KIfan1980 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 I've considered joining a coaster club a couple of times over the past few years, but haven't actaully plunked down the $20 to $60 membership fee so far. What I'm looking for is input from members and/or past members: - What coaster club you are/were a member of - Do you feel there is value to the membership, or why you are no longer a member. I obviously recognize the value of being able to participate in RWW/Coaster Mania type special events, so am more interested in any club specific items (both GOCC and ACE could get me into Coaster Mania). I appreciate your input, but will request that you not respond if you are not/never have been a member and your opinion is along the lines of 'ACErs are a bunch of bald, fat, fanny-pack carrying know-it-all's' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Im a member of ACE and Coasterbuzz. I enjoy the magazine and news letters (even if I can get stuff faster on the internet) and they do have a sweet apparel section (I know Im a dorK) I just joined coasterbuzz recently because I plan on attending their HW event this fall and it is nice to have that site be ad free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 I'm a member of ACE. Yes, the KICer that picks on "ACErs" is one herself, though you'll never catch me with knee-high socks and a sideways fanny pack! What I like: - LOTS of events. I've already been to 3 this year (Ride Warriors Weekend, CoasterMania and ACE Dives! at BGE) and will be attending at least one more, possibly as many as 3 this year. I wish I'd been able to go to the Spring Preservation Conference, Coaster Con, and Holiwood Nights. - Discounts at parks. Holiday World tickets are only $26.95 and season passes are under $90. Indiana Beach is 50% off. Many other parks have perks like this too. - Newsletters. Even though the news is usually old, it's fun to be able to read nice articles on it. They had a GREAT write-up about both Diamondback and Prowler in the latest magazine that I truly enjoyed reading. - Knowing that I am a member of an organization that is really working to preserve old coasters such as GL's Big Dipper and the Zippin Pippin. What I don't like: - While they have some cool merchandise, the shipping is outrageous. Therefore I have not purchased anything from them yet. - Cost of some of the events. The event at Six Flags America in October is about $30 for season passholders and does not include enough stuff to make it 'worth it' in my book. However, most of the events are reasonably priced, so I think Six Flags may be to blame for this. Overall, do I think it's worth it? Absolutely. Will I renew my membership? Absolutely. The discounts I've gotten at Holiday World alone this year has already paid for my membership! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monroe Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Well I am going to go ahead and start on the wrong foot and hope that I can remember how to skip. I appreciate your input, but will request that you not respond if you are not/never have been a member and your opinion is along the lines of 'ACErs are a bunch of bald, fat, fanny-pack carrying know-it-all's' Well they are!! I'm a member of ACE. Yes, the KICer that picks on "ACErs" is one herself, though you'll never catch me with knee-high socks and a sideways fanny pack! Yes you just fold down the socks and wear the fanny pack in front!! Seriously, Kat hit it on the nose, for the most part. It really depends on how many events/parks you will go to, that is where you get most of your moneys worth. I belong to many different clubs, some from over seas because of work, and that hits on another part of Kat's post. The articles are some times very good, and for the most part ok but dated, but very rarely lack information that can be helpful. If I had to choose, I would say try GOCC first. There are some very nice people in the organization, but are a little slower to get things moving. If things don't work out, try ace, a little more expensive because of the Rogaine and Gucci fanny packs....I mean events and benefits, but worth at least a try. Just remember, a few bad apples can spoil a bundle, so choose wisely. Both have good people in them, it's just a matter of choosing them. I hope this helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 I chose ACE over a regional group like GOCC because I was intending to do a lot of traveling this summer. ACE allowed me to get into an ACE regional event and will be getting me into another one in October at Kings Dominion, both of which are in the Mid-Atlantic region. GOCC wouldn't get me into either of these. However, GOCC does get you into the local events like CoasterMania and also I believe is included in the discount program at Holiday World (there was a large list of groups posted in the ticket booth, I know I saw CoasterBuzz and Coaster Crew). So definitely, definitely worth looking into if you aren't planning on traveling outside of the local area for events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monroe Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 ^Exactly what I wanted to say, but I was too busy making fun of your folded down socks and Gucci fanny pack that I....well.....failed to do so. Does that make me a non-acer if I admit to not knowing every thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 I am an ACE member, have been for 2 years. Like violakat03 said, I pick on the ACE people despite being a member. I am not a real ACEr, I just use it for the events 'n stuff. I wouldn't be caught dead with a fanny pack! I do like my ACE membership and I do think it is worth the $60 a year, because 1. It gets you into events. 2. Places like Holiday World give discounts for ACE members (Angie said that with those discounts the Card payed for itself and more). 