originally posted on 2/7/2020
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
A total of 164 attendees (including 24 presenters), arriving from 14 states and two countries, headed to the Hyatt Place Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago), undeterred by the seven inches of snow that had fallen the night before, and untroubled by the predictions of zero degree temperatures and 40 mph wind gusts for later that Saturday, January 18 — all so they could enjoy presentations offered by the likes of Kings Island, Cedar Point, Kentucky Kingdom, Six Flags Great America, Give Kids the World, Hersheypark, ACE Cares, Silver Dollar City, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Dutch Wonderland, Kennywood, Special Olympics, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI) and so many more — with everyone gathered for the opportunity to share in a day of coaster fun and friendships. Hosted by the ACE Western Great Lakes Region, it was the 39th annual No Coaster Con, which is ACE’s original midwinter event.
Western Great Lakes Region can be abbreviated to WGLR, so the registration crew set up a wiggler inflatable on the table to 'WGLR' about as attendees registered. Pictured: Michael Bare and Jackie Hodge.
Photo: Randy Geisler. View full-sized image.
The day started with this true story relayed from the podium. “Times are really tough financially in Chicago right now: things are so tight monetarily, the mafia just laid off three judges.”
Yep, No Coaster Con attendees were treated to one of the many jokes proffered by the always genial master of ceremonies, Marty Moltz, such as the “true story” cited above (Moltz is an actual judge in Chicago in real life). He peppered the atmosphere throughout the day with his humor, as well as his legendarily garish attire (that day, featuring an orange-ish Hawaiian shirt).
Moltz introduced each of the day’s 22 (!) sensational slate of fine presentations.
Numerous speakers traveled to make for a full day of presentations.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
First up, local favorites, Brad Donall and Randy Witt of Raging Waters (in Yorkville), Illinois’s largest water park, announced that their park’s new attraction for 2020 will be the Aussie Mat Dash, a six-lane ProSlide Rally Racer, with 2,500 feet of slides. Plus, the park will be offering new landscaping, new shaded areas, new theming, more picnic tables and new guest services. The “ACE Rides the Raging Waves!” event is set for Saturday, July 18.
Don Helbig from Kings Island (Mason, Ohio) informed attendees that their new Orion Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) steel giga-coaster is scheduled to open April 11, 2020. Media day is April 9 — and ACE is invited, although attendees must have been active members as of December 31, 2019, to be able to attend. When asked why the park didn’t go higher with its new coaster and maybe make it a record breaker, Helbig replied that wasn’t what they wanted to do. The park aspired to create a coaster experience unique to Kings Island, one that takes advantage of the topography, including using a ravine for the course. Record-breaking intensity wasn’t the goal, but rather wanting to create a coaster that as many people as possible could enjoy. He went on to announce that Kings Island’s Coasterstock event will be May 15-16 this year.
Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor (Gurnee, Illinois) sent a crew of four folks — Caitlin Kepple, Rachel Kendziora, Kathy Thompson and Jason Carol — to tout the newest 2020 attraction for Hurricane Harbor: Tsunami Surge. At 86 feet high, it is the world’s tallest “water coaster.” This installation uses water-blasting jet-propulsion technology to speed riders through twists and tunnels at over 28 mph. Tsunami Surge will also feature AquaLucent technology, “creating a dynamic, dreamlike experience with breathtaking color visuals and speed of light sensations.” Stay tuned for info on a March 2020 ACE Construction Tour. The crew also took the occasion to highlight Six Flags Theme Park’s newest acquisition, the formerly named Magic Waters park in Rockford, Illinois, which it assumed operation of in 2019, now being rebranded as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford. The park’s splashy attraction for 2020 will be Tidal Wave. Noted as the Midwest’s first tailspin waterslide, the uniquely designed attraction is 43 feet high, sends riders swirling through three high-speed turns in a two-person inner tube and also uses AquaLucent technology.
