Blogs

originally posted on 6/30/2023

Photo: Jill M. Ryan. View full-sized image.

There’s something remarkable about getting together with fellow coaster enthusiasts, whether it’s the first time or the fiftieth. ACE Dives at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) was a gala occasion — the largest ever for a Mid-Atlantic regional event — with rapid check-in and park ambassadors easily welcoming the American Coaster Enthusiasts into the park before opening. Many attendees received their Mid-Atlantic lanyards just in time for the traditional group photo, this time before ERT in front of the park’s new-for-2023 addition, DarKoaster.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s new-for-2023 DarKoaster was just one of many reasons members flock to the park for its ACE Dives regional event.
Photo: Beth Blaydoe. View full-sized image.

Rides both new and classic experience hiccups, and ERT did experience a brief 15-minute delay, but Busch Gardens Williamsburg took great care of its biggest fans and extended the ERT on both Alpengeist and DarKoaster by the same duration. The customer service for which the park is often noted was definitely in evidence throughout the event, from the friendly games operators at the ACE Midway Tournament at Rising Ravens (won handily by Phil Petrignani and greatly enjoyed by the youngest members present) to the Food & Wine Festival ambassadors at Festa Italia who sorted out the question of how the snack vouchers worked and where one could redeem them for a delicious churro or pretzel.

The ACE Midway Tournament at Rising Ravens was a hit with attendees who take playing games very seriously.
Photo: Jill M. Ryan. View full-sized image.

Photo: Jhace Louis. View full-sized image.

Attendees in lanyards, buttons and bammies like the ones worn by “Survivor” contestants, resplendent in tees with graphics of their favorite credits, sporting straps on their sunglasses and zippers on their pockets, were noticed with curious glances by other park guests and greeted with a broad grin by ride operators. Talking with old friends and making new ones, hearing personal descriptions of coasters one has always wanted to try but hasn’t gotten around to yet, swapping stories and simply enjoying the company of fellow enthusiasts — there is nothing better. ACE Dives had a wonderful atmosphere of camaraderie and hail-fellow that had first timers and old-boys alike beaming, passing around sunscreen and resembling a family reunion or a school band field trip.

ACE Dives attendees enjoyed Busch Gardens Williamburg’s comprehensive collection of roller coasters including Verbolten and Alpengeist.

And how appreciative Busch Gardens Williamsburg was to have ACE Mid-Atlantic in attendance! The picnic was delicious, with sumptuous barbecue sandwiches on fluffy buns, delightfully spicy fajitas with colorful peppers and some particularly rich macaroni and cheese. The cupcake dessert was loved by young and old alike, soda and iced tea flowed freely and as the gathering of friends dined together, Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative Evangelos Ringas served as emcee for the main event of the meal on a much-improved public address system. Park President Kevin Lembke joined the group to give a speech about the park, its history with ACE and future plans, as well as lead a Q&A session that marked him as a genuinely good sport and a friend of ACE. (Not many people in leadership can withstand the third degree from dedicated hobbyists of all ages in person; Mr. Lembke answered attendees questions with poise and an honest candor.)

Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative Evangelos Ringas emceed the event, which included park history, future plans and a Q&A session with Park President Kevin Lembke.

Next came the door prizes, many more than in previous years, and the auctions to benefit the ACE Archives, the preservation fund and the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA). A particularly exciting item this year was the huge, green stuffed toy “Nessie,” likely dating back to the opening of Loch Ness Monster. Other items won were a classic ACE Mid-Atlantic region banner, a Busch Gardens Williamsburg brass coin medallion, a 40th-anniversary Busch Gardens Williamsburg DVD and a DarKoaster media gift pack. The park even generously contributed a Summer Concert VIP package for two to the auction, complete with parking, theme park tickets and VIP access to the concert of the winner’s choice. All told, the auctions raised a grand total of $425 for the archives, preservation and NRCMA funds.

One of the door prizes was an enormous “Nessie” likely dating back to the opening of Loch Ness Monster in 1978.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.

There were multiple informal takeover times (ITOTs) of various rides, from Verbolten to the Kindercarussel to the Train to Griffon to the Loch Ness Monster night ride to Apollo’s Chariot just moments before the park’s second ERT of the day at Pantheon. An ITOT of special interest was the American Log Flume Enthusiasts’ meetup at Le Scoot. Everyone has a favorite kind of coaster, and it was evident at each ITOT who was in line for a special favorite or for something brand-new. Illustrating camaraderie in its purest form, attendees even enjoyed rides that weren’t their particular cup of tea for the sake of spending time with friends.

In addition to celebrating coasters, a group of attendees met at Le Scoot for an informal takeover of the park’s log flume.
Photo: Jill M. Ryan. View full-sized image.

Photo: Jill M. Ryan. View full-sized image.

Several attendees took advantage of the debut of the ACE AdventureLab “A Trip Around Europe” that debuted over the weekend at the park. Will Rook was chosen as the lucky winner from those who completed the journey through the park on this virtual scavenger hunt.

The evening ended with an on-time and fantastic ERT on Pantheon for those with stamina remaining after the long day. The thrilling ride in the cool evening air beckoned repeat rides for many.

As day turned to night, attendees maintained the stamina necessary for rides on beloved Busch Gardens Williamsburg thrill machines like Apollo’s Chariot.
Photo: Sue Yekel. View full-sized image.

For one glorious Saturday, from well before the park’s opening to well after its closing for the day, 207 ACE members representing 16 states including Washington, DC — 38 of them first-time ACE event attendees and 184 of them card-carrying ACE members — walked the queue lines of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s homage to Europe like visiting royalty. There’s no day at the park like an ACE day, and there’s no park like Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

— Janalyn Glover

#ACENews