terror, Mentor, Ohio: Amusement Park Books, p. 176, ISBN   0-935408-02-9
  2. 1 2 Cartmel, Robert (1987), The Incredible Scream Machine, A History of the Roller Coaster, Fairview Park, Ohio: Amusement Park Books, p. 191, ISBN   0-87972-341-6
  3. Seltz, Amanda (December 7, 2013). "Coaster enthusiasts get sneak peek of 'Banshee'". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  4. Rutherford, Scott (2000), The American Roller Coaster , Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, p.  120, ISBN   0-7603-0689-3
  5. Nash, Bishop (May 14, 2019). "Roller coaster lovers honor area theme park's small, vintage charm". Williamson, West Virginia: Williamson Daily News. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  6. "Constitution and Bylaws". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  7. Ringas, Elizabeth (August 2020). "Coaster Con at Home: A Huge Success in Connecting ACEers While Apart". ACE News. XLII (6). Grand Prairie, Texas: American Coaster Enthusiasts: 15.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "ACE Coaster Classic Awards". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  9. Stojanovic, Barbara (May 29, 2019). "Linnanmäki: Helsinki's playground is open and waiting for visitors". Foreigner.fi. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  10. "ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  11. "A Blast From The Past - Magnum XL200 At Cedar Point". News+Notes. October 29, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2019.