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| Founded | 1978; 47 years ago (1978) |
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| Location |
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| Members | over 6,500 |
| Website | www |
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization focusing on the enjoyment, knowledge, and preservation ofroller coasters as well as recognition of some as architectural and engineering landmarks.[1] Dues-paying members receive the quarterly magazineRollerCoaster! and bi-monthly newsletterACE News.[2] Amusement parks have also invited members toexclusive ride events at amusement parks as well as sneak peek events at new roller coasters under construction.[3]
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.
Organization founders Roy Brashears, Paul Greenwald and Richard Munch met at a roller coaster riding marathon event promoting the 1977 movieRollercoaster at theRebel Yell roller coaster (now calledRacer 75) atKings Dominion amusement park inDoswell, 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 atBusch 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]
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
The national organization sponsors the annual Coaster Con convention, international tours, seasonal conferences, and a conference focused on coaster preservation.
Coaster Con, usually features one to as many as six theme parks whereexclusive 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. | Dates | Host parks |
|---|---|---|
| Past Coaster Con events | ||
| 1 | June 9–11, 1978 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA) |
| 2 | June 15–17, 1979 | Kings Island (Mason, OH) |
| 3 | June 26–29, 1980 | Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA) |
| 4 | June 25–30, 1981 | Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX),Six Flags AstroWorld, (Houston, TX), andFair Park, (Dallas, TX) |
| 5 | June 24–27, 1982 | Hersheypark (Hershey, PA) |
| 6 | June 23–26, 1983 | Elitch Gardens (Denver, CO) andLakeside Amusement Park (Denver, CO) |
| 7 | July 11–15, 1984 | Crystal Beach Park (Crystal Beach, ON, CA),Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto, ON, CA), andSeabreeze Amusement Park, (Rochester, NY) |
| 8 | June 27–30, 1985 | Lincoln Park (Dartmouth, MA),Rocky Point Amusement Park, (Warwick, RI)Whalom Park, (Lunenburg, MA), andMountain Park (Holyoke, MA) |
| 9 | June 26–29, 1986 | Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, GA) andLake Winnepesaukah (Rossville, GA) |
| 10 | June 22–28, 1987 | Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA),Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), andCalifornia's Great America (Santa Clara, CA) |
| 11 | June 21–25, 1988 | Geauga Lake (Aurora, OH),Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH), andBoblo Island Amusement Park (Amherstburg, ON, CA) |
| 12 | June 21–25, 1989 | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA) andClementon Lake Park (Clementon, NJ) |
| 13 | June 20–25, 1990 | Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX) andWonderland Park (Amarillo, TX) |
| 14 | June 16–20, 1991 | Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA) |
| 15 | June 21–25, 1992 | Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA) |
| 16 | July 5–9, 1993 | Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO) andJoyland Amusement Park (Wichita, KS) |
| 17 | June 4–11, 1994 | Belmont Park (San Diego, CA),Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA),Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), andCalifornia's Great America (Santa Clara, CA) |
| 18 | June 18–23, 1995 | Carowinds (Charlotte, NC),Family Kingdom Amusement Park, (Myrtle Beach, SC), andMyrtle Beach Pavilion (Myrtle Beach, SC) |
| 19 | June 1–3, 1996 | Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver, CO) |
| 20 | June 6–13, 1997 | Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA) andBusch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA) |
| 21 | June 21–24, 1998 | Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA),Idlewild (Ligonier, PA), andSandcastle Waterpark (Homestead, PA) |
| 22 | June 20–24, 1999 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas, (San Antonio, TX) andSeaWorld San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) |
| 23 | June 18–23, 2000 | Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville, KY) andHoliday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN) |
| 24 | June 17–22, 2001 | Hersheypark, (Hershey, PA)Williams Grove Amusement Park, (Mechanicsburg, PA)Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, (Allentown, PA), andPhiladelphia Toboggan Company, (Hatfield, PA) |
| 25 | June 16–21, 2002 | Six Flags Magic Mountain, (Santa Clarita, CA),Adventure City (Anaheim, CA), andKnott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA) |
| 26 | June 15–20, 2003 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA) andKings Dominion (Doswell, VA) |
| 27 | June 20–26, 2004 | Cedar Point, (Sandusky, OH)Memphis Kiddie Park (Brooklyn, OH) andGeauga Lake (Aurora, OH) |
| 28 | June 19–24, 2005 | Six Flags Great America, (Gurnee, IL)Little Amerricka, (Marshall, WI), andMt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, (Wisconsin Dells, WI) |
| 29 | June 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), andBusch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, FL) |
| 30 | June 17–23, 2007 | Kings Island, (Mason, OH),Stricker's Grove, (Ross, OH)Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN), andBeech Bend Park (Bowling Green, KY) |
| 31 | June 15–20, 2008 | Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell GA) andWild Adventures (Valdosta, GA) |
