Thank you to Skillshare for sponsoring this video. The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/expeditionthemepark12201 What is your favorite inverted roller coster? Let me know!
I know right? When this opened, the other coasters I would have compared it to were arrow loopers, a b&m stand up, a giant wooden racer, and a schwartzkopf super jet
@@BassGuitarSlide they really do still look incredible, and I recently watched a video that mentioned the characteristic "B&M roar" the coasters make- I didn't think about it before, but now, when I see one, that's all I can hear. It always makes me feel nostalgic.
I worked at SFOG from 95 to 97. I remember when it first opened. They had a employ only day. I rode it about 3 or 4 times with out getting off. Now my son and I ride it. Good times.
It is the best themed and most people would agree it is the most intense and smoothest version as well. If you include the theming and the scenery, easily the best Batman: The Ride clone.
This was my first major coaster. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The anticipation building from the three hour wait, enjoying the city of Gotham. To the moment I saw the station. Then finally sitting down and with the help of my brother to pull the harness down. I wanted to leave but my brother would not since we waited so long. Then it clicked the tears of fear started rolling down my cheek. As the click clack of the anti roll back made my anxiety rise higher and higher up that 109 foot lift. The tears suddenly pushed to the back of my skull as we descended into that first loop. Those tears rolled back to my mouth as a loud “wooooooooo” and then that moment of grey out followed by another “woooooo” followed by another grey out. When the car finally hit the final breaks I had a smile from ear to ear. For I was not so serious anymore. Batman had taken my virginity and I loved every moment of it. Ever since then I rush to find that same thrill from that day. That very day I was no longer a boy wonder I was transformed into a man a BATMAN. My favorite super hero of all time since that 1989 film. Superman has nothing on Batman. Even the rollercoasters don’t come close to the excitement and thrill of any Batman clone. Forever and always the best. The one that broke the mold. As now “I’m Batman”.
"I remember the day like it was yesterday. The anticipation building from the three hour wait... Then finally sitting down... to pull the harness down. I wanted to leave but... we waited so long... Then it clicked the tears of fear started rolling down my cheek. As the click clack... made my anxiety rise higher and higher up... The tears suddenly pushed to the back of my skull... Those tears rolled back to my mouth as a loud "wooooooooo" and then that moment of grey out followed by another "woooooo" followed by another grey out... I had a smile from ear to ear. For I was not so serious anymore. Batman had taken my virginity and I loved every moment of it. Ever since then I rush to find that same thrill from that day. That very day I was no longer a boy wonder I was transformed into a man a BATMAN... Superman has nothing on Batman... Forever and always the best. The one that broke the mold. As now "I’m Batman"." I think you've been reading too many Robin fanfics on Tumblr.
Batman was the first rollercoaster I ever went on way back in 1998 in Gurnee. I rode the same coaster 16 years later also in Gurnee. Batman will always hold a place in my heart!
I've been excited for this video since the last B&M video and it didn't disappoint. I was a Great Adventure guy in NJ and I remember the whole thing. First time out of Disney to see that theming too, really built up the excitement the first time going on something like this.
I, too, remember when it opened at Great Adventure and it looked so amazing- the theming blew my mind bc it wasn't something you'd see at a non-Disney park. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to ride. It's still probably in my top 5 rides ever just for how new and innovative it seemed. It isn't the fastest or tallest but it absolutely holds up. It's becoming one of those where when you ride it, you hope this isn't the last time you ride it- but considering the quality of it, the work that went into creating it, and how it keeps making people smile, I think it will be there for many more years to come.
These classic B&M inverted coasters still look good! I just like their look, I think it's probably because Nemesis made such an impression on me when I was young but they're really satisfying to watch. They were always my favourite to build in Rollercoaster Tycoon as well with lots of theming just like the real thing.
Don't take this the wrong way but... you could've seen my father there. He was an engineer at Six Flags Great America and worked on the ride. I own his 'Gotham Public Works' uniform.
SFGA gets so much criticism (it’s my home park) but it’s actually a great park and I love that you are giving it some love! Keep it up! I became a binge YT Roller Coaster enthusiast again! I am appreciative of all the videos you do on SFGA makes me appreciate all my childhood there!
This is my home park. I rode this as a 10 yr old in the summer of ‘92. The lines were extremely long but it was worth it. It was quite exciting. Thanks for the vid - I feel as though this park gets overlooked a lot even though it made a huge impact in the industry throughout the 80s and 90s with the first Arrow megalooper and the first B&Ms.
I know Astroworld's Batman the Escape was a different ride, relocated, but they kept similar theming elements in the queue and that was always my favorite part of the park. You went through the abandoned Gotham Zoo and there were just... Penguins everywhere.
I've ridden a very new installment of the SLC in energylandia, complete with new trains and vest restraints and it was actually pretty good! Way better than... I don't know.... The very first installment of an SLC ever! (El condor @walibi holland which used to be six flags holland)
@@NiekNooijens It’s cool to hear that. I’ve always thought SLCs had an awesome layout, with some uncommon inversions (rollovers/sea serpent rolls > cobra rolls) that had nice transitions between them and a lot of track packed into a tight footprint, that was held back by the rough track and those godforsaken restraints
@@agentstache135 Agreed. The Vekoma SLC has a great compact layout that makes good use of a relatively small space. And I like the cool banked hill between the 2nd and 3rd inversions. If you ride one, it helps a little if it happens to be brand new.
I love this coaster to death. I was so upset when they painted it Kraft Cheese Yellow. The queue is still surprisingly well kept. I don't mind the rattle it has now, but holy hell was it smooth when I was a kid.
I grew up riding this one at Magic Mountain. It was always a favorite of mine. Originally this one was black & gray, but now they changed it to black & blue. Regardless of the color scheme it is a 10/10 in my book! Hello from Phoenix Arizona❕🔥
@@jkattack2640 Not sure about the Arrow Corkscrews, but I agree when it comes to the two Ve-clone-ma models. ;-) As far as I know, the title of the most cloned rides goes to the Big Apples, even though they were made by a bunch of different companies, other than the rides you mentioned.
