originally posted on 2/21/2020
Attendees of Eastcoaster got a glimpse of Chocolate Town and Candymonium.
Photo: Melinda Gaspari. View full-sized image.
Eastcoaster has found a home at Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania) for the past six years now. For many attendees, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania’s midwinter event has become a three-day deal: the Friday pre-event touring a part of Hersheypark (for 2020 it was Cupfusion, an interactive dark ride, followed by surprise ERT on the ride), the real event (Eastcoaster) on Saturday and the postevent informal meetup on Sunday (in 2020 at the Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Gardens). An additional 2020 incentive for the 242 ACEers and their guests who signed up for Eastcoaster was the prospect of a preview of Coaster Con 43, part of which will be hosted by Hersheypark.
ACE members take a close-up look at Hershey’s dark ride.
Photo: Melinda Gaspari. View full-sized image.
ERT on Cupfusion followed the tour.
Photo: B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on February 1, an unseasonably warm February day, doors opened into the cozy Music Box Theater to attendees from 10 states plus the District of Columbia. Hmmmm, which way to turn? Going to the right led to the registration table and to the left the Eastcoaster bake sale! In its ninth year of satisfying hungry ACEers and adding thousands to the ACE Preservation Fund, the bake sale was again organized by Chris Smilek and staffed this year by Chris, Stacey Smilek and Janine Matscherz. About halfway to the stage was a row of vendors selling everything from memorabilia to photographs and a table of silent auction items; in front of the stage attendees had an advance preview of a tableful of door prizes of all kinds.
The Eastcoaster Bake Sale.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
At 10 a.m. sharp, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Assistant Regional Reps and co-hosts Derek Shaw and Mike Matscherz welcomed everyone, made some Super Bowl jokes, shared a bit of Eastcoaster trivia (largest number of attendees came from Pennsylvania, most common name Robert/Bob and John tied) and called on the smiling crew from Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, New Jersey) to come on down to present first. After reviewing highlights from 2019, Kristin Fitzgerald and Megan Werts brought news of Jersey Devil Coaster, the world’s tallest, longest and fastest single-rail coaster coming to the Jackson, New Jersey, park. Eastcoaster attendees got a first look at Episode 2 of “Behind the Adventure,” a video series that will document progress on Jersey Devil Coaster construction, and received a skip-the-line pass for one ride on this Rocky Mountain Construction thriller. Expected to open in summer 2020, this Raptor Track coaster’s theme is the legend of the Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens. Also, 2020 will bring new and relocated food and merchandise venues, more than 50 unique events and new species in Safari Off Road Adventure.
Although he was not a scheduled presenter, Marketing Manager Jeff Filicko brought a welcome from Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) and some one-time-use flash passes for various rides at the park. New for 2020 will be Daredevil Dive Flying Machines, the world’s tallest Steampunk Flying Machine (a Zamperla Super Air Race). ACE Fiesta Fest on February 29 will feature 90 minutes of ERT on every coaster in the park.
Morning presenters included Kirstin Fitzgerald and Megan Wertz from Six Flags Great Adventure, Leah Koch from Holiday World, Matt Klingerman from Nickelodeon Universe, and Dollywood’s Pete Owens.
Photos: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Leah Koch, communications director of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, and a fourth-generation family owner, announced the debut of Cheetah Chase (and showed a construction video), the world’s first launched water coaster. Joining water coasters Mammoth and Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket-winning Wildebeest in Splashin’ Safari, Cheetah Chase will feature two ProSlide RocketBlast-powered racing slides totaling more than 1,700 feet of track. Also fresh in Splashin’ Safari will be Muziki Bay, a new family entertainment space. Look for major track refurbishment on The Voyage and a Coasting for Kids event in August. The theme of Holidays World’s 2020 annual coaster event is The HoliWood kNights who say Wheeeeeeee! (familiarity with Monty Python skits is helpful here).
From West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, Kennywood’s director of public relations and social media, Nick Paradise, was eager to report on 2019 accomplishments, mainly the opening of The Steel Curtain, the record-setting S&S hypercoaster that won the Golden Ticket for Best New Roller Coaster of 2019. Developed in partnership with the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers, The Steel Curtain is the centerpiece of a section of the park called Steelers Country, the remainder of which will open this year and will feature the End Zone Cafe, training camp-like tests, an obstacle course and other activities for everyone in the family. In other Kennywood news, there will be celebrations and a “100 years, 100 memories” contest to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ACE Coaster Classic and Roller Coaster Landmark Jack Rabbit. ACE Western Pennsylvania’s KennyKon will become a pre-Coaster Con activity in June, and Kennywood will sponsor another Coasting for Kids event in September.
Nick Paradise of Kennywood shared the logo for Jack Rabbit’s 100th anniversary.