| 32 | June 21–26, 2009 | Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO) andWorlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO) |
| 33 | June 20–25, 2010 | Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA),Idlewild and Soak Zone (Ligonier, PA),Conneaut Lake Park (Conneaut Lake, PA), andWaldameer Park (Erie, PA) |
| 34 | June 19–22, 2011 | Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX) and Sandy Lake Park (Carrollton, TX) |
| 35 | June 17–22, 2012 | Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) andCarowinds (Charlotte, NC) |
| 36 | June 16–21, 2013 | Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA),Canobie Lake Park (Salem, NH),Palace Playland (Old Orchard Beach, ME), andFuntown Splashtown USA (Saco, ME) |
| 37 | June 15–20, 2014 | California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA),Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, CA),Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA), andGilroy Gardens (Gilroy, CA) |
| 38 | June 21–26, 2015 | Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ),Storybook Land (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), andMorey's Piers (Wildwood, NJ) |
| 39 | June 19–23, 2016 | Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka, MO) andHoliday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN) |
| 40 | June 18–22, 2017 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX),ZDT's Amusement Park (Seguin, TX), andSeaWorld San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) |
| 41 | June 17–22, 2018 | Six Flags America (Woodmore, MD),Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA), andKings Dominion (Doswell, VA) |
| 42 | June 16–21, 2019 | Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA) andKnott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA) |
| 43* | June 20–26, 2021 | Hersheypark (Hershey, PA),Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA),Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA), andKnoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, PA) |
| 44 | June 19–24, 2022 | Cedar Point, (Sandusky, OH) andKennywood, (West Mifflin, PA) |
| 45 | June 18–23, 2023 | Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN) andCarowinds (Charlotte, NC) |
| 46 | June 16–21, 2024 | California's Great America (Santa Clara, CA),Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, CA), andSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 47 | June 15–20, 2025 | Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL),Little Amerricka (Marshall, WI), andIndiana 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]
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 atSix Flags Great Adventure hadbuzz bars which meet traditional lap bar Coaster Classic requirements, but it isnot a classic because of headrests and seat dividers being added in 1981 to prevent people from standing up during the ride.
As of 2025, there are 30 coasters worldwide with ACE Coaster Classic status; 20 in North America, 9 in Europe, and one in Australia.[8]
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]
| Coaster | Park | Country | Opened | Awarded | Rescinded | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Streak | Cedar Point |  United States | May 23, 1964 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Coastersaurus | Legoland Florida | United States | November 26, 2004 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Ghoster Coaster | Canada's Wonderland |  Canada | Unknown | Unknown | Operating | |
| Legend | Arnolds Park | United States | 1927 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Montaña Rusa | La Feria de Chapultepec Mágico |  Mexico | October 24, 1964 | Unknown | Unknown | Demolished 2022 |
| Rollo Coaster | Idlewild and Soak Zone | United States | 1938 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Rutschebanen | Dyrehavsbakken (Bakken) |  Denmark | 1932 | Unknown | 2009 | Operating |
| Starliner | Cypress Gardens | United States | Unknown | Unknown | Demolished 2008 | |
| Wildcat | Frontier City | United States | April 20, 1991 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Island | United States | 1972 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Dominion | United States | 1974 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Woodstock Express | Carowinds | United States | 1975 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
| Zippin Pippin | Bay Beach Amusement Park | United States | Built 1912, 1915, or 1917; relocated 2010 | Unknown | Unknown | Operating |
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]
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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 atSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk, andGiant Dipper atBelmont Park (San Diego) both received the Golden Age Coaster award in addition to the Roller Coaster Landmark award.[8]
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 thePhoenix located atKnoebels Amusement Resort inElysburg, Pennsylvania. The wooden coaster was relocated fromPlayland Park inSan Antonio, Texas. Another that the organization saved wasLeap the Dips, the world's oldest operating roller coaster, located atLakemont Park inAltoona, Pennsylvania. In addition to preservation, some parks have also sought the opinions of ACE members regarding roller coaster installations, such asMagnum XL-200 atCedar Point[11] and roller coaster design, as was the case withThe Legend andThe Voyage atHoliday World inSanta Claus, Indiana.
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| National | |