Great Adventure is my 'home' SF. I remember when they got their 'Batman'' coaster. Though it wouldn't make my personal Top 5 at the park these days, it's still an incredible ride, one that's stood the test of time (which is more than I can for 'the Chiller', which was about as successful as 'nipple Batman').
Listen Mike, You know what else should be in your backyard? Exactly, my poop! 💩 Like a dog I would do my business in your backyard! Now speak with me together and say: "Hex Go BRRRRRRRRR"! Say it!
I remember as a kid riding The Great White at sea world like probably 10 times in one day because there was never a line! Gosh I love the batman clones, and now Fiesta Texas has a batman clone too! So there's two in my town, which is kinda funny. Except one drops to the left and the other to the right.
I love this ride. I was my first looping roller coaster back when I was 6 years old. 28 years ago... I had a Batman the Ride leather key chain that I got with my name on it that day. I held on to it and used it when I first started driving. Sadly, I lost the key chain but the original ride still exists in my home state of Illinois.
I refused to ride Great White on a family trip to Sea World when I was 8, but I remember it well. Goliath at Fiesta Texas was the first roller coaster I ever rode (on a middle school field trip in 2008). It was brand new and heavily marketed - I remember the souvenior soda cups having a huge Goliath sticker graphic on the front. Weird to know now that it was a salvaged ride from Katrina and also the same as the ride I refused to ride... Love all your videos but this one was extra trippy for my memories haha
I've been near to the Batman coaster in the Parque Warner in Madrid and it looked amazing but didn't ride that day because of a mix between not being high enough and being scared about it(If I remember correctly, I was 10 years old when I went there). But we went to the other Batman attraction that is like a film but the seats move alongside what is shown on screen and is close by the Batman coaster and I had a blast there. Also, when I exited that, I saw that they had Bumping Cars themed to the Joker. I had a blast visiting Parque Warner and I enjoyed it more than the two times I have been to PortAventura.
I love the love your showing rides from Great America, please if there’s more coasters there with an interesting background make a video on it!👍 Edit: YES DO ONE ON THE WHIZZER. That would be a perfect candidate like the person in my replies said!
Ah my very first Rollercoaster. I was in que for Medusa got to the seat and walked right to the other side out of pure fear (11 years old). Later that day after beating myself up for hours I eventually rode Batman. It was the thrill of my life at that time and it spawned a decade long obsession where I went on to ride over 250 other coasters. I'll never forget this one. ❤️
Great Video, I rode Batman The Ride at Six Flags Over Georgia back in the late 90's, making it my first bottomless coster I think. I remember loving it, did not know it's clone history till now though. Thanks for doing a video about it, I hope to ride it again sometime in the next couple years.
I rode Batman The Ride here at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ and it was a pretty great ride...coming from a person who is not much of a rollercoaster enthusiast. It's great for anyone who wants to get on their first rollercoaster imo
Batman is still one of my top favorite ride at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was one of the first ones I rode when I stopped being scared of coasters. And the fact that they play the Prince movie album in the queue is just *chefs kiss* lol
I remember me and my sister waiting almost 4hrs to ride that ride on opening weekend at Six Flags Great Adventure. to this day, that ride still packs a punch. well done Sam, you always 'knock it out of the park' with your detailed research. *side note, my buddy puked the first time ever on Batman. he also puked his first time on Nitro and KingdaKa. LOL thanks for your hard work and awesome videos. keep em coming and I'll keep watching em.
I think this Chanel has to have the best roller coast history I’ve ever seen in a while and I remember so many childhood rides that I used to love and wonder if they still exist yet you have the best information
the coaster at six flags great america (gurnee, il) is easily one of my faves, i have to ride whenever i go! it still rides so well all these years later!
The support on the first drop near the first loop has a dog-leg bend in it to avoid the restrooms at Great America. Clones continued to have this same support, even when that obstacle restroom 🚽 is not present.
The coolest version is @ Six Flags St. Louis as the railroad travels around and under the ride, affording excellent photo opts. I rode The Sea World one. They took off the front car to film a commercial. It was an ACE private party. Sadly, my "take" wasn't used. Still a lot of fun to ride it over & over in morning to afternoon. Peoples jaws dropped when they saw the B&M proposal of Batman. Many were skeptical of If it would work. Ahhhh! Those nay sayers. LOL!
I really cannot wait to see more coverage on Australia's theme park history! I feel like there is so much mystery behind why we don't have as big a industry over here!
The word B&M is like ringing bells in my ears, Bollinger and Mabbilard, Some of the best coasters out there B&M, Every UK persons favourite bargain shop
It will be a very long time from now. B&M Inverts are some of the reliable coasters there are. And the fact it is an ACE coaster just means they need to do everything they can to keep it running. I would be very surprised if this gets removed before it turns 40 or even 50.
I've been on two Batman roller coasters, one being the OG and the other St. Louis. I prefer them to some of the bigger Inverted coasters in all honesty. I really enjoy these videos, and sometimes I will just play one to listen to while I do my housework. :) I do have to point out though, with 54 built (22 relocated) Vekoma Boomerangs are the most cloned roller coaster in the world... But the Batman clones are without a doubt the better of clones! 😂 I honestly wouldn't mind seeing more built. Even some with slight variations like an extra inversion or something added on would be cool.
Ah, yes. I was 11 when batman was new at SFGA. I rode the thing during Fright Fest that year, and I remember it clearly. I was barely tall enough for it, and spent the 2 hour wait shivering in line and too nervous to talk. The ride was awesome, but I was a little in shock afterwards....like "wtf was that?" Still one of my favorite rollercoasters.
Expedition Theme Park: "how can I make most people click off the video as soon as possible?" MIDI BATMAN THEME TUNE (I jest, good video and I know How hard it is to get copyright free music these days)
90’s on the verge of bankruptcy Six Flags can somehow afford a B&M, but now Six Flags can’t even afford to put trash cans in their parks. Pretty sad, but at least they have the best of the cloned rides to show for it
I'm glad to have a clone of one of these rides at my home park of Six Flags Over Texas. The lines are short in comparison to most of the other thrill rides, which is nice, because Batman The Ride is still pretty dope... I kinda feel like it has become a little underrated at this point.
