Coaster Con XLI Around the Corner • Parks Gear Up 2018 Rebel Yell Spring Issue The Official Newsletter of ACE Mid-Atlantic Inside This Issue Someone say airtime? Media day guests were Tempeto’s train rushes back into the station after its treated to some during a spring morning. signature and rather intense loop-the-loop maneuver. • Summertime Has Arrived • Inspiration from the Regional Rep. • Volunteer Opportunities • Prepping for Coaster Con XLI • Twisted Timbers Media Day • Losing a Coaster, Gaining Another • Winter Event at Six Flags America • Loch Ness Monster Turns 40 • A Look Around the Region • Group Photo Connect w/ Us • Questions? Feedback? Want to volunteer your time to help the region grow? Let us know by emailing us at acemidatlantic@ gmail.com or find us on social media. Upcoming Events Photo: TT Media Day, Sam Marks It’s almost summertime and the biggest event of the season is just around the Summertime Is Here corner. Join us as we celebrate coasters and New Coasters and Unexpected Surprises camaraderie at Coaster Con. See you on the midway! Are you excited for Coaster Con? We’re Dominion invited ACE members out to just about ready to kick off one of the the park for their Twisted Timbers media REGIONAL most iconic events of the summertime. day event. A month later, they invited the In less than a month, members will be region out again for a photo shoot on the Wild West Fun Day at Adventure Park - New given the chance to experience a six day new beast. The reaction to the coaster Market, MD - June 16, 2018 excursion (nine if you’re adventurous) into so far? That it’s fantastic and fits right at the best the region has to offer. With stops home in King’s Dominion. Oceanfest Fun Day at Jolly Roger and at parks large and small, Coaster Con XLI Trimpers - Ocean City, MD - June 23 & 24, is expected to be a special homecoming Down the highway, Busch Gardens has 2018 forty years in the making. been celebrating the anniversary of their Loch Ness Monster coaster, which now NATIONAL Parks are already preparing for our enters its fortieth year. A time tested ride arrival with the completion and testing that was there when the club first formed, Coaster Con XLI at Six Flags America, King’s of various new rides and coasters for the park has been actively recruiting Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg the 2018 season. Earlier this year, King’s people to share memories of the coaster - Largo, MD; Doswell, VA; Williamsburg, VA - Continued on Page 1 June 18 - 22, 2018 www.acemidatlantic.org Rebel Yell - Spring 2018 1 From the Backseat Want to Volunteer? A Message from ACE Mid-Atlantic’s Do you want to be part of what the re- gion offers? Can you donate your time Regional Representative in making ideas happen? Perhaps, you have some fresh ideas of your own? Elizabeth Ringas ACE Mid-Atlantic is looking for some new volunteers to help give us a boost. Keep your face forward and your hands in calendar and stop in for it -- even if you’re We’re looking to improve on what we the air because it is going to be an amazing not going to be attending Con. This year offer for our region -- both in general ride this summer in the Mid-Atlantic and is also an election year. It is time for new and around Coaster Con festivities. I can’t wait to ride with you. Hundreds of leadership and I want you to really take ACE members from every region will join a moment and think about who would If this sounds up your alley, just email the Mid-Atlantic crew for a nine day journey be a great leader for our club. Review the us and our regional representative Eliz- that will include a sampling of the area’s candidate positions and learn what each of abeth Ringas will chat with you about finest. Not only is our region’s major parks them has to offer. Votes are due by July 15th the numerous volunteer opportunities available. getting new attractions but our smaller so don’t forget to choose! If these executive ones are too! Everyone will get a chance to positions have you thinking about a run The following are some of the commit- see Adventure Park USA’s new Skycoaster in a few years but you aren’t quite ready tees we need filled: as well as Central Park Funland’s family for national leadership yet, think about spinning coaster, Twist and Shout. A getaway stepping onto a national committee or • Midway Olympics (for during to the Ocean City boardwalk and its historic the regional team. It’s a great way to get Coaster Con) rides round out the fun! experience and learn how our club is run. • Social Media • Event Planning (and event flier In-between all the fun we’ll be having at Remember that we are a 100% volunteer making) Coaster Con this year, it’s also an important organization filled with people who have • Newsletter time to stay up-to-date on what’s going on amazing and different skills. We are on a with the club. If you’re going to be in the wonderful journey with members who see We hope to hear from you! vicinity of King’s Dominion on Wednesday, what we can be and new opportunities that June 16, plan to attend the business we can grow and nurture. Let’s harness that meeting. It is a great chance to hear about power to keep the club strong and chart out the direction of ACE and provide your own a path for the many more years ahead of us! input, so I encourage you to mark your Summertime Is Here - Continued from Page 1 as they promote its lasting appeal and At Adventure Park USA, Erik Stottylemeyer And what about the other parks in the ridership among the general public. What has just finished putting up his new region? Well, Go Karts Plus is offering will be in store for the reunification of ACE Skycoaster, a respectable sized piece that everyone a free ride on their Python and the Loch Ness Monster at Coaster Con? towers over I-70, creating a mesmerizing Pit coaster and the parks in Ocean City, We’ll have to wait and see. landscape. Known for his careful restoration Maryland are anticipating our return as we of the rides he brings in, members will be honor the legacy these seaside parks have Not to be outdone, Six Flags America is also treated to some good times on this new given many locals in the region, as well as awaiting our arrival. They’re putting the addition as well as the other classic coasters travelers from afar. finishing touches on Wahoo River which there. will be a restored and expanded lazy river, Yes, this Coaster Con looks to be a good a type of ride that many members secretly At Central Park Funland, enthusiast and one, coupled with the fact that each park is love when they aren’t riding coasters. What manager Clint Novak has rushed to get debuting some great new stuff while also better way to relax in the summer sun than their new spinning coaster, Twist and Shout, preserving the classics. If you thought the taking a splash through the winding river? up and running in time for ACE’s arrival. As 2018 season couldn’t get better, we’re only a special treat for members, he’s offering a beginning. It’s not just large parks that have upped the free wristband to all individuals who stop ante this year. Family entertainment centers by during Monday night’s travel so they like Adventure Park USA and Central Park may experience this new beauty. Funland are looking to get in on the fun. 2 Rebel Yell - Spring 2018 How to Prep for Coaster Con XLI Getting the Most Out of the Weeklong Event Many members have been to a plethora of friends. See a small group of people eating them allows our club to come back year ACE events, but when it comes to Coaster grub at a table? Ask if you can sit with them. after year. Security guards, ride operators Con, a good portion of newbies are never As you’re cutting your food, introduce and the rest of the staff give us a dream prepared for the enormity that the week yourself and find out where the group is event each year and thanking them allows offers in terms of things to do, people to from. Perhaps you’re from the same region, us to nurture that relationship for years to meet, and adventures to be had. If this is or the group is from across the country. come. your first time hitting the biggest ACE event Is their homepark a destination you’ve of the year, keep reading for a few pointers always wanted to visit? Ask them what their Tip 8 - Explore the Area on how to get the most out of the week. favorite ride is there or some pointers on how to navigate the park during peak times. Just because you’re at amusement parks for Tip 1 - Stay Hydrated The topics are endless when you’re talking most of the week doesn’t mean you can’t enthusiast to enthusiast. explore the local history and/or culture of When you’re hanging out for six full days in the host area.