Batwing Review Six Flags America Vekoma Flying Dutchman
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- One of only two flying dutchman's left in the world, Batwing is located all the way in the back of Six Flags America, flipping riders upside down 5 times as they soar above Gotham!
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I feel like the reason why the lift hill and brakes have guests on their backs is because of ride evacuations. Unlike B&M Flyers, evacs on Batwing and Nighthawk don't involve releasing the leg flaps one by one followed by the vests. Instead, they just have guests unbuckle their vest restraint and then release the lap bars one row at a time. It is way easier than having the little elevator go to each individual row then have maintenance release the restraints with a gum scraper.
Yeah you're probably right. That IS a much faster evac. I've personally never had a evac on a Vekoma Flying Dutchman or a B&M Flyer, but the Flying Dutchman evacs are a lot faster than the ones on a B&M Flyer like Tatsu or Manta
Regardless I like the part where you flip over vs already being in the flying position.
@@mushieslushie Yeah that is fun
Also, the effect of being flipped over into the flying position at the top of the lift is pretty awesome and unique to this ride
Originally it was supposed to lay you down going up the lift though. Opening was delayed and then they gave up on that.
“You hear Vekoma flying coaster and think rough”
Or you think an awesome launched coaster in Phantasialand with amazing theming.
For a Vekoma flying coaster, you would expect it to be bad but not this one. It's smooth, forceful, and fun. I am a huge sucker for positive Gs and intensity so I would love this thing.
You really are pumping out reveiws!
Well I really enjoyed Nighthawk this last summer so I'm ready to believe this one is good too. Vekoma's hidden gems. That vertical loop is really intense.
Nighthawk is excellent, my 4th favorite at the park, controversially ahead of Afterburn. As great as Nighthawk is, Batwing is far better!
@@OklahomaCoasterFan Its actually my 2nd favorite in the park after Fury because I was soooo surprised by how fun it was. Dang it now youre convincing me to go to Maryland lol
This was my first flyer largely because it's at my "home park". It's a surprisingly smooth ride, with some graceful elements, and some intense elements. I'd say this is better then the Superman Ultimate Flight clones at other Six Flags parks, but doesn't hold a candle to the other B&M flyers out there like Manta. I most vivid memory of this ride was getting stuck on the lift hill for this ride. It's wasn't as bad as you'd think. the position you're in is pretty nice, and the view of Superman you get is cool as well. But I can see why on a hot and humid day it would suck. I just wish that SFA would add more stuff in this back corner of the park so that it didn't feel like such a detour to get to this ride.
Batwing is also my favorite Vekoma that I have ridden. Such a unique ride experience and definitely not as rough as you'd think it would be. Hopefully it sticks it out for the long haul at America! I wish I saw it in its hay day with the duel station in use though!
Batwing typically opens up an hour later than the rest of Six Flags America.
From what I've been told, the maintenance crews dread working on it. And while the second train is there, I don't recall the last time both trains were used. And I think it's likely the other train is now a parts donor.
How much longer the ride continues to operate, I have no clue.
I’m pretty sure the 2nd train will return,
Maintenance is afraid of the switch track breaking using both sides, so they might use one side (what they normally use) but two trains, but they also need like 10 people just to run one train, so hopefully they can use one side for both trains
This is true, I used to work at this park and typically they open it around noon. This is one of/if not the most complex ride at the park. I remember sitting there with the maintenance team whilst they tried to get it up and running for the day. Even operating it, it was more complex than any of the other rides in the park, but it was my favorite to operate.
I'm told they've been trying to get the 2nd train back in service but it's difficult even keeping 1 train in service so it's unclear if we'll be getting the return of 2 train ops in the future.
@@jg-7780 the second train is there and has been Being worked on so it will be ready for the next season but you know anything can happen
@@veriism it only needs 6 to op? 10 is for two trains
I loved Firehawk when it was still around so this ride is at the top of my coaster bucket list
Watching younger Taylor get dumped into a trash can while present Taylor narrates as if nothing out of the ordinary is on the screen 😂
I worked at California's Great America in the 200-2001 season when it was owned by Paramount. That's when one of the very first flying dutchman rides came out, Stealth. The line for this ride were ridiculous since it was a first of its kind at the time. But that thing was a constant headache, always breaking down. The park celebrated when they got rid of it, LOL. But I did have fun working on that ride be it only a few times. Now that it's Night Hawk at least it's still running and thrilling visitors.