@@ExpeditionThemePark yeah man I got the rare credit of both sides!! That was a ride!!! I would compare it to the great American scream machine, and we all know the pain that provided!! They where head bangers!!
The first time I rode a "Batman: The Ride" was the Great White at Sea World in San Antonio (mentioned in the video.) The second one I rode was probably the one at Six Flags Over Texas. I did get to visit Six Flags St. Louis (Six Flags Over Mid America) but I don't recall whether I got to ride their Batman, I think I did. I know their Mr. Freeze was down that day. I was at Magic Mountain and Six Flags Over Georgia on different occasions, but I didn't have time at either park to ride either of their Batmans (Batmen?) I have not been to Fiesta Texas since they installed their Batman that they, for some reason, call Goliath. Fun video!
This still one of my favorite coasters. At Great Adventure, they shortened the que and took away some of the theming so it's not quite as immersive, but still a must do at the park.
When Six flags Mexico had just opened (after it transitioned from a local theme park), Batman the ride was one of the launch attractions. I remember after I rode it thinking how this one was simply leagues ahead of every other ride in the park. Clone or not this is a world class attraction!
Hello There, a great documentary and a fantastic video throughout, it's interesting to see what B&M's design is like in terms of behind the scenes etc. Cheers Peter :)
Crazy to think one city would contain two of these clones - San Antonio. And three of them if looking at Texas as a whole. Maybe sea world San Antonio should add an rmc raptor clone and call it “electric eel” to keep in line with the illogical additions and naming redundancies going on in the region.
Along with Anaconda, I'd also be interested in a Euro-Star video: the weird 1995 traveling Intamin inverted coaster with Giovanola box track that kept disappearing and reappearing over the years. Fantastic video on Batman! Nearly 30 years later, it's still running excellent.
Six flags should sell one of the vekoma SLC's and replace it with the inverted batman the ride clone in Kuwait, surely it's up for sale? I'd say "a park that doesn't have either" instead but I doubt they'd ever care to add something so thrilling to six flags great escape, and way things are going who knows how long they will still "own" Frontier City. P.S. also "silver bullet" pls lol. Alphengeist and Banshee on the other hand, yeah.
Me a Kid in the early 90s, St Louis Missouri, SIX FLAGS, that day I rode The Ninja, Screaming Eagle, and the brand new BATMAN THE RIDE!! Finishing the day off in the evening was a Batman themed laser light show in the area of the Ride!!! It ....was..... AWESOME!!!
I worked on "Batman and Robin" stunt show at magic mountain. Which that park being so close to Hollywood was usually the show they cloned at other parks. Other than the company pulling away from live shows the drama with the batman begins show killed batman shows in the parks. Kinda wish someone would do a history of those stunt shows even though its not a ride.
Would have been cool if you talked about a little more of Batman La Fuga at Warner Bros Park in Spain as it has the best theming (sadly now somewhat changed to worse) with the whole queue and surrounding being Arkham Asylum, and the whole DC area being remnants of of the concepts an ideas for the Universal DC area. Also it went more into theming than the usual Six Flags one becuase they wanted to go directly against Port Aventura and Disneyland Paris.
Fun fact: there are only three (or four if you count Incredible Hulk version 1) B&Ms which have permanently closed. Dueling Dragons (both sides so 2 coasters) and Lightning at that park in Kuwait. Lightning has permanently closed but is still in storage (not scrapped). Edit: also nemesis inferno is better then the normal one mhm there I said it
It’s been a while since I was at Six Flags, but I always loved going on this ride even though I’m not a big superhero fan. I do love Batman, and this ride is a fantastic tribute to his legacy.
The one in La Ronde probably would have been themed to Batman, however their licence with DC only allows them to use the branding at Six Flags branded parks, and us locals have made it clear that we don't want La Ronde to become Six Drapeau La Ronde or Parc Amusement Six Flags La Ronde (which are the only options it could use given our commercial language laws) so it's instead themed to a vampire, while the theming for the rides around it make it clear that if things change and they can use the DC themeing, they will.
@@ExpeditionThemePark Can't wait to see Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast next!! Possibly a Batman & Robin: The Chiller from SFGrAd too??? That coaster goes hand and hand with Mr. Freeze and had such great potential, but was the biggest flop.
@requim dream What? B & M, Bolliger & Mabillard, the manufacturer of the Batman clones, who said anything about Black Lives Matter? Politics is making everyone go crazy...
I remember riding the og Batman @ Great America back in summer of 1993. It was euphoric.! I was in college and it was big news. My dining hall had the tv's tuned to MTV 24/7. So, even if we couldn't hear the ads, we saw them constantly. Haven't been on one since then. I need to get to a park again soon.
I just went on this a few days ago at Six Flags New England. It was my first "big" roller coaster and I absolutely adore it!! The power had gone out at the park and a lot of rides didn't get turned back on. I was disappointed that I only got to ride on Pandemonium. Then at the end of the day we heard a few rides start back up with people on it. One of them was Batman. Me and two of my friends went over to it and walked right on it. I was nervous about going upside-down at first because I wasn't sure how I would handle it but I actually handled it really well! I could barely feel going upside-down tbh. It felt so awesome and I can't wait to go back on it with my compensated tickets when I go back for fright fest. :3 Honestly, Batman made the entire trip worth it for me.
Reminds me of a Brian Regan joke, "BATMAN THE RIDE! SUPERMAN..THE RIDE" "wow that was just like the movie!...except the movie has characters and a plot and that was more like a roller coaster but still, that was awesome!"
So, previously I learned that my Father was the one who delivered the control panel to Z-Force from the airport to Six Flags Great America; this time though I have physical evidence of my direct ties to Batman: The Ride. I own my father's 'Gotham Public Works' uniform from his time as an engineer at the park.
