More Than 500 Members of the World’s Largest Amusement Park-Related Club to Visit Area

Santa Clara, CA (June 16, 2024) More than 500 members of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world’s largest amusement park-related club, gather this week for the 46th annual Coaster Con, where they will experience a week of immersion in their favorite hobby, riding roller coasters. Coaster Con is the highlight of World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month for many attendees, who have traveled from 35 states, the District of Columbia and three countries, including Chile, Canada and Australia, to visit California’s Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

“There isn't a better week of the year than Coaster Con! Not only do we have the opportunity to enjoy countless coaster rides, but to ride alongside those who share our passion enhances the experience. This is where lifelong friendships are built,” shares ACE President Elizabeth Ringas.

In addition to celebrating the parks’ vast collection of crowd-pleasing roller coasters, attendees experience extras such as behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive ride time before and after park hours, speakers, delicious meals, photo and video contests, reconnecting with friends and making new ones, the annual business meeting and meetups for Father’s Day, Pride Month and Juneteenth.

The week kicks off with the third annual World’s Largest Coaster Ride. California’s Great America will join parks around the world for the largest annual simultaneous dispatch of coasters to celebrate the anniversary of LaMarcus Thompson’s Switchback Railway, the first modern roller coaster. Attendees will have the opportunity to brave lift hill walks up four of the coasters at California's Great America and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, towering more than 100 feet in the air. Animal interactions will also be a highlight of the week for many attendees at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Coaster Con will also bring together many amusement industry speakers, including Chris Baynum from Baynum Solutions and Mike Boodley from Great Coasters International, Inc.

ACE Communications Director Derek Perry commented that “ACE will welcome a special guest appearance and musical performance by Aileen Quinn, star of the 1982 ‘Annie’ film, and her band, The Leapin’ Lizards! To coincide with the 100th anniversary of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, Giant Dipper, and the 100th anniversary of the debut of the ‘Little Orphan Annie’ comic strip that ‘Annie’ is based on, Aileen and her band will take Coaster Con attendees on a musical journey through the decades beginning in the 1920s and culminating with a finale of her classic song ‘Tomorrow.’”     

About ACE: Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With more than 7,500 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive exclusive park benefits, newsletters, magazines and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. ACE has been prominently featured on various news programs and many cable networks such as the Travel Channel.

California's Great America - Gold Striker
Photo: Harris Lanum. View full-sized image.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Giant Dipper
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Superman Ultimate Flight
Photo: Steven Wilson. View full-sized image.

Downloads: