originally posted on 10/21/2022
Photo: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
A total of 97 ACE members and guests from eight states (New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida and Texas) and one province made the journey to ACE Canada’s biggest park, Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario) on September 17 for the ever-spectacular Rollercoasters, Eh?!? (RCEH!) The 2022 version of RCEH! saw the event return to its more traditional roots, with an action-packed day that started bright and early at 7 a.m. — long before the park opened — and stretched well into the night after the park closed.
At check-in, all guests were given a goody bag from the park, which this year had a small plush Snoopy in it, a park 40th anniversary bag, and some smaller items. Registration concluded with morning coffee/tea/cookies from Starbucks before the group was led to the first tour of the morning, the rare-but-ever-popular Top O’ Wonder Mountain tour. Wandering around the top of Wonder Mountain, under the track of the mighty Vortex — the only Arrow suspended coaster in Canada, built in 1991 — is a true perk.
How many coasters can you find in this picture? Looking west over the park from the top of Wonder Mountain, attendees could see six. Photo: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
Once everyone was able to get their park pics at sunrise, it was time for morning ERT. This year once again ERT featured one of the park’s original wood coasters from 1981, Mighty Canadian Minebuster, and the only dive coaster in Canada (and the best one in the region’s slightly biased opinion), the 2019 Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) Yukon Striker. The 223-foot coaster is an exhilarating ride first thing in the morning, as the first drop plunges 245 feet into the tunnel and up through Vortex. The excitement didn’t stop as everyone was walked back along the access road beside Behemoth (B&M, 2008) for some great morning testing shots at the bottom of the first drop. After this quick tour, it was over to the entrance for the first ride of the day.
Yukon Striker was a great ride to begin the morning. Photos: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Schroeder . View full-sized image.
Behemoth. Photo: Paul Schroeder. View full-sized image.
All this riding first thing in the morning does tend to make ACEers hungry, and the park made sure attendees were well fed with eggs, pancakes, fruit and, of course, bacon! Lots of bacon!
Once everyone had their fill at breakfast, it was off to join the masses on what was a hot, very busy day at the park. Everything was packed, but a special Fastlane price did make things easier. Vortex was running hot as usual, flying through the course like a runaway train.
Time passed quickly, and everyone assembled again in the Backlot Café for lunch. Another big meal with chicken, pasta, burgers, dogs and more. It would be the fault of the attendee if anyone left hungry! Door prizes were given, with many offerings of ACE items along with some items from the park. ACE Canada once again teamed up with the park to raffle off a Behemoth jacket, with all the proceeds being donated to Canada’s Wonderland’s charity of choice, Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. This year’s drawing raised an impressive $875, with the jacket being won (again) by David Brint of Ottawa. Most guests stayed around after lunch for the ever-popular Q&A with Director of Maintenance and Construction Peter Switzer. Attendees are always grateful for the time Switzer gives ACE during the day, at lunch and even just to talk while in the park. Some questions were asked about the expansion coming in 2023, which will see a new world’s-first flat ride added, along with the park’s 17th coaster (18th if counting powered rides), Snoopy’s Racing Railway, an all-new family launch coaster from ART Engineering in Germany, which is being built in Planet Snoopy. Attendees also learned at lunch that the new 500-seat Lazy Bear Lodge officially opened for dining service that day. This is a much-needed full-service restaurant, with a back patio that overlooks Vortex and Yukon Striker. The new Lodge is a BBQ place with food offerings different than those found in the rest of the park.
The new Lazy Bear Lodge has some great views overlooking Vortex and Yukon Striker. Photo: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
Then it was time to ride, as there were several hours before the awesome night ERT on the almighty creature known as Leviathan. Wandering the park, taking photos, talking with members and guests and, of course, riding does help to burn off lunch — usually just in time for the nighttime snack of Beavertails! It is not every ACE event that attendees get two snacks AND two full meals. Wonderland closed at 8, and everyone gathered near Leviathan as they let the line run out.
Leviathan’s marvelous sign stands guard over the entry queue as the night ERT begins. Photo: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
Then it was time — time for the incredible ERT at night on Leviathan. This is some of the most popular ERT in the park at night, offering amazing views of the surrounding area just before plummeting down into the creature’s mouth. Riders passed over the front entry plaza, with guests leaving the park asking, “Hey, why are they still riding!?” (Well, join ACE and you can be doing this too!) Final rides were at 10 p.m. — almost 1.5 hours of epic ERT — and marked the end of RCEH! 2022.
The rep team of ACE Canada extended its thanks to the staff and management (Switzer, Anna Paulo and Jim Williamson) at Canada’s Wonderland for making the event such a great success. Be sure to mark calendars for Rollercoasters Eh?!? 2023, September 16. Food, prizes, epic ERT and, of course, two new rides in 2023.
— Ken Jones, ACE Canada Assistant Regional Representative
Leaving the park following ERT, ACEers enjoyed the striking view of Wonder Mountain and the front fountain and garden decorated for Halloween Haunt. Photo: Ken Jones. View full-sized image.
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