ACE New England Region News and Updates

ACE DAY AT CANOBIE LAKE DETAILS FINALIZED

The following are the details that will be released on the event flyer in the next issue of The New England Dispatch:

AUGUST 21, 2004

After several years of trying and failing, we’ve finally made it happen: Our first ACE regional event at Canobie Lake Park! Start off your Funtown Fest weekend with a bang (i.e. the kind made by a cannonball!), or spend a full day at one of our finest traditional parks if the trip to Saco doesn’t fit your weekend plans.

SCHEDULE:

10:30 am to 12:30 pm: Arrive at the park and purchase your “buy-one-get-one-free” admission at the ticket booth of your choice. You must show your ACE membership card to get the discount. This special will only be offered until 12:30 pm!

11 am to 12 pm: Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) on Yankee Cannonball and Corkscrew.

12 pm to 10 pm: Canobie Lake Park open to the public and you.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

1. The admission cost is $25. The fee will not be prorated for odd-numbered parties, so buddy up if you want to take advantage of the “buy-one-get-one-free” offer.
2. No free, discounted, or pre-purchased passes will be accepted for admission to this event. You must purchase your tickets at the park on the day of the event.
3. ACE members may bring an unlimited number of non-member guests at the same cost, so long as the member purchases tickets for the guests at the same time. BECAUSE ACE’S CURRENT NON-MEMBER POLICY WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO, ANYONE BRINGING NON-MEMBER GUEST(S) MUST SEND AN EMAIL TO JPYTKA@ACEONLINE.ORG (or call 401-728-3886 only if you do not have email access) BY 11PM AUGUST 20 WITH THE NAME OF GUEST(S) AND THE MEMBER SPONSORING SAID GUEST(S). MEMBER SPONSORS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL GUEST(S) BEHAVIOR AT THE EVENT PER THIS POLICY. Parties not including non-members need not send email (i.e. there is otherwise no RSVP required).
4. You must show your ACE membership card to purchase your tickets and to gain entry to the park at the turnstile (keeping any non-member guests in close proximity during entry).
5. Cameras are NOT allowed on the coasters during ERT or at any other times.
6. Parking is always free at Canobie Lake Park.

For directions and additional park information, visit www.canobie.com or call 603-893-3506.

Note for those planning on attending both this event and Funtown Fest: allow a minimum of 90 minutes to get from Canobie Lake to Funtown. If traffic is unfavorable it could take longer, and registration at Funtown will end as described in the Funtown Fest flyer. Allow enough time so as to avoid disappointment.

The Payment of event fees by, for or on behalf of participants releases and holds harmless the American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide, Inc., its Officers, Directors, Executive Committee members and representatives, as well as Canobie Lake Park from any and all liabilities related to those activities.

FUNTOWN FEST DETAILS FINALIZED

The following are the details that will be released on the Funtown Fest flyer in the next issue of The New England Dispatch:

August 21-22, 2004

Funtown/Splashtown U.S.A. Presents an Event for New England ACE Members and Other Coaster Enthusiasts

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, August 21, 2004

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm or Closing (whichever comes FIRST) – Registration at the designated area outside the park entrance.
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm – Funtown open and available to the public and you.
10:00 pm to 11:30 pm – Exclusive Ride Time on Excalibur

Sunday, August 22, 2004

8:30 am to 10:00 am – Registration at the designated area for those attending only today’s portion of the event. Check-in for those who also attended yesterday.
9:00 am to 10:00 am – Exclusive Ride Time on Excalibur and Dragon’s Descent
10:00 am to 8:00 pm – Funtown open and available to the public and you.
10:00 am to 6:00 pm – Splashtown open and available to the public and you.

