American Coaster Enthusiasts
This article needs more citations. (February 2018) |
| Abbreviation | ACE |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founders |
|
| Location |
|
| Members | over 7,200[1] |
President | Elizabeth Ringas[2] |
| Website | www |
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 the 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.
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 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 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 2026, there are 29 coasters worldwide with ACE Coaster Classic status; 20 in North America, 8 in Europe, and one in Australia.[10]
| Coaster | Park | Country | Opened | Awarded | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Dipper | Camden Park | 1958 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Blue Flyer | Pleasure Beach Resort | 1934 (as Zipper Dipper) | Unknown | Operating | |
| Blue Streak | Conneaut Lake Park | 1938 | May 29, 1993 | Demolished in 2022 | |
| Classic Coaster | Washington State Fair | 1935 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Comet | Waldameer & Water World | 1951 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Cyclone | Luna Park | June 26, 1927 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Cyclone | Lakeside Amusement Park | May 17, 1940 | Unknown | SBNO since 2022 | |
| Cyclone | Williams Grove Amusement Park | 1933 | Unknown | SBNO since 2005 | |
| High Roller | Valleyfair | 1976 | 1996 | Operating | |
| Hochschaubahn | Prater | 1950 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Hullámvasút | Vidámpark | 1926 | Unknown | SBNO since 2015 | |
| Jack Rabbit | Kennywood | 1920 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Kiddy Coaster | Playland Park | 1928 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Leap-The-Dips | Lakemont Park | 1902 | Unknown | SBNO since 2023 | |
| Lil' Dipper | Camden Park | 1961 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Little Dipper | Six Flags Great America | 1950; relocated 2010 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Meteor | Little Amerricka | 1953; relocated 2003, 2007 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Montaña Suiza | Parque de Atracciones Monte Igueldo | 1928 | Not yet presented | Operating | |
| Nickelodeon Streak | Pleasure Beach Resort | 1933 (as Roller Coaster) | Unknown | Operating | |
| Nightmare | Joyland | June 12, 1949 (as Roller Coaster) | Unknown | Demolished in 2015 | |
| Roller Coaster | Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach | 1932 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Rutschebanen | Tivoli Gardens | June 12, 1914 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Scenic Railway | Luna Park | December 13, 1912 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Sea Dragon | Rides At Adventure Cove | 1956 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Teddy Bear | Stricker's Grove | 1996 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Thunderbolt | Kennywood | 1924 (as Pippin); rebuilt 1968 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Vuoristorata | Linnanmäki | July 13, 1951 | 2001[11] | Operating | |
| Wooden Roller Coaster | Playland | 1958 | Unknown | Operating | |
| Zach's Zoomer | Michigan's Adventure | 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, due to subsequent changes to the coasters, the awards have been rescinded.[10]
| Coaster | Park | Country | Opened | Awarded | Rescinded | Reason(s) for rescinding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Streak | Cedar Point | May 23, 1964 | Unknown | 1995 | High headrests and individual lap bars were added to the trains.[12] | Operating | |
| Coastersaurus | Legoland Florida | November 26, 2004 (as Triple Hurricane) | Unknown | 2013 | New trains with individual lap bars were installed.[13] | Operating | |
| Ghoster Coaster | Canada's Wonderland | 1981 | Unknown | Unknown | Seatbelts were added to the trains.[14] | Operating | |
| Legend | Arnolds Park | 1927 (as Speed Hound) | Unknown | Unknown | Seat dividers were added to the trains. | Operating | |
| Montaña Rusa | La Feria de Chapultepec | October 24, 1964 | Unknown | Unknown | Individual lap bars were added to the trains. | Demolished in 2022 | |
| Rollo Coaster | Idlewild and Soak Zone | 1938 | Unknown | 2018 | New trains with individual lap bars and seat dividers were installed.[15] | Operating | |
| Rutschebanen | Dyrehavsbakken | May 16, 1932 | Unknown | 2010 | New trains with individual lap bars and seats were installed.[16] | Operating | |
| Starliner | Cypress Gardens | 1968; relocated 2007 | Unknown | 2007 | New trains with seat dividers were installed. | Demolished in 2008 | |
| Tomahawk | PortAventura Park | March 17, 1997 | Unknown | 2015 | New trains with individual laps bars and seat dividers were installed.[17] | Operating | |
| Wildcat | Frontier City | 1968; relocated and reopened April 20, 1991 | Unknown | 1999 | New trains with individual laps bars and seat dividers were installed.[18] | Operating | |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Island | 1972 | Unknown | Unknown | Seatbelts were added to the trains.[19] | Operating | |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Dominion | 1974 | Unknown | Unknown | Seatbelts were added to the trains.[20] | Operating | |
| Woodstock Express | Carowinds | 1975 | Unknown | Unknown | Seatbelts were added to the trains.[21] | Operating | |
| Zippin Pippin | Bay Beach Amusement Park | 1913 (as Giant Coaster Dips); relocated 1922, 2010 | Unknown | 2011 | New trains with individual lap bars and seat dividers were installed.[22] | Operating |
ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
[edit]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. Since then, the Roller Coaster Landmark status has been awarded to 56 coasters. As of 2026, 49 of them are operating; 45 in North America and 4 in Europe.[23]
The amusement park or theme park operating a roller coaster that is recognized as a Roller Coaster Landmark is presented a custom plaque. The plaque provides information about the history and charasteristics of the awarded roller coaster, as well as its historical significance. In many cases, the park displays the plaque in front of the awarded roller coaster.
