ARTICLES POSTED JUNE 22

Verbolten: Forbidden Turn Arrives at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

In November 2025, followers of Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) were surprised to hear news of future changes to Verbolten, the Zierer launch coaster that debuted in the park in 2012. On November 8, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that the coaster would close on January 5, 2026, and be transformed and rethemed into Verbolten: Forbidden Turn. The track layout and ride system would remain the same, but a new storyline, characters, visual effects and animatronics would be added. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

ACE South Central: SchlitterCon XXII: Full Throttle

If there’s one event that defines the start of summer for ACE members, it’s SchlitterCon — and 2026’s event certainly lived up to its “Full Throttle” theme. SchlitterCon XXII, hosted by Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, on May 23 and 24 and presented by the ACE South Central region, delivered an action-packed Memorial Day weekend filled with ERT, new attractions and a wide range of activities. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

Valleyfair at 50 Years

What does 50 years of amusement look like? Well, in the case of Valleyfair, just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, it means 10 roller coasters over its lifetime. It means three different company owners. It means generations of family fun. Valleyfair is the upper Midwest’s largest amusement park, currently with more than 40 rides and attractions. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Cleveland Coaster Crawl

Around 50 attendees throughout the day visited three different parks for the Cleveland Coaster Crawl on June 7. The event served as the Eastern Great Lakes region’s second annual History and Preservation Day, highlighting the history of regional parks. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

ACE Mid-Atlantic: ACE Dives

On the morning of June 6, 2026, almost 200 enthusiasts from 18 different states and Canada made their way to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia). It was a bright and sunny morning, which was good because most people do not like to ride roller coasters in the rain. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

ACE Mid-Atlantic: Rapterra Summer FunFest: Conquering the Skies for a Year

The planets aligned for ACE’s Mid-Atlantic region as the 2026 Venus-Jupiter conjunction was taking place. The region had already planned and promoted an event on Saturday, June 6, at a different park when representatives from Kings Dominion (Doswell, Virginia) reached out about hosting an event as part of Rapterra’s birthday weekend on Sunday, June 7. This second event allowed many attendees to enjoy a full weekend of fun with fellow coaster enthusiasts. (Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

Coaster Milestones: May-June 2026

(Posted 6/22/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED JUNE 15

New Coaster Launches Largest Investment in Waldameer’s History

Waldameer and Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, recently announced the addition of a new coaster that will represent the largest investment in the park’s history. But first, some history on previous investments that led to this. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

Flying Fox Debuts at Kentucky Kingdom

There’s a new reason for coaster fans to flock to Louisville and visit Kentucky Kingdom, and it’s called Flying Fox. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

Werewolf Gorge Will Be Fiesta Texas’ Newest Signature Coaster

Cleverly announced on May 30 at 8:18 p.m., just as a rare blue full moon rose over the park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) finally answered so many questions to its various teases over the past months. New for 2027 will be the park’s largest investment ever: Werewolf Gorge. It will be the longest roller coaster of the park’s 12. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

Funding the Future While Buying the Past

During the fall of 2024, I attended an auction at which items of amusement park history from the Cleveland, Ohio, area were being sold to the highest bidder. Scattered across the auction house were memorabilia from Geauga Lake, Euclid Beach Park, Chippewa Lake Park and others. As the day progressed, I saw a few familiar people and was introduced to Jason Dlugokecki by friend and ACE member Troy Parsh of the American Preservation Museum. Dlugokecki and his wife, Dawn, own Funtimes Fun Park in Alliance, Ohio. He was buying ride signs for his park, as he named a few of his rides after the names they had at Geauga Lake, where he had worked. Although Parsh, Dlugokecki and I all came home with signs that day, we agreed not to bid against one another. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

From the President: The Souvenirs We Hold Onto

Fun. Memories. Unique experiences. Gratitude. Connection. Uplifting moments. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

Six Flags Over Texas ACE's Newest Honorary Member

Congratulations to Six Flags Over Texas on becoming an Honorary ACE Member during the ACE 2026 Spring Conference. The plaque was presented during the evening program on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Posted 6/15/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED JUNE 8

Southern Hospitality Makes the 2026 ACE Spring Conference a Crowd-Pleaser

It was Friday, May 15. With 441 registered attendees — representing 40 states, D.C. and three countries — it looked to be a promising event. Those who registered knew Tormenta Rampaging Run still wasn’t operational. Disappointing as that was, the massive beast towered over check-in at Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington), giving an imposing sense of what was to come in the weeks ahead. (Posted 6/8/26) [MORE]