Photo: B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
Next up was Matt Klingerman, rides manager of Nickelodeon Universe, part of the American Dream mall complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Although progress has not been what was hoped for regarding opening all the rides, stores and related attractions (an estimated 55 percent entertainment and 45 percent retail), Klingerman reported on what has been accomplished so far. Ultimately the “lifestyle and retail destination” (as American Dream has been called) will total around 450 stores, restaurants and recreational attractions, including Nickelodeon Universe (22 rides and attractions, rope course, play area), a waterpark, an indoor ice skating rink, Big Snow (an indoor ski and snowboard park) and much more. Klingerman discussed the five coasters: TMNT Shellraiser (Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter), The Shredder (Gerstlauer Spinning Coaster), Nickelodeon Slime Streak (Chance Rides family coaster), Sandy’s Blasting Bronco (Intamin multilaunch) and Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc (Intamin Surfrider).
ACE President Robert Ulrich stepped up to provide a winter update on upcoming ACE activities. Some highlights:
- ACE monthly podcasts
- World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month (June)
- Benefit ACE by shopping at smile.amazon.com
- 2020 is an election year!
- ACE has reached member #40,000!
- Share Your Moments campaign
- Two national events (Coaster Con 43 in June, ACE Preservation Conference in August) and one international event (Viva l’ACEtalia!) in 2020. Check the ACE website for updates.
It was not exactly an update, but certainly welcome news, when Ulrich called ACE Treasurer Cheri Armstrong to the podium to present her with an ACE Honorary Membership. The plaque could only summarize Armstrong’s many contributions to ACE over the years.
ACE President Robert Ulrich presents Cheri Armstrong with an honorary membership.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Eastcoaster welcomed Pete Owens, vice president of marketing and public relations at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee), who was pleased to announce that Wildwood Grove had won the 2019 Golden Ticket for Best Kids’ Area in a Park. 2020 will mark Dollywood’s 35th season. Owens reviewed the upcoming festivals — from the early season festival of nations to the all-new Flower and Food Festival to Smoky Mountain Christmas — and the new dining plan. He ended the Dollywood portion of his presentation by giving all attendees a one-day ticket to the Pigeon Forge theme park, which also won a Golden Ticket for Best Guest Experience!
Now wearing his National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) hat, Owens showed photos of construction of the Mark Moore expansion at the NRCMA’s Plainview, Texas, facility. When completed, more than 20,000 square feet of amusement park artifacts can be displayed.
Time for a break for door prizes and lunch! Because of the number of attendees, lunch was served in two seatings, so as the first group made its way to the employee cafeteria, the second stayed behind to watch videos, visit the vendors and bake sale, peruse the silent auction or chat with friends. After a morning of sitting, no one minded walking to a delicious Thanksgiving-type dinner with all the extras plus dessert.
Beginning the second half of Eastcoaster was Steve Amos from Give Kids The World Village in Orlando. He thanked ACE for its support in 2019 — ACE alone raised more than $25,000! — and announced that at the 15 park events $138,000 was raised. A fun fact: Most wish kids visiting the Village are from Pennsylvania, New York and Texas. New for 2020 will be Starlite Scoops, a larger ice cream building.
ACE Cares Coordinator and Youth Advising Committee Chairperson Adam Napotnik was up next with a follow-up message to Amos’ about the value of volunteering. ACE Cares offers opportunities to give back to various charities through contacts in the amusement industry. Napotnik mentioned Coaster Challenge, which benefits Special Olympics, and other park-sponsored events such as Polar Coaster Challenges (Six Flags parks) and Coaster Campouts (Cedar Fair parks) as avenues for volunteering for those who want to give back.
Photo: B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
Matscherz and Shaw returned to the podium to introduce a topic of interest to many: Coaster Con 43 (see the Events section of the ACE website for a detailed breakdown of each day of Coaster Con)! After Matscherz reviewed the schedule for KennyKon XXXI (a pre-Con event on Saturday) and the dates for each Coaster Con park, Shaw introduced Quinn Bryner and Amanda Polyak, both in public relations at Hersheypark. Bryner reviewed highlights of the 2019 season (Cupfusion and the 100th anniversary of PTC #47, the park’s carrousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1919) and enthusiastically discussed what’s new for 2020.
The big news is Chocolatetown! Eastcoaster attendees were the first to see a video of the work in this new region of the park — the largest project in the company’s history. Visitors will enter through a revamped entrance area and find vintage rides, new restaurants and shopping — and Hersheypark’s newest roller coaster, Candymonium, its “fastest, tallest, longest and sweetest coaster” from Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M).
During the afternoon, presenters included Steve Amos from Give Kids The World, Hersheypark’s Quinn Bryner, Jeff Eisenberg of Dutch Wonderland, and Dorney Park’s Tana Korpics.