ACE Member (Must show current valid ACE membership card to register):	$25.00
ACE Member Funtown Season Pass Holder (Must show current valid ACE membership card AND Funtown Season Pass to register):	$3.00
Non-Member (Must be a guest of a member attending the event to register):	$30.00
Non-Member Funtown Season Pass Holder (Must be a guest of a member attending the event AND present a valid Funtown Season Pass to register):	$8.00

All registration is on-site outside of Funtown’s main entrance (exact location(s) to be announced, but should be easy for all to find). Members must present a valid ACE membership card to attend at the applicable member rate. Non-members must pay the applicable non-member rate in CASH ONLY (i.e. no credit cards, etc. will be accepted from non-members). Per current ACE policy, non-members may only attend this event as a guest of an ACE member who consents to take responsibility for the behavior of any and all guests he/she has “sponsored.” Credit cards will be accepted from ACE members for most of the registration fee ($3.00 of it per attendee must be paid in cash or check) and are welcome from all for all other Funtown purchases. Attendees will be given a special wristband, which will allow them admission to the ERT. If attending both days, you and the names of the people in your party will be put on a list on Saturday. On Sunday, all you’ll have to do is check in at the registration area, pick up your wristband, and get checked off the list. Please note that the schedule of events is subject to change (for reasons including, but not limited to, inclement weather and mechanical difficulties). Registration on Saturday will end at 8 pm or when the park closes, whichever comes first. This means that if the park closes earlier than 8 pm for any reason, the registration period will also end at that time. To avoid disappointment, early arrival is recommended, especially if the weather conditions for Saco look threatening. You may attend only one day if you wish, but there is no discount for partial attendance. Hope to see you there! Visit www.funtownsplashtownusa.com or call 800-878-2900 for directions and general information about Funtown.

The Payment of registration fees by, for or on behalf of participants releases and holds harmless the American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide, Inc., its Officers, Directors, Executive Committee members and representatives, as well as Funtown/Splashtown U.S.A. from any and all liabilities related to those activities.

BREAKING NEWS: ACE DAY AT CANOBIE LAKE

After many attempts to make a regional event happen at Canobie Lake, I can now announce our first ACE Day being planned for Canobie Lake Park on Saturday, August 21st (dovetailing with Funtown Fest). The event will include one hour of morning ERT on Yankee Cannonball and a
"buy one get one free" admission special for attendees. More details will be posted here when they become available and will also be included with the forthcoming July/August issue of The New England Dispatch.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS FOR SUPERMAN BIRTHDAY PARTY

Everyone attending must either have a season pass or a special ticket purchased *ONLINE* to be part of the event. To purchase the special online ticket, you must request an Evite by emailing supermanbirthdaybash@hotmail.com. Once you receive the Evite, follow the instructions found in it to purchase tickets.

Updated Itinerary (NOTE: You may show up at any point in the day to Guest Relations and check in for the event. There you will receive an itinerary.):

9:15am: Check in at Guest Relations to be escorted back for first ride of the day on Superman.

10:00am: Park Open

2:00pm: Join us in the River's Edge picnic grove for birthday cake and soda. Also, Superman raffle.

2:30pm: Question and Answer session with Six Flags New England General Manager, Ron Sevart in the park's Rivers Edge picnic grove.

10:00pm: Park Close.

Approx 10:15-11:15pm: Dark, dark, dark, Exclusive Ride Time on Superman Ride of Steel. This will be a solid hour of ERT, the "clock" won't start until the first train of enthusiasts departs the station.

Again, if you have any questions or need to request an Evite email Dave Swank at the park at supermanbirthdaybash@hotmail.com.

SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND ANNOUNCES SUPERMAN BIRTHDAY BASH

The following information comes to us from our contact person at Six Flags New England. Note that this is a park-sponsored event. Any and all questions should go to Dave Swank at supermanbirthdaybash@hotmail.com . Sorry for the short notice...I only found about this a couple of days ago myself:

*DATE: Saturday, July 17th.

*The Event is for coaster enthusiasts. Each enthusiast is entitled to bring up to 3 guests apiece but they must be either season pass holders too or pay the non-season pass price of $19.99 each.


*This EVENT IS FREE for enthusiast season pass holders and up to three guests of enthusiasts who are also Six Flags season pass holders. (Does not have to be a Six Flags New England pass)

*$19.99 EACH for enthusiasts and/or up to 3 guests who are not season pass holders. To sum up, season pass holders are free, just have to be an enthusiast or guest of one, and non-Season Pass enthusiasts and "guests" must pay $19.99 apiece

*Event price includes:

-admission
-first ride of the day on Superman
-a free Superman Ride of Steel prize raffle in our picnic grove (including S:ROS
chain links, tees, etc.)
-Superman ROS birthday cake, and
-1 hour of night-time ERT, 10-11pm on Superman Ride of Steel!

Again, either your Season pass or $19.99 admission will get you access to the day's
activities.

*Since the event is on a Saturday, we're going to offer a $3/person discount off Lo-Q units for "birthday guests."

*This event is IN ADDITION to the Superhero Celebration 3 which will still be held in August.

*I ask anyone who believes they will attend, or has any questions, to email me at supermanbirthdaybash@hotmail.com and I will then send them an Evite. This Evite is to help us keep track of who all is coming.

--
COASTER EVENT AT LAKE COMPOUNCE

While we're still in the planning stages for our annual Boo-lder Dash Bash in October, Rus Ozana has organized yet another edition of rec.roller-coaster's Oc-Boulder-Fest. Since all enthusiasts are invited to attend, information about this event is being provided as a public service, but it is in no was affiliated with ACE or the ACE New England Region. Please address any and all inquiries about this event to Rus Ozana at Rusozana@aol.com.

Oc-Boulder-Fest!

Saturday, September 4, 2004
(Yes, it's early this year, it's on Labor Day weekend)

For only $19, you'll get full day admission to "The Lake", and one hour evening ERT on Boulder Dash the Mountain Coaster, after the park closes! Park hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.* Parking is $5.00

"Midway Moola" will be available for purchase at a 10% discount during registration, and can be used for food, merchandise, and Midway Games. (Soft drinks at LC are FREE)

Door Prizes will be awarded!

How to register:

Send check or money order, made out to Rus Ozana/RRC, in an amount equal to $19 per person attending. Include the name, home town, and State of all attendees, and send to:

Rus Ozana
157 Crosby Road
Dracut, MA 01826-1370.

Mail registrations must be postmarked by August 16.

You will also be able to register on the day of the event between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. 'under the bridge' at the entrance to the park.

In either case, you can save time at registration if you provide the name & home town and State of all persons in your party who plan to attend this event. This way, name badges can be produced ahead of time.

Send the names via e-mail to: Rusozana@aol.com., or to the address above.

ATTENTION LAKE COMPOUNCE SEASON PASS HOLDERS

*IF* we get the minimum number of attendees to qualify for ERT (100 persons), Lake Compounce Season Pass Holders can attend for just $9.00 (to defray the costs of door prizes). SP holders are asked to stop by the registration table at 11 a.m. when the final count is in. This event is open to any and all roller coaster fans. You need not be a member of any coaster club to participate in the fun.

*** Let us know if you can assist at the registration table! ***

But wait, there's more!

*** OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ~ TEE SHIRT OFFER! ***

A specially designed tee shirt celebrates our 5th Anniversary of O~B~F! If you would like one (or two, or three,,,,), please provide $11.00 for each shirt, and let us know what size(s) you'd like:

S M L XL XXL

5th Anniversary tees are available ONLY to pre-paid registrations, and orders must be post-marked no later than August 16.

Hope to see you there!

*This event schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment problems or other unforeseen circumstances.

UPDATE (7/26/04): There will be ride time on the Lake Compounce Kiddie Coaster! This will not be exclusive ride time, as the park will be open to the general public. All the park has requested is that those who wish to ride, please be at the Kiddie Coaster at 11:30 a.m. And, so that we can give the coaster back to the patrons for whom the coaster was designed, we've been asked to take one ride only.

--
NEW SUPERHERO CELEBRATION 3 DETAILS AVAILABLE

(from our contact at Six Flags New England:)

- REVISED, NEW DATE! -

It's back, the event that produced one of the greatest steel coaster
ERTs ever, Superhero Celebration. This is the premiere event of the
summer to experience the Golden Ticket winning, Superman Ride of Steel!
The event will take place on Friday, August 27, 2004 at Six Flags New
England located in Agawam, Massachusetts. Participants will be treated
to three and a half total hours of ERT between our classic 1941
Thunderbolt, the intense Scream, the outrageous Tornado and our very own
Intamin Mega-Coaster, Superman Ride of Steel. This steel coaster is the one
that all others aspire to be. Oh, by the way, the Superman ERT is in
the dark!