| Coaster | Park | Country | Opened | Awarded | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Eagle | Six Flags Great America | May 23, 1981 | June 16, 2025 | Operating | |
| Batman: The Ride | Six Flags Great America | May 2, 1992 | June 20, 2005 | Operating | |
| The Beast | Kings Island | April 14, 1979 | October 2, 2004 | Operating | |
| Big Dipper | Pleasure Beach Resort | August 23, 1923 | July 2, 2024 | Operating | |
| Big Dipper | Geauga Lake | 1925 | Never presented | Demolished in 2016 | |
| Big Dipper | Camden Park | 1958 | May 12, 2019 | Operating | |
| Blue Streak | Conneaut Lake Park | 1938 | June 24, 2010 | Demolished in 2022 | |
| Blue Streak | Cedar Point | May 23, 1964 | June 20, 2022 | Operating | |
| Bobsleds | Seabreeze Amusement Park | 1954 (as Junior Coaster); rebuilt 1962 | June 27, 2026 | Operating | |
| Cannon Ball | Lake Winnepesaukah | May 1967 | May 20, 2017 | Operating | |
| Classic Coaster | Washington State Fair | 1935 | September 7, 2013 | Operating | |
| The Comet | Great Escape | 1948; relocated 1994 | September 13, 2009 | Operating | |
| Comet | Hersheypark | 1946 | June 22, 2021 | Operating | |
| Corkscrew | Silverwood Theme Park | May 21, 1975; relocated 1990 | August 27, 2011 | Operating | |
| Cyclone | Luna Park | June 26, 1927 | June 29, 2002 | Operating | |
| Cyclone | Lakeside Amusement Park | May 17, 1940 | August 2, 2003 | SBNO since 2022 | |
| Dragon Coaster | Playland | 1929 | August 8, 2009 | Operating | |
| Flying Turns | Knoebels Amusement Resort | October 5, 2013 | July 25, 2026 | Operating | |
| Giant Dipper | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | May 17, 1924 | May 5, 2007 | Operating | |
| Giant Dipper | Belmont Park | July 4, 1925 | April 23, 2010 | Operating | |
| Grand National | Pleasure Beach Resort | 1935 | July 2, 2024 | Operating | |
| The Great American Revolution | Six Flags Magic Mountain | May 8, 1976 | June 16, 2002 | Operating | |
| Great American Scream Machine | Six Flags Over Georgia | March 31, 1973 | May 21, 2017 | Operating | |
| Jack Rabbit | Seabreeze Amusement Park | 1920 | August 15, 2015 | Operating | |
| Jack Rabbit | Kennywood | 1920 | June 21, 2010 | Operating | |
| Kiddy Coaster | Playland | May 26, 1928 | July 28, 2018 | Operating | |
| Leap-The-Dips | Lakemont Park | 1902 | May 26, 2002 | SBNO since 2023 | |
| Legend | Arnolds Park | June 8, 1930 (as Speed Hound) | August 6, 2006 | Operating | |
| Loch Ness Monster | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | May 20, 1978 | June 17, 2003 | Operating | |
| Magnum XL-200 | Cedar Point | May 6, 1989 | June 21, 2004 | Operating | |
| Matterhorn Bobsleds | Disneyland | June 14, 1959 | Not yet presented | Operating | |
| Montaña Rusa | La Feria de Chapultepec | October 24, 1964 | April 22, 2017 | Demolished in 2022 | |
| MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress | Knott's Berry Farm | May 21, 1978 (as Montezooma's Revenge) | June 20, 2019 | Operating | |
| Phoenix | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 1948 (as The Rocket); relocated 1985 | October 8, 2005 | Operating | |
| Racer | Kennywood | 1927 | June 21, 2010 | Operating | |
| The Racer | Kings Island | April 29, 1972 | June 18, 2007 | Operating | |
| Racer 75 | Kings Dominion | May 8, 1975 (as Rebel Yell) | June 20, 2003 | Operating | |
| The Raven | Holiday World | May 6, 1995 | June 23, 2016 | Operating | |
| The Riddler Mindbender | Six Flags Over Georgia | March 31, 1978 (as Mind Bender) | June 17, 2008 | Operating | |
| Roller Coaster | Lagoon | May 28, 1921 | July 30, 2005 | Operating | |
| Runaway Mine Train | Six Flags Over Texas | August 1966 | September 9, 2006 | Operating | |
| Rutschebanen | Tivoli Gardens | June 12, 1914 | June 30, 2023 | Operating | |
| Screamin' Eagle | Six Flags St. Louis | 1976 | June 21, 2016 | Operating | |
| Sea Dragon | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | 1956 (as Jet Flyer) | July 16, 2022 | Operating | |
