[aoriole19]

Hi! I'm thinking about getting an ACE family membership, but I have a few questions.

I started looking at the membership application (but I didn't complete it because I'm still not sure how many of my family members are going to join- I'm giving them a week to decide) and it didn't anywhere ask for the names of the additional family members or for any of their information. Will it ask for this information later? It looks like hitting "submit" at the bottom of that page is the end of registration, so I'm not sure if it will ever ask me for my family members' information...

I'm asking because it says on the benefits page that every family member gets their own membership card. We will all be in different places for some of the summer so it would be best if we all had our own card. It seems like they at least have to know my family members' names to do this.

Also, will each family member be able to create their own account to view the members-only site? Or will they have to log in with my username and password, since I'm the primary account holder?

I hope these questions make sense, and I apologize if they're answered on the ACE site (I did look there first but it's possible I missed something) Thanks in advance!!

[RollerBee]

http://coastercrew.net/join/
I suggest you atleast look at Coaster Crew of you haven't already. They are supposed to have an event at Carowinds this season, it was only $30 for my family last season.

[Jarsh]

Answers!

After the family membership is approved, the master account holder will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to add additional family members. Every member gets their own ID to sign in and every member can provide their own email to receive updates from ACE. The master account holder can either create these IDs for them or they can send an email from within the system to invite their other family members to create their own user ID and enter their own information.
Only one mailing address will be recorded and all the physical mail will go to the master account holder.

As far as the previous comment about Coaster Crew, be advised that Cedar Point doesn't recognize them as an official coaster club which means that they are not invited to the various park events for coaster enthusiasts (CoasterMania, VIP events, media days, etc). This also means no discounted ticket prices on tickets &/or season passes. While Carowinds doesn't have an "Approved Coaster Club" list (that I know of at least), there is a chance that the list from Cedar Point could go chain wide. Coaster Crew can still have their own events at the park, as they have in the past, but if Carowinds decided to resurrect Coaster Stock, you wouldn't be allowed to attend.

Here's a list of Cedar Point's approved coaster club list:
American Coaster Enthusiasts
Club de Fans de Montanas Rusas
Club TPR
CoasterBuzz Club
European Coaster Club
Great Ohio Coaster Club
Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain
Cedar Point Ride Warriors Club

[aoriole19]

Thank you so much Jarsh! That makes sense.

I feel like we'll be able to better utilize an ACE membership because it looks like ACE has a lot more events and discounts around the country, and like I said we'll each be traveling for summer jobs and vacations. But thanks for the info! I'll probably look into different coaster clubs when I'm more independent and get a solo membership, to see what the benefits are for each and evaluate what I want.

[arby]

...not to mention, the reason I stick with ACE is that part of my money goes to roller coaster preservation.

I don't have anything against any of the other clubs, just as a true coaster geek, I believe in preserving as many of these unique older coasters as possible.

[RollerBee]

How do they preserve coasters?

[Axel]

^ This is what the ACE page says...

http://www.aceonline.org/preservation/

too bad they couldn't have "relocated" Thunder Road

[aoriole19]

Another question! Today is the day I'm buying our membership. When I go to the online form, there's a section called "Group Membership" and there are check boxes for Arrow Documentary, ACE News color downloads, Other member-only downloads, and Volunteer opportunities. Should I check all of these things? They don't cost extra right?

Also right below those boxes there are check boxes for other regions. Can you be a part of more than one region? Or how does that work? If I know a family member is going to be spending a summer in a region that's not where we live, should I check that box? I'm not really sure what checking these boxes does.

Thanks!

[Jarsh]

too bad they couldn't have "relocated" Thunder Road

ACE can only preserve coasters that the park is willing to preserve.

Another question! Today is the day I'm buying our membership. When I go to the online form, there's a section called "Group Membership" and there are check boxes for Arrow Documentary, ACE News color downloads, Other member-only downloads, and Volunteer opportunities. Should I check all of these things? They don't cost extra right?

Only check the boxes that are of interest to you. These things are "groups" where anyone can join in and be notified of any updates pertaining to the subject of the group. For instance, an ACE News mailing goes out. They will send everyone in the ACE News color download group a message stating that the latest edition of ACE News is now online and can be downloaded. They do not cost extra. I'm signed up for the ACE New color downloads, member only downloads, and the volunteer opportunities.

Also right below those boxes there are check boxes for other regions. Can you be a part of more than one region? Or how does that work? If I know a family member is going to be spending a summer in a region that's not where we live, should I check that box? I'm not really sure what checking these boxes does.

What you are referring to is for the regional eblast subscription and for any other region specific news. Here's how that works. When you register, you are hard coded to the region of your address. That can't be changed unless you move out of the region. If you want to be added to the eblast list for say, the Mid-Atlantic region, then you would select that region from the drop down. I believe you can select as many regions as you want. Once you confirm all of that, you will get your regional eblast (in this case, the Southeast) by default whenever an eblast is sent out. If you are subscribed to other regions, then you will also get their eblast when they send them out.

Hope that helps!

[aoriole19]

Thank you again!!!

[Edwardo]

How do they preserve coasters?

They're going to open up a park after repossessing all of the coasters. On days where the park is too cold to open, they're going to give tours.

I thought u knew.

[arby]

As Jarsh said, ACE can't force a park to preserve a coaster. However, they give out a good amount of money each year.

Since they are a non-profit, they don't have a bottomless pocketbook. I do feel confident that there are some coasters still operating out there that may not be thanks to assistance from ACE preservation assistance. Of all the clubs out there, ACE is the only one that I know of where a portion of my money goes to help preserve coasters and their history.

Now if only they would move Leap the Dips from Lakemont to Carowinds... That is an awesomely fun coaster.

[aoriole19]

Another question!! Another family member changed her mind and decided she wants to join ACE, so is there a way to add another person to the family plan for $5 after I originally registered for a certain number?

[arby]

For the quickest response, I would contact Josh directly: http://acesoutheast.org/ace/team/. He can often help take care of things like that for you.

[Jarsh]

I only check the site during the week (a few times each day) so something posted during the weekend won't be seen until Monday morning. But like Arby said, since you're an ACE member now (in my Region) feel free to shoot me any questions/comments/concerns/etc. in an email as I check that throughout the day, everyday.

As far as your original comment, I've sent an email of to the membership folks to see what is possible. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll post it here and let you know!