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What does the word "bootlegged" mean? The term, in this case, does not refer to a stolen or illegal copy of audiovisual material. Rather, it's an inside joke: if you get it, you must be part of the inside club. What club is this, you ask? The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), of course.

ACErs get together and, as you might suspect, ride roller coasters. Lots of them. Across the entire country and often even internationally. And, by all accounts, they have a great time doing it.

They record themselves doing it, too. Robb Alvey of ACE puts out one or two videos a year. [Full disclosure: I used to work with Robb a long time ago in CafŽ Orleans in Disneyland.] In one of his earlier productions, Robb recorded a random child ö not with the ACErs that day ö who started talking to the video camera during a sudden downpour, pointing at the nearby roller coaster and declaring "It's bootlegged!" and then followed up with a baffling but triumphant arm-pumping motion and the word, said with much gusto, "Cheeseburger!" This perplexing youth doubtless meant that the coaster he pointed at was a truly fun ride, but Robb edited the segment into his annual video in witty ways, and a catchphrase was born.

Oblivion, an intense ride at Alton Towers that sends riders plunging face first toward a hole in the ground.

Robb sells these videos over on his site, Theme Park Review - a site dedicated to his roller coaster hobby. The videos cost $10 each, including shipping, and videos from previous years are available as well (though, not, sadly, the one featuring the "bootlegged cheeseburger" kid). You can go directly to his ordering page with this link.

Best of all, Robb allows people to pay after they've previewed the video ö he's that confident you will enjoy it. It might also arguably be his way of allowing potential buyers to realize these are home movies ö he doesn't want people to feel they were hoodwinked, thinking that they were buying professional-grade stuff.

Recently, I had the opportunity to preview Robb's 2002 European Trip video. What follows is both a review of his video, as well as commentary on his entire series of videos, since most of the same criticisms and positive comments would apply to both.

Robb Alvey and Elissa White edit and produce the videos.

To begin with, for an amateur production, these videos are really well done from a technical perspective. Robb, who together with Elissa White edits the videos culled from thousands of hours of raw footage each year, has a real instinctively eye for editing. All the hallmarks of a professional editor are here; for example, there is a constant soundtrack of well-chosen pop songs, with the action on screen cut to match the music (notable exception to otherwise good instincts: the constant quick-rewind that accompanied the chorus to "Jump in the Line - Shake Shake Senora" got old very quickly). The soundtrack is truly eclectic; here you will find the Spice Girls, the Muffs, Madonna, and Save Ferris, among many others. On the whole, the music seems unified in theme only in that it's all upbeat, which creates a predictably cheery tone for the entire production.

One thing about the tapes that might seem less than professional is the focus on Robb's immediate family. Previous tapes show a lot of his children Bethany and Dallas riding the coasters. While this might even add flavor to the otherwise sterile act of riding - for you now get a sense of G-forces and fun - and this is not done in a way that detracts from the coaster experience, it may distract. On occasion the family becomes the focus; I only bother to mention it so that potential viewers are prepared for it. On the newest 2002 European Coaster video, for example, Robb proposes to Elissa ö caught on tape! (of course she says "yes").

Robb Alvey proposing to Elissa White at Thorpe Park. In the background is Colossus, the current world record holder for inversions.

The tapes also exhibit a certain low-key familiarity; these ACErs know each other and are not in the least shy about demonstrating that they are having a good time. People mug for the camera, dance uninhibitedly, stick out their tongues (what is it about ACE and body piercing, anyway?), and so on. There's a good amount of hand-slapping that occurs as well ö a somewhat expected occurrence on "racing" coasters anyway.

The Grand National at Blackpool is a racing coaster.

Don't know what a racing coaster is? It's the same ride on dual tracks, where both trains can race against each other. The video provides a lot of terminology, such as: "Tonnere de Zeus is my Number One Wood!" "I love terrain coasters." "This is my favorite inverted!" "The lateral g [forces] are incredible, and the air[time] on the bunny hops is astounding!" Most of it can be understood by context, but sometimes you're just going to be in dark, especially if you don't know the names of the coaster manufacturers; "It's just disturbing there's so much Vekoma in one place," someone exclaims at one point on the new video.

Though I've been addressing just the people in the videos until now, the real stars are the metal and wooden beasts themselves. Although a videos of just ride perspectives is available, these are more like music videos for each theme park, and include first-person, front-row perspectives as well as dozens of angles of each coaster. As such, the people in the videos add atmosphere, energy, and character. The quick-fire editing guarantees an upbeat, optimistic look at each park ö almost, but not quite - conveying a commercial sense, as if Robb is trying to sell us on visiting these parks.

Megaphobia, one of the world's best woodies, at Oakwood.

The newest video is from a Coaster Tour of Europe in 2002, so most (if not all) of the locations will be new to you. There are ride types unknown to folks who only visit Disney parks: terrain coasters (which stay low to the naturally hilly contours of the land), bobsleds (like the ones that used to exist at Magic Mountain), an old-fashioned steeplechase (the precursor to the now-removed Soap Box Racers at Knott's Berry Farm) and flying coasters (which strap you in and then dangle you horizontally below the track ö you fly along just like Superman).

The Steeplechase at Blackpool has a long history, and inspired Knott's Berry Farm's former Soap Box Racers ride.

You'll see Disney-type rides too: shameless clones of Space Mountain, "it's a small world," Pirates of the Caribbean, and even a downright spooky re-creation of the Haunted Mansion stretching gallery. Such copycats are pulled off with less panache than Disney's originals. Robb said, "Some of the Disney 'knock offs,' especially at places like Europa Park, are actually on par with what Disney does, and in some ways better, because they are not being overly PC." Viewing the video will make you glad of what you have, assuming you are fortunate enough to be a frequent visitor of Disney's parks.

Calamity Mine at Six Flags Belgium. For some reason no one comprehends, Six Flags parks in Europe are a lot more themed and immersive experiences than they are in the USA.

Naturally, there is also a bona fide Disney park in this European trip video: Disneyland Paris. However, Robb doesn't spend an inordinate amount of time here since he has covered it before in previous videos. If you have never seen Disneyland Paris before, you will be tantalized by what he does show ö but you will also want more.

The overall effect of the videos is similar, and I was glad Disney has more theming and found many of these locations to be little more than gussied up carnivals. But they are also strangely compelling, and I did find myself wishing I could share Robb's hobby.

My advice for potential viewers is to not try to swallow the entire 72-minute video in one sitting. Despite Robb's best efforts, it gets a bit numbing. After all, there are only so many shots and angles you can take of a coaster. Taken in small doses, the video will likely excite you and make you want to explore non-Disney parks. Taken too much at once, the pendulum will swing the other way, and you'll start to think (incorrectly, in my view) that all these parks and rides look alike.

Looks like California (and DCA) doesn't have a monopoly on seaside rollercoasters after all; this is the Big Dipper at Blackpool.

I firmly believe most Disney fans don't really know what they're missing when they steer clear of non-Disney parks. A lot of these other parks around the country (and world) are family-run and have a great family atmosphere ö don't assume that if you've seen one non-Disney park that you've seen them all. The ACErs in general and these videos in particular will show you just how much fun they can be.

Video captures courtesy of Robb Alvey of Theme Park Review

Here's a link to the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Website

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