Step into the Danger Zone with Top Gun - 50th Anniversary Archives

Описание: Talk to me Goose!
With Top Gun 2 starring Tom Cruise now out in theaters, who remembers when The Bat roller coaster at Kings Island was themed after the original Top Gun movie?

This suspended swinging roller coaster by Arrow Dynamics was cutting-edge technology, as a second-generation coaster. This was the park’s second attempt at a suspended coaster after the original Bat roller coaster opened in 1981.

The Top Gun attraction was announced to members of the media Nov. 11, 1992. As this was then-owner Paramount Park's first major attraction, they wanted riders to feel like they were on the physical set for the movie.

To enhance the experience, John DeCuir Jr., one of the film’s production designers, was hired to design the ride’s loading station platform so that it resembled an actual aircraft carrier. The ride opened with some nice thematic touches, like walking through a traffic control room in the queue, fog coming up from underneath the cars as they took off and associates working the attraction wearing flight suits, who bid riders good luck on their 1:52-second flight at 51 mph.

Top Gun opened to pilots April 9, 1993. When Cedar Fair purchased the Paramount parks, Top Gun was renamed to Flight Deck. For the 2014 season, the ride was then rethemed to The Bat, as an homage to the original suspended coaster that captured riders in the Coney Mall area of the park.

The Bat continues to thrill rides today in Action Zone. Come swing by and take flight during your next visit to Kings Island!

Get the best deal on tickets 🎟 to Kings Island HERE: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/dail...
#kingsisland