ACE South Central: Winterfest 2024

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originally posted on 2/19/2024

Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

It is easy for the post-holiday blues to creep in during January. However, members of ACE South Central enjoy year-round operation when the weather cooperates on the weekends. Approximately 150 were in attendance for Winterfest, the “off-season” event that originated in Texas in the 1990s. It was an evolution of a casual get-together that has now become a favorite in the region.

SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas) was this year’s host. The gathering took place inside the Sea Star Theater, and SeaWorld even provided continental breakfast outside as people waited to enter. An animal encounter was even brought to attendees.

Continental breakfast was provided outside the Sea Star Theater.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Chuck Cureau and Ray Gonzales from SeaWorld’s marketing team were the first presenters, and they have built a reputation for being a comic duo. Cureau’s cantankerous “clicker” just added to the fun. They spoke about upcoming festivals and the delayed-but-soon-to-open Catapult Falls. This first-of-its-kind flume features a launch and a vertical lift for good measure. Its spring debut is of high interest to area members.

Chuck Cureau and Ray Gonzales from host venue SeaWorld San Antonio kicked off presentations.
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Cassidy Shippel, Chris Ozimek and Angela Flournoy presented for both Schlitterbahn parks.
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Up next were a trio of representatives from Schlitterbahn: Chris Ozimek, Angela Flournoy and Cassidy Shippel. The New Braunfels property is receiving new capital in 2024. A rethemed kids’ area will be called Schatze’s Storybrook Park, centered around the park’s mascot, and will feature Bow Wow Blaster, the first kids’ Master Blaster. Other park improvements include the reopening of the Hillside Tube Chute, partially reconfigured to navigate around a newly constructed restaurant and rooftop bar. The Galveston Island property is giving attention to guest amenities and enhancements.

Dalton Fischer of Silver Dollar City got fans pumped for the new $30 million Fire In The Hole.
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Dalton Fischer of Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri) whetted the appetites of enthusiasts for the brand-new Fire In The Hole. A re-creation of the half-century-old classic, this bigger, beefier version has been supplied by Rocky Mountain Construction and will feature nods to the former attraction with state-of-the-art new scenery and details in the retelling of a fateful Missouri night.

Morgan’s Wonderland (San Antonio) is building its largest expansion to date. Multiple new attractions are being installed, two of which feature the park’s central lake. A zipline will take guests back-to-back over the water, while a boat ride will offer a leisurely excursion on the surface. A new flat ride from Zamperla is being installed, and, like all attractions at this wonderful place, it is accessible to everyone. Because the park caters to all abilities, a roller coaster has always been a challenge, but a SimEx simulator with a roller coaster theme will finally bring such an experience to the park.

Richard Pretlow, Morgan’s Wonderland, discussed the park’s major expansion.
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Park President Richard Pretlow spoke on the continual growth of the park’s mission and vision as the company now includes Morgan’s Inspiration Island (waterpark), Morgan’s Camp, Morgan’s Sports and Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center. ACEers in the audience were deeply moved by the amazing company and facilities.

ACE Membership Director Joseph Ciza spoke on national events happening throughout 2024.

Matt Hughey from COTALand discussed rides and invited ACEers out to see the coaster parts that arrived.
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The jovial Matt Hughey from COTALand (Austin) brought everyone up to date with the theme park that seems to defy going vertical. Rides have been delivered, but the permitting process for the ground has been frustrating for park representatives. Things look to be heading in the right direction, and the park should start taking shape soon, with an opening sometime in 2025 being targeted. The first ride to go up will be Palindrome, a Euro-fighter from Gerstlauer. Before ending his presentation, Hughey invited attendees to visit Circuit of the Americas the next day for a tour of the newly arrived Vekoma track pieces.

Photo: Jeremy Simons. View full-sized image.

Photo: Alex Rigsby Collection. View full-sized image.

Lunch was enjoyed inside the shark aquarium.
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Lunch was next on the schedule, and the setting was quite interesting. It was inside the Shark Aquarium — cool! The food was great and featured a Mardi Gras flair from the ongoing festival. Cookie Monster even strolled through for fun photo ops.

Kicking off the second half was a presentation of two regional awards. The Golden Track Award is presented to individuals who go above and beyond in making the region run like a fine-tuned engine. A pair of recipients were honored this year: Xander Lee and Joseph Ciza. The duo took up the social media slack following the sad loss of Jay Jacobs two years ago. The gentlemen seemed humbled and appreciative.