3. They give out a monthly and quarterly publication, which even though you get the info on the internet 3 weeks in advance, it's still nice to have it there and to skim through. About other clubs, I wouldn't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 So you are a fake ACEr? Ha ha. Terpy, who has been and/or is a member of virtually every coaster club available in the US, except Coasterbuzz...and of many other organizations most of you have never heard of...such as OABA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Kid Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Im a member of ACE and coaster buzz and darkhouse. P.S I never wear the fanny pack I keep it in my bag all the time to hold my card and phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback FOF Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 ...(Angie said that with those discounts the Card payed for itself and more)... I believe that was violakat: ...The discounts I've gotten at Holiday World alone this year has already paid for my membership! Whoops, I wasn't supposed to post in this topic. Sorry, but I'm not a member of any coaster clubs except for KIC . So, I would recommend joining KIC if you haven't, but I guess you have... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 I belong to many different clubs Before I posted this topic, I actually did a search and came across a post (from a long time ago) where you listed your club memberships. It was quite an impressive list Terpy, who has been and/or is a member of virtually every coaster club available in the US, except Coasterbuzz...and of many other organizations most of you have never heard of...such as OABA. Big Surprise . I bet Monroe is one of those that know what OABA is. My guess was for "Organization of American B&M Addicts", but sadly that's not it. Seriously though - I appreciate the input from all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback FOF Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 No silly. Not the Organization of American B&M Addicts. It's the: -Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association Just kidding. It's the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, among other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigacoaster2k Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I'm an ACE member and the benefits are amazing. I not only used my membership to go to ACE Winter Soar, RWW, HoliWood Nights and CoasterMania, I also got Tom a discounted ticket to Holiday World, and got a $55 discount on my HW season pass. Go ahead and call me a fanny pack lugging, glasses-strap-wearing coaster nerd (oh by the way, people who generalize and label others just proves your narrow-mindedness and immaturity ).. .. but don't cry and whine to me that your $250 Chanel shades flew off on Behemoth, or that you're jealous next year when I'm Twittering from HoliWood Nights that I just got 3 hours' worth of night rides on Voyage and Legend.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monroe Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I belong to many different clubs Before I posted this topic, I actually did a search and came across a post (from a long time ago) where you listed your club memberships. It was quite an impressive list Terpy, who has been and/or is a member of virtually every coaster club available in the US, except Coasterbuzz...and of many other organizations most of you have never heard of...such as OABA. Big Surprise . I bet Monroe is one of those that know what OABA is. My guess was for "Organization of American B&M Addicts", but sadly that's not it. Seriously though - I appreciate the input from all Thank you for the kind remarks my friend, but things have changed this year. All of those club memberships were strictly for work purposes. It is amazing how much information you can get out of some of these people. There is at least one walking dictionary in each group, some have more info than Terpy. (I didn't just say that did I?) The publications you receive can be very helpful, especially if you are a thousand miles from home. This year I only renewed about half of those, because I am transforming myself into a home body. Travel has been so bad the last 10 years that I had to take a vacation last week without the wife and daughter. It was a great trip, something that is dear to my heart and I try to do every year but have not been able to except for a day or two. More on that in a trip report that I will post later in the week or early next week. Finally, yes I know what OABA stands for: The Out And Back Addicts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterboy22101 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Im a member of ACE and coaster buzz and darkhouse. P.S I never wear the fanny pack I keep it in my bag all the time to hold my card and phone. I'm sorry, but I can't take this anymore. It's time for someone to call you out on all of this. You do not have that many rides on all those rides. That's a lie. 39 Firehawk rides? 62 Invertigo rides? 260 Flight Deck rides? Especially when you claim you have 385 DB rides. NO! You would have to be at the park EVERYDAY ALL DAY. I have not even counted all the other rides. STOP LIEING!!!! And I highly doubt you are apart off all those clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 a. You would think he would know what DAFE stood for if he belonged... b. Monroe, lots and lots of people have lots more information than me in many, many areas. I'm more of an entire cultural milieu kind of park guy than a stats kind of guy. Out and Back Addicts? Oh, my. So funny because so untrue....(though years ago I do believe it was Shivering Timbers that taught me how twisted I have become!). Now a really good double out and back....(Comet, Phoenix, Skyliner, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStroem Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I joined CoasterBuzz for CoasterMania. Since then my membership has been paid in full by the discounts to Holiday World & Indiana beach. With CoasterBuzz though these & no ads on their site are the only real benefits of being a paid member vs just visiting the site for free. Again though it paid for itself in savings. If you were to join now, You could get in on BooBuzz at CP on Sept 19 with ERT on Maverick and a tour on Millennium Island and Fall Affair at Holiday World Sept 26th. Joining now would also cover you for next years spring events like RWW, Coaster Mania & Holiwood Nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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