NRCMA Post-Spring Conference Event Draws Record Crowd to West Texas

Right after Spring Conference ended, 67 dedicated ACE members braved gale-force winds, blowing dust and extreme heat to make the sojourn to West Texas to see what all the buzz is about with the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA). (Posted 6/8/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Day of the Dragon 2026

The Eastern Great Lakes region held its first major event of the year in an unlikely place: the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, located near Columbus, Ohio. More than 50 members gathered at the zoo for the first-ever Day of the Dragon event on May 23. (Posted 6/8/26) [MORE]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes: Bonus Round 2026

Finishing up a weekend of coaster riding in Columbus, Ohio, a small group of ACE members joined together for Bonus Round at Scene75 Columbus on May 24. (Posted 6/8/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED JUNE 1

The Great American Revolution at 50 Years

For roller coaster enthusiasts, the Schwarzkopf classic that debuted in California as The Great American Revolution remains an essential ride in a park packed with scream machines. At a destination now home to 17 operating coasters, with an 18th on the way, this legendary attraction stands not only as a thrill ride, but also as a landmark piece of coaster history that holds a special place in the hearts of many ACE members. (Posted 6/1/26) [MORE]

ACE’s Preservation Manager Asks Why Are We Losing So Many Coasters, and What Can We (and You) Do About It?

Although excited to be ACE's newest preservation manager, I wish to turn our preservation attention to the distressing number of coasters that have been lost in recent developments. Three woodies ceased operation in 2025 (Roar and Wild One at Six Flags America and Switchback at ZDT). (Posted 6/1/26) [MORE]

ACE Pacific Southwest: West Coast ACEers

There is a song that states it never rains in southern California. Well, it does from time to time, and when it does, it seems that anything having to do with the outdoors shuts down. The threat of rain for the weekend of West Coast ACEers had many on edge. Fortunately, that rain did not manifest, and 100 people attended ACE Pacific Southwest’s annual West Coast ACEers event at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Attendees came from the region as well as Florida, Texas and Virginia. The weather was perfect for the event with sunshine and no rain. (Posted 6/1/26) [MORE]

ACE Events — JUNE 2026

Check out ACE’s flagship, regional, informal meetup and digital events for June. See the Events tab on the ACE website for all the details. (Posted 6/1/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED MAY 18

ACE Europe: Springfest Meetup at Walibi, Holland

Saturday, May 2, was once again time for the annual Springfest meetup, this year at Walibi Holland (Biddinghuizen, Flevoland, Netherlands). The group was smaller than usual, which meant that the planned ERT sessions couldn’t happen, but, as is often the case with ACE outings, that didn’t dampen the fun one bit. In fact, it turned into a surprisingly relaxed day, in which the sun, atmosphere and friendships made for a good time. (Posted 5/18/26) [MORE]

ACE Southeast: ACEers in the Wild: A Rainy Start, a Wildly Fun Finish at Wild Adventures

ACE Southeast members gathered on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for ACEers in the Wild at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia — and despite a soggy start, the day turned into one of the most memorable regional events in recent years. With a mix of coasters, critters, great food and some of the friendliest staff around, Wild Adventures proved once again why it’s a hidden gem worth the trip. (Posted 5/18/26) [MORE]

Remembering Edward DeWolfe

Edward R. DeWolfe, of Quincy, Massachusetts, died peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026, surrounded by the love, comfort and care of his family following a period of declining health. He was 85 years young. (Posted 5/18/26) [MORE]

ARTICLES POSTED MAY 11

Two Coasters Open in France; Theming Is Showcased

France has said “bonjour” to two new coasters in April. Each makes a significant statement for each park. Both opened in early April. (Posted 5/11/26) [MORE]

Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World To Remain Closed in 2026

On April 30, it was announced that Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World on Grand Island, New York — a short distance from the tourist destination that is Niagara Falls — would not open for the 2026 season. The news followed earlier reports and rumors of the park having encountered various difficulties, heightened by its failing to post job openings and season pass sales. (Posted 5/11/26) [MORE]

Coaster Milestones: March-April

(Posted 5/11/26) [MORE]