Volume VI, Issue 2 Volume

Fall

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The Official Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Region: , Maryland, DC, Delaware

[1] In this Issue: Mäch Tower Opening Dinosaurs Alive Haunt WindSeeker The Dark Side of the Gardens Adventure Park USA Apocalypse Events Across the US

Adventure Park USA Sunday, September 18 was a bit overcast and threatened rain, but 14 ACE members from 4 states gathered at Adventure Park USA to celebrate this not so tiny family owned park. Home of one of four operating Schwartzkoff Wildcat Coasters in the world (2 are in Maryland by the way), Erik Stottlemeyer, owner of the Wildcat treated all attendees to a backstage tour. From the workshop he explains how he continues to rebuild and improve From there, we ventured through the lockout on the original design of the Wildcat cars gates to observe the coaster and how the original in operation cars differ from and what he is to using on the make track now a visit and what to the repair work chain is repaired to house keep the coaster running as where Erik explains the well as it does now. With the original drawings changes that he has recently made by hanging on the wall, he works through logic removing the electrical box from the inside of and a historical trail to find the most cost the chain house. effective ways to operate.

Photos Courtesy of Elizabeth Ringas

[2] After a very thorough tour, we are ready to take a ride! After a few rides, we venture across the park to the many other attractions including tilt-a-whirl, go-carts, and mini-golf. Inside treats guests to laser tag, a ropes course, arcade games, and a climbing wall. Adventure

Park treated us to dinner along with a few door prizes. We wrapped up our day with our gift from Mr. Stottlemeyer, a Wildcat wheel for each attendee.

Elizabeth

UPCOMING EVENTSEVENTS

DECEMBER WINTER 2011/2012

Coastin’ Through the Snow - on ICE, Fort Washington MD Busch Gardens 12/03/2011 Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA Mountain Coaster, McHenry, MD Preview Lunch

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Photos Courtesy of Elizabeth Ringas

[3] Coaster Math Germany for our annual game our own. We squeezed in tournament. This year’s game DarKastle and rides What does 32 seats times 3 was the Whack-a-mole in before getting over to . trains times 60 minutes of Oktoberfest. Samantha and I Using the single-rider line, we ERT produce? Lots rode 3 times in 10 of happy ACErs. minutes, the first After a short delay time in the front while the guard together. I heard fumbled for the right that night-time ERT key, our 50 or so on Griffon was ACErs curled awesome, but we around an employee were not able to path onto a stay around and backstage road. We take advantage. got a good look at Busch put out their the backside of delicious spread of Grover’s Alpine fried chicken and Express kiddie barbecue. We coaster while relaxed in the Black making our way to Forest Picnic Area Apollo’s Chariot for and heard from our morning ERT. Busch execs and What a great way to our fearless ACE start a beautiful Regional Rep, Saturday! My Elizabeth. Busch tried our hardest (first try for daughter and I alternated donated some nice door both of us), managed to qualify between the back row (my prizes, as well as additional for the 2nd round, but were favorite physical ride quick queue passes and a then quickly eliminated. experience) and the front row Coaster Insider tour. All in all, it Weston Dengler bested the 3 (my favorite visual ride added up to a great day at other finalists, for the first prize experience). They were both ACE Dives. Thanks to of 2 quick queue passes from terrific. Our group was then everyone who helped pull it off. Busch Gardens. We then walked into not-yet-open broke up to enjoy the park on Stephen Peeples

