The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Bat |
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| Previously known as Top Gun (1993–2007) and Flight Deck (2008-2013) | |
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| Kings Island | |
| Location | Kings Island |
| Park section | Action Zone |
| Coordinates | 39°20′51″N 84°15′55″W / 39.3476°N 84.2652°W |
| Status | Open |
| Opening date | April 9, 1993 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Suspended |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Model | Suspended Coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 78 ft (24 m) |
| Drop | 70 ft (21 m) |
| Length | 2,352 ft (717 m) |
| Speed | 51 mph (82 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:52 |
| Max vertical angle | 45° |
| Capacity | 1,200 riders per hour |
| G-force | 2.9 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train. |
| The Bat at RCDB | |
The Bat is an exciting suspended roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park. You can find it in Mason, Ohio. This ride was built by a company called Arrow Dynamics.
When it first opened in 1993, it was known as Top Gun. Later, its name changed to Flight Deck. Finally, in 2014, it became The Bat. This roller coaster is special because its cars hang below the track. They swing from side to side as you zoom through turns. It feels like you are flying!
Kings Island actually had another suspended coaster called The Bat before this one. That first ride operated from 1981 to 1983.
Contents
How The Bat Came to Be
This roller coaster was planned for many years. In 1992, a company called Paramount Communications bought Kings Island. They decided the new ride should be based on their movie Top Gun.
On November 11, 1992, Kings Island announced the new roller coaster. It would be called Top Gun. It was going to be a suspended coaster, much like the first Bat ride.
Building the Ride
Construction for Top Gun started in December 1992. It was finished by early spring of 1993. The park even hired a designer from the Top Gun movie. His name was John DeCuir Jr. He helped make the ride's loading area look like an aircraft carrier deck.
Top Gun opened on April 9, 1993. While waiting in line, guests could hear music from the movie. There was also an exhibit that looked like an aircraft carrier control room. Guests walked through it on their way to the ride.
Name Changes Over Time
In 2006, a new company called Cedar Fair bought Kings Island. Two years later, in 2008, Top Gun was renamed Flight Deck. All the movie themes and music were removed.
On October 29, 2013, the park announced another name change. Flight Deck would become The Bat for the 2014 season. This was exactly 33 years after the original Bat ride was announced. The ride was also repainted. The track became orange, the supports were charcoal, and the trains were black.
What It's Like to Ride The Bat
The ride starts with a slow climb up a chain lift. This lift takes you about 78 feet (24 meters) into the air.
The First Drop and Swings
At the top, the train dips a little. Then it turns sharply to the right. You then drop about 70 feet (21 meters) into a valley. As you reach the bottom, the cars swing to the right. The train then climbs into a big horseshoe-shaped turn. The cars swing up and around to the left. You exit the horseshoe in the same direction you entered.
You drop back into the same valley. The train makes another banked turn to the right. Then it turns slightly to the left. You will pass by an observation area where people can watch the ride.
Twists and Turns to the End
The last part of the ride takes you through many sharp turns. Each turn sends the train swinging quickly from side to side. At the farthest point from the first drop, the track makes a very sharp turn. This sends the train back towards the loading station.
After that, the train goes through two more turns that go uphill. Finally, it stops suddenly at the brake run. The sudden stop makes the cars swing briefly, even after the train has stopped moving forward.