All participants must be a card-carrying member of an amusement park
club or the guest of a member (up to three guests per enthusiast). The
price is $28 per person. This includes admission, parking, ERT, and a
voucher for lunch at one of our selected restaurants. Good news! There
will also be a discount opportunity towards a Q-Bot for use with our
Fast Lane Lo-Q system. Offer is good August 27, 2004 only. Q-bot is
subject to availability.

There may be some more little surprises added to the lineup as well.
Check back occasionally for possible updates. Any questions regarding
the event can be sent to superheroevent3@hotmail.com.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

8:30 a.m.: Six Flags New England will open for Superhero Celebration
participants. For free parking, tell the Tollbooth Attendant you are
attending the Superhero Celebration and display your club's membership
card. Purchase your tickets at the designated main gate location.

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.: The 1941 classic Thunderbolt and its neighbor Scream
(Combo mode!) will be up and running for the day's first ERT session.

9:50 a.m.: Participants will be allowed access into the Superman Ride
of Steel entrance plaza for the first rides of the day.

10:30-11a.m.: Exclusive Slide Time on the furious Tornado funnel slide
and Big Kahuna tube slides in the Hurricane Harbor water park.

10:00 p.m.: Park closes to the public.

10pm-Midnight: Exclusive Ride Time on the Intamin-designed Superman
Ride of Steel. Climb 208 ft. along the picturesque Connecticut River
before plunging 221 feet down into an underground tunnel. Superman's mile
of track and endless assault of positive and negative Gs will redefine
your very definition of quality coastering. That's 2 solid hours of
Superman Ride of Steel in complete darkness! Can it match last year's?
Be there to find out!

--
IMPORTANT CHANGES WITH ACE PRESERVATION CONFERENCE LODGING PROPERTIES

(taken from www.aceonline.org)

Libertyland - Memphis Area

The Ridgeway Inn, owned by the Peabody Hotel Group, announced on May 1, that they will cease operation on May 31, 2004. The Baymont Inns of Memphis are offering ACE members an exceptional rate to stay at their two properties.

Baymont Inns & Suites - Airport
3005 Millbranch Road
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 396-5411

Baymont Inns & Suites - East
6020 Shelby Oaks Dr.
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 377-2233

www.baymontinns.com

Both properties are three story lodges with interior corridors and offer free local phone calls. All rooms have a coffee maker, iron and board, hair dryer, shampoo and work desk with dataport. A complimentary breakfast ( which includes fruit, waffles and french toast) is served.

AIRPORT - A free shuttle is available to the Memphis International Airport and Graceland. Inn is four miles from Libertyland, five miles from Beale St. and two miles from Graceland.

EAST - Inn has recently been renovated and also has a fitness center and an outdoor pool. Inn is eight miles from Libertyland, twelve miles from Memphis International Airport and eleven miles from Beale St.

RATE: 1 to 4 people per room. $54.00 plus 15.95% tax. A limited number of Leisure Suites (one king bed and one sofa pull-out bed, with refrigerator and microwave) are available at $64.00 plus 15.95% tax. Rate is valid for July 31 & August 1. Also, based on availability, rate would be valid for July 29, for those arriving for the conference early.

DEADLINE: Reservations are subject to availability and must be made by July 1 to guarantee rate. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the first night's stay.

RESERVATION CODE: American Coaster Enthusiasts

DIRECTIONS:
Baymont Inn - Airport = From I-55N, take exit #5A east on to Brooks Road, then north on Millbranch Road. From I-240E, take Nashville exit #24 south on Millbranch Road.

Baymont Inn - East = From I-40, take exit #12 Sycamore View Road north, then east on Shelby Oaks Drive.

Magic Springs - Hot Springs Area

Quality Inn - Hot Springs National Park

Due to the exceptional ACE rate, the Quality Inn National Reservations office, can not take ACE rate reservations at (800) 221-5151. Attendees may use the following toll free number to call the hotel directly - (877) 624-3321 or use the non-toll free number - (501) 624-3321