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Post by 65skylark on Feb 17, 2008 16:09:36 GMT -8
I kind of mentioned this briefly in another thread, but I'd like to know what the rest of you think about the future of ACE. Do they even have one?
It used to be, that if you wanted to be able to attend special events with park perks that the general public would never get, you had one option, ACE. You were happy to pay your yearly membership fee to have access to these great events. Now, with web sites like Theme Park Review (and others) this simply isn't the case. In fact, I would argue that the events and the trips put together by TPR, FAR exceed what you get out of an ACE event, and you don't even need to be a registered member of their site (which is also free).
I guess what I'm saying is I just don't know if there is any long term future with ACE. The last ACE event I went to, the numbers were low, and I was one of the youngest people at the event. I was 32. That isn't a good sign. You pay a yearly membership fee that no longer gets you exclusive perks at parks. You do get a monthly newsletter that has nice articles about rides that have already been shown and talked about for months on all the coaster web sites out there. So really, I honestly don't know what the advantage is to being an ACE member. I know I didn't renew my membership this year and I have no plans of joining up again.
Thoughts?
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Post by wolfblood on Feb 17, 2008 22:30:55 GMT -8
The way I see it, ACE was something I wanted to be a part of...but once I read and saw some pretty bad encounters with some of their higher up members...I don't want to be a part of that group period. (Just hearing how some of the head people treated the ride ops over at Toverland over not being able to film Troy just sickens me.)
If I have to pay to be a part of a group, I expect to get some pretty nice extras. Honestly, their perks just don't match up to what TPR's trips can get. For example, just read any of their TR's of any of their trips or just read the flyer for the West Coast Bash. ACE can't even get close to the perks TPR offer!
To put things plain and simple, I really don't think ACE is going to last very long. That and I'm quite sure their so-called Museum will never be built, they keep saying it's going to happen over the years...but I've seen NO progress at all.
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Post by 65skylark on Feb 18, 2008 6:24:10 GMT -8
(Just hearing how some of the head people treated the ride ops over at Toverland over not being able to film Troy just sickens me.) Perfect example. I'm sure you know why ACE was all up in arms about not being able to film on Troy? Because everyone from TPR WAS allowed to film on the ride!!! Brings a smile to my face just typing it. That is another thing I didn't mention. In Europe, ACE is more or less nothing. TPR is huge over there, again because the parks know they will get WAY more exposure doing extra things for TPR than for ACE. And don't take this as a "TPR is awesome thread" because it isn't. There are other groups out there that have good events also. TPR is just the one that consistently gives you more than ACE for less money than ACE. |
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Post by wolfblood on Feb 18, 2008 14:37:22 GMT -8
(Just hearing how some of the head people treated the ride ops over at Toverland over not being able to film Troy just sickens me.) Perfect example. I'm sure you know why ACE was all up in arms about not being able to film on Troy? Because everyone from TPR WAS allowed to film on the ride!!! Brings a smile to my face just typing it. That is another thing I didn't mention. In Europe, ACE is more or less nothing. TPR is huge over there, again because the parks know they will get WAY more exposure doing extra things for TPR than for ACE. quote] Mmm..hmm, plain and simple...TPR was nice enough to get permission from the park to film the ride. ACE however, didn't even ask...yet they have the gall to give the ride ops a fit just because they can't film without permission? Way to represent your group ACE, I'm sure Toverland will be more then happy to give you perks anytime you do another international trip.  This just reminds me of reading several message boards on people asking why doesn't ACE have a event at their park etc? To me, either ACE is not interested...or the parks simply don't want the hassle of it's members. There is a reason why TPR and many other groups have no problem going to parks and getting nice perks. They can give out great publicity and the members are polite and respectful to the parks, something which ACE has problems with. Now I'm not saying all members of ACE are bad, there are just some really sour apples in the bunch that really hurt it...and that's a major reason why I don't think ACE has much of a future. |
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Post by Bud Parsley on Feb 18, 2008 14:59:35 GMT -8
Well, I belong to ACE, and I can tell you that I'm not really taking much advantage of any discounts or park events...so it becomes one heck of a subscription price for four color magazines and a handful of black and white newsletters. I'm not too into TPR at this point - and maybe I should be - but ACE does leave me scratching my head from time to time. I don't intend to cancel anytime soon, but I will say that I also don't go around bragging about my membership. ACE needs to take a long hard look at their business model and figure out how to change things. They are very far behind behind as far as the web goes - for as old as the organization is, these guys should have come up with the Roller Coaster Database among many, many other things. I suppose one of the only things they've got going for them is that the seem to be the most well-known organization (if such a thing even exists) and have a bit of clout to throw around with respect to historical preservation and those type of things. I'm not sure anyone else has that strong of a presence in that particular realm. So overall, yes, ACE is in need of several improvements and without them they will become less and less relevant. They are the equivalent of your dad's old, reliable car that has stood the test of time in some strange, unexplainable way. You know it is consistent and it will always be there and be dependable, but at the same time it doesn't excite you, it doesn't offer anything new or unique, and you'd really rather not be seen driving it if possible.  |
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Post by 65skylark on Feb 18, 2008 19:04:49 GMT -8
^ Well put Bud. I agree with you about the historical preservation efforts put forth by ACE and that they are probably still the leader in that category. I was a member for quite a while, too. I just didn't renew this year because I didn't feel there was really an advantage to being an ACE member. Honestly, I don't really have anything against ACE, I just feel they have lost their place as the leaders among coaster enthusiasts and that they have not done enough to advance with the times. It is 2008 and they are still in 1991.
One last comment. I didn't intend to start this thread as a promotion of TPR but rather what everyone thought about the current state of ACE. Robb and Elissa are personal friends of mine, so my opinion of TPR may be a bit biased. I only bring them up because they are the most popular coaster web site on the internet and they put together trips that make ACE trips look pretty weak. There are other great examples out there, though!
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Post by timberterror on Mar 3, 2008 19:24:05 GMT -8
I used to belong for a coupe of years 2003-2004. Honestly for the money it just wasn't worth it. Living in the northwest means very few local events. I went to one at WW/EV for ERT on Timberhawk and it was so boring. The couple of events at Silverwood were OK, but you can get more rides there if you go early or late in the season than during the ERT. By far the best perk was going to Stark Raven Mad in 2003. On that trip we also saved $$$$ at Indiana Beach and PKI. I would love to go on a TPR trip, but money and schedule haven't worked for me yet. Maybe someday. - Barry
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