ACE - Ride With Us American Coaster Enthusiasts

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

Coaster enthusiasts and park visitors around the world know the name Cedar Point. This Sandusky, Ohio theme park has been thrilling visitors since 1870. Today, it’s the second-oldest amusement park in North America and is home to 68 rides, including 18 roller coasters and two ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks!  
Summer 2024 brings a new ride: Top Thrill 2, the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch roller coaster. This updated launch coaster will feature three exhilarating launches and is sure to draw visitors from near and far.  
Ride With Us Editor and Announcer Bob Randolph joins Cedar Point’s Director of Communications Tony Clark to discuss social media, in-park wifi, CP Racing keychains, Fast Lane Plus, Winter Chill Out, and more.
In this Episode:
•[01:29] Meet Tony, discover the critical difference between soft serve and custard
•[13:58] Cedar Point’s legendary holiday video
•[25:40] Winter Chill Out ticket process
•[32:50] The fun of interacting with visitors over social media 
•[44:57] Details about Top Thrill 2, including Fast Lane Plus information
•[54:45] Upcoming food items, festivals, and celebrations in the park  
See the 2023 Cedar Point holiday 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:

•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, and Doug Perry

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:
[01:30] Dorney Park
 
[02:47] Snoopy's new coasters at Kings Island and Knott's Berry Farm
 
[04:23] California parks
 
[06:41] Cedar Point
 
[07:25] Playland in Vancouver
 
[08:47] Carowinds and Kings Dominion
 
[10:59] Wooden coasters adding steel track
 
[11:51] Hersheypark
 
[12:58] Six Flags parks
 
[13:52] Florida parks
 
[18:18] UK parks
 
[19:39] Australia Parks
 
[21:03] Tokyo DisneySea
 
[23:22] ACE Spring Conference
 
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