originally posted on 2/19/2024
Photo: HaeKyung Thompson. View full-sized image.
On February 10, 50 ACE members and their guests embarked on a journey to shake off the winter blues. Despite the winter being abnormally warm for the North Central region, this annual event at Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, was a needed reprieve for attendees. Since most parks in Minnesota and Iowa shut down for the season in October, the event was the first riding event of the new year for many and was also the region’s first ACE event attended in the calendar year.
The day started with a few tours. One thing ACE members got to see was the addition being installed by Nickelodeon Universe. Although it is not a coaster, any new ride is important, as it shows ownership is still looking to bring value to its park. The new ride will be provided by Zamperla and themed to the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. Fly with Appa will allow riders to climb aboard their own sky bison and take to the skies while traveling up, down and around when it opens in spring.
Attendees enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Log Chute — the park’s popular log flume.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
The second part of the tour was a behind-the-scenes look at Log Chute, the park’s log flume, where attendees were able to see the logs. They were also able to go upstairs to see the maintenance bay for the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster. Unfortunately, the Pepsi Orange Streak was down owing to a two-week annual maintenance project.
Even though it was down for maintenance, Pepsi Orange Streak’s train was part of the tour.
Photo: Joshua Thompson. View full-sized image.
Log Chute’s massive animatronic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox were highlights of the tour.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Another huge highlight of the tour was that attendees were able to visit Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. These 60-foot-tall animatronics are unique and one of the ride’s largest features; standing next to them is an extremely rare opportunity. At previous events attendees were able to look at them from the maintenance door but never walk onto the ledge where they reside.
Most in attendance agreed that Fairly Odd Coaster’s cars were spinning a lot more than usual.
Photo: HaeKyung Thompson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Joshua Thompson. View full-sized image.
After the tours, ERT was held on Fairly Odd Coaster (a Gerstlauer spinning coaster) and Shredders Mutana Mash (a Chance Revolution). Fairly Odd Coaster provided an amazing ride all morning — attendees didn’t know if the trim brakes were turned off or if the cars were just very well greased, but almost everyone agreed that it was running at its absolute best. Between the two rides open for ERT, many noted a lot more spinning than in the past, and even some of the most hardcore riders were forced to sit out a lap or two.
Ghost Blasters and SpongeBob’s Rock Bottom Plunge were popular with attendees — many of whom were enjoying their first rides of the season.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Photos: HaeKyung Thompson. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Once the park opened, there were informal meetups on SpongeBob’s Rock Bottom Plunge, Ghost Blasters and Log Chute. The park was busy because the event was held on a Saturday while the mall was celebrating the Chinese New Year. ACEers could be found throughout the day catching up with old friends and creating their own informal ride takeovers. A great event was enjoyed by all, including the ones who got sidelined by all the spinning rides the park has to offer.
ACE North Central extended its thanks and appreciation to the staff and Nickelodeon Universe for helping make such a fun event happen.
— Tom Nickerson, ACE North Central Regional Representative
#ACENews