I went on this so many times. I grew up in Chicago in the 80s/90s and went to Great America all of the time. I remember waiting in line with my dad and all the cool theming. This, Iron Wolf, the American Eagle, and all of the others.
It was definitely awesome growing up with Great America as my home park back then. They were like Cedar Point breaking records every year with Shockwave, Iron Wolf and Batman.
This was my first major roller coaster at St. Louis. That was my home park. I love it so much and miss it terribly now that I've moved away to Colorado. The Vekoma SLC at Elitch's scares me.
The elaborate and narrow Gotham City queue line theming also made the wait *much* less boring! This video didn’t entirely capture it, but you wind back and forth through a garden at first, then enter a dystopian city scene with a crashed police car that used to always billow stage-effect smoke (ha what a characteristic smell!), and finally you enter “the bat cave”, an enclosed dark corrugated metal series of inclined hallways that build the anticipation as you can hear the ride but have no visibility at all for this final section. I’ve rode it at SFGA dozens of times and the queue line scenes never get old. The designers did a brilliant job of visually separating each section, so no matter how slow the line is moving, you at least feel like you’re making substantial progress. Honestly every ride queue should have this level of theming, since it’s by far where guests spend the majority of their time.
The first time I rode Batman The Ride was was at Six Flags over Texas back in 2004 and I was really surprised with how intense it was. It wasn’t the tallest, longest, or fastest at the park man it was intense.
I worked at Great America 1995-1997 seasons. Even 5 years into its run at six flags batman the ride would have a wait time of 2 hours on a busy weekend. It was a juggernaut and a really fun ride.
I remember this ride when it came to Six Flags over Georgia. I was terrified of it. But after I eventually rode it for the first time, it became my favorite coaster of all time, only surpassed by Dueling Dragons which no longer exists.
Thank you to Skillshare for sponsoring this video. The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/expeditionthemepark12201
What is your favorite inverted roller coster? Let me know!
Raptor or Montu
Vampire
Top Gun / Flight deck at the other Great America.
Mixed between Volcano! Blast Coaster and the dueling ride Battle Star Galactica
hope that while we're on the subject of batman, let's hope we see something on either the stunt show or another batman themed-ride at six flags!
I remember being blown away at just how futuristic this ride looked upon opening. It was way ahead of its time.
right!
And even many years later, B&M inverts still look great - this design is timeless!
I know right? When this opened, the other coasters I would have compared it to were arrow loopers, a b&m stand up, a giant wooden racer, and a schwartzkopf super jet
@@BassGuitarSlide they really do still look incredible, and I recently watched a video that mentioned the characteristic "B&M roar" the coasters make- I didn't think about it before, but now, when I see one, that's all I can hear. It always makes me feel nostalgic.
This is getting out of hand, now there's ten of them
When you getting one?
Dear Supreme Leader the people of your great country humbly ask for you to get a Batman clone.
Of course I have nine clones.
*Because* *I'm* *Batman* ... The Ride.
hello there
Dear leader will engineer, design, build, and ride this coaster himself
Even as a clone, still is a great ride...and I didn't realize how great the teeming is at SFGA, it really is the best themed ride there by far!
a classic!
Yeah I'd love for more rides to have half that amount of theming
I worked at SFOG from 95 to 97. I remember when it first opened. They had a employ only day. I rode it about 3 or 4 times with out getting off. Now my son and I ride it. Good times.
It is the best themed and most people would agree it is the most intense and smoothest version as well. If you include the theming and the scenery, easily the best Batman: The Ride clone.
As my home park I agree but, The Dark Knight wild mouse clone and Giant Drop, The Intamin second generation drop tower are also very well themed.
If they love Batman the Ride, wait till they get a load of Batman the Ride
Ha yes!
LOL
Lol it is a really fun ride
Get a load of this guy
Idk why this made me laugh so hard
9:45 "Plus, you get home in time to feed your dog. Meow."
Ok
hahah right
This was my first major coaster. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The anticipation building from the three hour wait, enjoying the city of Gotham. To the moment I saw the station. Then finally sitting down and with the help of my brother to pull the harness down. I wanted to leave but my brother would not since we waited so long. Then it clicked the tears of fear started rolling down my cheek. As the click clack of the anti roll back made my anxiety rise higher and higher up that 109 foot lift. The tears suddenly pushed to the back of my skull as we descended into that first loop. Those tears rolled back to my mouth as a loud “wooooooooo” and then that moment of grey out followed by another “woooooo” followed by another grey out. When the car finally hit the final breaks I had a smile from ear to ear. For I was not so serious anymore. Batman had taken my virginity and I loved every moment of it. Ever since then I rush to find that same thrill from that day. That very day I was no longer a boy wonder I was transformed into a man a BATMAN. My favorite super hero of all time since that 1989 film. Superman has nothing on Batman. Even the rollercoasters don’t come close to the excitement and thrill of any Batman clone. Forever and always the best. The one that broke the mold. As now “I’m Batman”.
what a great first coaster!
"I remember the day like it was yesterday. The anticipation building from the three hour wait... Then finally sitting down... to pull the harness down. I wanted to leave but... we waited so long... Then it clicked the tears of fear started rolling down my cheek. As the click clack... made my anxiety rise higher and higher up... The tears suddenly pushed to the back of my skull... Those tears rolled back to my mouth as a loud "wooooooooo" and then that moment of grey out followed by another "woooooo" followed by another grey out... I had a smile from ear to ear. For I was not so serious anymore. Batman had taken my virginity and I loved every moment of it. Ever since then I rush to find that same thrill from that day. That very day I was no longer a boy wonder I was transformed into a man a BATMAN... Superman has nothing on Batman... Forever and always the best. The one that broke the mold. As now "I’m Batman"."
I think you've been reading too many Robin fanfics on Tumblr.
Batman was the first rollercoaster I ever went on way back in 1998 in Gurnee. I rode the same coaster 16 years later also in Gurnee. Batman will always hold a place in my heart!
I've been excited for this video since the last B&M video and it didn't disappoint. I was a Great Adventure guy in NJ and I remember the whole thing. First time out of Disney to see that theming too, really built up the excitement the first time going on something like this.