Six Flags Great America’s presentation sported a waterpark theme.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Cedar Point is celebrating its 150th year in 2020. Tony Clark, director of communications for the park, highlighted the Point’s plans for this celebratory year. Of particular note is the “Ticket of a Lifetime,” a pass that gives the recipient free admission to Cedar Point for the rest of his or her life. One hundred fifty winners will be chosen throughout 2020 and each winner will be able to select three family members or friends, for a total of four Ticket of a Lifetime recipients per winner. Guests will have the chance to win online, outside the park and at Cedar Point. Complete details are coming soon. Also being offered by Cedar Point this year is its newest attraction Snake River Expedition, a boat ride featuring live performers, animatronics and storytelling. A revised Town Hall building, wherein previously unseen artifacts, ride blueprints, logo development sketches, concept renderings, scale models, recreated displays of icons, photography and more, will be on display this year. Clark remarked that Cedar Point’s Winter Chill Out (a behind-the-scenes look at the park with special Q&A presentation with park officials) will take place February 22, 2020, and Coastermania will be June 5, 2020.
Wes Ramey of Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) squelched recent bogus claims that Kanye West was interested in buying the park — that was actually an April Fool’s joke, promulgated by a Pigeon Forge tourist guide website that got a bit out of hand once some folks started believing it. As for more real-world matters, Ramey reported that the 2019 season went very well, with the opening of the park’s Wildwood Grove section — especially with the area’s new Dragonflier suspended coaster, which turned out to be very well-received by enthusiasts. Though the steelie is allegedly a family coaster, it has been found to be a very exciting ride. 2020 will be Dollywood’s 35th anniversary season. Among the park’s many celebrations and events in 2020: the brand-new Flower and Food Festival May 8–June 14 and enthusiast event Thrills in the Hills (with behind-the-scenes tours and ERT) July 10–11.
Jessi O’Daniel and Carly Uglow from Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville) spotlighted several rides celebrating anniversaries, including Thunder Run at 30 years. The park presenters reminded attendees that the ticketed King Louie’s Winter Walkthru — offering an exclusive park tour, Q&A session and refreshments — is on Saturday, February 15, 2020. The Keys to the Kingdom coaster enthusiast event will occur on Sunday, May 31 (slotted to be the day after nearby Holiday World’s event).
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana) was kind enough to send a video, wherein they announced that “Coming to the water coaster capital of the world” will be their new-2020-attraction: Cheetah Chase — the world’s first launched water coaster. The park’s HoliWood kNights (who say Wheeeeeeee!) coaster enthusiast event is May 29–30, the same weekend as the nearby Kentucky Kingdom (see above) event.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
The Gravity Group, designers of wooden roller coasters, sent along a video for attendees’ viewing pleasure, highlighting the processes in the creation of its Kentucky Flyer wooden coaster, which opened in 2019 at Kentucky Kingdom.
From Santa’s Village Azoosment Park (East Dundee, Illinois), Bryan Kopeck and Brian Wright stopped by to tell attendees about their park, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019, and noted 2020 will be the 10th season since reopening under its current ownership. Kopeck and Wright remarked that the park’s Santa Spring family aqua play area and structure, a multiphase project and the park’s largest expansion, saw a soft opening in August 2019. The family attraction will see an official opening in 2020, while adding two brand new 300-foot body slides for this year. 2020 will also bring a new picnic pavilion area, and the park’s train will be gaining a new home and experience. Also, the park is in the process of refurbishing the old Kiddieland (Melrose Park, Illinois) Log Flume, which Santa’s Village purchased after Kiddieland closed. The reconstructed flume will debut at some still-uncertain date as the Yuletime Plunge.
David Lipnicky, ACE South Central assistant regional rep, spoke on behalf of Schlitterbahn, as well as a little bit about ZDT’s Amusement Park (Seguin, Texas). Schlitterbahn’s two flagship locations (New Braunfels and Galveston, Texas) are pleased with Cedar Fair’s management after their acquisition of the water parks last year. Schlitterbahn wanted to assure enthusiasts that SchllitterCon will continue and will be held May 23–24, 2020. As part of that same week’s festivities, ZDT’s Memorial Day Madness event will occur on May 25. The ACE BeachCon will continue as well, with this year’s fun slated for September 6, 2020, at the Galveston location.
