Virginia is for coaster lovers:
ACE Spring Conference
coasts into Virginia

Richmond, VA, (May 16, 2025) - More than 700 members of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), will gather in Virginia this weekend for the annual ACE Spring Conference. Over the three-day conference, attendees will visit Busch Gardens WIlliamsburg and Kings Dominion to experience thrills, food and friendship. Both parks are celebrating their 50th anniversaries in 2025. 

“I am thrilled to welcome my fellow members to enjoy a weekend at my hometown,” said ACE President Elizabeth Ringas. “Sharing the fun these parks bring to their guests and creating new memories, all while celebrating two parks' 50th anniversaries truly fulfills the mission of our organization.”

The event kicks off at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, where attendees will be among the first to ride The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge. The park’s new family-friendly inverted roller coaster stretches over 2,500 feet of track and travels up to 40 mph while bolting through the streets of an abandoned Bavarian village. Attendees will also experience exclusive ride time (ERT) on other park favorites like Apollo’s Chariot, Tempesto and Pantheon, participate in a behind-the-scenes haunt maze tour and partake in the park’s Food & Wine Festival.

Rapterra, Kings Dominion’s new coaster, will be the highlight of the second half of the event. The world’s tallest and longest launched wing coaster joins other park favorites like Tumbili and Twisted Timbers in the ERT lineup. The event will conclude with a behind-the-scenes tour of Twisted Timbers. 

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.

Event schedule: https://www.aceonline.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1899481