originally posted on 4/10/2019
On a sunny March Minnesota day (March 3, 2019) with a high temp outside of ─10 degrees, 15 ACE members and guests made their way into Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, where the temperature is always 70 degrees. Attendees had a full and fun day lined up for them.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
The day started with a fun first ride on one of the original coasters in the park, Pepsi Orange Streak. After the park opened, attendees headed into the bowels of the mall to meet Steve, one of the lead maintenance employees. He gladly answered any questions and let ACE wander around and take a look. There were several items that brought back great memories to ACEers, from old signs to parts and pieces of rides thought to be long gone. Steve then took attendees to the Orange Streak spur track and maintenance area. One of the highlights of this area was a never-before opportunity to go out on the porch of the slow track portion of Orange Streak. This was an active ride area (in a safe zone) during ride operation!
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tom Nickerson. View full-sized image.
Attendees then went to the log chute harbor, where Steve filled us with tales of scuba diving in the ride’s 25-foot-deep water tanks. On the way to another active ride area, a great view of Paul Bunyan was available from inside the log chute. Throughout the day, ACEers participated in a black light golf tournament with the prize for best score going to Rachel Gold. Thanks to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for donating the prize of two admission tickets.
There were a few meetups at rides throughout the day, but with such a small group almost everyone stayed together anyway. Overall it was a great day with friends, who look forward to the next event.
— Tom Nickerson
ACE North Central regional representative
@#$%&!
#ACENews