Thank you!
I, too, remember when it opened at Great Adventure and it looked so amazing- the theming blew my mind bc it wasn't something you'd see at a non-Disney park. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to ride. It's still probably in my top 5 rides ever just for how new and innovative it seemed. It isn't the fastest or tallest but it absolutely holds up. It's becoming one of those where when you ride it, you hope this isn't the last time you ride it- but considering the quality of it, the work that went into creating it, and how it keeps making people smile, I think it will be there for many more years to come.
These classic B&M inverted coasters still look good! I just like their look, I think it's probably because Nemesis made such an impression on me when I was young but they're really satisfying to watch. They were always my favourite to build in Rollercoaster Tycoon as well with lots of theming just like the real thing.
I rode the original at Great America when I was 8 and it’s still the best coaster I’ve ever been on, almost 13 years later
that's awesome!
Don't take this the wrong way but... you could've seen my father there. He was an engineer at Six Flags Great America and worked on the ride. I own his 'Gotham Public Works' uniform.
SFGA gets so much criticism (it’s my home park) but it’s actually a great park and I love that you are giving it some love! Keep it up! I became a binge YT Roller Coaster enthusiast again! I am appreciative of all the videos you do on SFGA makes me appreciate all my childhood there!
This is my home park. I rode this as a 10 yr old in the summer of ‘92. The lines were extremely long but it was worth it. It was quite exciting. Thanks for the vid - I feel as though this park gets overlooked a lot even though it made a huge impact in the industry throughout the 80s and 90s with the first Arrow megalooper and the first B&Ms.
I know Astroworld's Batman the Escape was a different ride, relocated, but they kept similar theming elements in the queue and that was always my favorite part of the park. You went through the abandoned Gotham Zoo and there were just... Penguins everywhere.
I remember that coaster! Serial Thriller resembled the batman the Escape coasters to me. I really miss Astroworld.
B&M Invert "Batman layout" = GOOD Clone
Vekoma SLC = BAD clone
I will get to that ha
I've ridden a very new installment of the SLC in energylandia, complete with new trains and vest restraints and it was actually pretty good! Way better than... I don't know.... The very first installment of an SLC ever! (El condor @walibi holland which used to be six flags holland)
@@NiekNooijens It’s cool to hear that. I’ve always thought SLCs had an awesome layout, with some uncommon inversions (rollovers/sea serpent rolls > cobra rolls) that had nice transitions between them and a lot of track packed into a tight footprint, that was held back by the rough track and those godforsaken restraints
@@agentstache135 Agreed. The Vekoma SLC has a great compact layout that makes good use of a relatively small space. And I like the cool banked hill between the 2nd and 3rd inversions. If you ride one, it helps a little if it happens to be brand new.
SLC hater...
I love this coaster to death. I was so upset when they painted it Kraft Cheese Yellow. The queue is still surprisingly well kept. I don't mind the rattle it has now, but holy hell was it smooth when I was a kid.
The yellow sucks!
I grew up riding this one at Magic Mountain. It was always a favorite of mine. Originally this one was black & gray, but now they changed it to black & blue. Regardless of the color scheme it is a 10/10 in my book!
Hello from Phoenix Arizona❕🔥
17:40 "the most cloned roller coaster in the world"
All them Big Apples: "Hold our worm" :D
I doubt that's the only one.
I'm pretty sure vekoma boomerangs, vekoma SLCs and arrow corkscrews have also been cloned a lot more than batman
@@jkattack2640 Not sure about the Arrow Corkscrews, but I agree when it comes to the two Ve-clone-ma models. ;-)
As far as I know, the title of the most cloned rides goes to the Big Apples, even though they were made by a bunch of different companies, other than the rides you mentioned.
Yea, I am talking about none off the shelf models though really!
This is great 😂 I used to see those rides everywhere! Now when I see one it's like it unlocks a core memory of my childhood :')
The Wacky Worm would be sad if it's insane grin weren't fixed in fibreglass.
These rides still hold up amazing ! The pacing , the smoothness . Great rides still
Agreed!
i thought it said "the CLOSED history of batman" i got scared for a sec.
ha no! not yet at least!
It's OK. If batman closes, you can ride one of the other batman clones.
@@thedigiseviper1330 theyre still really good rides...
@@ExpeditionThemePark unless its the slc at sf mexico
SFGAM’s (the OG) has ACE landmark status, trust me even if the rest somehow closed the og ain’t going ANYWHERE anytime soon
Great Adventure is my 'home' SF. I remember when they got their 'Batman'' coaster. Though it wouldn't make my personal Top 5 at the park these days, it's still an incredible ride, one that's stood the test of time (which is more than I can for 'the Chiller', which was about as successful as 'nipple Batman').
Listen Mike, You know what else should be in your backyard? Exactly, my poop! 💩 Like a dog I would do my business in your backyard! Now speak with me together and say: "Hex Go BRRRRRRRRR"!
Say it!
I remember as a kid riding The Great White at sea world like probably 10 times in one day because there was never a line! Gosh I love the batman clones, and now Fiesta Texas has a batman clone too! So there's two in my town, which is kinda funny. Except one drops to the left and the other to the right.
I love this ride. I was my first looping roller coaster back when I was 6 years old. 28 years ago... I had a Batman the Ride leather key chain that I got with my name on it that day. I held on to it and used it when I first started driving. Sadly, I lost the key chain but the original ride still exists in my home state of Illinois.
I refused to ride Great White on a family trip to Sea World when I was 8, but I remember it well. Goliath at Fiesta Texas was the first roller coaster I ever rode (on a middle school field trip in 2008). It was brand new and heavily marketed - I remember the souvenior soda cups having a huge Goliath sticker graphic on the front. Weird to know now that it was a salvaged ride from Katrina and also the same as the ride I refused to ride... Love all your videos but this one was extra trippy for my memories haha
texas is a small world ha
Goliath is an awesome coaster. I rode it the first day is was open at Fiesta Texas!!
