originally posted on 10/7/2024
Lost Island Theme Park.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Preservation can mean many things to coaster enthusiasts: preservation of a coaster or a park instead of closing it and even support for the principle of preservation by re-creating a beloved coaster that no longer exists. This year’s ACE Preservation Con was held August 16-18 in parks that met these criteria and more. The event required a lot of driving in three days across two midwestern states, but the 309 “Corn Con” attendees were eager to discover what was special about the two parks in Iowa — Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo and Adventureland in Altoona — and the one in Missouri — Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. The first two had never been part of an ACE national event, and the third had not been visited since 2009. August 16 was an auspicious day to begin a preservation event because it was also National Roller Coaster Day!
Check-in included breakfast!
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
The entrance to family-owned Lost Island Theme Park, which opened in 2022, is unlike any other. Seen framed by the entrance is the giant Ferris wheel, Alzanu’s Eye, in the center of the Awa island, but there is so much more. This park includes five themed areas, four of them themed to the elements earth (Yuta), air (Udara), fire (Mura) and water (Awa), with the fifth being spirit (Tamariki).
Matugani.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Nopuko Air Coaster.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Attendees checked in early on this hot, humid Friday morning, met the owner and his dog, checked out the ACE mini-merchandise table and enjoyed a continental breakfast and a chance to greet friends. There is little shade at Lost Island, but a nice breeze was blowing, which helped cool things off. Early ERT was on Lokolo (SBF Visa wacky worm), Matugani (Intamin Accelerator), Amara Aviators (Gerstlauer Sky Fly), Nopuko Air Coaster (Vekoma suspended looping coaster) and Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol, a 4-D interactive dark ride from Sally Dark Rides that won Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket for Best New Family Attraction in 2022.
Lokolo.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Amara Aviators.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Fitting the preservation theme, Matugani, although new to Lost Island, was formerly Kanonen at Liseberg (Gothenburg, Sweden); Nopuko previously operated as Cobra at Ratanga Junction (Cape Town, South Africa). The Amara Aviators, one of two Sky Fly installations in the United States, were a big hit, as riders tried to flip as many times as possible while the large arm rotated.
Friendly Lost Island occupants were eager to meet visitors.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Huber. View full-sized image.
The park opened to the public at 10:30, and attendees were free to explore the theme park or to venture over to Lost Island Waterpark (for an additional fee), where Adventure Golf was located as well. Since the park was not crowded, attendees had plenty of time to visit the attractions in all the themed areas, re-ride the ERT rides, shop for souvenirs and grab a bite in an air-conditioned restaurant. In addition, peer group meetups were organized for all three days.
A carload of Volkanu riders, questing for the Golden Idol.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Behind the scenes of Volkanu.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
A behind-the-scenes (BTS) experience was scheduled to begin at 3:30, after the group photo, and those who signed up were treated to a tour that covered lots of park acreage: the Nopuku maintenance spur building; a lights-on walkthrough of Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol; a huge warehouse that included ride parts, equipment and pieces of a relocated carousel that is being restored; and the ins and outs of Matugani. If attendees were impressed by Volkanu as a ride, they were overwhelmed by the spectacular sets and objects they saw walking through. They also learned that park expansion planned for next year is the construction of a dorm for international workers.
Derek Perry presents Eric Bertch with a token of ACE’s appreciation for the park’s hospitality.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Appearing at the buffet dinner and park presentation later were some of the themed costumed characters who waited with attendees to hear about the park’s next attraction. ACE Events Director Steve Berto and Communications Director Derek Perry presented Eric Bertch, park owner and general manager, a photo of Matugani as a token of ACE’s appreciation for the park’s hospitality. A long, rectangular covered object was unveiled to show the layout of Fire Runner, a “Raptor” single-rail coaster coming in 2025 from Rocky Mountain Construction. Thanks to Lost Island for including its big news during ACE’s Preservation Con!
Adventureland train station.
Photo: Jason Huber. View full-sized image.
Dragon Slayer.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Day Two began early, around 100 miles southwest of Waterloo, at Adventureland, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Assorted breakfast items greeted attendees, and ERT began at 8:30 on another hot, humid day, but the heat was lessened by Adventureland’s many large shade trees. Included in ERT were Dragon Slayer (S&S 4-D Free Spin), Flying Viking (Zamperla Junior Coaster, which opened in 2023 and is intertwined with Draken Falls, the log flume), The Monster (Gerstlauer Infinity coaster) and The Underground (Custom Coasters International’s totally enclosed wood dark ride-coaster). This last had been reimagined and reopened in May and drew much attention. What a way to start the day!
Flying Viking.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Monster.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
A mystery figure warns visitors to The Underground.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
A BTS experience at the maintenance shop for Phoenix began at the same time the park opened to the public. Attendees were able to ask questions, see tools and hold many of the wheels used on this Maurer spinning coaster.
Tornado.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Steve Berto, Josh Brown and Adventureland’s Mike Lusky admire the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaque for Tornado.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
At noon, attendees gathered at the Tornado station for the much-anticipated ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaque presentation for this out-and-back woodie designed by Bill Cobb in 1978. It was Cobb’s first solo coaster design, and its presence helped to put Adventureland on the map as a definite destination for coaster enthusiasts. Adventureland’s general manager, Mike Lusky, thanked ACE for honoring the park, and ACE thanked Adventureland for its care and upkeep of this venerable coaster.
Adventureland’s maintenance shop.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
For the afternoon, a group photo and two BTS experiences were scheduled. The first allowed attendees to explore the maintenance shop, and the second was an extensive walking tour of Adventureland that began at the train station. Adventureland is a Palace Entertainment-owned park that took its original design and layout inspiration from Disneyland. Although the station and Main Street were influenced by Disneyland, the buildings on Main Street were inspired by early buildings in Iowa. Details about defunct and current rides and structures were shared as attendees walked through the park, all of which piqued their curiosity for the park history presentation later during dinner.
