originally posted on 5/27/2022 1:50:00 AM
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
When 461 registered attendees arrived in Tampa for the 2022 ACE Spring Conference, it was clear that the Florida parks were looking sensational. At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bright colors and new paint were matched with genuine smiles and warm hugs as members reconnected.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
The morning ERT on Friday, May 6, had a nice assortment of attractions open. Three coasters led the list. Scorpion, the park’s oldest coaster and a snappy Schwarzkopf single looper at that; SandSerpent (Mack mouse); and Kumba, Florida’s original Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) seven looper, offered a coaster variety along with bumper cars, carousel and a family ride thrown in. Alas, Falcon’s Fury was awaiting parts, so no freefalling for ACEers that day. But the park, being ever hospitable, threw in Tigris midway through the ERT.
Kumba.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Scorpion.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
ACEers enjoy ERT on SandSerpent.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Once the park opened, various behind-the-scenes tours began. Animal encounters and coaster back areas piqued interests. Those on the Cheetah Hunt tour found some fun, tongue-in-cheek Easter eggs among the parts drawers.
George Sylak creates a hidden Mickey in the station area of SheiKra.
Photo: George Sylak. View full-sized image.
Animal encounters created some special memories.
Photo: Meagan McCown. View full-sized image.
Cheetah Hunt tour.
Photo: Marlon Scott. View full-sized image.
ACEers on the Cheetah Hunt tour found some humorous inside jokes for enthusiasts.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
Crowds were manageable, so attendees were able to tackle most of the park, including Iron Gwazi, the sparkling new thriller from Rocky Mountain Construction. There was no sense in waiting around for ERT that night when the towering crowd-pleaser was ready to captivate hardcore thrill seekers all day.
Photo: Bobby Nagy. View full-sized image.
Iron Gwazi.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Smokehouse favorites were served at a wonderful dinner in the evening. Because attendance was so strong, the meal was divided into two seatings. Park President Neal Thurman spoke to both and offered a Q&A to diners at each. Souvenir collectables were spread on tables as a nice perk. A silent auction also was available to both groups. The assortment of goodies donated by the park garnered a nice sum of $2,440.
Dinner took place in two separate seatings owing to the large attendance.
Photos: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Park President Neal Thurman.
View full-sized image.
As if a delicious dinner wasn’t enough, a dessert reception during ERT was impressive.
View full-sized image.
The park closed at 8, and a two-hour ERT started by 8:30 on a few of the park’s biggies. Iron Gwazi was the prime draw, but Premier Ride’s triple-launch Tigris was on hand for night rides as was the delightful Stanley Falls flume. SheiKra, North America’s original dive coaster from B&M, was also strutting its stuff below a glowing moon.
SheiKra.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Stanley Falls.
Photo: John Beres. View full-sized image.
Tigris.
Photo: Jeremy Silver. View full-sized image.
As if the dinner didn’t satisfy everyone’s tastebuds, an elaborate display of desserts made for a nice reception for those willing to take a break from riding.
The first day of the conference concluded with great success, but some were concerned about weather forecasts for the next day. Some predictions were gloomy.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Photos: Dana Doyon. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Those fears were for naught. Saturday’s weather proved perfectly fine.
Saturday morning began with ERT on Cheetah Hunt (Intamin launch coaster), Cobra’s Curse (heavily themed Mack spinner), Montu (B&M inverted) and Air Grover (Zierer junior coaster). Everyone then had the chance to experience ride time on all 10 of the park’s coasters over the three ERTs. Better news was that Iron Gwazi was part of this one as well, giving the park’s newest superstar a second act.
Montu.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Cheetah Hunt.
Photo: Jason Huber. View full-sized image.
Cobra’s Curse.
Photo: Sean Smith. View full-sized image.
Air Grover.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
More behind-the-scenes tours were given during the day. Everyone was able to head over to Orlando at their leisure, but most stayed around for one last perk. Early entry was given to ACEers into the Moroccan Palace Theater. Following the performance, one of the show’s star skaters answered questions and gave an exclusive demonstration to attendees.
