originally posted on 10/19/2020
Photo: Chris Ozimek. View full-sized image.
On October 3, 2020, 22 ACE members, guests and their children enjoyed a fun-filled, cool day at Island H2O Live water park in Kissimmee, Florida. In the morning, guests received a souvenir drink cup for unlimited soda refills all day and a waterproof, electronic wristband that allowed everyone to collect points, receive their photos and videos and customize the music of certain attractions. After a light continental breakfast, everyone met at the Live Lagoon wave pool for a socially distanced themed group photo. Island H2O Live showcased its appreciation of ACE with a giant logo placed in the large screen monitor over their main wave pool screen.
Front Gate Sign ACE was welcomed via signage throughout the park.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
After the group photo, guests enjoyed one hour of ERT on an entire slide tower before the park opened to the public. The slide tower had three different slides from which to choose, all manufactured by WhiteWater West. The first is the iconic Follow Me Falls water coaster that boasts two steep drops and a half-pipe element. The second is The Downloader, a tube slide with the option to customize the audio and a Super Bowl element. The third is Reload Rapids, another tube slide with high speed turns and an enclosed Rattler element that features multiple back-and-forth oscillations before the splash down.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
ACEers competed on racing slides during ERT.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
ERT Multiple slides were open during ERT.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
The park opened to the public at 10:30 a.m., and ACEers were able to enjoy the rest of the park at their leisure until lunch time. At 12:30 p.m., the group met again at a private, covered pavilion for a buffet-style lunch that was served directly to attendees for health and safety reasons. The lunch was an unexpected upgrade and surprise! Attendees were able to choose beef or brisket-style nachos or salad (or have a combination of everything all together). It was a scrumptious break from all the water rides.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
During lunch, Jim Kunau, Chris Ozimek and Michael Christopher answered questions attendees had.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
After lunch, guest speaker and General Manager Jim Kunau provided attendees with some background about his career, the park and his personal favorite slides. After he answered a few questions from ACEers, everyone had a chance to win cool prizes provided by Island H2O Live. Each guest spun a wheel and received the prize it landed on. The prizes included towels, shirts, tumbler cups, hats and much more. Finally, ACE Florida Regional Rep Michael Christopher answered a few questions about future events in the region, and the group had the rest of the day to enjoy the park and its attractions.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
Near the end of the day, guests were able to redeem their collected points for prizes such as ice cream and assorted park souvenirs. When the park closed to the public at 5 p.m., attendees met at Reply Racers mat slide for an ACE Race. Each participant had three chances to race down the slide the fastest. The slide automatically timed the guests after each run. Their fastest time was used to place, and a rider’s average time was used for any tiebreakers. Prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners. In third place, Clint Gilstrap won two one-day passes to the park. In second place, Catie Sweeney won four one-day passes to the park. And in first place, Amber Aberg won four one-day passes plus a one-day use of a cabana.
Wave Pool Sign ACE’s logo appeared over the wave pool.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
In a time where social distancing is a must during events, a water park was one of the best choices and Island H2O Live proved that! A big thanks went to Island H2O Live, specifically Chris Ozimek, Brooks Estrada and Jim Kunau, and to its marketing staff, operations staff, and all the park staff that helped make an amazing event for members and their guests. The ACE Florida region looks forward to working with them again for another possible event in 2021.
— Michael Christopher, ACE Florida Regional Representative
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