I've been near to the Batman coaster in the Parque Warner in Madrid and it looked amazing but didn't ride that day because of a mix between not being high enough and being scared about it(If I remember correctly, I was 10 years old when I went there). But we went to the other Batman attraction that is like a film but the seats move alongside what is shown on screen and is close by the Batman coaster and I had a blast there. Also, when I exited that, I saw that they had Bumping Cars themed to the Joker. I had a blast visiting Parque Warner and I enjoyed it more than the two times I have been to PortAventura.
I love the love your showing rides from Great America, please if there’s more coasters there with an interesting background make a video on it!👍
Edit: YES DO ONE ON THE WHIZZER. That would be a perfect candidate like the person in my replies said!
I second this, we dont hear about chicago land coasters enough!
I would like to hear the history on Raging Bull/B&M Hypers and possibly the Whizzer/Speed racer models as only 2 are left in the world.
More to come!
@@andykillsu I love your idea with the Whizzer and Raging Bull. American Eagle would be a good one too.
Yes! The Whizzer! The perfect starter coaster.
Ah my very first Rollercoaster. I was in que for Medusa got to the seat and walked right to the other side out of pure fear (11 years old). Later that day after beating myself up for hours I eventually rode Batman. It was the thrill of my life at that time and it spawned a decade long obsession where I went on to ride over 250 other coasters. I'll never forget this one. ❤️
a great first coastr!
Great Video, I rode Batman The Ride at Six Flags Over Georgia back in the late 90's, making it my first bottomless coster I think. I remember loving it, did not know it's clone history till now though. Thanks for doing a video about it, I hope to ride it again sometime in the next couple years.
I rode Batman The Ride here at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ and it was a pretty great ride...coming from a person who is not much of a rollercoaster enthusiast. It's great for anyone who wants to get on their first rollercoaster imo
I remember waiting in line 4 hours the year it opened just to ride it ! I still love the ride. I enjoy riding it every time we go to six flags over ga
2:40 onwards: I heard you, RCT music. Not sure which one though, fantasty style maybe?
Batman is still one of my top favorite ride at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was one of the first ones I rode when I stopped being scared of coasters. And the fact that they play the Prince movie album in the queue is just *chefs kiss* lol
it is a great ride!
I remember me and my sister waiting almost 4hrs to ride that ride on opening weekend at Six Flags Great Adventure. to this day, that ride still packs a punch. well done Sam, you always 'knock it out of the park' with your detailed research.
*side note, my buddy puked the first time ever on Batman. he also puked his first time on Nitro and KingdaKa. LOL
thanks for your hard work and awesome videos. keep em coming and I'll keep watching em.
Thank you so much!
@ 9:35 - female dancer flips skirt - cut to kid looking in that direction, was that the way the original commercial was edited ?
I think this Chanel has to have the best roller coast history I’ve ever seen in a while and I remember so many childhood rides that I used to love and wonder if they still exist yet you have the best information
Every time you upload it makes my day! Thanks so much
Looking forward to having more Six Flags/B&M/Giovanola expeditions!
Thanks for watching !
the coaster at six flags great america (gurnee, il) is easily one of my faves, i have to ride whenever i go! it still rides so well all these years later!
a classic for sure
The support on the first drop near the first loop has a dog-leg bend in it to avoid the restrooms at Great America. Clones continued to have this same support, even when that obstacle restroom 🚽 is not present.
yep! The layout was custom once ha
Yeah, that is hilarious and weird to see when you look at other Batman clones but makes sense.
The coolest version is @ Six Flags St. Louis as the railroad travels around and under the ride, affording excellent photo opts. I rode The Sea World one. They took off the front car to film a commercial. It was an ACE private party. Sadly, my "take" wasn't used. Still a lot of fun to ride it over & over in morning to afternoon. Peoples jaws dropped when they saw the B&M proposal of Batman. Many were skeptical of If it would work. Ahhhh! Those nay sayers. LOL!
I really cannot wait to see more coverage on Australia's theme park history! I feel like there is so much mystery behind why we don't have as big a industry over here!
This tbh!!!
TIL - Astroworld was smaller than Disneyland. Thanks for the disclaimer Six Flags commercial!
Astroworld might have been smaller, but it had heart.
that made me laugh haha
Astroworld was 90 Acres. Disneyland is 80 acres
loved astroworld, spent many days there
Literally one of my favorite coasters on earth. Thank you for this
Thanks oh for watching
Batman at SFNO didn't sit in floodwaters for 2yrs. It was maybe a month, maybe two most before they broke open the levy and drained the park.
i meant it was SBNO for 2 years sorry should of worded it better
The word B&M is like ringing bells in my ears,
Bollinger and Mabbilard, Some of the best coasters out there
B&M, Every UK persons favourite bargain shop
What a combo!
There is a huge difference between a B&M coaster and a B&M coaster.
@@willbridge3433 Lol, I know, just a funny reference for any UK people 😀
If our B&M made it it would be made of plastic
I remember going to great adventure soon after Batman opened. It was so crazy at the time. Loved it. Been on it so many times over the years
Are you going to bring up Batman: The Dark Knight at Six Flags New England when you talk about B&M's Floorless models?
Maybe in the future
The OG B&M floorless is Bizarro FKA Medusa at Great Adventure
... and Batman Knight Flight at Six Flags Flags Ohio/ Worlds of Adventure
My favorite coaster I’ve ever been on. I’ll cry when Great America one day announces that it’s “reached the end of its operational lifetime”
Will be a sad day
It will be a very long time from now. B&M Inverts are some of the reliable coasters there are. And the fact it is an ACE coaster just means they need to do everything they can to keep it running. I would be very surprised if this gets removed before it turns 40 or even 50.
It’s an ace landmark, it can’t get removed
@@doritosauce6632 that’s not true at all...
@@andykillsu do you even know what an ace landmark is?
I've been on two Batman roller coasters, one being the OG and the other St. Louis. I prefer them to some of the bigger Inverted coasters in all honesty. I really enjoy these videos, and sometimes I will just play one to listen to while I do my housework. :)
I do have to point out though, with 54 built (22 relocated)
Vekoma Boomerangs are the most cloned roller coaster in the world... But the Batman clones are without a doubt the better of clones! 😂
I honestly wouldn't mind seeing more built. Even some with slight variations like an extra inversion or something added on would be cool.
I didbt coubt them as they are just off the shelf models but true!
I grew up on this ride in chicago and is still one of my favorite rides. It is a awesome rush.
Ah, yes. I was 11 when batman was new at SFGA. I rode the thing during Fright Fest that year, and I remember it clearly. I was barely tall enough for it, and spent the 2 hour wait shivering in line and too nervous to talk. The ride was awesome, but I was a little in shock afterwards....like "wtf was that?" Still one of my favorite rollercoasters.
Expedition Theme Park: "how can I make most people click off the video as soon as possible?"
MIDI BATMAN THEME TUNE
(I jest, good video and I know How hard it is to get copyright free music these days)
Had to use it somehow!
90’s on the verge of bankruptcy Six Flags can somehow afford a B&M, but now Six Flags can’t even afford to put trash cans in their parks. Pretty sad, but at least they have the best of the cloned rides to show for it
An expedition on my home park on my birthday, can't get better than that!!
Happy Birthday!
Nice to see two of my favorite channels watching each. I see a cola be ration maybe?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAC
Woot woot.
I'm glad to have a clone of one of these rides at my home park of Six Flags Over Texas. The lines are short in comparison to most of the other thrill rides, which is nice, because Batman The Ride is still pretty dope... I kinda feel like it has become a little underrated at this point.
Love it I remember this ride at 6 flags NJ.. this and the chiller!!
yep! Great topic there ha
@@ExpeditionThemePark yeah man I got the rare credit of both sides!! That was a ride!!! I would compare it to the great American scream machine, and we all know the pain that provided!! They where head bangers!!
Great musical selections as always, thank you for the video!
Thabnk you!
The quality of this vids are out of this world.. Thank you so much for making them and I hope to see lots more! Greetings team Themepark.inc
BATMAN: THE RIDE opened exactly a quarter (3 mos) after my birth! And I love Batman. I've seen some of such movies before!
You have no clue just how interesting people find these videos, keep it up man. 👍🏻
The first time I rode a "Batman: The Ride" was the Great White at Sea World in San Antonio (mentioned in the video.) The second one I rode was probably the one at Six Flags Over Texas. I did get to visit Six Flags St. Louis (Six Flags Over Mid America) but I don't recall whether I got to ride their Batman, I think I did. I know their Mr. Freeze was down that day. I was at Magic Mountain and Six Flags Over Georgia on different occasions, but I didn't have time at either park to ride either of their Batmans (Batmen?) I have not been to Fiesta Texas since they installed their Batman that they, for some reason, call Goliath. Fun video!
Hey, Expedition Theme Park! You must do the history of Hercules at Dorney Park!
Will take a look!
@@ExpeditionThemePark id watch it. 💯💯💯
Yes please
I love how this is sort of a bnm mini series
Exactly!
This still one of my favorite coasters. At Great Adventure, they shortened the que and took away some of the theming so it's not quite as immersive, but still a must do at the park.
When Six flags Mexico had just opened (after it transitioned from a local theme park), Batman the ride was one of the launch attractions. I remember after I rode it thinking how this one was simply leagues ahead of every other ride in the park. Clone or not this is a world class attraction!
Hello There, a great documentary and a fantastic video throughout, it's interesting to see what B&M's design is like in terms of behind the scenes etc. Cheers Peter :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Hello There, you're welcome. Cheers Peter :)
Crazy to think one city would contain two of these clones - San Antonio. And three of them if looking at Texas as a whole. Maybe sea world San Antonio should add an rmc raptor clone and call it “electric eel” to keep in line with the illogical additions and naming redundancies going on in the region.
Right!
Along with Anaconda, I'd also be interested in a Euro-Star video: the weird 1995 traveling Intamin inverted coaster with Giovanola box track that kept disappearing and reappearing over the years. Fantastic video on Batman! Nearly 30 years later, it's still running excellent.
it is one I plan to cover in the future!
I just watched the Euro Star video the other day.
No matter how popular this ride was, this would never work today. Social media would trash a company for repeating the same ride over and over.
I’ll never forget the hype riding the original for the first time in the late 90s! So proud of my home park’s firsts 🥰
Six flags should sell one of the vekoma SLC's and replace it with the inverted batman the ride clone in Kuwait, surely it's up for sale? I'd say "a park that doesn't have either" instead but I doubt they'd ever care to add something so thrilling to six flags great escape, and way things are going who knows how long they will still "own" Frontier City.
P.S. also "silver bullet" pls lol. Alphengeist and Banshee on the other hand, yeah.
I was being nice to Knotts haha
Me a Kid in the early 90s, St Louis Missouri, SIX FLAGS, that day I rode The Ninja, Screaming Eagle, and the brand new BATMAN THE RIDE!! Finishing the day off in the evening was a Batman themed laser light show in the area of the Ride!!! It ....was..... AWESOME!!!
Another really gd video Sam, However when will your videos for Europa Park &/or Phantasialand be uploaded??
"B&M and Six Flags would create the most cloned roller coaster in the world"
Vekoma Boomerang: am I a joke to you?
I am not counting off the shelf models
At least its a whole coaster, not half of one. *sarcasm inserts*
I worked on "Batman and Robin" stunt show at magic mountain. Which that park being so close to Hollywood was usually the show they cloned at other parks. Other than the company pulling away from live shows the drama with the batman begins show killed batman shows in the parks. Kinda wish someone would do a history of those stunt shows even though its not a ride.
So glad I got to experience this in it's first year. One of the greatest memories I got was that trip to Six Flags.
Would have been cool if you talked about a little more of Batman La Fuga at Warner Bros Park in Spain as it has the best theming (sadly now somewhat changed to worse) with the whole queue and surrounding being Arkham Asylum, and the whole DC area being remnants of of the concepts an ideas for the Universal DC area. Also it went more into theming than the usual Six Flags one becuase they wanted to go directly against Port Aventura and Disneyland Paris.
