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American Coaster Enthusiasts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from ACE Coaster Classic)

American Coaster Enthusiasts
AbbreviationACE
Founded1978; 48 years ago (1978)
Founders
  • Roy Brashears
  • Paul Greenwald
  • Richard Munch
Location
Membersover 7,200[1]
President
Derek Perry[2]
Websitewww.ridewithace.com

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.[3] Dues-paying members receive the quarterly magazine RollerCoaster! and bi-monthly newsletter ACE News.[4] 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.[5]

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 ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Coaster Landmark statuses.

History

[edit]

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.[6]

Structure

[edit]

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.[4] Other goals include promoting the conservation, appreciation, and enjoyment of roller coasters and their place in history as architectural and engineering landmarks.[3][7]

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.[8] The region director oversees a system of ACE regions, which sponsors events and publishes regional websites and email newsletters.

ACE Regions

  • California Northern
  • Canada (except British Columbia)
  • Eastern Great Lakes (Ohio and Michigan)
  • Europe
  • Florida
  • Heart of America (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and southern Illinois)
  • Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia)
  • Midwest (Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia)
  • New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont)
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Central (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota)
  • Northwest (Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)
  • Other Countries
  • Pacific Southwest (Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and southern California)
  • Pennsylvania Eastern
  • Pennsylvania Western
  • Rocky Mountain (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming)
  • South America
  • South Central (Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas)
  • Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee)
  • Western Great Lakes (Wisconsin and northern Illinois)

Events

[edit]

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

Coaster Con

[edit]

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. Dates Host parks
1 June 9–11, 1978 Busch Gardens Williamsburg
2 June 15–17, 1979 Kings Island
3 June 26–29, 1980 Kennywood
4 June 25–30, 1981 Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags AstroWorld, Fair Park
5 June 24–27, 1982 Hersheypark
6 June 23–26, 1983 Elitch Gardens, Lakeside Amusement Park
7 July 11–15, 1984 Crystal Beach Park, Canadian National Exhibition, Seabreeze Amusement Park
8 June 27–30, 1985 Lincoln Park, Rocky Point Amusement Park, Whalom Park, Mountain Park
9 June 26–29, 1986 Six Flags Over Georgia, Lake Winnepesaukah
10 June 22–28, 1987 Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California's Great America
11 June 21–25, 1988 Geauga Lake, Cedar Point, Boblo Island Amusement Park
12 June 21–25, 1989 Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Clementon Lake Park
13 June 20–25, 1990 Six Flags Over Texas, Wonderland Park
14 June 16–20, 1991 Kennywood
15 June 21–25, 1992 Kings Dominion
16 July 5–9, 1993 Worlds of Fun, Joyland Amusement Park
17 June 4–11, 1994 Belmont Park, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California's Great America
18 June 18–23, 1995 Carowinds, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach Pavilion
19 June 1–3, 1996 Lakeside Amusement Park
20 June 6–13, 1997 Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
21 June 21–24, 1998 Kennywood, Idlewild, Sandcastle Waterpark
22 June 20–24, 1999 Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio
23 June 18–23, 2000 Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
24 June 17–22, 2001 Hersheypark, Williams Grove Amusement Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Philadelphia Toboggan Company
25 June 16–21, 2002 Six Flags Magic Mountain, Adventure City, Knott's Berry Farm
26 June 15–20, 2003 Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion
27 June 20–26, 2004 Cedar Point, Memphis Kiddie Park, Geauga Lake
28 June 19–24, 2005 Six Flags Great America, Little Amerricka, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
29 June 18–24, 2006 Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Old Town, Magic Kingdom, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
30 June 17–23, 2007 Kings Island, Stricker's Grove, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Beech Bend
31 June 15–20, 2008 Six Flags Over Georgia, Wild Adventures
32 June 21–26, 2009 Silver Dollar City, Worlds of Fun
33 June 20–25, 2010 Kennywood, Idlewild and Soak Zone, Conneaut Lake Park, Waldameer & Water World
34 June 19–22, 2011 Six Flags Over Texas, Sandy Lake Amusement Park
35 June 17–22, 2012 Dollywood, Carowinds
36 June 16–21, 2013 Six Flags New England, Canobie Lake Park, Palace Playland, Funtown Splashtown USA
37 June 15–20, 2014 California's Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Gilroy Gardens
38 June 21–26, 2015 Six Flags Great Adventure, Storybook Land, Morey's Piers
39 June 19–23, 2016 Six Flags St. Louis, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
40 June 18–22, 2017 Six Flags Fiesta Texas, ZDT's Amusement Park, SeaWorld San Antonio
41 June 17–22, 2018 Six Flags America, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion
42 June 16–21, 2019 Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm
43[a] June 20–26, 2021 Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Knoebels Amusement Resort
44 June 19–24, 2022 Cedar Point, Kennywood
45 June 18–23, 2023 Dollywood, Carowinds
46 June 16–21, 2024 California's Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
47 June 15–20, 2025 Six Flags Great America, Little Amerricka, Indiana Beach
48 June 21–26, 2026 Six Flags New England, Lake Compounce, Great Escape
49 June 20–25, 2027 Silver Dollar City, Mid America Adventure

Awards

[edit]

ACE Coaster Classic

[edit]

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:[10]

  • Traditional lap bars that allow riders to experience so-called airtime, or negative G's, the sensation of floating above the seat, must be installed. Individual, ratcheting lap bars do not meet this requirement.
  • Riders must be able to slide from side-to-side in their seats. A coaster with any restraint or device that restricts this freedom, like seat dividers between riders, does not meet this requirement.
  • Riders must be able to view upcoming drops and thrills. A coaster with headrests on every seat or the majority of seats that restrict this view does not meet this requirement.
  • Riders must be free to choose where they sit. A coaster where riders are assigned seats before boarding does not meet this requirement.

The amusement park or theme park operating a roller coaster that is recognized as ACE Coaster Classic is usually presented with 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

[edit]

As of September 2026, there are 29 coasters worldwide with ACE Coaster Classic status, 20 in North America, 8 in Europe, and one in Australia.[10] 23 of them are currently operating.

Coaster Park Country Opened Awarded Status
Big Dipper Camden Park United States 1958 Unknown Operating
Blue Flyer Pleasure Beach Resort United Kingdom 1934 (as Zipper Dipper) Unknown Operating
Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park United States May 23, 1938 May 29, 1993 Demolished in 2022
Classic Coaster Washington State Fair United States 1935 (as Roller Coaster) Unknown Operating
Comet Waldameer & Water World United States 1951 Unknown Operating
Cyclone Luna Park United States June 26, 1927 Unknown Operating
Cyclone Lakeside Amusement Park United States May 17, 1940 Unknown SBNO[b] since 2022
Cyclone Williams Grove Amusement Park United States 1933 Unknown SBNO[b] since 2005
High Roller Valleyfair United States 1976 1996 Operating
Hochschaubahn Prater Austria 1950 Unknown Operating
Hullámvasút Vidámpark Hungary 1926 Unknown SBNO[b] since 2015
Jack Rabbit Kennywood United States June 18, 1920 Unknown Operating
Kiddy Coaster Playland United States 1928 Unknown Operating
Leap-The-Dips Lakemont Park United States June 2, 1902 Unknown SBNO[b] since 2023
Lil' Dipper Camden Park United States 1961 Unknown Operating
Little Dipper Six Flags Great America United States 1950; relocated 2010 Unknown Operating
Meteor Little Amerricka United States 1953; relocated 2003, 2007 Unknown Operating
Montaña Suiza Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo Spain 1928 Not yet presented Operating
Nickelodeon Streak Pleasure Beach Resort United Kingdom 1933 (as Roller Coaster) Unknown Operating
Nightmare Joyland United States June 12, 1949 (as Roller Coaster) Unknown Demolished in 2015
Roller Coaster Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach United Kingdom May 14, 1932 Unknown Operating
Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Denmark June 12, 1914 Unknown Operating
Scenic Railway Luna Park Australia December 13, 1912 Unknown Operating
Sea Dragon Columbus Zoo and Aquarium United States 1956 (as Jet Flyer) Unknown Operating
Teddy Bear Stricker's Grove United States 1996 Unknown Operating
Thunderbolt Kennywood United States May 4, 1924 (as Pippin); rebuilt 1968 Unknown Operating
Vuoristorata Linnanmäki Finland July 13, 1951 2001[12] Operating
Wooden Roller Coaster Playland Canada 1958 Unknown Operating
Zach's Zoomer Michigan's Adventure United States July 22, 1994 Unknown Operating