Winners Weston Dengler, Jim Harris, and Calista Rings

Photos Courtesy of Elizabeth Ringas

[4] Fall Brings A Hint of Evil to Come to the Mid-Atlantic As Fall the fall season is now Apocalypse will have a rebirth the swing is at approximately over in the Mid-Atlantic, both at Six Flags America this a 45 degree angle. During Busch Gardens Williamsburg summer. It will be the first the day, riders will be treated and debuted Bolliger and Mabillard roller to breathe-taking views of the new and improved Halloween coaster in the state of surrounding countryside and events. Busch Gardens took Maryland. Apocalypse will at night spectacular LED Halloween to the next level take you through a queue line lighting of the attraction. and really encouraged to the nearest end of the What a difference from the children to exit the park before world. Just when you think original! 6pm. That isn’t the only evil the end is near, Apocalypse WindSeeker is being coming to the Mid-Atlantic. will take you on a ride like no manufactured by Mondial, a During your visit next summer, other in the Mid-Atlantic 23 year old Dutch company I encourage you to watch out! region. Standing four across, and will cost approximately There will be Verbolten AND Apocalypse will rush you 6.5 million to install. Riders Apocalypse down a 100 foot apex at 55 must be 52” to ride and will be miles-per-hour through hairpin secured by over-the-head lap Verbolten remains quite a turns and two inversions. The bars. mystery! In true Busch Apocalypse is due to occur on Gardens style, I have no May 25th, 2012. In addition, Kings Dominion doubt it will be a phenomenal will install a 6 acre Dinosaurs ride. At this time, we know it If two new roller coasters isn’t Alive attraction featuring will be a multilaunch coaster. enough for the Mid-Atlantic in 36 life-size dinosaurs, 3 of No other details have been one year, Kings Dominion will which are interactive. Each of released. Verbolten will offer riders something no one the dinosaurs is hand-carved occupy the Oktoberfest area else on the East Coast can, and covered with a skin-like of the park where the Big Bad the opportunity to swing 301 material. It will offer guests a Wolf previously resided. This feet in the air. For the unique look into the life of a dinosaur will be the third mix of a childhood circular from what they ate, when and to reside in this area. and a thrill seekers where they lived, how they Previous to the Big Bad Wolf, dream of their feet 30 stories protected themselves, and Die Wildkatze stood where from the ground overlooking how they adapted to their the station for Big Bad Wolf the and Juke Box prehistoric world. A kids area still stands. Die Wildkatze Diner. will offer a chance for them to has been relocated four more excavate a paleontological times since residing at Busch Kings Dominion’s original site themselves along with a Gardens and now operates at swing ride, Wave Swinger, dinosaur themed gift show. Adventure Park USA in New was installed in 1975, has a Dinosaurs Alive will be located Market, MD. The Big Bad top speed of 9 miles-per-hour in the Old Virginia section of Wolf station house has now and is 31 feet tall. the park neat the roller been gutted and the frame still Seated in two person swings, coaster entrance. Admission stands. Clearing and guests will begin to slowly to Dinosaurs Alive is not construction for Verbolten ascend the tower which will included with admission or the appears to be stretching into be located in the area season pass. An additional the area where Drachen Fire previously occupied by fee is required to experience previously resided. (Take a Hypersonic XLC. At the top, it. ride on Mach Tower this fall to riders will reach speeds of check it all out). 25-30 miles-per-hour while Elizabeth Ringas

[5] A GREAT FALL LEFT US READY TO MOVE INTO A NEW SEASON

Photos Courtesy of Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion

[6] Recap of the Summer ACE Mid-Atlantic On The Move Hurlfest 2011

If you didn’t get wet in the Mid- On July 9th, 3 members from the Once a year, in the month of Atlantic this year, you missed region along with other ACE June, coaster enthusiasts from two great additons at our member from across the country all over come to Kings regional parks. Six Flags went to Germany for a 2 week Dominion for a day of riding America premiered Zoomanzon tour of amusement parks as part and socializing, otherwise Falls. This hidden secret in the of the European Coaster Club’s known as Hurlfest, the park’s left corner of the waterpark took Deutschlandrunde 2011 tour. annual in-park enthusiasts riders through the woods that The tour included parks such as event. This year, it was held on separates the waterpark from Holiday Park (home to Saturday, June 18th. The the theme park on four different Expedition GeForce), Heide festivities started around 9 with body slides. This great addition Park (home to Colossos) and an ERT on and to Six Flags America’s already Europa Park (home to Silver Volcano. As usual, you can surprising waterpark gives riders Star & Blue Fire). One of the stay at either ride. Most a chance to twist and turn highlights was that during the everyone stayed at Intimidator. through their choice of four body tour, Shannon Somerville, of At park opening, it was time to slides enhanced by waterfalls, Chaptico, MD got her 400th explore the rest of the park. tropical soundtracks and jungle credit at Potts Park in Minden, Around 1:30, it was time for the décor. Don’t let the heights fool Germany. Her 400th coaster picnic, which consisted of you, for the greatest speed, go was Potts Blitz. The members hamburgers, fried chicken, low. The shortest ones are the that attended the tour were baked beans, potato salad and fastest with unexpected drops Shannon Somerville, Bob assorted ice cream novelties. and a bit of airtime too! Ziems, and Chris Noel. In the evening, the park showed off their newest light Water Country USA gave guests Shannon Somerville show, Snoopy’s Starlight a chance to Vanish with their Spectacular, which is pretty choice of slides. Vanish Point cool by the way. After that, It offered riders a challenge at the top of their new waterslide tower – was back to the Congo area for Dare to Drop or Fall? The enclosed tube slide allows riders to step more ERT. This time, it was into the skybox, put your feet on the footprints and then it is time for and Backlot Stunt the question – “are you ready”, with a thumbs up from the rider, the Coaster. As usual, the event floor drops away and so do you! The tube is definitely a smooth and was great. Thanks to the KD exciting ride, but the fear of the floor dropping is intense. Even after staff for another fun-filled day! many rides this summer, Calista Ringas still has butterflies in her stomach and thinks about not taking the plunge. For the tamer ride, Shannon Somerville two body slides offer riders a chance to plunge 75 feet where when you flop down, you drop down. For a thrillseeker, take the plunge and jump into that skybox! If you didn’t visit Water Country USA and vanish this year, 2012 is the time to make another visit.

