originally posted on 7/8/2024
Photo: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
The heat of the day was a bit of a change at ACE Pacific Southwest’s West Coast ACEers event at Six Flags Magic Mountain in sunny Santa Clarita, California. Attendees who were coming from ACE’s Coaster Con experienced a 40-degree temperature difference from that in cool Santa Cruz. Normally this event is held during the spring when it’s a bit cooler in the Santa Clarita Valley, but since this was a post-Con destination for many, the region was happy to delay the event to accommodate members. The 121 attendees represented 17 states across the United States and even three guests from New Zealand.
Those who made the five-hour drive from ACE Con 46 were warmly greeted at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Photo: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
To give folks time to get to the Los Angeles area from Santa Cruz, registration began in the afternoon. Many attendees decided to leave Santa Cruz Friday night to make the five-hour drive so they could hit the park at park opening. At registration, attendees were given wristbands for access to the Q&A and ERT as well as $10 in Six Flags bucks that could be used for food and merchandise. Many folks also received “vintage” X2 T-shirts from an ACE event at Magic Mountain back in 2008!
A Q&A session was one of the highlights of the event, when nothing was off-limits.
Photo: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
American Coaster Enthusiasts became “air-conditioning enthusiasts” when they were treated to a Q&A at the Gearworks Theater hosted by Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Jeff Harris; Dorian Holden, maintenance director; Jon Howell, maintenance director; and Alex French, communications manager. This was an open forum Q&A, and no question was left unanswered. Some highlights included that the Skytower could be reopened by 2026 and the hint that a new experience will be “cycling” through the area where the Golden Bear Theater used to be. Harris, who is still new to his role, emphasized that his vision is to “soften” the look of the park and work on landscaping, painting and signage. The solar project is well underway, and the park also recently added a sign inside the park at the main fountain.
Winners of the trivia contest were given a piece of life hill chain from Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage.
Photo: Debee Duggar. View full-sized image.
It was noted to the group that having 20 roller coasters that operate 52 weeks a year makes maintenance harder than at other parks and noted that it’s often difficult to always keep all trains in operation. One big question that came up during the Q&A was regarding the difficulty in having Twisted Colossus race regularly. It was noted to the group that if racing was what was desired at ERT, then it was up to our group to exit and enter the ride quickly so racing could occur during the current two-train operation of the ride. The park also had a trivia contest for those attending the Q&A. Winners Reece Jude Bowen, Dillon Howery and Matt Goulet were given mounted pieces of lift hill chain from Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, Ninja and X2. Everyone was a winner though, as all left with a “donut” from X2, which acts a shock absorber on the ride (and looks like a huge pencil eraser).
West Coast ACEers attendees pose for a group photo on West Coast Racers.
Photo: Jackie Edwards Collection. View full-sized image.
The group photo was taken at 8:30 p.m. in front of West Coast Racers (the event namesake) and was immediately followed by an informal takeover of the ride. The timing was perfect, as the coaster had been having technical difficulties for most of the day, so many members still needed the credit. Those who needed other credits before the park closed went to other rides, but attendees still managed to get almost four full trains of ACEers racing!
Attendees enjoy evening ERT on Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage and a visit from Batman.
Photo: Debee Duggar. View full-sized image.
Photo: Debee Duggar. View full-sized image.
Evening ERT was featured on Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, Batman the Ride, Scream! and Twisted Colossus. There were a few operational issues on Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, but workers managed to get the ride back up and running quickly so everyone was able to get on it, even after ERT had officially ended. Riders on Twisted Colossus toward the end of the ERT were overjoyed with the ability of the station workers, who made an excellent effort to have the trains race! The group was also treated to a meet and greet with the Caped Crusader himself beside his Batmobile during ERT. Many were surprised at Batman’s knowledge of the parks’ rides, and it was fun having pictures taken in such a small group.
— Jackie Edwards, ACE Pacific Southwest Regional Representative
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