Hello,

I am looking into joining the American Coaster Enthusiasts(ACE).Are there any ACE members on here that could tell me what it's like to be an ACE member?

Thanks!

I've seen good and bad vibes towards it here. I have an ACEr friend that gives me the Newsletters the last 5 years with the intention I should join. I cheaped out every year. I think I should join eventually to get the status though I clearly live it up as a non member. The member showed me two magazines once. They look really finely detailed in photos

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

There are many clubs out there with just as good, if not better publications then ACE. Most of them get you into the same events only in a cheaper fashion.

Clubs that I have heard good things about:

Coaster Zombies
GOCC (Great Ohio Coaster Club)
CoasterFanatics
ECC (European Coaster Club)
RideWorld
NAPHA (National Amusement Park Historical Association)
DAFE (Dark Ride and Funhouse Enthusiasts)

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Coaster Zombies is a cool name. I've picked up on ECC being in calendars and picked up on DAFE giving some great tips/ideas on gems of Dark Rides I would have easily overlooked in getting a coaster first.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

I would honestly say go with any other one of the clubs mentioned and skip ACE. I was a member for 3 years and got tired of paying for what little you really get from them. Most of their events are very overpriced.

The other clubs are far cheaper than ACE from what i see & hear and you get alot more out of them. I could not tell you witch one to choose since i have never joined another club since canceling with ACE.

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2009 Carolina Cobra Crew
Go Panthers! 4-6: Week 12 @ New York Jets

#6 North Carolina Tarheels 4-1

The thing to watch for in choosing a club is discounts. If I take my family to Indiana beach twice in a year, ACE membership saves me more than what it cost.

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ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator
My neighbor got a big new house, and all I got was his lousy payments

I joined ACE 3 years ago and I havent looked back.

While the other clubs may get you into park sponsored events like Coastermaina and Holliwood Nights, ACE has a full roster of their own events, both local and national.

I have been to quite a few national events and have always had an amazing time, and likewise several local events and park sponsored events.

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

The only thing I found about ACE is the fact that their events are really expensive! Even their regional events run from 20-60 dollars. For instance, Coasterbash in Pittsburgh is a dinner and presentations and run in the 40 dollar range. I just think it's a little much.

Other groups do trips too. Also, a lot of those clubs you can get into Solace and West Coast Bash among other national events.

Only event I go to is HWN and for 10-15 bucks I can get into a club and not have this outrageous price tag plus registration fees.

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$40 for dinner and presentations isn't bad, when you consider that the hall has to be rented.

Solace and West Coast Bash are not considered to be national events. National events are things like Coaster Con, the Spring Conference, and the Preservation Conference.

While some events are a little expensive, I do feel I get what I pay for.

For example, I went to the Preservation Conference in New England this summer. For about $125, i got:

-Admission to 3 parks (Lake Compounce, SFNE, and Quassy)
-Most of my meals covered...and these are the famous ACE buffets ;-)
-TONS of ERT at all three parks (2 hours in the evening at Compounce, 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening at SFNE, and total park ERT at Quassy for 2 hours)
-midnight snacks at Compounce and SFNE
-presentations from all three parks
-an exclusive presentation of the theatrical show at Compounce

not to mention that a small portion of my fees went to the Preservation Fund.....

I am not knocking other clubs... I know some ACErs who are also members of other clubs.... just saying what I love about doing ACE events....

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

I am an ACEr and while every club has its problems, I still enjoy ACE and am coming on 5 years as a member.

ACErs get a bad name for the few bad apples in the bunch. Most ACErs that I've met are nice people and not a bunch of weirdos.

I have gone to a Coaster Zombies event and enjoyed myself. I appreciate the fact that they don't make you join or be a guest of their club to go to their events.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

I bought ace memberships for my father and myself back in 2001. It's ok, but I don't have the money to go to CoasterCon. It's not the event that is too expensive, I just don't have the money for all those hotel stays. I usually go to the local events at CP, KI, HW and KW. Indiana Beach has a 1/2 price discount for ace members which was great. Plus KI gets you in early to walk back to the Beast for the first ride of the day. You also get Rollercoaster, the magazine which is really good, and it has full color, very detailed photos from around the country and the rest of the world. You also get thier newsletter, but half the time the news is outdated by the time they get it printed and sent to everyone. I know there are cheaper clubs out there, but you really do get a lot, esp if you split it up among your family, it only equals to be about 22 bucks when we split it last year amont the 4 of us.

