Ride With Us!
Welcome to the February 2011 edition of ACE NorCal News!
In this issue:
ACE NorCal on Facebook
Just for fun: Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze
California’s Great America, February 2011 update
Gilroy Gardens, February 2011 update
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, February 2011 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, February 2011 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, February 2011 update
— Steven Wilson
Stay up to date on what’s happening in ACE NorCal by “liking” our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ACENorCal
Be sure to refer all of your family and friends to “like” our Facebook page and win a terrific prize of a party for ten at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach! Contest ends on February 28th. To get started, sign in to Facebook, “like” our page, and see:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=117163775023320&topic=23
Many thanks to new Assistant Regional Representative Nicholas Laschkewitsch for creating the ACE NorCal Facebook page!
I went to Pier 39 in San Francisco because their web site had a local advantage program that offered two hours of free parking plus half off admission to the aquarium in January. If you are a AAA member you can also get two hours of free parking at the Pier 39 Welcome Center. After I took the girls to see the aquarium, I wandered about Pier 39 because I had some extra time. So I tried the maze. It only cost $5.00. They gave me plastic gloves so I would not make fingerprints on the glass. And they let me push the double stroller around in there. It was very well done and similar to those that we encountered on the ACE trip to Japan. I got lost quite a few times but then figured out that the correct path through the maze would be similar to the correct path at Gilroy Gardens Pinnacles Rock Maze and it was. It was very cool to see your image repeated multiple times and the carpet is fresh enough not to have a worn path that leads you to the exit.
Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze
web site: http://www.pier39.com/Attractions/index.htm#att137
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magowans-Infinite-Mirror-Maze/170314027279
— Emi Pearce
Invertigo…going, going, gone.
Following in the tradition of the Gulf Coaster, Whizzer, Tidal Wave / Greased Lightnin’, and Stealth, Invertigo is leaving California’s Great America. Plans for the vacated site, once home to the iconic Sky Whirl / Triple wheel, have not been announced. The official announcement on Invertigo’s departure is here: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/news/detail.cfm?item_id=1069
California’s Great America is closed for the season. Opening day of the 2011 season is set for March 27th. For the operating calendar, see: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/visit/visit_calendar.cfm
California’s Great America
web site: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cagreatamerica
— photo: Steven Wilson
Gilroy Gardens is closed this month. The 2011 Season opens on March 27th. If you’d like to work at Gilroy Gardens, the park is having a job fair on February 27th. For more information, see: http://gilroygardens.org/employment.html
Gilroy Gardens
web site: http://www.gilroygardens.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilroy-Gardens/122943674395623
— photo: Steven Wilson
Who could have guessed that the Scarecrow of OZ was a member of ACE? Derek Willhite of Santa Rosa, CA came to the Wizard of OZ weekend event at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach in full costume and make-up. In the picture are three ACE members: Richard Tuck, Derek Willhite, and Frank Biafore, all volunteers at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. Photo courtesy of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach.
“This is one of the busiest times of the year for us,” Richard Tuck explains about Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. “The regular theme parks are closed and people want to stay warm and dry, so they come to stay indoors with us. In February we feature Laffing Sal’s Valentine Hijinks and later in the month a tribute to the Addams Family.
“Our Roller Coaster Rampage project is getting more exciting. We are collecting archival footage of the world’s best coasters. Our goal is that eventually guests would be able to choose from 1000 different coasters before boarding our attraction and getting a front seat ride on the coaster of their choice. For the coasters that no longer exist, we are hopeful of attracting engineering students would like to recreate a rendition of the ride.”
This would be an opportunity to travel anywhere in the world or even back in time to sit in the front seat of any coaster selected. It would all be menu-driven off a computer. Anyone interested in helping with the project, please email Richard at RichardD56@aol.com.
For more details on what’s happening at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach in February, see: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/calendar_01.html
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Saturday, Sunday, and school holiday. Open evenings for private events 365 days a year. 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 592-3002. http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org . Admission $10 for kids (to 13), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for general admission. Admission includes 34 free pinball machines, penny arcades, carnival games, treasure hunts, miniature dioramas, and surprises around every corner. ACE members receive a $5.00 discount on admission upon presentation of their ACE membership cards.
— Thanks to Richard Tuck for contributing this article.
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
web site: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playland-Not-At-The-Beach/99162687027
“Giants” Dipper
February at the Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open this month on weekends and on Presidents Day, February 21st. For hours and dates, see the operating calendar for February here: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/calendar/2011/february.html
Current deals
2 for 1 Unlimited Rides
Buy one unlimited rides wristband and get one free! Offer is available on February 12, 13 (Saturday, Sunday) and February 19, 20, 21 (Saturday, Sunday, and Presidents Day).
Also, get your Boardwalk Super Savings coupon sheet online at:
http://beachboardwalk.com/01_coupons.html
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
web site: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk
— photos: Steven Wilson
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is closed this month. Opening day for 2011 is March 19th.
Current deals
Buy four season passes and get one season parking pass free! For details, see: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/tickets/seasonpass.aspx
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
web site: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/discoverykingdom
photo: Steven Wilson