All posts by Steven

Correspondent Nicholas Laschkewitsch sends in another photo report on the construction of the new Haunted Castle attraction at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. These photos are from 4 May 2010:

photos: Nicholas Laschkewitsch

We had a great time Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the ACE Spring Preservation Conference. There were great coasters and, of course, great food. This spectacular weekend ended with Sunday ERT on Revolution, X2, Viper, Tatsu, and Terminator Salvation: The Ride during breakfast, and then Goliath, Colossus, Scream, and Batman The Ride shortly afterward. Terminator Salvation: The Ride is a nicely themed wooden coaster from Great Coasters International, Inc. that places you in the Terminator movie at Magic Mountain. If you have seen the movie, you have to ride the coaster. Door prizes were and coaster parts were auctioned during lunch. The ACE conference was our second recent ERT at Magic Mountain because we had also attended Theme Park Review’s West Coast Bash. I highly recommend attending TPR’s Bay Area Bash, which is just two weeks away.

On Saturday, we enjoyed Adventure City in the morning and Knott’s Berry Farm in the afternoon and evening. Adventure City has two Miler coasters: Freeway Coaster and Tree Top Racers which is a wild mouse themed as if the coaster cars were put together with junk parts. This was the best park for our daughters because there were three rides that they could ride, although they are still not tall enough for roller coasters. The three rides they could go on were a train that went around Adventure City, the carousel, and the Rescue Squad.

On Friday, the Spring Conference featured Castle Park and Belmont Park. Castle Park had a prize drawing for a walking tour of Ghostblasters during their delicious barbeque lunch. Following lunch was ERT on three coasters: Little Dipper, Merlin’s Revenge, and Screamin’ Demon. At lunch we learned about Bud Hurlbut who designed a lot of Castle Park after working for Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland. He still comes around every once in a while to see Castle Park. In addition to ERT, our visit included a round of mini golf and a bag of video game tokens.

— Emi Pearce

California’s Great America is open weekends this month and on May 31st. Come on out for a spin on Flight Deck (formerly Top Gun) and check out the new Planet Snoopy.

Be in the know on all the latest happenings at California’s Great America. Become a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/cagreatamerica

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

— photo: Steven Wilson

Celebrate Gilroy Gardens’ Tenth Anniversary with special offers for children age ten and under from now though 31 May 2010. For more details, see:
http://www.gilroygardens.org/events2.html#BDAY

Show your mom the beauty of Gilroy Gardens and treat her to a special Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch: http://www.gilroygardens.org/pdf/2010Brunch.pdf (NOTE: link is to a PDF.)

Gilroy Gardens is open on Saturdays and Sundays in May as well as on May 31st.

For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach Celebrates Its Second Anniversary

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach opened its doors in May 2008 and is about to celebrate its second anniversary. “Spring 2010 has been especially busy at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach as we prepare for our anniversary event. We have been breaking records all year long,” explains Richard Tuck, the Master of Fun at Playland. “We just passed the 2500 mark for guests at private parties since January 1st. On top of that we were also able to provide over 560 free passes to Disneyland for volunteers who helped out in our nonprofit for the first three months of the year.

But the biggest success of 2010 is the documentary film “Remembering Playland” which is now held over for a second month at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco. “This new documentary was supposed to play for just one night, but it kept getting held over again and again with every performance totally sold out. Generations of people who remember Whitney’s Playland at the Beach have shown up to see the film, and they then return with their families to see it again and again. Most of the new footage was filmed here at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach.”

The DVD version of “Remembering Playland” has additional footage and is available in the souvenir shop at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach for $20 plus tax or by mail order for $25 including tax, postage and handling. Each purchase comes with an authentic artifact from Whitney’s Playland. To order call (510) 232-4264 ext. 24.

The next big project at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is a brand new attraction called Roller Coaster Rampage. “We are breaking ground soon,” Tom Wyrsch, the Chief Designer explains. “Being volunteer run and operated, Playland is now appealing to volunteers who want to be involved with making some of the design choices. “This attraction comes about through the generosity of ACE members Nancy Redden and Mike Chew. When we open later this summer, guests will be shocked at the surprises in store for them.” To volunteer, contact Kendra Zien at (510) 232-4264 ext. 30 or email kendra@playland-not-at-the-beach.org.

How about treating your mom to a visit to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach this Mother’s Day weekend? She gets in for half price on Saturday and Sunday with a paid regular admission.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Sat, Sun 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 go to Richard Tuck for contributing to this article.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk May Highlights:

The new Haunted Castle ride opens Memorial Day Weekend!
Also see in this issue: Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle Construction — 4 May 2010

More May highlights…

Amgen Tour of California Bike Race
May 18, Boardwalk
Your chance to see Lance Armstrong and check out this huge international sport. The 3rd Stage finish line is right in front of the Boardwalk.
http://beachboardwalk.com/01_events.html

Season Kick Off
May 22, 2010, Boardwalk
Preview all the summer entertainment on this big day. Events include a free beach concert with A Flock of Seagulls, Brazilian acrobats, sky divers, and more!
http://beachboardwalk.com/01_events.html

Did you try the Lazer Maze yet? Its new location is right across from the Pirate Ship. Here’s a short video.
http://www.youtube.com/beachboardwalkfun#p/u/1/O5tBuo_C3Tc

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Boardwalk by taking your mom to the Mother’s Day Brunch: http://www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com/events.html

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open daily in May. Some days have limited operation. See the park’s calendar for full details:
http://www.beachboardwalk.com/calendar/2010/may.html

Stay up to date, up to the minute, on what’s going on at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk by becoming a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk

For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.

