ACE Heart of America: ACE Around the World 2021

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originally posted on 9/3/2021 12:50:04 AM

All photos by Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.

Like Phileas Fogg who raced around the world in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days — on which Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, Missouri) is themed — 27 ACE members and guests were ready for a world of adventure when the inaugural ACE Around the World event kicked off on Saturday, August 7.

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The hot and humid day began well before the park opened with cooling towels for everyone given by Worlds of Fun. Once everyone had a towel, attendees were off to Timber Wolf for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour that took the group into off-limits areas like the carpentry shed, underneath the station and into the ride itself. After chatting with Timber Wolf’s maintenance staff, it was off for more world-spanning adventure with a walk around the park and lots of history.

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Once the park opened and guests started streaming through the gates, all those attending were free to ride as much as they wanted. Lunch was wherever one wanted to eat, as everyone was given a meal ticket that was good anywhere in the park. After lunch, ACE was treated to a behind-the-scenes, lights-on tour of the Worlds of Fun’s Blood on the Bayou haunt. Winding through the building, it was possible to get a clear view of all the monsters that await guests deep in the swamp. Once everyone was through, the lights were turned off, special effects turned on and attendees got to experience the haunt without scare actors.

ACEers take a look in Blood on the Bayou.
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Continuing with the hospitality, Worlds of Fun followed the tour with a trivia contest in which wheels, track, ride parts and a couple of umbrellas (very handy items when traveling the world) were given away as prizes.

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With Grand Carnivale going on, several ACE members were given the honor of joining the parade to throw bucket loads of beads to the crowds of young and old lining the route. ACEers were given the task to rid the float of all beads (about 10 gallons worth), and Andrew Masters, Assistant Rep William Valliant, Regional Rep Paul Drabek and brand-new ACE member Danielle Dufty were up to the task. Not a guest along the route was without beads, and all those on the floats had enormous fun.

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A few lucky ACEers got to toss beads from a float.
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After the parade ended in International Plaza, it was time for the race to the finish of ACE Around the World with an hour of exclusive ride time on Prowler, designed by Great Coasters International, Inc. If one has never experienced Prowler after dark, it certainly is a different creature. With attendees racing to switch seats every time the ride came to a stop in the station, everyone got to experience this coaster from the front to the back. Once ERT ended, everyone was silly from the heat, humidity and rides. A great time was had by all, including the park staff, who are already planning on having members back for ACE Around the World 2022. Keep an eye out and add it to the calendar.

— Paul Drabek, ACE Heart of America Regional Representative