Xander Lee and Joseph Ciza received Golden Track Awards from the regional rep team.
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Ray Gonzales.
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The Industry Appreciation Award went to Ray Gonzales from SeaWorld, who has embraced the ACE community. He was also surprised and pleased.

ACEer Kris Rowberry presented for the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA). He did a thorough job of showcasing what is at the facility and answered many questions that people may have in their minds. The growing collection is a fascinating mix of amusement industry history. He encouraged ACEers to stay tuned for details on an open house opportunity this spring, potentially in April.

Kris Rowberry spoke on behalf of the NRCMA.
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Josh Sauer recapped all the success that Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) enjoyed in 2023, including the record-setting Coaster Con 45. Coming up in 2024 is the Dolly Parton Experience, along with a string of park festivals. Questions regarding the changes being made to Lightning Rod were also answered.

Josh Sauer, Dollywood.
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Ron McKenzie, Hawaiian Falls/ProParks.
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Ron McKenzie of Hawaiian Falls and ProParks spoke on the chain of waterparks and invited attendees to the 2024 Aloha Con, an event created for ACE. It will take place at the Roanoke property this summer.

Don Helbig, formerly of Kings Island (Mason, Ohio), shared his journey as an early ACE member through a career in the industry. Today, Helbig presents Theme Parks By Don, a blog about the amusement industry. His stories touched the hearts of many long-time ACE members who can remember such times as “The Brady Bunch” visiting the park and Evel Knievel doing a stunt for guests.

Don Helbig.
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Steve Thomas, Alabama Adventure.
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Melanie Stolze, Six Flags Over Texas.
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Steve Thomas, the new general manager at Alabama Adventure (Bessemer), was up next to spotlight the new waterslide going into the waterpark there. In unfortunate news, he reported that Rampage was in severe need of work and would not operate in 2024, but he said the park was committed to bringing it up to the standards it needed. Thomas is bringing passion and commitment to take the park to new heights in the years ahead. In brighter news, he stated ACE members could show their cards this year for free admission — a generous move on behalf of the park.

Melanie Stolze, new to Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington), teased that dinosaurs are coming to the park. It has been announced, following her presentation, that they will be added to the Arrow cars. Two children’s rides will be coming to Bugs Bunny Boomtown. Like many presenters stated, April 8 is a day of total eclipse, and Six Flags will be among those having special events on that day.

Terri Adams (spotlighting lantern tours) and Winter Prosapio always have a fun time with ACEers.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Having a ball with ACEers were Winter Prosapio (marketing) and Terri Adams (general manager) — both honorary ACE members — who reported on news from Natural Bridge Caverns (New Braunfels). In addition to the ever-growing offerings for its guests, the park is offering free admission with ACE cards.

Always super fun is the beloved Jeffrey Siebert, park president of Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio). No presenters want the unenviable position of following him. Within his presentation were plans for the park’s total makeover of its kids’ area into DC Universe. Three new rides will join totally rethemed rides to make a significant comics-themed land. New signage, paint schemes and names will grace established rides. The additions — all from Zamperla — are a NebulaZ, monorail and family drop ride. The waterpark will receive a selection of family slides.

Jeffrey Seibert, Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
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Kris Leach, ACE Cares.
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ACE member Kris Leach was the final presenter who spoke on the ACE Cares initiative, particularly the organization’s efforts with Give Kids The World. She encouraged members to get involved.

Even though the presentations were done, there was still more to Winterfest. Attendees enjoyed choosing door prizes, and everyone had collected numerous swag items from various presenters ranging from collectible trinkets to free tickets to snacks.

Door prizes were in abundance.
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Auction items — good ones!! — raised $1,345. Winners took home some legit talking points to add within their homes.

After the park closed, SeaWorld kept four coasters and Tidal Surge open for an hour of ERT (exclusive ride time), along with refreshments. It was an ideal way to wrap up one of the region’s favorite events.

ACE offered thanks to the presenters who gave up their Saturday.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.

Attendees enjoyed ERT on five rides at SeaWorld.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.

Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.

Attendees left with an armful of items and numerous thanks to our host park, ACE volunteers and rep team, and all the presenters who gave up their Saturday to connect with the enthusiast community.

— Tim Baldwin, ACE News