In late August to a light fanfare, Mach Tower opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. At 240 feet Mach Tower is Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s tallest attraction. After a few months delay from some mechanical problems discovered during the initial testing phase, it finally offers 30 riders amazing views of the entire park and the James River with its unique rotating carriage. During the journey up the maypole over the Oktoberfest area of the park, the ride seems innocent, but after a few moments enjoying the breathtaking view, riders plummet down at breathe-taking speed.

Elizabeth Ringas

[7] "When my two worlds collided..." The summer of 2011 will We visited local parks for the mean that with all my heart, to certainly be memorable in our next few months, leading up to have her in our family. household. Our family of 6 our trip to San Antonio, Texas in Only time will tell if Kamdyn will started the summer by visiting mid August. We were able to be physically able to ride roller Holiday World in Indiana, Beech take in Six Flags Fiesta Texas, coasters or other high-thrill Bend Park in , and and make our inaugural trip to rides, but this day, we would Dollywood in Tennessee, on a . With enjoy the rides at Morgan's week long road trip that was full temperatures well above 100 Wonderland, smiling from ear to of thrills. Holiday World is every day, and The Falls tube ear, so proud of what this park amazing, run by an amazing ride just opening, we certainly will mean to so many families family, who made up feel enjoyed our day at the world's with special needs comfortable the entire visit. best waterpark. We visited one children. Our love for our Holiwood Nights is sure not to last park in San Antonio that you daughter and our love for be missed by any coaster may not know about. We amusement parks collided for a enthusiast. stopped by Morgan's brief time. It was the best of both Not knowing what to expect at Wonderland, an ultra accessible worlds. We didn't have to Beech Bend Park, we visited for the choose one over the other this with no expectations. We left disabled. The mastermind day. We were actually in town after two days of great southern behind the project is Gordon for the annual National Down hospitality, cool rides and a Hartman, who has a child with Syndrome Congress great event planned by Paul special needs. He convention, where we met Blick, with high expectations for developed the park so that any Gordon the day before our visit our next visit. The staff at Beech child with physical or cognitive to the park. While speaking to Bend was awesome, and the limitations, could enjoy a day at Gordon at the convention, I just annual Beech Bend Blast is not an amusement park without fear knew we would love this special to be missed either. What can I of ridicule or rejection. Why is little place, and I know you say about Dollywood that hasn't this so important to us? Well, In would to. been said already! Our whole 2010, our fourth child, Kamdyn, family truly fell in love with this was born with Down Syndrome. place, and what an amazing We have been blessed, and I Brad Dutterer way to end a coaster expedition.

Our Volunteers!

Elizabeth Ringas [email protected] Regional Representative Danny Barnes Bill Gavin [email protected] [email protected] Assistant for Newsletter and Events Assistant for Events Evangelos Ringas Wes Friend [email protected] [email protected] Events Assistant for E-Mailings and Website Benji Burnett Steven Peeples [email protected] [email protected] Assistant for Newsletter and Website Assistant for Facebook and Events www.acemidatlantic.org Other Staff: Shannon Somerville - Newsletter Article Writer Send submissions for publication to: Elizabeth Ringas - [email protected] (500 Words or Less)

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