Rescinded awards

[edit]

Another 14 coasters were awarded ACE Coaster Classic status, 12 in North America and 2 in Europe. However, the awards have been rescinded due to subsequent changes to the roller coasters that caused them to no longer meet the Coaster Classic criteria. In such a situation, ACE notifies the park that the coaster's award has been revoked.[10][13]

Coaster Park Country Opened Awarded Rescinded Reason(s) for rescinding Status
Blue Streak Cedar Point United States May 23, 1964 Unknown 1995 High headrests and individual lap bars were added to the trains.[14] Operating
Coastersaurus Legoland Florida United States November 26, 2004 (as Triple Hurricane) Unknown 2013 New trains with individual lap bars were installed.[15] Operating
Ghoster Coaster Canada's Wonderland Canada 1981 Unknown Unknown Seatbelts were added to the trains.[16] Operating
Legend Arnolds Park United States June 8, 1930 (as Speed Hound) Unknown Unknown Seat dividers were added to the trains. Operating
Montaña Rusa La Feria de Chapultepec Mexico October 24, 1964 Unknown Unknown Individual lap bars were added to the trains. Demolished in 2022
Rollo Coaster Idlewild and Soak Zone United States 1938 Unknown 2018 New trains with individual lap bars and seat dividers were installed.[17] Operating
Rutschebanen Dyrehavsbakken Denmark May 16, 1932 Unknown 2010 New trains with individual lap bars and seats were installed.[18] Operating
Starliner Cypress Gardens United States 1968; relocated 2007 Unknown 2007 New trains with seat dividers were installed. Dismantled in 2008[c]
Tomahawk PortAventura Park Spain March 17, 1997 Unknown 2015 New trains with individual laps bars were installed.[20] Operating
Wildcat Frontier City United States 1968; relocated and reopened April 20, 1991 Unknown 1999 New trains with individual laps bars and seat dividers were installed.[21] Operating
Woodstock Express Kings Island United States 1972 (as Scooby Doo) Unknown Unknown Seatbelts were added to the trains.[22] Operating
Woodstock Express Kings Dominion United States 1974 (as Scooby Doo) Unknown Unknown Seatbelts were added to the trains.[23] Operating
Woodstock Express Carowinds United States 1975 (as Scooby Doo) Unknown Unknown Seatbelts were added to the trains.[24] Operating
Zippin Pippin Bay Beach Amusement Park United States 1913 (as Giant Coaster Dips); relocated 1922, 2010 Unknown 2011 New trains with individual lap bars and seat dividers were installed.[25] Operating

ACE Roller Coaster Landmark

[edit]

In 2002, ACE introduced the Roller Coaster Landmark program to recognize coasters of historic significance. Since then, Roller Coaster Landmark status has been awarded to 56 coasters; 52 in North America and 4 in Europe. As of September 2026, 48 of them are operating.[26]

The first Roller Coaster Landmark status was awarded in May 2002 to Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont Park, which was the world's oldest operating roller coaster at the time. In 2023, Rutschebanen at Tivoli Gardens became the first roller coaster outside North America to be awarded Roller Coaster Landmark status.

A roller coaster that has been awarded Roller Coaster Landmark status may or may not meet the requirements for ACE Coaster Classic status. As of September 2026, there are 10 operating roller coasters that hold both Roller Coaster Landmark and Coaster Classic statuses.

The amusement park or theme park operating a roller coaster that is recognized as ACE Roller Coaster Landmark is presented with a custom plaque detailing the ride's history, characteristics, and historical significance. Parks often display the plaque in front of the awarded roller coaster.

