originally posted on 8/5/2024
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
In early March came the surprise announcement that ACE would hold a Spring Conference at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, for three days, May 16-18. This was unexpected because Kings Island had stopped hosting events for amusement park and coaster groups in favor of having its own event — Coasterstock — once a year. In 2024 the park decided to skip Coasterstock to host ACE’s first national event at Kings Island since 2014. Since that date, Mystic Timbers and Orion had opened at the park, so there was much excitement about the upcoming event.
Initial excitement turned to concern, however, when it was announced later that because of expected demand and the park’s requirements for providing a quality experience for everyone, attendance would have to be limited to 750 and only ACE members could register. After a flurry of activity when registration opened, however, things settled down, and the final registration number was 749 — one short of the limit.
The weather during the damp check-in brightened later on.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Check-in on Friday at the front gate began in a light rain, which stopped later on this partly cloudy/partly sunny spring day. A mini ACE merchandise table was doing a good business, and copies of Herbert P. Schmeck: The Forgotten Legacy, by ACE member Torrence Jenkins, were given to all new ACE members.
Orion.
Photo: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
Kings Mills Antique Autos.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Early ERT began at 8 a.m. on the indoor Premier Rides launch coaster Flight of Fear, the Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hypercoaster Orion and the Kings Mills Antique Autos. Later, attendees could join season passholders for early rides on B&M’s inverted Banshee (celebrating 10 years at Kings Island), Philadelphia Toboggan Company’s wood family coaster Woodstock Express, the Zamperla Endeavour Sol Spin and the elevated track ride Woodstock Whirlybirds. At 10 the park opened to the public, and attendees were free to spend the day exploring the park and catching up on new and favorite rides.
Woodstock Express.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
The sign shop tour offered a trip back in time to remember Kings Island’s attractions.
Photo: Jason Hammond. View full-sized image.
Photo: Lucy Yarbrough. View full-sized image.
It was a treat to stand so close to the spot where The Racer’s tracks split.
Photo: Lucy Yarbrough. View full-sized image.
Photo: Josh Bechtel. View full-sized image.
Several behind-the-scenes (BTS) experiences were scheduled for The Racer and Orion, the sign shop and The Beast. Riders on The Racer, designed by John Allen and an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, commented on the smoothness of the ride after its earlier retracking by The Gravity Group. Those on the tour were able to stand between the tracks to get dramatic photos of the trains racing. Visiting the sign shop offered an opportunity to see different techniques for creating signs plus a trip back in time to view signs for past rides and attractions at Kings Island. Those who signed up for The Beast experience were in for a lot of walking because of the length and location of the ride, but they were treated to spectacular opportunities for views and photos of this into-the-woods ride that are impossible from regular viewing areas.
Photo: Lucy Yarbrough. View full-sized image.
Behind-the-scenes experiences for The Beast and The Racer offered unique perspectives.
Photo: Jason Hammond. View full-sized image.
Photo: Vejas Belzinskas. View full-sized image.
The first official gathering began at 5 at the Picnic Grove for a buffet dinner featuring hamburgers, pork, chicken, lots of sides and a cash bar. As attendees chowed down and caught up with friends, they were welcomed to the park by ACE Events Director Steve Berto and ACE President Elizabeth Ringas and entertained by a DJ. In a surprise contribution to the silent auction, Kings Island added 10 first rides on Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, Kings Island’s newest coaster, whose scheduled opening was May 24.
The Picnic Grove was a welcome stop after a day of riding.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Christopher Yarbrough . View full-sized image.
How about the lineup for the two-hour evening ERT? On the schedule with the B&M hypercoaster Diamondback, Mystic Timbers and The Beast were Franklin’s Flyers (flying scooters) and Snoopy’s Space Buggies (Zamperla Jump Around). Always anticipated and unforgettable are night rides on The Beast, which at 7,361 feet is still the longest wooden roller coaster in the world and an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. This magnificent wood coaster designed in house with trains from Philadelphia Toboggan Company is celebrating its 45th anniversary, and, if the length of the lines is any indicator, is still wildly popular with the public — and certainly with ACEers.
The Beast was a popular choice in daytime or evening.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Mystic Timbers has lost none of its speed and airtime since its opening in 2017.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Mystic Timbers, a Great Coasters International, Inc. woodie designed by Jeff Pike and Skyline Design, is just as exciting and smooth as when it opened in 2017. Attendees kept track of what was “in the shed” after each of their rides. The amazing amount of airtime on Diamondback kept attendees coming back for more rides. If attendees needed a break from riding, snacks, including funnel fries, chips, candy and granola, were available nearby.
No rain, just overcast on Saturday, which didn’t interfere with early ERT on the Arrow mine train Adventure Express, Banshee, the Arrow suspended coaster The Bat (formerly Top Gun), the spinning barrel ride Cargo Loco and Sol Spin.
Adventure Express.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Banshee.
Photo: Christopher Yarbrough. View full-sized image.
The Bat.
Photo: Vejas Belzinskas. View full-sized image.
An exclusive for ACE was the first ride of the day and train talk on the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad, which opened with the park in 1972. The train, full to capacity with ACEers, headed out behind the blue locomotive and began to climb a hill – but unexpectedly slowed down. Rust on the back wheels caused the engine to struggle, and the train eventually stopped. What to do?
Why, reverse course, of course, for an ACE exclusive backward train ride! To the amazement of onlookers in the station, the backward train rolled right through until it reached the engine house, where ACEers saw the green locomotive that will be ready later in the season. The two engines are named after 1972 train engineers Kenny Van Meter (the blue engine) and Lew Brown (the green engine).