— Thanks to Brigid Fuller of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for contributing to this article.

— photo: Steven Wilson

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is open Friday through Sunday in May and on May 31st. Why not take mom to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for Mother’s Day? The park is offering a special Mother’s Day Picnic: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/MothersDayPicnic.aspx
Also, if you thought you’d missed out on the $49.99 season pass offer, it’s been extended through the 31st of May: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/tickets/seasonpass.aspx

To stay informed of what’s happening at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, become a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/discoverykingdom

For more information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, check out their web site.

photo: Steven Wilson

Welcome to the April 2010 edition of ACE NorCal News!

In this issue:
MEDUSA’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration
Nicholas’ Excellent VIP Adventure at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
San José has a new roller coaster!
California’s Great America, April 2010 update
Gilroy Gardens, April 2010 update
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, April 2010 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, April 2010 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, April 2010 update

Also, please see this reminder for the fast-approaching 2010 ACE Spring Preservation Conference from our previous issue:
2010 ACE Spring Preservation Conference
Deadline for advance registration is today, 8 April 2010!

— Steven Wilson

ACE members pose for a group photo during MEDUSA’s tenth anniversary celebration.

Ten years ago, the coaster wars were raging in Northern California. Stealth versus Medusa generated a lot of media buzz with competing media preview days, a war of words about which was truly the world’s first flying coaster, and even airplanes flying about with banners touting the two coasters. Today, the coaster scene in Northern California is without coaster wars and many children are too young to even remember Stealth. Thanks to Nancy Chan, Charles Laureano, and their colleagues at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, NorCal ACE members got to experience a re-creation of Medusa’s original media preview on the occasion of the roller coaster’s tenth anniversary. While the tenth anniversary celebration was held on 25 March, Nancy pointed out that the original date had been 17 March 2000.

ACEers in attendance were treated to ultra ERT on Medusa. All were “wowed” by the generous spread of Greek food provided. The park commissioned a special tenth anniversary Medusa poster that was given out to all attendees. Door prize winners were Elliott Fong, who received a basket of Medusa memorabilia, and Roni Wolfe, who won a framed copy of the special Medusa poster that was signed by the artist.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom kindly provided ACE members with complimentary parking and free admission to the event. Upon conclusion of the Medusa celebration, attendees were welcome to spend the rest of the day enjoying the park.

Many thanks again go to Nancy Chan, Charles Laureano, and the rest of the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom staff for inviting ACE to such a fun and memorable event!

Scroll down for more photos.

See also:

+ news story and video about the event — http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14763634

+ Six Flags Discovery Kingdom photo album of the event on Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=197544&id=59636827742

+ recent NBC Bay Area report on Medusa (not taped at the anniversary event) — http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/Coaster_Too_Much_for_This_Reporter_Bay_Area.html

This sign includes the commemorative MEDUSA’s tenth anniversary poster.

MEDUSA ERT!
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Andy, Ellis, Ray, and Mike
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Tom Fox expresses his opinion of MEDUSA during ERT.
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Ellis, Karley, and Eugene

Matthew, Rick, Roni, and Ian

MEDUSA turned her into stone.

Elliott Fong accepts his MEDUSA prize basket from Charles Laureano.

Captain Lee presents prize winner Roni Wolfe with a framed copy of the commemorative MEDUSA poster signed by the artist.

— All photos by Steven Wilson unless otherwise indicated.

Captain Lee, Nicholas, and Park President Eric Gilbert

One of Northern California’s most avid roller-coaster lovers and member of ACE, Nicholas Laschkewitsch, was recently treated to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (SFDK) in Vallejo, CA. Nicholas was the winner of a contest sponsored by SFDK in which he referred more fans to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s Facebook fan page than anyone else. His VIP day included special access and gifts for him and three of his friends, including free admission to the park, free T-shirts, participating in the opening ceremony to open the park with Captain Lee and Mr. Six, ERT on Medusa, being a special guest trainer at the Dolphin Sea Experience, having an incredible gourmet lunch with Captain Lee and the Park President, Eric Gilbert, VIP seating at the “Celebrate Shouka” (whale) Show, VIP seating at Odin’s Temple of the Tiger Show, Seafari passes to feed many of the park’s animals, and a commemorative Medusa poster, suitable for framing (which Nicholas has already done!). Perhaps best of all, Nicholas and his three friends had a personal escort for the entire adventure: a wonderful staff member named Nichole. Nicholas was blown away by the incredible treatment he received and especially enjoyed the great conversations with Captain Lee and Eric Gilbert. What a memorable experience!

You can read all about his amazing adventure on his blog, at http://www.nicscorner.com/sfdk1.htm . Nicholas also encourages you to join Facebook, if you haven’t already, and become a fan of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom!

Nicholas and his family will be buying their season passes soon, as they are only $49.99 ($20 off) until April 11. The season passes include, among other great benefits, five FREE tickets for friends to use on selected days, as well as unlimited free admission to fourteen Six Flags parks (including Magic Mountain in nearby Valencia, CA).

— Brian Laschkewitsch

— photo: courtesy of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom