I got to ride the original The Bat. As a matter of fact, it had broken down for about 45 minutes but I stayed in line because I wanted to ride it so badly. I loved the swinging back and forth. Wish I still had my Bat button that they sold back then.
Cool video! While I never got to ride the original Bat, I remember walking by it quite a few times. It was always closed and I also remember seeing welders on the track. Also, just to clarify, the trains anti-rollbacks and chain dogs were on top of the cars and not the bottom. The bottom of the train did have the brake fins but everything else was above the rider.
I realized that after the video was already published. Apparently some of the information I got from the article was incorrect. Live and learn I guess.
I was 7 yrs old in 1981 when I rode this thing on a cold September morning, my first thrill ride. Pants were suitably sh*t. 😂 Did the beast at night that same day too. Great memories! Thanks!
I sprained my neck on the original The Bat. I appears to glide around those curves, but it didn't, at least not for a rider under 100 pounds. I swung from side to side inside the car! But I'm not mad about that. I'm really happy I got to ride The Bat.
I was 15 when I rode the bat and my shoulder slipped out the harness that kept me in, luckly I had my best there to help me and hold on to me, very scary still think about it too this day I got Lucky
Yes! While The Bat is currently a coaster at Kings Island it is not the original. The current Bat was originally named Top Gun. Then after Kings Island was bought by Cedar Fair the coaster was renamed to Flight Deck. The name was finally changed to The Bat in 2013 in honor of the original of the original coaster.
I just rode the new Bat for the first time and really enjoyed it! First time at Kings Island. I loved it. I'll have to go back when I'm not with a grown man who acts like a little bitch about roller coasters and getting splashed
Is it in poor taste for them to have renamed Top Gun/ Flight Deck to The Bat? I feel like it is half hearted attempt to capitalize on this type of nostalgia.