| Shock Wave | Six Flags Over Texas | April 22, 1978 | April 26, 2025 | SBNO since 2026 | |
| Swamp Fox | Family Kingdom Amusement Park | 1966 | April 29, 2016 | Operating | |
| Thunderbolt | Kennywood | 1924 (as Pippin); rebuilt 1968 | July 27, 2014 | Operating | |
| Thunderbolt | Six Flags New England | 1941 (as Cyclone) | August 2, 2008 | Operating | |
| Thunderhawk | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | March 30, 1924 (as The Coaster) | June 23, 2021 | Operating | |
| Tornado | Adventureland | July 4, 1978 | August 17, 2024 | Operating | |
| Whizzer | Six Flags Great America | 1976 | August 10, 2012 | Operating | |
| The Wild One | Six Flags America | 1917 (as The Giant Coaster); rebuilt 1932 and 1963; relocated 1986 | June 18, 2018 | SBNO since 2025 | |
| Wildcat | Lake Compounce | 1927 | August 1, 2008 | Operating | |
| Wooden Roller Coaster | Playland | 1958 | July 11, 2009 | Operating | |
| Vuoristorata | Linnanmäki | July 13, 1951 | July 19, 2025 | Operating | |
| Yankee Cannonball | Canobie Lake Park | 1930 (as Meteor); relocated 1936 | June 20, 2013 | Operating |
Golden Age Coaster
[edit]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 at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Giant Dipper at Belmont Park both received the Golden Age Coaster award in addition to the 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[24] and roller coaster design, as was the case with The Legend and The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.
References
[edit]- ↑ "American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)". IAAPA.org. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Executive Committee - ACE". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- 1 2 Munch, Richard (1982), Harry G. Traver: Legends of Terror, Mentor, Ohio: Amusement Park Books, p. 176, ISBN 0-935408-02-9
- 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
- ↑ Seltz, Amanda (December 7, 2013). "Coaster enthusiasts get sneak peek of 'Banshee'". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
- ↑ Rutherford, Scott (2000), The American Roller Coaster, Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, p. 120, ISBN 0-7603-0689-3
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Constitution and Bylaws". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 3 4 "ACE Coaster Classic Awards". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ↑ Stojanovic, Barbara (May 29, 2019). "Linnanmäki: Helsinki's playground is open and waiting for visitors". Foreigner.fi. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ↑ Kleveberg, Janne (November 8, 2009). "Blue Streak". Puderluder.com. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2021). "Coastersaurus - Mini-llennium Flyer". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2019). "Ghoster Coaster - Canada's Wonderland". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Rollo Coaster". Idlewild & SoakZone Amusement Park. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2014). "Rutschebanen - Bakken". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2015). "Tomahawk - PortAventura". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2015). "Wildcat - PTC coaster trains". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2014). "Woodstock Express - Kings Island". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2020). "Woodstock Express - Kings Dominion". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Joel A. (2020). "Woodstock Express - Carowinds". Coaster Gallery. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Zippin Pippin". The Gravity Group. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ "ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks". American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ↑ "A Blast From The Past - Magnum XL200 At Cedar Point". News+Notes. October 29, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
External links
[edit]- American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) (Official website)