American Coaster Enthusiasts
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| Founded | 1978 |
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Members
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over 5,000 |
| Website | www |
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 that focuses on the knowledge, enjoyment, and preservation of roller coasters. It is the world's largest organization of amusement ride enthusiasts with over 5,000 members from at least 16 countries. Members receive discounts on admission to many amusement parks around the world, including various travel discounts, and receive a free subscription to the organization's bi-monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine. Members are also invited to attend private special events held each year at several amusement parks, which include access to exclusive ride times – a period of time before a park opens or after it closes set aside for a particular ride.
ACE keeps an online database of roller coasters which includes ride specifications and archives of published news articles. In recognition of historically significant roller coasters, the organization has awarded their ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Roller Coaster Landmark statuses to those that meet a specific set of criteria. The organization also tracks roller coasters that are in danger of being demolished, placing a special focus on traditional wooden roller coasters, and organizes efforts to save or relocate them.
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was founded in 1978 by Roy Brashears, Paul Greenwald, and Richard Munch, who met at a roller-coaster-riding marathon event in 1977 on Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion amusement park. The event was held in promotion of the movie Rollercoaster released the same year, which featured Rebel Yell in one if its scenes. At the time, it was commonplace for thrill-seekers and prospective Guinness World Record aspirants to participate in riding marathons. Three of the participants at this particular event – Brashears, Greenwald, and Munch – discovered they shared the same passion for roller coasters and decided to form a club that would allow others that shared the same interests to join. The club held its first event, Coaster Con I, the following year in 1978 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park. The group officially became an organization at the event, which has been held annually ever since.
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