Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Not every coaster needs to break records.
While enthusiasts often focus on the tallest, fastest, and most intense rides, parks are investing heavily in something just as important: gateway coasters.
In this video, we take a look at Kentucky Kingdom's Flying Fox and SeaWorld San Antonio's Barracuda Strike, two new family inverted coasters designed to help riders build confidence before tackling the park's biggest thrill machines.
From the history of Vekoma's Suspended Family Coaster to the growing trend of progression-based ride lineups, we'll explore why these attractions may be some of the most important additions parks are making today.
Because every coaster enthusiast started somewhere.
What was the coaster that convinced you to ride the next one? Let me know in the comments.
Produced, narrated, and edited by Shawn Montano
Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a nonprofit organization of more than 7000 members from 16 countries.
Visit us! RideWithACE.com
Join us! RideWithACE.com/joinACE
Facebook us! bit.ly/ACEonlineFB
Tweet us! bit.ly/ACEonlineTwitter
Instagram us! bit.ly/ACEonlineIG
Learn more at:
RideWithACE.com
| #RideWithACE | #AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts |
Not every coaster needs to break records.
While enthusiasts often focus on the tallest, fastest, and most intense rides, parks are investing heavily in something just as important: gateway coasters.
In this video, we take a look at Kentucky Kingdom's Flying Fox and SeaWorld San Antonio's Barracuda Strike, two new family inverted coasters designed to help riders build confidence before tackling the park's biggest thrill machines.
From the history of Vekoma's Suspended Family Coaster to the growing trend of progression-based ride lineups, we'll explore why these attractions may be some of the most important additions parks are making today.
Because every coaster enthusiast started somewhere.
What was the coaster that convinced you to ride the next one? Let me know in the comments.
Produced, narrated, and edited by Shawn Montano
Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a nonprofit organization of more than 7000 members from 16 countries.
Visit us! RideWithACE.com
Join us! RideWithACE.com/joinACE
Facebook us! bit.ly/ACEonlineFB
Tweet us! bit.ly/ACEonlineTwitter
Instagram us! bit.ly/ACEonlineIG
Learn more at:
RideWithACE.com
| #RideWithACE | #AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts |
