How do ACE'ers do it?

When I get out of college, I would like to join ACE because I need to get around and ride more than just the coaster at CP and PKI. But from what I've heard, to be an ACE member you must be really devoted, travel with them all the time, ride, ride, ride, etc., and I don't get it. Don't these people have jobs? If a trip can't fit your schedule, do you lose your membership? How devoted do you have to be and how often do they travel?

Who feed you that line of BS? Do not believe everything you are told.

That's why I am asking. I don't know for sure.

To be an ACE member you just have to send them 50 bucks. They'll send you a membership card and couple magazines for a year.

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Without the chaindog, you'd never get up the lifthill...

You can be as devoted as you want. Take as many trips you want (or not). If you want to go to all the events, it does help to have a really good job that allows for a lot of vacation time. Again, it's up to you. It's not a cult (of course, how would I know? I'm not a member:))
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If you have a problem with clones, the solution is real simple—Stop traveling.

Unfortunately, ACE doesn't seem too willing to help with travel expenses -- but they're terrific at creating them.

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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
May the Schwarz be with you.

If you do it right, you can travel it up without the huge amounts of cash or being an ACE member. I never even knew coasters existed (for the most part) outside of Cedar Point and Kennywood before June 2002 ... since then I've been to California, Florida, Jersey, east and central PA, Virginia and plans are in the works for a New England trip in two weeks. I have a decent intership, but I don't work a full 40 hour week and still managed to cram all these trips in, with school and work still going. You just have to plan right. AAA, season passes and priceline/expedia are your friends!

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Brett
Resident Launch Whore

Bakeman said:
When I get out of college, I would like to join ACE because I need to get around and ride more than just the coaster at CP and PKI. But from what I've heard, to be an ACE member you must be really devoted, travel with them all the time, ride, ride, ride, etc., and I don't get it.
As others have pointed out, you don't have to be devoted to join ACE. I know of at least a few people who joined the club that won't even ride one coaster.

Don't these people have jobs?
ACE members? Most of us do. I can't speak for everyone. =:^)
If a trip can't fit your schedule, do you lose your membership? How devoted do you have to be and how often do they travel?

There are no thrill or travel requirements for ACE (or any other enthusiasts group that I know of). You don't need to have a certain amount of coasters under your belt to join or anything like that. Personally speaking, I joined back in 1992 because of the publications and discovered the events and stuff a couple of years later.

Don't let someone tell you that just because you haven't ridden a certain amount of coasters, you are less of an enthusiasts. A person that has ridden 2 coasters can be more enthusiastic than someone that has ridden 850.

For more info go to www.aceonline.org

-Sean

I am an ACE Member and haven't gone to any of the events yet and have been a member for a year now. I would have liked to go to a couple of them, but never happened due to work and such, although I do like all the magazines and free stuff in the mail and if you go to one of their winter events its a good chance to win free stuff in raffles and almost everyone gets something special, so I think its worth it and 50 bucks is not alot for one year.
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The Jokes on You!! Ha Ha

I started out in ACE with the Help of Sean and some other ACERS. I had reservations cause it just seemed like there are a bunch of A-Holes in the club from what you read on the net.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Most people I've met in ACE are helpful and very friendly and about one thing, FUN and Friendship. The coasters are almost secondary.

Sure you have a group who are able to make many events a season but the majority do not. Most members may make one or two events a year if at all but when they can they have a great time.

I don't have to be a member of ACE, Many of the local things I could do with a CB membership (Which I have) Or a GOCC membership both are far cheaper. I am in ACE because I like it. I like the people. The events and the perks.

Chuck

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Charles Nungester.
It's official Lesourdsville Lake is closed for 2003

A membership can save you money in the long run too. There are several parks that offer discounts to ACE members. On my last road trip I got discounts at Fun Spot, Indiana Beach, and PKI. The walk back at PKI is worth it alone. Like others have said, you can do as little or as much as you want to do, there is no minimum.

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Ask yourself; When was the last time YOU visited Conneaut Lake Park?

I have been an ACE member for eons, and have never attended one single "official" ACE event. Its not really lack of desire, its just that their event itineraries have never really made me say "Gee, I'm a fool for not attending that one!" I would much rather go an visit a park (or a group of parks in a particular region) at my own leisure. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the planning that ACE does for its events, but I can't understand how waking up to be at a park at 7am for ERT qualifies as a "vacation"... I wake up early enough for work each day and really don't need to do the same while I am trying to get away from it all. When my friend and I visit parks, we go at our own pace and that seems to be much more enjoyable. The only trip that ACE planned that really intrigued me was last year's European trip, and that was because there is no way in hell that I would have done that kind of planning on my own.

An old friend of mine actually got me a membership in ACE as a "gift" after he found that I enjoyed his old RC! magazines so much, and every year since then, I have stayed a member primarily for the publications. Maybe one day I'll go to an event- who knows?- but my main reason for sending them money each year is for the reading material.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

ACE has no requirement for attending events.....CPG, on the other hand....;)

Sounds like Bakeman has been readin a little too much ARN&R ;)

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What I do when I'm not riding roller coasters!

rollergator said:
CPG, on the other hand

That reminds me of something. I seem to be missing the membership dues of just about all of you. Send those checks to Chris Baran...

You'll be getting your first issue of Worst Slop sometime in the near (or not too distant) future, along with exit passes for M:TR.

Exit passes? *mental picture*

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Harry Baer IV

"It's not going to stop 'til you wise up..."

Impulse-ive said:
You just have to plan right. AAA, season passes and priceline/expedia are your friends!

June 2001 for me... I actually AVOID ACE events... I'd rather just enjoy my time at the park than compete for ride time with these "coaster freaks" ;) I usually just take one 3-5 day trip per year... so I have to take little time off work... and then I have CP, SFWoA, PKI, KW, SFDL, SFGAm, and Hershey to make short overnight visits too (sometimes 2 nights, drive back in the morning and be home in time for lunch)

I am getting ambitions with my Florida plans... i doubt it will take anything less than 8 days... but eh... thats next year :)

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This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time.

I'm thinking of starting my own organization - UCE, Unemployed Coaster Enthusiasts. In the last seven months, I've managed to visit Vegas, CP, PKI, SFFT, SFOT, SFGAm, and have BGW, SFAW and Sea World San Antonio on tap for October.

Membership is totally free, but the publication is terrible. ;)

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Ask about my references

Although probably about as timely as ACE's!

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002