The Blog

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.

Welcome to the May 2009 edition of ACE NorCal News!

In this issue:
Welcome, Emi and Matthew
Discover Sonoma TrainTown!
California’s Great America, May 2009 update
Gilroy Gardens, May 2009 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, May 2009 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, May 2009 update

— Steven Wilson

Please welcome Emi and Matthew Pearce as new Assistant Regional Representatives for ACE Northern California! We called for volunteers for the Assistant Rep positions back in January. Emi and Matthew volunteered and have been approved. They are quite active in the region. If you’ve been to any of our regional activities over the last several years, you’ve probably met them already. Congratulations, Emi and Matthew!

— Steven Wilson

All aboard for Sonoma TrainTown!

This charming amusement park near downtown Sonoma off of Highway 12 features a Wisdom kiddie coaster credit called “Dragon Train.” And you can’t miss the miniature train ride through tunnels, over bridges and trestles, and around the heavily-wooded park. Be sure to bring a camera with you on the train as there is a large mirror so you can take a picture of yourself on the open-car train. Bring quarters to feed the animals at the petting zoo / miniature town stop on the train ride. There are goats, sheep, bunnies, and more to feed. Additional rides at the park are a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, scrambler, swings, and an airplane ride for kids only. Kids can also play in the train structure above the park entrance. Train rides are $4.75 each. Roller coaster rides are two $1.25 tickets each or buy a book of ten tickets for $10.00. From June to Labor Day, the park is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Between September and May, the park is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. The “Dragon Train” roller coaster operates only on the weekends. We visited on a recent Saturday morning in May and the park was not too crowded with all rides in operation.

For more information about visiting TrainTown, go to the TrainTown web site.

— Emi Pearce, photo: Matthew Pearce

There’s plenty going on in May at California’s Great America. The park is open on Saturdays and Sundays through May 17th. On May 23rd, daily operation begins. In addition, Boomerang Bay opens for the season on May 23rd. Don’t miss the spectacular Memorial Day Weekend fireworks at 9:45 PM on Sunday, May 24th.

Also in May, on the 10th, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, you can enjoy breakfast with the Nickelodeon characters. The character breakfasts will also be offered in July and September. For more information, see
Breakfast with the Nickelodeon Characters

For high school students interested in working in the amusement and theme park industry, check out the park’s Career Development Day.
Please note that the registration deadline is coming right up on May 8th.

For more information about California’s Great America, visit
the California’s Great America web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson