Since Worlds of Fun opened in 1973, it has delighted visitors to the Kansas City, MO location ever since. It’s home to many historic rides and has a rich history. ACE members had a chance to visit the park during the 2024 Preservation Conference, enjoying behind-the-scenes experiences, great catered meals, ERT and some thorough presentations.

During the conference, Unofficial Worlds of Fun Historian Jennifer Lovesee-Mast shared a delightful presentation that highlighted the park’s history. Join us for a replay of this presentation plus a Q&A with the ACE members in the audience.

In this Episode:

[06:40] Unofficial Worlds of Fun Historian and worldsoffun.org founder Jennifer Lovesee-Mast shares the park’s history

[11:10] Shoutout to the original Von Roll skyride from the park’s opening days

[12:00] Moving the steamboat Cotton Blossom from California to Kansas City!

[19:00] Adding and subtracting rides over the years

[41:40] Questions and answers about the park

Learn more about Worlds of Fun

Visit worldsoffun.org to learn more about the park’s history or visit their Facebook page.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

Tim Baldwin, John Davidson, Doug Perry and Derek Perry talk about four fantastic new roller coasters to open in 2024. Learn all about Voltron Nevera at Europa Park, Fire In The Hole at Silver Dollar City, Iron Menace at Dorney Park and The Bobcat at Six Flags Great Escape.

In this Episode:

[3:00] Voltron Nevera

[22:22] Fire In The Hole

[33:21] Iron Menace

[42:32] The Bobcat

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

Onboard audio can add so much to an already exhilarating roller coaster experience. Join correspondent John Davidson for his conversation with Devin Flannery, Solutions Architect at Alcorn McBride Inc. They take a deep dive into Devin’s journey to the role and uncover some tricks of the trade along the way!

Check out Alcorn McBride events during IAAPA Expo 2024!

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

We're wrapping up our coverage of Coaster Con 46 with a recording of a very special night at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Members of the Canfield family share their experiences owning and running the park, the ACE Northern California Regional Rep team presents a plaque commemorating the Giant Dipper's maintenance team and the evening ended with a fantastic presentation by Chris Baynum of Baynum Solutions. This team of dedicated professionals paint roller coasters and attractions throughout the world.

The many presentations on this night held the attention of our in-person attendees, we're thrilled to share the experience with you.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

It's hard to believe that Coaster Con 46 has come to a close. Whether you attended the conference or followed along from home, our recap episode has something for you.

Join the podcast team for a lively discussion of the week's events. Derek Perry, Doug Perry, Corey Wooten, Liz Tan and Jessica Gardner walk through the highlights of our week at California's Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

In this Episode:

Pre-Con events at Happy Hollow and Gilroy Gardens

Tours during the event

Lift hill walks

Special events

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Volunteer Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

Coaster Con 46 is finally happening! Hundreds of enthusiastic ACE members converged on Northern California for this epic event. Join our podcast team for a series of episodes about their experience.

This first episode takes you into a special historical presentation by Clayton Lawrence, Cedar Fair Corporate Creative Producer. He called into the enthusiastic group of ACE members while Coaster Con was at California’s Great America.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

We’re celebrating Father’s Day (and the start of Coaster Con) with a fun conversation for all coaster enthusiasts – two dads chatting about roller coasters, theme parks and their kids. Join correspondent John Davidson as he and Robert Moran talk about theme park road trips and what makes them so special.

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondent: John Davidson

Creating an attraction is far more than installing track and building a station. Theming and ride design are easy to overlook, but they can add so much more to the experience. Correspondent Bob Randolph meets with Rick Backstrup, president of R&R Creative Amusement Designs, to shed new light on this key facet of the ride experience.

You may not be familiar with his name yet, but if you’re listening to our podcast, you’ve probably seen his work. His team has developed many themed attractions including elements like station design, queue lines, colors, names and more on legendary rides, including Viper (Six Flags Magic Mountain), Exterminator (Kennywood), Adventure Express (Kings Island), Merlin’s Mayhem (Dutch Wonderland) and so many more. One of their beloved attractions is Kings Island’s defunct Phantom Theater. Will that be making a comeback? Listen to find out!

In this Episode:

[1:30] Meet Rick

[8:50] R&R Creative’s unusual origin story

[15:15] How Phantom Theater came to be

[23:11] Creating backstories

[34:09] Working on the National Roller Coaster Museum

Buy Rick’s book! Adventures of a Theme Park Designer from Rivershore Press

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: podcast@aceonline.org. Did you know anyone can join ACE? Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE
• Providing opportunities for rewarding experiences
• Developing friendships in a small group
• Learning new skills or sharing your talents with ACE

Podcast Volunteer Team

Host: Jessica Gardner

Producers and Correspondents: Derek Perry and Doug Perry

Editor and Correspondent: Bob Randolph

Show Notes: Liz Tan

Production Manager: Corey Wooten

Correspondents: John Davidson and Bryant Yeager