If you’ve got a roller coaster fan on your holiday shopping list, here’s a gift idea that goes way beyond anything you can wrap: a membership to American Coaster Enthusiasts. 

With more people prioritizing experiences over things, ACE delivers exactly what they’re looking for: unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and one-of-a-kind adventures all year long.

Founded in 1978, the nonprofit organization is the world’s largest and longest-running coaster enthusiast group, boasting more than 7,000 members worldwide. ACE isn’t just about watching YouTube POVs or collecting park maps—members actually live the experience.

What makes it such a perfect holiday gift? For starters, ACE members get access to more than 75 national and regional events every year—more than all other coaster groups combined. That includes everything from local one-day gatherings to international trips, plus signature annual staples like Coaster Con, regional spring, summer and winter events. 

The 2026 lineup already reads like a theme park bucket list: Ravine Flyer Frenzy at Waldameer, ACE Day at Family Kingdom, Springfest Europe at Walibi Holland, Summerfest France, and Winterfest Europe, just to name a few. And of course, Coaster Con 48—a weeklong mega-event visiting Six Flags New England, Lake Compounce, and Six Flags Great Escape—will be the crown jewel.

ACE members also enjoy something coaster fans treasure most: exclusive access. We’re talking ERT (Exclusive Ride Time) before or after park hours, invites to new coaster openings, behind-the-scenes tours, and dozens of discounts at parks across North America and abroad. For the coaster fan who loves collecting laps on their favorite ride, that perk alone is worth the membership.

But ACE is more than just events. Members receive RollerCoaster!, a high-quality, full-color quarterly magazine packed with in-depth features and stunning photography, as well as weekly digital newsletters like ACE News and ACE News Now. If staying on top of new coaster announcements, engineering breakthroughs, or preservation initiatives matters to your gift recipient, this membership is basically their personal newswire.

ACE has also become one of the strongest voices for coaster and amusement park preservation. The group helped found the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives and has championed the protection of landmark rides through its Golden Age and Classic Coaster Recognition programs. Giving someone an ACE membership is giving them a front-row seat to the future—and history—of the industry they love.

But ask any long-time member what keeps them renewing year after year, and you’ll hear the same thing: the community. ACEers often come for the coasters but stay for the friendships—lifelong connections formed in queues, at events, and across the country through social media and forums. For many, ACE becomes a family.

A holiday gift that leads to new friends, unforgettable trips, and a year’s worth of adrenaline-fueled memories? That’s a lot more meaningful than another sweater or gadget.

To give an ACE membership as a gift, click here and complete the form with the recipient’s information—except their email address. You’ll be asked to create a username and password, but don’t stress about what you choose; the member (or an ACE admin) can update those later.

You’ll need the recipient’s full mailing address and an approximate year of birth. One important tip: when the form asks for the member’s email address, enter your email—especially if you want the gift to be a surprise. That prevents the automated “we’ve received your membership form” message from going to the recipient and spoiling the reveal.

After the membership is created and approved, email management@aceonline.org to let ACE know it’s a gift membership. Please include the word “gift” in the subject line. ACE can mail the welcome packet and membership card to you or directly to the new member, and they can include a personal note or letter if you’d like. If you prefer, they can even send everything in a plain envelope—just tell ACE in your email how you want it handled, and they’ll take care of the rest.

If you want to give a roller coaster fan something that won’t sit on a shelf—and will be used again and again—an American Coaster Enthusiasts membership may just be the most thrilling gift you can give this year.

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