Silver Dollar City, (Branson, Missouri) sent a video to No Coaster Con for attendees to view. The new attraction for 2020 is Mystic River Falls, which, with its 45-foot-high waterfall, contains the tallest drop on a raft ride in the Western Hemisphere. Riders will ascend over eight stories onto an elevated river channel before plunging down four-and-a-half stories. The raft ride is expected to debut this summer.
Jeff Filicko of Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) took the floor to announce his park’s new attraction for 2020: Daredevil Dive Flying Machines. At 50 feet high, it will be the world’s tallest ride of its kind, offering “barnstorming aerial aerobatics” with zero-G rolls and inverted weightlessness. As for the park’s events-rich schedule, first up is Mardi Gras Festival and Parade, which returned in January and runs through March 11. On February 29, 2020, Fiesta Fest will occur, with ERT and an ACE exclusive Leap Day souvenir. And as for what will be new for 2021, Filicko flashed an image cryptically teasing “Top Secret.”
Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania), which will be co-hosting Coaster Con 43 this year, sent a video. The park highlighted the B&M steel Candymonium hypercoaster debuting this year along with the park’s new Chocolatetown section.
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom’s (Allentown, Pennsylvania) Tana Korpics noted that her park will be hosting Coaster Con 43 on June 24 and 25. She discussed the extensive history of Dorney Park. The Whip ride will be celebrating its 100th season and is the oldest attraction in the park. Korpics mentioned that one of the few still-operating, first-generation Intamin Freefalls, Demon Drop (which was originally located at Cedar Point), still thrills at Dorney. And, of course, the 97-year-old Dorney Thunderhawk woodie was recently selected as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. New for Dorney in 2020 is Seaside Splashworks — a family attraction featuring more than 75 play elements, to be located within Dorney’s Wildwater Kingdom waterpark area.
Jeffrey Eisenberg of Dutch Wonderland was one of four presenters that represented Coaster Con 43 hosts.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Jeffrey Eisenberg of Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), also a co-host for Coaster Con 43, remarked on his park’s history and charm. The family-oriented park opened in 1963 and features, interestingly, a monorail and three coasters, including the first-ever Custom Coasters International creation, the wooden Kingdom Coaster (formerly Sky Princess), along with an S&S steel suspended coaster, Merlin’s Mayhem. Of note, the new Cartoon Network Hotel just opened in 2020, welcoming guests with cartoon character-themed rooms. As for ACE’s convention, Dutch Wonderland will provide ERTs, behind-the-scenes tours and presentations from S&S and Great Coasters International during the schedule on June 23.
Eisenberg also spoke for Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania), since both Dutch Wonderland and Kennywood are operated by Parques Reunidos. The park will be celebrating the Jack Rabbit wooden coaster’s centennial this year. The new Steelers Experience building will offer such features in 2020 as the 40-yard dash game, Training Camp Obstacle Course, Terrible Towel Climbing Tower and more. ACE Western Pennsylvania’s KennyKon event is set for Saturday, June 20, 2020, conveniently scheduled the day before Coaster Con 43 begins at nearby Hersheypark.
Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania) kindly sent Rick Knoebel and Brian Knoebel to No Coaster Con. Their dad, Dick Knoebel, called in from Pennsylvania during their presentation so he could say “hi” to everyone. Knoebels will be co-hosting this year’s ACE Coaster Con. During the off-season, Knoebels has been working on its Flying Turns coaster and its 38,000 board-feet of lumber, taking out turn 10 and working on it. Once completed the work should result in the coaster being a little bit faster. The famed Phoenix woodie is being cared for during the winter as well. Brian remarked “a wooden coaster is a living breathing thing; you’ve got to maintain it.” The front of the ride is also receiving a face-lift. The park’s Impulse steel coaster will feature new cars and a paint job. As for something else new for 2020, Knoebels has purchased a Wisdom Rides Tornado, replacing the retiring 1001 Nacht ride. Finally, Brian and Rick reminded attendees that on October 9, 2020, their park will be hosting an enthusiast-exclusive event, and Phoenix Phall Phunfest will be October 10, 2020.
