originally posted on 10/7/2024
All photos: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
As September rolls around for ACE Canada, that can only mean one thing — Roller Coasters, Eh!, the signature event for the region. Held September 14 at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario), this year’s event saw the return of epic night ERT. Seventy-three guests from three Canadian provinces and six U.S. states made the journey for a full day of coasters, food and fun.
As always, Canada’s Wonderland’s staff took excellent care of ACE members in attendance.
View full-sized image.
Morning registration kicked off at 7:45 a.m. as guests started arriving right on time. Excitement was in the air as attendees entered the park at 8:20 a.m. to get ready for the Behemoth access road tour. Behemoth was going through its morning test runs, so everyone was able to “wait for the train” for their photos. Canada’s Wonderland has always provided ACEers a great tour each year, and with a lot of new guests, this was a first for many.
The day began with a Behemoth walkback tour followed by ERT on the 2008 B&M hypercoaster.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
With everything running on schedule, it was time for the morning ERT. First, the group photo was taken in front of Behemoth, then ERT was split between Behemoth (the park’s 2008 Bolliger & Mabillard [B&M] hypercoaster) and Backlot Stunt Coaster (Premier Rides, 2005). When it comes to events, everyone knows ACE is about food as well as riding, and Roller Coasters, Eh! did not disappoint.
The first meal of the day was a buffet breakfast in All’s Well Hall. A change from previous years was the Q&A that usually takes place at lunch but instead took place after breakfast. Attendees once again welcomed Director of Ride Maintenance Peter Switzer, who took questions for about a half hour. There was no shortage of questions about the new-for-2025 Premier Rides launch coaster, AlpenFury.
Everyone was left to their own adventures after breakfast, but it was not long before they gathered back at the Hall for an amazing buffet lunch. For the first timers, there was shock and surprise at the amount of food variation, including both halal and gluten-free options. With everyone stuffed from two buffet meals, it was time to get back out into the park and ride, ride, ride! Of course, it wouldn’t be Roller Coasters, Eh! without more food, and the final item was the Canadian Beavertail pastry.
The park was busy, as it was a beautiful summer Saturday, and its Octoberfest event was subsequently taking place. The best was yet to come — the return of epic night ERT on the mighty Leviathan. The 2012 B&M typically has an exceedingly long line, as park guests run to it for their final rides of the night, and because of this, ERT for ACE started at 8:30 p.m. when the line cleared out.
As day turned to night, attendees enjoyed ERT on Leviathan in a quiet park highlighted by a Halloween display for next season’s addition, AlpenFury.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The ACE Canada regional representatives are grateful to everyone who attended and supported this year’s Roller Coasters, Eh! They all worked hard to give attendees a great, fun event, and none of it could have been done without the amazing cooperation from everyone at Canada’s Wonderland, including Vicky Sotiropoulos, Ana Paulo and Switzer.
— Ken Jones, ACE Canada Regional Representative
#ACENews