[arby]

We are considering purchasing a family membership to ACE within the next year. I know what is listed on their website, but for anybody who is currently a member or who has been a member in the past, what are some of the best reasons you have for joining ACE?

[Jarsh]

I feel as though i should comment on this topic, lol...

There are numerous reason why you should join ACE. I'll list a few that I find as reason to continue renewing.

1. The people. Yes, ACE has it's share of "those people", but what club doesn't? I've made SO many friends in the club since I join. Some that have become lifelong friends that I'd do anything for.

2. Networking. I can't tell you how nice it is to go to a park with other friends in the club and be able to talk all geeky and have them know exactly what I mean. For me, my family couldn't care less about the latest, greatest new fangled machine at your local theme park. But when I go with ACE friends, it's always nice to let my inner geek come out and play.

3. Events. ACE holds some pretty dang good national events several times a year at various theme parks across the country and most are priced at extremely discounted rates. And if you live in the Southeast Region, we have plenty of events at all of the "local" parks every year as well. ACE Members and their guests are invited to all of these events.

4. Special Events. Whenever parks build their new additions for the year, most of the time (not all) they invite ACE members to the media day to ride and be interviewed by the media folks in attendance. This has happened most recently at Carowinds for the Intimidator opening and at Six Flags over Georgia for all of their new coaster openings. For the times when TV crews show up at a park to film something (Bert The Conqueror, numerous Travel Channel shows, etc...) the parks contact ACE members to come out and ride for the show and fill in the empty seats. This is something that only ACE members can participate in as guests aren't allowed.

5. Publications. We here on the ACE Southeast team distribute a "members only" newsletter through-out the year and the folks back at ACE HQ distribute a quarterly magazine in high quality as well several newsletters through-out the year.

These are just MY reason for joining ACE and continuing to renew every year. I love being in the club and I love the places I've been able to travel to with ACE since I've joined. If you want to try it out, but aren't ready to fork over the money for a years worth, I suggest trying out the "Trial Membership" option and then renewing at the full rate if what you see interest you further.

Hope to see you in the future at some events!!

[arby]

Thank you Jarsh! That is exactly the information that I was looking for. I am pretty sure I will be joining soon, after we figure out what park we are getting our 2011 season passes for.

[Jay]

Very well put Jarsh, now I will apply the opposite viewpoint, just so both sides are represented.

1) There are now tons of internet message boards (like this one!) which will let you join without ever paying a dime. There are usually some pretty good folks on there. I have made some of my best friends in life through some internet message boards, and we plan trips together and hit other parks all the time.

2) ACE DOES have a ton of events, but how many are you realistically going to go to in a year? Outside of the C3's at Carowinds I think I've only been to one other "ACE" sanctioned event, which was at Dollywood. A lot of events are park sponsored and you can get in with any coaster club membership, or sometimes like Coaster Stock, you don't need one at all.

3) ACE's publications ARE top notch, if you want news from 3-6 months ago that you read on the internet already. I enjoyed reading the newsletters and RollerCoaster magazine during my brief time in ACE, but by the time I got them it was like looking into the past.

I appreciate everything ACE does to help preserve coaster knowledge and history, and promote enthusiasm, but there are so many options now that ACE (for me) is useless.

-Jay (Who's now going to go register for C3, since I just spent the last 10 minutes bashing ACE )

[arby]

Thank you for your input also, Jay. I wasn't trying to start a battle (which I'm sure neither of you are trying to do), but really wanted objective opinions from both sides. I though the membership fee was pretty steep and the reason I started this thread. If the membership fee was less, I'd have joined without even asking. I still think I'll give it a try.

[Skycoastin Steve]

Gravy buffets at every event. Nuff said.

[Edwardo]

Not being a member of ACE, I do have to say that I think a lot of ACE is:

A) What you make of it (See Jarsh's post)
B) What region you're in

The southeast region has had a strong reputation under Robert, Josh, Max, and others, and there are quite a few events in the region.

But a lot of what Jay said I agree with as well. I've never joined ACE, though I am considering it at this point. Still, I have tons of friends from here, CoasterBuzz, and a lot of other boards (that don't ban you based on being a member of another board ).

[Jarsh]

Thank you for your input also, Jay. I wasn't trying to start a battle (which I'm sure neither of you are trying to do), but really wanted objective opinions from both sides. I though the membership fee was pretty steep and the reason I started this thread. If the membership fee was less, I'd have joined without even asking. I still think I'll give it a try.

Oh I didn't take Jay's post as "battle starting". There are two sides to every story and I can't argue with anything he's posted about. I've seen both sides of the story, lol.

I kinda figured your hang up was the price hence my reason behind mentioned the new trial membership. Give it a try, it's only $20, and if it isn't your thing, it isn't your thing.

And Steve: There are NO gravy buffets at my events!

[arby]

I'll certainly give it a try once I decide on passes for next year.

[Edwardo]

Josh, your lack of a gravy buffet is making me not want to join...

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

my favorite thing about ACE has to be the ERT. I mean for $61 I went to Kings Dominion from 4-10pm on Friday the 20th and from 8am until around 11:30pm on Saturday the 21st. It would have been probaly $30-$40 just for the admission for one day from 10:30am-10Pm, so that was a great deal. Its even cheaper if you have a pass for all cedar fair parks. You also get the magazines, all you can eat buffet's, behind the scene tours of a lot of rides etc. Its well worth it. I dont get to travel a lot, so KD was an awesome experience for me and was the only other event I have attended, which was C3 back in 2006, and yes I will be back this year. If you can travel a lot, or would be travelling to the parks, then ACE is well worth it. Plus you get to be around a great group of people who loves to do what you do, ride coasters! I dont know how all the other groups compare to ACE, but I think that ACE is likely the best value. Oh yea, you also get hotel discounts and discounts on car rentals etc. Great perks.

[Jarsh]

Josh, your lack of a gravy buffet is making me not want to join...

What about Media Day for SFoG's new coaster? Oh wait...

Oops.

[arby]

You all will see me next year, for sure. Behind the scenes, ERT, and food are all right down my alley. Getting to really meet people who love amusement parks and coasters is also a huge plus.

[coasterbruh]

why join ace when you can join clup TPR!!!

[Edwardo]

Because I don't like to fund criminals.