It is not unusual for multiple roller coasters in the same park to receive Roller Coaster Landmark designation; Cedar Point, Kennywood, and Six Flags Great America each have three roller coasters that have been awarded this status. In addition, seven other parks each have two awarded coasters.

ACE Roller Coaster Landmark status and the associated plaque are permanent recognitions, even if the awarded roller coaster were to be closed and/or demolished at a later date.[26]

Examples of ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaques
The Comet at Great Escape; originally built in 1948 from parts of the Crystal Beach Cyclone
Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia; the former tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in the world
Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point; the world's first hypercoaster
The Racer at Kings Island; a wooden racing roller coaster
Vuoristorata at Linnanmäki; one of six operating roller coasters with brakemen.
Coaster Park Country Opened Awarded Status
American Eagle Six Flags Great America United States May 23, 1981 June 16, 2025 Operating
Batman: The Ride Six Flags Great America United States May 2, 1992 June 20, 2005 Operating
The Beast Kings Island United States April 14, 1979 October 2, 2004 Operating
Big Dipper Pleasure Beach Resort United Kingdom August 23, 1923 July 2, 2024 SBNO[b] since 2026
Big Dipper Geauga Lake United States 1925 Never presented[d] Demolished in 2016
Big Dipper Camden Park United States 1958 May 12, 2019 Operating
Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park United States May 23, 1938 June 24, 2010 Demolished in 2022
Blue Streak Cedar Point United States May 23, 1964 June 20, 2022 Operating
Bobsleds Seabreeze Amusement Park United States 1954 (as Junior Coaster); rebuilt 1962 June 27, 2026 Operating
Cannon Ball Lake Winnepesaukah United States May 1967 May 20, 2017 Operating
Classic Coaster Washington State Fair United States 1935 (as Roller Coaster) September 7, 2013 Operating
The Comet Great Escape United States 1948; relocated 1994 September 13, 2009 Operating
Comet Hersheypark United States May 30, 1946 June 22, 2021 Operating
Corkscrew Cedar Point United States May 15, 1976 September 12, 2026 Operating
Corkscrew Silverwood Theme Park United States May 21, 1975; relocated 1990 August 27, 2011 Operating
Cyclone Luna Park United States June 26, 1927 June 29, 2002 Operating
Cyclone Lakeside Amusement Park United States May 17, 1940 August 2, 2003 SBNO[b] since 2022
Dragon Coaster Playland United States 1929 August 8, 2009 Operating
Flying Turns Knoebels Amusement Resort United States October 5, 2013 July 25, 2026 Operating
Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk United States May 17, 1924 May 5, 2007 Operating
Giant Dipper Belmont Park United States July 4, 1925 April 23, 2010 Operating
Grand National Pleasure Beach Resort United Kingdom 1935 July 2, 2024 Operating
The Great American Revolution Six Flags Magic Mountain United States May 8, 1976 June 16, 2002 Operating
Great American Scream Machine Six Flags Over Georgia United States March 31, 1973 May 21, 2017 Operating
Jack Rabbit Seabreeze Amusement Park United States May 31, 1920 August 15, 2015 Operating
Jack Rabbit Kennywood United States June 18, 1920 June 21, 2010 Operating
Kiddy Coaster Playland United States May 26, 1928 July 28, 2018 Operating
Leap-The-Dips Lakemont Park United States June 2, 1902 May 26, 2002 SBNO[b] since 2023
Legend Arnolds Park United States June 8, 1930 (as Speed Hound) August 6, 2006 Operating
Loch Ness Monster Busch Gardens Williamsburg United States May 20, 1978 June 17, 2003 Operating
Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point United States May 6, 1989 June 21, 2004 Operating
Matterhorn Bobsleds Disneyland United States June 14, 1959 Not yet presented[e] Operating
Montaña Rusa La Feria de Chapultepec Mexico October 24, 1964 April 22, 2017 Demolished in 2022
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress Knott's Berry Farm United States May 21, 1978 (as Montezooma's Revenge)[f] June 20, 2019 Operating
Phoenix Knoebels Amusement Resort United States 1948 (as The Rocket); relocated 1985 October 8, 2005 Operating
Racer Kennywood United States 1927 June 21, 2010 Operating
The Racer Kings Island United States April 29, 1972 June 18, 2007 Operating
Racer 75 Kings Dominion United States May 8, 1975 (as Rebel Yell) June 20, 2003 Operating
The Raven Holiday World & Splashin' Safari United States May 6, 1995 June 23, 2016 Operating
The Riddler Mindbender Six Flags Over Georgia United States March 31, 1978 (as Mind Bender) June 17, 2008 Operating
Roller Coaster Lagoon United States May 28, 1921 July 30, 2005 Operating
Runaway Mine Train Six Flags Over Texas United States July 23, 1966 September 9, 2006 Operating
Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Denmark June 12, 1914 June 30, 2023 Operating
Screamin' Eagle Mid America Adventure United States April 10, 1976 June 21, 2016 Operating
Sea Dragon Columbus Zoo and Aquarium United States 1956 (as Jet Flyer) July 16, 2022 Operating
Shock Wave Six Flags Over Texas United States April 22, 1978 April 26, 2025 SBNO[b] since 2026
Swamp Fox Family Kingdom Amusement Park United States 1966 April 29, 2016 Operating
Thunderbolt Kennywood United States 1924 (as Pippin); rebuilt 1968 July 27, 2014 Operating
Thunderbolt Six Flags New England United States 1941 (as Cyclone) August 2, 2008 Operating
Thunderhawk Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom United States March 30, 1924 (as The Coaster) June 23, 2021 Operating
Tornado Adventureland United States July 4, 1978 August 17, 2024 Operating
Vuoristorata Linnanmäki Finland July 13, 1951 July 19, 2025 Operating
Whizzer Six Flags Great America United States May 29, 1976 (as Willard's Whizzer) August 10, 2012 Operating
The Wild One Six Flags America United States May 26, 1917 (as The Giant Coaster); rebuilt 1932 and 1963; relocated 1986 June 18, 2018 SBNO[b] since 2025
Wildcat Lake Compounce United States 1927 August 1, 2008 Operating
Wooden Roller Coaster Playland Canada 1958 July 11, 2009 Operating
Yankee Cannonball Canobie Lake Park United States 1930 (as Meteor); relocated 1936 June 20, 2013 Operating