Photo: May Ubinas. View full-sized image.
ACE President Robert Ulrich, Park President Neal Thurman, ACE Events Director Steve Berto.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Following the presentation of the host plaque to Park President Thurman, ACEers offered their final thanks. Some snagged some last rides, while most made the trek eastward to Orlando.
Sunday morning started even earlier. SeaWorld Orlando opened at 9 a.m., so ERT began at 7. A lineup of the trio of B&M’s was scheduled, but attendees had been alerted that an issue had developed on Manta, the flying coaster, the day before. Hopes were that an issue with the chain trough could be resolved, but as it turned out, the coaster would be down for a few days, and the Spring Conference’s timing was unfortunately within that timeframe. Mako, Orlando’s tallest coaster, was a solid hit with attendees. Kraken shown brightly in its bold new colors. Because Manta was down, the park graciously substituted Journey to Atlantis into the ERT mix — and get this, they threw in free ponchos.
Mako ERT.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Mako.
Photo: Bobby Nagy. View full-sized image.
Kraken.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
The ponchos would come in handy for those wanting to experience Infinity Falls, the park’s iconic rapids ride, but it was closed for annual maintenance. Drat. The junior coaster was down as well, so there were a few attractions attendees could look forward to experiencing during a return visit. And of course, that patch of construction teased fans to ponder a return trip indeed.
Journey to Atlantis.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
As soon as it opened, ACEers were on the spot to check out Ice Breaker, the new-for-2022 quadruple-launch coaster from Premier. The ride surprised people with more airtime and a wilder layout than many had expected. It was to be the sole player in the evening’s bonus ERT.
Ice Breaker.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Multiple tours of Manta back areas were made available, and attendees got up close and personal with pieces, parts and track. A small silver lining to the coaster being temporarily down was the ability to walk out on the transfer track. Staff members answered questions as members walked through the back area coaster-geek playground.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Because Manta was unfortunately closed, ACEers could venture out onto the brake run.
Photo: Paul Schramm. View full-sized image.
Something quite fun was deciding on how to spend the Seven Seas Food Festival lanyards. It was a delightful change from an organized meal. There were numerous food stands spread throughout the park, and attendees looked through festival guides in their quest to find culinary favorites.
View full-sized image.
ACEers did manage to come together though. Attendees met in a pavilion midafternoon. A silent auction brought in $1,030, making an event total of $3,470. ACEers were able to ask a million and one questions to Greg Benoit and Hannah Hendricks from the maintenance department. A presentation of the host plaque took place following.
Hannah Hendricks and Greg Benoit fielded questions.
Photo: May Ubinas. View full-sized image.
ACE Events Director Steve Berto, Operations Manager Andrew Tenser, ACE President Robert Ulrich and Event Services Manager David Luyanda.
Photo: May Ubinas. View full-sized image.
Between the two parks, $3,470 was raised for ACE’s funds.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
One of the biggest challenges was how to spend the pair of snack vouchers provided in the registration packet. Snack items listed on the voucher were in numerous gift shops, but members were told to use them only in culinary outlets — which didn’t sell those items. ??? The lucky thing was that snacks were available during the night ERT, so those who didn’t have to travel home had easy access to spending vouchers during the concluding activity.
Kraken.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Ice Breaker.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
It should be noted that SeaWorld had lockers set to complimentary during both ERTs.
While the return home dictated that many had to leave, the final ERT on Ice Breaker was still well attended.
Ice Breaker ERT.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
The Glacier Bar was kept open for attendees. Adult beverages were available for purchase, and some members indulged. After getting in their last rides, many took the opportunity to socialize, chat and catch up with friends whom they'd seen very little over the weekend, owing to a well-attended event in big parks, with minimal times that the entire group was gathered together. It was a good setting to say goodbyes.
Once the night came to a close, the event did as well. The 2022 ACE Spring Conference was a great time for everyone who journeyed to the Sunshine State. It was full of perks and fun moments and great rides that attendees will remember for quite some time.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
#ACENews