Alex Payne reviewed the history of Adventureland.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
A silent auction accompanied the buffet dinner in the Palace Theater, where attendees enjoyed chicken tenders, pork, hamburgers, hot dogs and lots of extras. As part of a live ACE podcast, Jessica Gardner introduced Regional Public Relations Manager Alex Payne, who has worked at Adventureland since he was 14. He reviewed founder Jack Krantz’s vision for the park, the Disneyland and early Iowa influences and even the part played by the large fiberglass Petunia Pig, a former concession stand and now part of a history exhibit.
The land occupied by Adventureland was an airport in 1927. Park construction began in the early 1970s, and a tornado (which inspired the name of the coaster) delayed the park’s opening in 1974. Tornado opened in 1978 and the Giant Sky Wheel in 1991; a large expansion followed in 1993. Adventure Bay Waterpark opened in 2008, and Palace Entertainment acquired Adventureland in 2021.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Berto and Perry presented Lusky with a photo as a token of ACE’s appreciation. Lusky’s amusement park career began at 15 at the now-defunct Geauga Lake, and he expressed gratitude to the amusement industry and enthusiasts for the success and happiness he has experienced.
The Outlaw.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
An amazing drone show closed out the official park day for everyone, but afterward, attendees lined up for ERT rides on The Monster, The Outlaw (Custom Coasters International woodie), Tornado, Frantic Freeway (bumper cars) and Storm Chaser (Mondial Windseeker). Snacks were available during ERT, but the focus was on riding. The banked turns on The Outlaw were especially memorable at night, and it is unlikely that anyone will forget the Tornado ride operator’s chatter and how many times he repeated “Tornado.” A great second day!
And now the question for attendees: make a late night of it and drive the three hours to Kansas City, or get up early to do the same before ERT began at 10 a.m. at Worlds of Fun? This Cedar Fair/Six Flags park themed to Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days had not been part of an ACE national event since 2009, so attendees were eager to see what had changed.
They were also eager to make the preservation connection between the new and old Zambezi Zingers. The reimagined Zambezi Zinger, which opened in June 2023, was a new version of the Schwarzkopf Speed Racer Zambezi Zinger that operated at the park until 1997. When park personnel thought of ways to celebrate Worlds of Fun’s 50th anniversary last year, they remembered that Zambezi Zinger was the ride that park guests most often requested be brought back (see ACE News, July 14, 2023).
Zambezi Zinger wasn’t open during the Preservation Con, but attendees got a behind-the-scenes look at the tracks.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
Unfortunately, the Zinger went down for repairs shortly before the Preservation Con began, so rides on this Great Coasters International, Inc./Skyline Attractions wood coaster were not to be. The park thoughtfully substituted a BTS experience during which attendees could see the coaster from angles not visible when riding.
Mamba.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Timber Wolf.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Day Three began with ERT on Mamba (an out-and-back steel coaster from Morgan), Timber Wolf (a wood coaster from Dinn) and Autobahn (bumper cars). Both the park and the waterpark (Oceans of Fun) opened at 11, but at that time attendees were hustling to the meetup spot to begin the Zambezi Zinger BTS tour. The number of twists and curves to the track was amazing to see up close and was something that would be impossible to appreciate while one was riding. The tunnel was an unusual shape, and attendees noticed the hilly terrain.
Scene from Lore of the Vampire haunted house.
Photo: Dan Stuber. View full-sized image.
Patriot.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Next was the Lore of the Vampire haunted house walkthrough with lights on. This multilevel indoor/outdoor attraction occupies the former station of Orient Express, an Arrow looper that closed in 2003. The rooms and visual effects are stunning — and effectively creepy. This author was glad the lights were on! BTS experiences for Patriot and Mamba followed in the afternoon and provided excellent photo opportunities to get up close and personal with these coasters.
Jessica Gardner (left) and Brian McGannon welcome Jennifer Lovesee-Mast, ACE member and Worlds of Fun’s unofficial park historian.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
A later treat was a park history presentation (and an ACE Ride With Us podcast) in the Tivoli Music Hall by ACE member and former member of the region’s regional rep team Jennifer Lovesee-Mast. Lovesee-Mast is also the unofficial historian of Worlds of Fun and founder of worldsoffun.org. Communications Manager Brian McGannon introduced Lovesee-Mast, whose presentation covered Worlds of Fun’s history from park construction in 1971 to its opening in 1973 with three roller coasters to its 50th anniversary in 2023. Gardner thanked McGannon, Lovesee-Mast and Rick Fiedler, Worlds of Fun’s vice president and general manager, for their knowledge and enthusiasm for the park and its rides.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
During the buffet dinner in the Grand Pavilion, a silent auction took place, the third one using the new online bidding system. Shortly after dinner was another BTS experience for Mamba, and shortly after that the third group photo taken at the amphitheater.
Group photo at Worlds of Fun.
Photo: Steve Berto. View full-sized image.
Prowler.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
The park closed at 8, but attendees had two hours of ERT on Mamba, Prowler, Fjord Fjarlane (Swingaround), Nordic Chaser (mini ships) and Zulu (Huss Enterprise). Snacks were served during ERT, but enthusiastic riders loved night rides on Mamba and Prowler and spent most of their time riding. It was a fine ending to an event that illustrated the importance of preservation in all its incarnations.
Attendees were grateful to the Events Committee, all ACE volunteers and the staff and employees at all three parks for their enthusiasm and support of preservation. Let’s revisit these parks soon.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE News
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