Photos: Sarah Windisch and B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
Next up was Jeff Eisenberg, director of marketing for Coaster Con’s second park, Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), on Day Three. Along with news about the Lancaster park, which won the 2019 Golden Ticket for Best Family Park, Eisenberg announced the opening of the next-door Cartoon Network Hotel, which is ready for business and tours. During Coaster Con, in addition to ERT, attendees will enjoy presentations from S&S and Great Coasters International, Inc. and behind-the-scenes tours of two of the park’s coasters: Kingdom Coaster (formerly Sky Princess), the first coaster designed by Custom Coasters International, Inc. in 1992; and Merlin’s Mayhem, the first family suspended coaster from S&S (2018). Fans of the Cartoon Network will look forward to the scheduled tour of the new hotel.
Tana Korpics from Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom was eager to review the Allentown park’s 2019 season and to show attendees what awaits them during Coaster Con. Eagerly anticipated is the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark presentation to Thunderhawk, the Herbert Schmeck-designed wood coaster from PTC that opened at Dorney in 1924. New in the park during June and July will be Dorney Park Summer Nights, with live entertainment, games and summer food favorites. Seaside Splashworks, the new multilevel play structure, will debut in Wildwater Kingdom, and Grand Carnivale is returning in 2020. Those who remember the pre-Cedar Fair Dorney were excited to hear about the return during future coaster events of Alfundo, the park mascot whose image was everywhere, from rooftops to trash cans.
Korpics also reported on the latest from sister park Kings Island, which is eagerly anticipating the opening of Orion, a gigacoaster designed exclusively for the Mason, Ohio, park by B&M.
Matscherz appeared at the podium to fill in the gaps for Coaster Con, Days Four and Five, at Dorney. In addition to the Landmark plaque presentation, The Rubber Ducky Regatta and the 100th anniversary celebration of Dorney’s Whip, which many consider one of the best, will happen on Day Four. Also on that day will be a side trip to Hatfield to visit Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (the name of PTC since 2007). Day Five at Dorney will include the Midway Olympics — later in the event than usual. ACE’s annual banquet will take place Thursday evening, and Dick Knoebel will be the keynote speaker!
PTCI’s Tom Rebbie and Janine Matscherz delight the audience.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
And speaking of PTCI, its president and CEO, Tom Robbie, was next up to report on company news plus the anticipated plant tour during Coaster Con. First, though, thinking ahead to ACE’s international trip this summer, he had to tell a hilarious story about his recent adventures in negotiating Italian roads, the moral of which was “always buy car insurance in Italy!”
The company’s projects for 2020 included rehab and repair for many coaster trains, including Cannonball, Roar, Wild One, Thunderhawk, The Voyage, Rampage, and Great American Scream Machine. During Coaster Con the open house for attendees will include a tour and lunch, with the possibility that the gift shop will be open — and “lots of surprises,” according to Rebbie. Watching a video of activity on the plant floor, attendees wondered whether during the tour they would get to meet the enthusiastic dinosaur shown helping with the rehab work. Rebbie closed his presentation with an update on his horse (ACE), funny photos of “Things I see” and an auction of some PTCI swag.
Dick and Rick Knoebel, father and son, third- and fourth-generation owners of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, closed out the formal presentations with news from the park that won Golden Tickets for Best Wooden Roller Coaster (Phoenix) and Best Food. Opening day, April 25, is when guests will see the new station for Phoenix, new bathrooms (with real toilet seats!), a new ride (a Wisdom Tornado) and new foods (funnel cake fries, chocolate funnel cakes, new Dole flavors). Track work has been done on Twister, Impulse and Flying Turns. Knoebels is already planning for the exclusive enthusiast event the Friday night before the Phoenix Phall Phunfest. Dick and Rick also brought some awesome items from the park to auction off.
Dick and Rick Knoebel welcome everyone to enjoy two days at their park during Coaster Con 43.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Phoenix’s station façade will receive a new look in 2020.
Photo: B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
The last two days of Coaster Con will be at Knoebels, which means that Coaster Con 43 is a seven-day event. In hopes that Jersey Devil Coaster will be ready, ACE New Jersey has planned a post-Con day at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey called Dancing With the Devil.
Time to add up the funds from the bake sale, the silent auction and the live auctions. Chris Smilek reminded everyone that in the past 10 years, more than $17,000 has been raised from the Eastcoaster bake sale for the ACE Preservation Fund, and more than $3,400 was raised at this event, counting actual sales and matching pledges. Adding in the auction total of $1,600, money raised for ACE-supported funds at Eastcoaster totaled more than $5,000! Thanks to everyone for their generosity!
Shaw and Matscherz closed by thanking all attendees for coming and wished them a safe trip home. Thanks to Shaw and Matscherz, the ACE Eastern Pennsylvania regional rep team, all the volunteers and the presenters for an awesome Eastcoaster!
—Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
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