Park section South End Opening date April 20, 2002 Model Floorless Coaster Max speed 88 km/h | Status Operating Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard Height 36 m Park Six Flags New England | |
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Type Steel – Floorless Coaster Address 1623 MA-159, Agawam, MA 01001, USA Hours Open today · 11AM–7PMMonday11AM–7PMTuesday11AM–7PMWednesday11AM–7PMThursday11AM–7PMFriday10:30AM–8PMSaturday10:30AM–8PMSunday10:30AM–8PM Similar Thunderbolt, Gotham City Gauntlet, Pandemonium, Wicked Cyclone, Mind Eraser | ||
Batman: The Dark Knight (formerly known as Batman: The Ride) is a steel floorless roller coaster designed by Bolliger & Mabillard located in the south end of Six Flags New England. The roller coaster has 2,600 feet (790 m) of track, reaches a maximum height of 117.8 feet (35.9 m), and features five inversions. The coaster was announced on February 6, 2002 and opened to the public on April 20, 2002. In 2008, the ride's name was changed to Batman: The Ride to avoid confusion with The Dark Knight Coaster that was planned to be built at the park; after the project was cancelled, the ride's name reverted to its original.
Contents
History
Batman: The Dark Knight was announced to the public on February 6, 2002 though construction had started in September 2001. After construction and testing was completed by Martin & Vleminckx, the ride officially opened on April 20, 2002.
In 2007, Six Flags announced three The Dark Knight Coaster roller coasters would be built at Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Great America, and Six Flags New England. Because Batman: The Dark Knight's name was so similar to the new roller coaster, it was renamed to Batman: The Ride. However, as construction on the new roller coaster progressed, the city of Agawam forced Six Flags to stop construction after it was discovered the park had not received the appropriate construction permits. In April 2008, Six Flags cancelled the project due to the delays and Batman: The Ride was renamed back to its original.
Plaza
Riders will enter a plaza with an arched entrance, where they will see the Batman logo covering the ground with Gotham theming. Lockers rental is also in this area. Riders will then wind through either the Flash Pass Que directly to the station or standby line. The standby line leads through through gates and leads upstairs into the Transit-style station. A switchback with Six Flags FunTVs is used during busy times about halfway through the standby line.
Ride experience
Once the train is ready to dispatched, part of the station's floor is lowered. The train then departs and immediately begins to climb the 117.8-foot (35.9 m) lift hill. Once at the top, the train goes through a pre-drop before making a sharp downward left turn back to the ground. When the train reaches the bottom, it then enters a vertical loop. Upon exiting the loop, the train then rises back up and goes through a dive loop. The train then makes a 180 degree left turn through the loop before going through a set of trim brakes. Next, the train enters a zero-gravity roll followed by a right turn leading into interlocking corkscrew's. After exiting the first corkscrew, the train makes a left turn before going through the second corkscrew. The train then makes another left turn into the final brake run which leads back to the station. One cycle of the ride lasts about 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
Track
The steel box track of Batman: The Dark Knight is approximately 2,600 feet (790 m) long and the lift is 117.8 feet (35.9 m) tall. It was manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators located in Batavia, Ohio who manufactures Bolliger & Mabillard's roller coasters. The track is colored purple (with blue rails) while the supports are black.
Trains
Batman: The Dark Knight operates with two steel and fiberglass trains. Each train has seven cars that can seat four riders in one row for a total of 28 riders per train. The train structure uses similar colors as the track, the seats are purple, and uses over-the-shoulder restraints that are yellow. Also, unlike traditional steel roller coasters, Batman: The Dark Knight has no floor on its trains.