ACE Centennial Coaster

[edit]

In 2025, ACE introduced the Centennial Coaster award to celebrate operating roller coasters that have reached the age of 100 years, counting from the day the ride first opened to the public.[30][31]

The amusement park or theme park operating a roller coaster that receives the Centennial Coaster award is presented with a custom circular plaque, featuring the name of the roller coaster and its opening year, and the text "Centennial Coaster – Over a Century of Thrills" along its rim.

ACE Centennial Coaster designation is awarded to any roller coaster that meets the age-related criterion, regardless of whether the roller coaster holds Roller Coaster Landmark and/or Coaster Classic status.[30] As of September 2026, there are 9 operating roller coasters in the world that are at least 100 years old.[32]

Coaster Park Country Opened Awarded Status
Scenic Railway Luna Park Australia December 13, 1912 Not yet presented Operating
Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Denmark June 12, 1914 Not yet presented Operating
Jack Rabbit Seabreeze Amusement Park United States May 31, 1920 June 27, 2026[33] Operating
Jack Rabbit Kennywood United States June 18, 1920 August 8, 2026[34] Operating
Roller Coaster Lagoon United States May 28, 1921 Not yet presented Operating
Thunderhawk Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom United States March 30, 1924 Not yet presented Operating
Thunderbolt Kennywood United States May 4, 1924 Not yet presented Operating
Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk United States May 17, 1924 Not yet presented Operating
Giant Dipper Belmont Park United States July 4, 1925 August 12, 2025[31] Operating

Golden Age Coaster

[edit]

The Golden Age Coaster award was established to recognize significant roller coasters built during the 1920s—the so-called "golden age" of roller coaster construction. In 2002, the recognition was renamed the Roller Coaster Landmark award, enabling ACE to also recognize historically significant roller coasters that were not built in the 1920s.

Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Giant Dipper at Belmont Park both received the Golden Age Coaster award in addition to the later Roller Coaster Landmark award.[10]

Preservation

[edit]

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 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[35] and roller coaster design, as was the case with The Legend and The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Coaster Con 43 events were delayed one full year due to COVID-19 pandemic. A virtual Coaster Con known as "Coaster Con at Home" was held on the same dates.[9]
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Standing but not operating; i.e. the roller coaster is existing and constructed at the park, but not open to the public.[11]
  3. ↑ After the closure of Cypress Gardens, Starliner was dismantled and its parts were put into storage. The remains of the coaster were sold to a new owner who intended to rebuild it; however, this never happened.[19]
  4. ↑ ACE approved Big Dipper's Roller Coaster Landmark status in 2009, at which time the ride was closed to the public. As the ride did not reopen before its demolition, the award was never presented.[27]
  5. ↑ ACE approved Matterhorn Bobsleds' Roller Coaster Landmark status in 2003, but since the park is reluctant to display the Roller Coaster Landmark plaque, it has not yet been presented.[28]
  6. ↑ Montezooma's Revenge underwent an extensive refurbishment between 2022 and 2026. The ride's original trains, launch system, and track were replaced. The roller coaster reopened on August 6, 2026, under a new name.[29]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)". IAAPA.org. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Executive Committee - ACE". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Munch, Richard (1982), Harry G. Traver: Legends of Terror, Mentor, Ohio: Amusement Park Books, p. 176, ISBN 0-935408-02-9
  4. 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
  5. ↑ Seltz, Amanda (December 7, 2013). "Coaster enthusiasts get sneak peek of 'Banshee'". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ Rutherford, Scott (2000), The American Roller Coaster, Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, p. 120, ISBN 0-7603-0689-3
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "Constitution and Bylaws". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "ACE Coaster Classic Awards". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Marden, Duane. "SBNO". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  12. ↑ Stojanovic, Barbara (May 29, 2019). "Linnanmäki: Helsinki's playground is open and waiting for visitors". Foreigner.fi. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  13. ↑ "ACE Coaster Classic". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  14. ↑ Kleveberg, Janne (November 8, 2009). "Blue Streak". Puderluder.com. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2021). "Coastersaurus - Mini-llennium Flyer". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2019). "Ghoster Coaster - Canada's Wonderland". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Rollo Coaster". Idlewild & SoakZone Amusement Park. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2014). "Rutschebanen - Bakken". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ Kelly, Pat (October 2, 2010). "Old 'Starliner' roller coaster to return to Panama City Beach". News Herald. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010.
  20. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2015). "Tomahawk - PortAventura". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  21. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2015). "Wildcat - PTC coaster trains". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  22. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2014). "Woodstock Express - Kings Island". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  23. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2020). "Woodstock Express - Kings Dominion". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2020). "Woodstock Express - Carowinds". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Zippin Pippin". The Gravity Group. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "ACE Coaster Landmarks". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Coaster Landmark - Big Dipper". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  28. ↑ @ACErollercoasterlandmark; (May 17, 2019). "Matterhorn Bobsleds - Disneyland". Retrieved September 17, 2026 – via Facebook.
  29. ↑ Martens, Todd (August 4, 2026). "Knott's Montezooma's Revenge was revolutionary — with a launch that 'kicked you in the face'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  30. 1 2 @AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts; (June 18, 2025). "We are excited to announce the American Coaster Enthusiasts Centennial Coaster Award!". Retrieved September 26, 2026 – via Facebook.
  31. 1 2 Cole, Tim. "Preservation News: An Update on ACE's First Centennial Award Winner, Giant Dipper". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  32. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coasters, Current Status Operating". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Seabreeze Landmark & Centennial Coasters". American Coaster Enthusiasts. July 2, 2026. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  34. ↑ @Kennywood; (August 8, 2026). "Moments ago, the Jack Rabbit received the Centennial Coaster designation from the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)". Retrieved September 26, 2026 – via Facebook.
  35. ↑ "A Blast From The Past - Magnum XL200 At Cedar Point". News+Notes. October 29, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
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