originally posted on 12/8/2025
All photos: Jackie Edwards collection. View full-sized image.
Eighteen attendees from the ACE Pacific Southwest and ACE Northern California regions participated in the biennial event in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 26-28. When planning an event in the desert, weather can pose a problem, and it was hoped that the weather would be cool enough at the end of September (in 2023, the event was held in October to avoid any extreme heat). Fortunately, the weather was not too hot, and although wind and rain were present at times, it did not affect the fun, because much of the time was spent indoors.
The Strat SkyJump (left) and Vicki Free, winner of the SkyJump (right).
Friday night started at the Strat. Although the Big Shot was the only ride operating, attendees had fun riding this classic S&S launch tower, which at night provides amazing views of the Las Vegas strip and surrounding areas. After the ACE takeover, Las Vegas resident Vicki Free was the lucky winner of the free SkyJump. Free stepped off the Strat tower from 829 feet above the ground and made her way to the ground at 40 mph with her ACE friends watching from above. ACEers all met back up at the top of the observation tower to help calm her nerves after this event, which she is unlikely to forget!
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SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride.
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Saturday morning everyone met at the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. Attendees were treated to a lights-on tour of SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride, the park’s Sally Dark Ride. Seeing the engineering of this ride up close gave all attending a great appreciation for the technology that Sally Dark Rides has created. What followed was a tour of the Adventuredome before it opened to the public, with a great history lesson about the indoor park.
El Loco by S&S.
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Twistin’ Tea Cups.
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Once the Adventuredome opened, attendees took full advantage of their all-day wristbands. Being early in the day, there was no need for ERT as all the rides were walk-ons until around noon. The group was treated to a pizza and salad lunch in one of the party rooms as a nice break before going back to the rides.
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A haunted house at Universal Horror Unleashed.
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Saturday evening attendees met at the brand-new Universal Horror Unleashed, located near the Area15 entertainment complex. Although this attraction does not have any coasters, it was fun walking through these new haunted houses. Universal Horror Unleashed opened in August 2025 and houses four walkthrough scare areas (Scarecrow the Reaping, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Universal Monsters and The Exorcist).
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This indoor attraction also includes a restaurant, three bars serving specialty drinks and a center stage where multiple shows are performed each day. The houses are designed to be switched out with regularity to keep the experience fresh.
Piff the Magic Dragon, a Wisdom Orient Express coaster.
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Sunday was redemption day at the Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix! During the 2023 Viva Las ACEers event, attendees were unable to ride Piff the Magic Dragon owing to a mechanical problem, but luck was a lady that morning, and for this trip, all in attendance finally got the credit!
Viva Las ACEers will return to the Neon City in 2027 with more fun, more ACEers and hopefully new credit opportunities.
— Jackie Edwards, ACE Pacific Southwest Regional Representative
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