originally posted on 12/13/2019
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
ACE Day at Fun Spot 2019
Following the IAAPA Expo on Saturday, November 23, Fun Spot America hosted an ACE Day event starting at the Kissimmee location. A total of 15 ACE members from six different states and two countries enjoyed the morning with a one-hour ERT session on Mine Blower, Florida’s only wooden coaster with inversions, built by The Gravity Group.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
Following ERT, Mark Arie, the COO of Fun Spot, talked with the group about the past improvements and additions all three of the Fun Spot locations had received. This included the new Hurricane roller coaster brought down from the Atlanta location to open in 2020 (at the Kissimmee park). Arie also answered many questions that ACE members had about the future of the three parks. Fun Spot has an amazing success story, and it is always great to hear about the achievements and future goals.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
ACE members were then escorted backstage, underneath the structure of Mine Blower, to get a close-up view of the maintenance bay. Arie continued to answer questions specifically about the maintenance and upkeep of Mine Blower. A raffle was then held to give away two seatbacks from Mine Blower’s Timberliner trains. The two lucky winners were Noah Peterson and Alex Dangel.
Noah Peterson and Alex Dangel were winners of Mine Blower seatbacks.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
After returning to the front of Mine Blower, a group photo was taken, and then ACE Florida Regional Representative Michael Christopher announced the second White Lightning 10k Challenge happening on May 16, 2020. The rest of the day was a beautiful one of fun, during which guests were provided with an $18 gift card that could be used toward food, souvenirs or arcade games. All attendees were also treated to a ride on the world’s tallest Skycoaster.
After conquering the Kissimmee location, guests were invited to the Orlando park to spend the rest of their day enjoying more rides and go kart tracks. White Lightning is always a favorite of ACE members and Freedom Flyer is a very enjoyable Vekoma suspended family coaster.
Fun Spot worked quickly with ACE at the last minute because of a cancellation of the original ACE Day at Busch Gardens event. Included in the event was a special purchase price for ACE members for the park’s 2020 season pass. At $65.95, the price even beat the Black Friday deal by a long shot! Keep a look out for more events at Fun Spot, including the White Lightning 10k Challenge happening next year. A HUGE thank you goes to Fun Spot as well as to all ACE members who enjoyed the fun-filled day at the parks!
ACE members gathered at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse during the week of the Expo.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
Also taking place the week of the IAAPA Expo…
Informal ACE/IAAPA Meet & Greet
On Wednesday, November 20, the annual ACE Meet & Greet was held at a new restaurant, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. More than 80 ACE members, their families and guests from the IAAPA Expo joined together for a great night of food, drinks and stories at this conveniently located venue, right down the road from the IAAPA Expo. This year saw the largest turnout ever for the annual Meet & Greet. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse hosted this event for the first time because of the closure of last year’s venue and provided the group with excellent service and a large variety of food and drink choices. Attendees appreciated the welcome and look forward to another successful Meet & Greet with the restaurant next year.
— Michael Christopher
ACE Florida Regional Representative
@#$%&!
#ACENews