Ride With Us!
Welcome to the June 2009 edition of ACE NorCal News!
In this issue:
ACE Day at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Discover John’s Incredible Pizza — with coaster!
Discover Blackbeard’s Family Fun Center!
California’s Great America, June 2009 update
Gilroy Gardens, June 2009 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, June 2009 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, June 2009 update
— Steven Wilson
ACE Day at Six Flags Magic Mountain!
Don’t miss this great day at Six Flags Magic Mountain: 14 June 2009! The event includes the first ERT on the excellent new Terminator Salvation: The Coaster wooden coaster by Great Coasters International, Inc. For full details, get the event flier.
Act fast! The deadline for purchasing tickets is Friday, 5 June 2009.
— photo: Steven Wilson
Have you ridden Sacramento’s only indoor coaster yet? The Incredible Express roller coaster can be found inside John’s Incredible Pizza at 384 North Sunrise Avenue in Roseville. It is a Wisdom “Miner Mike” coaster with a tire-propelled lift. The coaster is located in the Fun World games area of this all-you-can-eat pizza-pasta-salad bar that is warehoused in a former Sam’s Club building. A meal purchase is required to gain entry to Fun World. The meal is currently priced at $9 for adults during the evenings. The salad bar is good with a nice selection of vegetables. Fun World also has bumper cars, a Wisdom twister ride, laser tag, and mini golf as well as ticket-redemption games.
For more information about visiting John’s Incredible Pizza, go to the web site of John’s Incredible Pizza Company.
— Emi Pearce, photo: Matthew Pearce
Discover Blackbeard’s Family Fun Center!
Although this small park is technically in the Southern California ACE Region, if you find yourself out Fresno way, be sure to stop by!
“Ahoy thar, matey.”
Blackbeard’s Family Fun Center at 4055 North Chestnut in Fresno, California has a children’s roller coaster that adults can ride. The roller coaster is located in Cap’n Kids Rideland which is open Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The track was built by Carl Miler and the roller coaster train was built by Molina and Sons. Blackbeard’s also has bumper boats, a speedway, mini golf, paintball, and batting cages. Food, game, and mini golf coupons are available on their website.
For more information about visiting Blackbeard’s, go to Blackbeard’s Family Fun Center web site.
— Matthew Pearce, photos: Matthew Pearce
California’s Great America is ramping up the entertainment this summer! Be sure to get out to the park to enjoy the incredible All Wheels Extreme, with skate boarders, roller bladers, BMX riders, gymnasts, and more performing amazing feats. All Wheels Extreme runs through August 16th. There are no performances on Mondays and Tuesdays. In addition, there will be no performances on June 7th, July 11th, August 2nd, 8th, and 15th. For more information, see All Wheels Extreme.
Starting June 6th, you can cool off with the park’s skating extravaganza Endless Summer on Ice. The show runs through September 7th. Be advised that there are no performances on Wednesdays.
Next up, starting June 13th, catch The Chipper Lowell Experience in the Showtime Theater. This comedy and magic show features comedic magician Chipper Lowell. The show runs through September 7th, with no performances on Thursdays.
For more information about California’s Great America, visit
the California’s Great America web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
Experience Fairy Tale Wonders at Gilroy Gardens, starting June 6th through July 2nd. What better place to enjoy classic fairy tales than Gilroy Gardens’ beautiful storybook setting? During Fairy Tale Wonders, toddlers can enjoy story time in Monarch Garden and Claudia’s Garden. Volunteer docents will read childhood fairy tales to the young visitors. Older children can get in on the fun by starring as fairy tale characters in the Lakeside Amphitheater. Be sure to bring along mom and dad, because there may be parts for them in the show as well!
For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
The Giant Dipper’s Eighty-fifth birthday! …the celebration continues.
On Saturday, June 13th, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk continues the celebration of the Giant Dipper’s 85th birthday. The Boardwalk is having a fireworks spectacular in the landmark coaster’s honor.
Read more about the Giant Dipper’s eighty-five year history here:
The Boardwalk’s Most Popular Ride for Eighty Five Years – The GIANT DIPPER
June also marks the beginning of the ever-popular FREE Friday Night BANDS ON THE BEACH. The free concert series begins on June 19th and runs through September 4th. For the lineup and schedule, see: FREE Friday Night BANDS ON THE BEACH.
For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
The big excitement in June at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will be the debut of the new Odin’s Temple of the Tiger. The popular tiger show is moving to a larger, more comfortable venue. In addition to the show, you can watch the tigers in an observation area at the new location. Odin’s Temple of the Tiger is expected to open around the 10th of June. Following a period of adjustment for the tigers, shows will begin.
Also big in June at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the kickoff of the Starburst Summer Concert Series. The first act, appearing on Wednesday June 24th, will be the Australian pop stars The Veronicas. The show is free with park admission (including season pass holders). Admission to the concert, however, requires a free wrist band. The wrist bands will be distributed at the park on the date of the concert on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, check out their web site.