originally posted on 4/22/2022
All photos by Remco Vissher. View full-sized image.
Saturday April, 2, 2022, the first-ever ACE Europe meeting was held. The location was Toverland in Sevenum, the Netherlands, and the day started at 10 a.m. After receiving badges at the gate, attendees headed straight to Mystique, the meeting room, to hear a presentation about ACE. Why? Because a lot of people don't know about ACE. ACE? Never heard of them… So, the first task for ACE Europe Regional Rep Jo Pools was to explain ACE to everyone. ACE President Robert Ulrich, who could have spoken to the group by video, traveled all the way to Toverland to explain why an ACE Europe region is so important. After further discussion, the regional rep team was introduced. They commented on ACE Europe’s merchandise, the trips agenda for 2022 and 2023, social media and the regional website. The session ended with a great Q&A presentation.
Regional Rep Jo Pools welcomes attendees.
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Attendees had some free time in the park before lunch was scheduled, so off they went to ride roller coasters…but because of the cold temperature, only some were open at that time. Popular were Booster Bike, Toos-Express and the boat ride Merlin's Quest to enjoy the view of the closed wing coaster, Fēnix.
Booster Bike. View full-sized image.
During lunch, mechanics could be seen working on the closed roller coasters to get them open in the afternoon. After lunch, attendees returned to Mystique, where Tessa Maassen, head of communication, spoke about the future of Toverland and upcoming events. She talked about the park’s 20-year plan, how personnel are trained to give visitors a magical day and about the event celebrating 15 years of Troy — Troyback Days — and the Troy Coaster Challenge, a 24-hour coaster challenge for charity.
ACE President Robert Ulrich.
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Fēnix.
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After this Attractions Supervisor Jeroen Lamberts took attendees to the maintenance building, where they could see how the second train of the woodie, Troy, and the second train of the wing coaster, Fēnix, are maintained. Unfortunately, they were not allowed to take any photos, but the group picture was taken in front of Fēnix before attendees accomplished a ride takeover.
Free time followed, and attendees enjoyed all the park’s coasters several more times. Some even accomplished a river rafting ride at 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit).
ERT on Troy.
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After the park closed, it was time for an hour-long ERT on Troy, a fantastic woodie by Great Coasters International, Inc. Because attendees filled just one train, after every ride, attendees moved one seat back so that everybody could ride in the front and the back and the train was always fully loaded. Everyone had so much fun that ERT flew by quickly and was over before it seemed like an hour had passed.
— Jo Pools, ACE Europe Regional Representative
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