Fun fact: there are only three (or four if you count Incredible Hulk version 1) B&Ms which have permanently closed. Dueling Dragons (both sides so 2 coasters) and Lightning at that park in Kuwait. Lightning has permanently closed but is still in storage (not scrapped).
Edit: also nemesis inferno is better then the normal one mhm there I said it
i count the hulk!
@@ExpeditionThemePark great video btw. So much time and effort put in, I am always excited to watch these!
It’s been a while since I was at Six Flags, but I always loved going on this ride even though I’m not a big superhero fan. I do love Batman, and this ride is a fantastic tribute to his legacy.
The one in La Ronde probably would have been themed to Batman, however their licence with DC only allows them to use the branding at Six Flags branded parks, and us locals have made it clear that we don't want La Ronde to become Six Drapeau La Ronde or Parc Amusement Six Flags La Ronde (which are the only options it could use given our commercial language laws) so it's instead themed to a vampire, while the theming for the rides around it make it clear that if things change and they can use the DC themeing, they will.
I lived in Toronto but sadly never got the chance to go
@@ExpeditionThemePark If you went to Canada's Wonderland, you aren't missing much, I'm loath to admit it but their park is better in every way.
Great video and great coaster!! Truly revolutionized the coaster world.
Thank you!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Can't wait to see Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast next!! Possibly a Batman & Robin: The Chiller from SFGrAd too??? That coaster goes hand and hand with Mr. Freeze and had such great potential, but was the biggest flop.
16:00 That is footage of the SFOG Batman under water. Happens probably once a year when the Chattahoochee River floods
Six Flags: Who are you?
*I'm Batman...THE RIDE*
Yesssss
I think you are now my most favourite theme park (documentary) youtuber. But Yesterworld is right behind ya 😊
This was the most badass coasters growing up.
I first did this in 2013-14 in Georgia and it was one of my top 10 coasters
B&M did so well on this layout I still think the Batman clones have one of the best layouts to this day
So they build a Black Lifes Matter roller coaster? BLM Coaster? 🎢
@requim dream What? B & M, Bolliger & Mabillard, the manufacturer of the Batman clones, who said anything about Black Lives Matter? Politics is making everyone go crazy...
I remember riding the og Batman @ Great America back in summer of 1993. It was euphoric.! I was in college and it was big news. My dining hall had the tv's tuned to MTV 24/7. So, even if we couldn't hear the ads, we saw them constantly. Haven't been on one since then. I need to get to a park again soon.
Hope.you hey to soon!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Thanks. Thanks for your work. I love your videos. I find them so well researched and executed.
I just went on this a few days ago at Six Flags New England. It was my first "big" roller coaster and I absolutely adore it!! The power had gone out at the park and a lot of rides didn't get turned back on. I was disappointed that I only got to ride on Pandemonium. Then at the end of the day we heard a few rides start back up with people on it. One of them was Batman. Me and two of my friends went over to it and walked right on it. I was nervous about going upside-down at first because I wasn't sure how I would handle it but I actually handled it really well! I could barely feel going upside-down tbh. It felt so awesome and I can't wait to go back on it with my compensated tickets when I go back for fright fest. :3 Honestly, Batman made the entire trip worth it for me.
Reminds me of a Brian Regan joke, "BATMAN THE RIDE! SUPERMAN..THE RIDE" "wow that was just like the movie!...except the movie has characters and a plot and that was more like a roller coaster but still, that was awesome!"
So, previously I learned that my Father was the one who delivered the control panel to Z-Force from the airport to Six Flags Great America; this time though I have physical evidence of my direct ties to Batman: The Ride.
I own my father's 'Gotham Public Works' uniform from his time as an engineer at the park.
I went on this so many times. I grew up in Chicago in the 80s/90s and went to Great America all of the time. I remember waiting in line with my dad and all the cool theming. This, Iron Wolf, the American Eagle, and all of the others.
Very historic.
It was definitely awesome growing up with Great America as my home park back then. They were like Cedar Point breaking records every year with Shockwave, Iron Wolf and Batman.
This was my first major roller coaster at St. Louis. That was my home park. I love it so much and miss it terribly now that I've moved away to Colorado. The Vekoma SLC at Elitch's scares me.
I've seen many shoes fly off riders at the SFGA Batman. LOL
The elaborate and narrow Gotham City queue line theming also made the wait *much* less boring! This video didn’t entirely capture it, but you wind back and forth through a garden at first, then enter a dystopian city scene with a crashed police car that used to always billow stage-effect smoke (ha what a characteristic smell!), and finally you enter “the bat cave”, an enclosed dark corrugated metal series of inclined hallways that build the anticipation as you can hear the ride but have no visibility at all for this final section. I’ve rode it at SFGA dozens of times and the queue line scenes never get old. The designers did a brilliant job of visually separating each section, so no matter how slow the line is moving, you at least feel like you’re making substantial progress. Honestly every ride queue should have this level of theming, since it’s by far where guests spend the majority of their time.
That was very historic.
The first time I rode Batman The Ride was was at Six Flags over Texas back in 2004 and I was really surprised with how intense it was. It wasn’t the tallest, longest, or fastest at the park man it was intense.
I worked at Great America 1995-1997 seasons. Even 5 years into its run at six flags batman the ride would have a wait time of 2 hours on a busy weekend. It was a juggernaut and a really fun ride.
I remember this ride when it came to Six Flags over Georgia. I was terrified of it. But after I eventually rode it for the first time, it became my favorite coaster of all time, only surpassed by Dueling Dragons which no longer exists.
i went on on the one in New Jersey as a kid and absolutely loved it. one of my favorite rides of all time
This is great. My home park is SFGAM and I love my Batman clone and it still holds up as one of these best even though it's the first B&M Invert.
A great ride!
Great video when you said duelling dragons I was so sad. Still one of my favourite coaster I’ve ever been on or should I say coaster’s
Still sad
It makes me wonder if that was what the Batwing/Pengwing concept eventually turned into?