Tom Rebbie, president and CEO of PTCI (Hatfield, Pennsylvania), whose company is celebrating its 115th year in 2020, highlighted his firm’s invitation to an open house as part of ACE’s Coaster Con 43 on June 24. Rebbie promised behind-the-scenes shop tours, delicious food and even a gift shop-like opportunity. Jobs on PTCI’s work list for 2019 included refurbishing coaster trains from Holiday World’s The Voyage, Alabama Adventure’s Rampage, Cedar Point’s Blue Streak and many more. Rebbie ended his presentation with some amusing tidbits pointing out “Things I see” in day-to-day life, such as humorous signage (restroom directions saying “Men to the left, because Women are always right”) and a marquee in front of a church promoting, “This Sunday; Blessing of the animals; Barbeque after the service.”
Photo: Courtesy Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.. View full-sized image.
ACE members have participated in many events raising funds for such worthwhile causes as Special Olympics and Give Kids The World. Chris Winston, director, corporate development at Special Olympics North America, spoke about Special Olympics and its Coaster Challenge events. He mentioned that September 19, 2020, is the date for Six Flags Great America’s Coaster Challenge fundraiser (for questions, email Jennifer Marcello at jmarcell@soill.org). Steven Amos, director of development at Give Kids the World Village spoke on how fundraising efforts have granted 166,792 “wishes” since 1986, namely wishes for cost-free, weeklong vacations given to critically ill children and their families at the Florida resort village. Coasting for Kids events which ACEers have participated in raised $25,623 (at 15 parks) in 2019. In 2020, 17 parks will be participating. ACEer Adam Napotnik talked about the club’s ACE Cares initiative, which informs and focuses on different opportunities to give back to various charities through the avenues of the amusement industry, such as Give Kids The World and Special Olympics, but also via such occasions as Polar Coaster events and even amusement park sponsored (e.g., 5k) runs.
Lipnicky returned to give an update on upcoming ACE national events.
Randy Geisler, editorial staff member and contributor for ACE News, spoke about ACE publications. He highlighted the excellence and fine features of the magazine and newsletter. Geisler reminded the audience that ACE News went weekly and online last spring. He asked for feedback and reminded members the bimonthly newsletter version is viewable and downloadable. Finally, he mentioned that ACE’s publications are always looking for new editors and writers, especially for ACE News currently, and encouraged interested members to contact Tim Baldwin, editor of ACE News and RollerCoaster!, at tbaldwin@aceonline.org or ACE’s publications director, Lee Ann Draud at leeanndraud@gmail.com.
After starting at 8 a.m., No Coaster Con closed at 6:30 p.m., thus providing more than 10 hours of festivities, coastering comradeship and lunch, along with tons of exciting news and information (plus some jokes). Swag and freebies were generously handed out by many of the presenters. Raffle contests and silent auctions at No Coaster Con raised $1,349 during the day, all to be dedicated to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives and ACE Preservation and ACE Archives funds.
WGN newscaster Marcus Leschock (center) interviews Kings Island’s Don Helbig.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
ACE member Marcus Leshock, a reporter and newscaster for WGN Channel 9 TV out of Chicago, was in attendance at No Coaster Con, taking it all in. Leschock brought a videographer to film the event, resulting in a nice segment widely broadcast on television and other media, directing some very nice attention to ACE, as well as to coaster and amusement park enthusiasm.
Marcus Leshock, WGN Morning News.
Kings Island announces ORION giga coaster with 300 foot drop
ACEers who helped made No Coaster Con happen: (top L to R) Stacy Seacord-Peters, Jeffrey Peters, John Byrne, Jackie Hodge; (bottom L to R) Jeremy Wdowicki, Marty Moltz, Scott Heck, Bonnie Heck and Randy Geisler.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Thanks go to Jeffrey Peters, Marty Moltz, Scott and Bonnie Heck, John Byrne, Stacy Seacord-Peters, Jackie Hodge and S. Madonna Horcher for planning and running a great event. Also, thanks are given to all the wonderful presenters.
— Randy Geisler
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