The K.I. & Miami Valley train full of ACEers before the backward ride began.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
The Diamondback behind-the-scenes experience.
Photo: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
Those who had signed up enjoyed the Diamondback BTS experience, and others explored the park until late afternoon when attendees were treated to the “Cincinnati Kids” episode of “The Brady Bunch” in the Kings Island Theater. What followed was a presentation by representatives of The Gravity Group (TGG), which began with owner Chad Miller singing the Brady Bunch song using Gravity Group lyrics. TGG was founded in 2002 by Miller, Korey Kiepert, Michael Graham and Larry Bill. The group’s first coaster was Hades at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. A history of the group’s projects and innovations was presented, and Engineer Hunter Lawrence showed a video illustrating TGG’s precut track.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Attendees gathered outside and inside the Kings Island Theater for the afternoon program.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Dennis Speigel.
Photos: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Hunter Lawrence, The Gravity Group.
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Chad Miller and members of The Gravity Group.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Dinner again was in the Picnic Grove and included a buffet dinner, cash bar and silent auction. It was also a time and place for regional group photos and dancing to music provided by a DJ.
Attendees gathered at the Kings Island Theater for a live ACE podcast, hosted by Jessica Gardner. Featured were presentations by two industry professionals, the first being Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services, Inc. Speigel was actively involved in the production of the film “Rollercoaster,” so his topic was how the movie evolved and the BTS actions that influenced it. He also welcomed any attendees with questions to chat with him after the presentation.
Mike Koontz, general manager of Kings Island, described the road he traveled to reach his current position. His first visit to Kings Island was in 1974, and his background was in finance. For those wondering how someone with a finance background becomes general manager of a corporate amusement park, Koontz described his goal as providing outstanding service to park guests. His description of this was combined with a review of Kings Island’s recent milestones.
Ringas and Berto presented a sunset photo of Diamondback to Koontz and Chad Showalter, the park’s director of communications, with whom Berto had worked to plan the event and the BTS experiences. Berto thanked Kings Island for its hospitality and enthusiasm for hosting the ACE Spring Conference.
Mike Koontz.
Photo: Jeffrey Wheaton. View full-sized image.
ACE President Elizabeth Ringas presents an honorary member plaque to Immediate Past President Robert Ulrich.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Left to right: Steve Berto, Mike Koontz, Chad Showalter and Elizabeth Ringas.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
And there was something else — a surprise. Ringas stepped up with a plaque to recognize ACE’s newest honorary member: Immediate Past President Robert Ulrich, who began his volunteer career as ACE Southeast regional rep in 2000, became region director and then ACE’s president in 2018. Thanks to Robert for his many years of service to ACE.
As soon as the park cleared after 9 p.m., ERT began on Dodgem; Monster; the Huss Troika Shake, Rattle & Roll; the Premier Rides launch coaster Backlot Stunt Coaster, Orion and The Beast (can there ever be enough night rides on The Beast?). Again, snacks were provided; the ice cream bars and sandwiches were welcome on this warm evening.
Backlot Stunt Coaster.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Invertigo.
Photo: Will Rook. View full-sized image.
Sunday’s early ERT included a rare treat: an opportunity to ride The Great Pumpkin Coaster, an E & F Miler family coaster ordinarily not a ride for adults not accompanied by a child. Also on for ERT were the Vekoma shuttle coaster Invertigo, Diamondback, the Vekoma suspended family coaster Woodstock’s Air Rail and Woodstock Express. Also during ERT attendees could ride Boo Blasters on Boo Hill with the lights on or brave the giant Frisbee Delirium. Attendees gathered for the group photo at the entrance to The Beast and then lined up for the first ride of the day.
Woodstock’s Air Rail.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
The Great Pumpkin Coaster.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
No group meals were planned for Sunday, but several scheduled BTS experiences were much anticipated. Because of its length and layout, attendees could experience Banshee from two perspectives. The first one also included close-up views of Adventure Express; the second, which involved a steep hike down into the lower bowl, offered usually hidden views of The Bat along with an unexpected surprise: an up-close view of what’s left of the Son of Beast station, which had been used in the past as a Halloween haunt.
Scenes from the Hotel St. Michelle.
Photos: Will Rook. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
A demonstration by the haunt’s makeup artist.
Photo: Jeffrey Wheaton. View full-sized image.
A pre-Halloween treat was a lights-on tour of Hotel St. Michelle for those who didn’t mind a little blood and needed a reminder that it’s a good idea to check reviews of a hotel before booking. (The blood on the elevator button for floor 13 should have been a clue.) At the end of the tour, attendees were able to see a demonstration by the haunt’s makeup artists. The last BTS experience was a view of the spaghetti bowl of Flight of Fear.
Flight of Fear’s spaghetti bowl.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Flight of Fear.
Photo: Vejas Belzinskas. View full-sized image.
There was no official ending time for the ACE Spring Conference, but later Sunday afternoon the 10 lucky silent auction winners and their partners became the first public riders on Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, the Vekoma family boomerang that would officially open the following Friday. ACE was grateful to Kings Island for this benefit to its members and for its support of ACE’s fundraising efforts.
It’s difficult to choose highlights from this three-day Spring Conference because there were so many: ERT on all of Kings Island’s 15 roller coasters, the rollback on the train, an opportunity to win a ride on a not-yet-opened coaster, two evening ERT sessions and one first-ride opportunity on the incomparable Beast, a presentation by The Gravity Group, a talk by founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services and seven BTS experiences, to name a few. ACE was grateful to Kings Island and its staff for their friendly hospitality and remarkable collection of rides.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
Orion.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
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