If I ever did anything, I would save the money and go on one of the trips with Theme Park Review. Now those are some intense trips from the dvds I have watched.

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"Ok, fat ***, we've just traveled 2,460 miles just for a little Roy Wally entertainment. The moose says you're closed. I say you're open!"

ACE is all right. Mostly its about having the time and money to travel and do alot of events.. Some events are good others not so good. It really is all about what you put into the hobby of roller coastering. I have been a member 10 years and mostly hit events for the private ride sessions.. Nothing better then an hour on a coaster with no lines..
If you want great magazines, join the ECC, best coaster mag around.
If you want to see what kinds of things you can do with ACE, take a look in my events section.. Johnnyupsidedown.com Events
I have all the events I have been to with event discriptions, photos and what not. It will give you an idea of the kinds of things you can do at some of the events.

Best thing to do is look on the ACE website, ACEWEBSITE find an event you want to go to and attend. You dont have to be a member to attend events it just costs a couple $$ more. Just contact the regional rep and tell them you and say your dad are thinking of joining ACE and want to see if you can attend an event to check it out. Go to an event and see if its what you want to do.. OR contact your local ACE rep you can find them in the state by state area and ask them about events and such.

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Johnny Upsidedown's Roller Coaster Website
www.Johnnyupsidedown.com
Stop by and take a look at lots of coaster photos, construction and trip reports.

Why would I say my dad is joining?

BTW,would they let me into events even though I am 13?

Most likely you will need an adult or guardian to accompany you to an event.

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OK.Also,how much does a typical Coaster Con run?

The past two years it cost me $199. That took into account that I had seasons' passes for Six Flags (2008) and Cedar Fair (2007). Otherwise, they would have cost another $65.

The banquet is now an optional ticketed event. I think it was $40... but well worth it. The guest speaker this year was Mark Shapiro, and in 2007 it was the 4 guys from the Gravity Group.

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

I have personally witnessed Wes spending an entire day at Cedar point with a couple of ACE weirdos.

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ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator
My neighbor got a big new house, and all I got was his lousy payments

Yeah some guy that loves guitars.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

Don't worry Wes. I won't say anything about your gravy obsession.

Whoops! Sorry!

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Oh,well I was thinking of attending Coasterbash! in Pittsburgh once I become a member! ;D

Thanks so much for the info!

I couldn't get in. They said they found my lack of fanny pack disturbing.

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HANNAH MONTANA!!!!!!!!!
TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM!!!!!
"I'm living proof....THAT GIRLS CAN ROCK!!!!!!"

Uh oh, I got rid of mine. They might kick me out.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

Dude, if you have to give in to the dark side, at least you can get one in black leather.

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ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator
My neighbor got a big new house, and all I got was his lousy payments

Don't forget the optional athletic strap for your glasses.

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"Ok, fat ***, we've just traveled 2,460 miles just for a little Roy Wally entertainment. The moose says you're closed. I say you're open!"

I guess you can say I'm in ACE. my membership has lapsed. Since it's a family one I will likely sign back up. the publications are good but the events are getting way too pricey. The management of New England ace is also terrible. outside of LC SFNE and Funtown No other park has seen an event in 5 years. The Funtown even is very stale and LC switches from October and Summer. The SFNE events are nothing special. The top management for the region has dropped about every ball you could possibly drop.

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Michael C

I've heard the Western PA chapter is very good.

I can only speak for the SE and they are great on events & the newsletter.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

This summer, ACE New England hosted the Preservation Conference at Lake Compounce, SFNE, and Quassy......

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

Yes the Preservation conference which is set up by corporate not regional did include Quassy. It's the first even I have seen at Quassy in the 7 years I have been in ACE. They has been only 1 event at the Northern NH parks in that time and that was the first event featuring those parks. There is a set event at funtown pretty much every year. Granted they have Excalibur and are Addison wild mouse this year but they are one of the smallest park in New England and don't really merit a 1.5 day event.

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Michael C

I was an ACE member several years ago, but have since stopped renewing my membership because I could not attend the events they held, which is one of my main reasons I would get one. The only benefit I was getting was the magazines (which had nice pictures,) but that was it. It's worth it if you use it, but if you don't, don't.

I was in the "South Central" region, and they were all very nice. They have fun events, from what I can tell, and have several annual ones at that.

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