Agree 100%. The vertical loop is THE high point and such a unique sensation. And yes, the lift hill is easily the low point, especially in the hot sun.
I visited in 2018 and was shocked to see it run two trains using both sides of the station! I was told this was extremely rare!
Just rode it today, thought I was going to miss this credit as it was down almost the whole day due to rain, but I really enjoyed it - glad I stuck it out and got on!
The banked turn is not an inversion. The inversions are the loop, the double inline twist, and the lie to fly and fly to lies (which are half of an inversion, so 4 halves which is 2) that the ride does on the drop, the turn into the loop, when going into the inline twists, and when you going into the brake run.
I would say the twists don't count either, you don't go upside down. Maybe that is always just in reference to the track but I would maybe count the corkscrews.
With this ride being at my homepark, I can say that out of all 10 years I’ve visited, they never run 2 trains on batwing nor used the dual loading station
Grew up in DC/Maryland/The DMV and I’ve always enjoyed this ride. I was 6 when I first rode it I’m 26 now sheesh
I WOULD LOVE 2 RIDE THIS COASTER. LOOKS FANTASTIC
Hey just a suggestion, could you maybe put a little chill background music in these reviews? Personally it would make it more embracing. And btw great vid
I rode Nighthawk, my first ever flying coaster that wasn't the train wreck that is Time Warp at Canada's Wonderland, in 2018 at kings island. It was a one and done for me. I remember saying during it - this is so weird. I guess they're not my cup of tea. I'm unsure if I'd even ride Tatsu if I went to MM. that pretzel loop looks unenjoyable
I rode the one at Geauga Lake probably the summer before it closed for good. I enjoyed the ride. I thought going up the lift on your back then flipping over was novel
I just rode Batwing today on a Sunday and they were running 2 trains using both loading stations and the operations were quite good with trains frequently being dispatched while the other train was coming into the other side of the station. Glad to see that they've improved the ops in 2022. The ride was fairly smooth all things considered and shockingly focusful. A pretty good ride honestly!
When I rode this back when it first opened I really enjoyed it. The cool part was it use to recline the seats as you went up the lift hill. I hope to see the new Vekoma flyers in the states to experience them
I had the fortunate way of riding Firehawk (then known as x-flight at SFWOA and at King's Island). I do miss Firehawk tho
I totally I agree with this video. My home park used to be Six Flags Worlds of Adventure/Geauga Lake. I remember when X Flight opened up in 2001 and how much I liked riding it as a kid. The one time I went to Kings Island after it was moved there I didn’t get to ride it. I went on Batwing at the end of September last year when a friend of mine and I went on a road trip to BGW, KD, and then SFA. My friend is a fellow coaster enthusiast and he’d never been on one of these. He loved it, but he wasn’t expecting the ride to be as intense at it was. We both agreed after riding Batwing that it is an underrated coaster. I hope it sticks around for awhile!
I never rode Batwing, but I rode X-Flight when it was at Geauga Lake. Hands-down, one of my favorite coasters ever. Laying on your back, you can't exactly see what's coming up next, and that definitely adds a unique thrill. And by unique, I mean truly unique, because there's only 2 of these left. I hope they never close!
I love the retracked Python (as a vekoma fan boy it is my nr. 1) . Now it has a slight rattle but when it opened it was Glass smooth
1:11 Nice one, Taylor
I can’t wait to get on this ride this year! I didn’t know this was only 1 of 2 operating, so I DEFINITELY need to ride it now
I love Batwing. Hope it never goes anywhere.
The only way I immediately know when if it’s operating is when I hear the SUPER LOUD *CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK* noises from the lifthill chain XD
Nighthawk's vertical loop was so good that I legitimately considered getting back in line for it lol
Nighthawk has the better moment, over the lake, but those corkscrews are the closest thing to a tumble dryer. The rides are smooth, but the loops are even worse than the B&M ones, thankfully Vekoma learned in time for F.L.Y. and dropped that particular torture device.
I LOVE these Flying Dutchman models and I’m very sad that there’s not more built… there’re so fun and different. I love going backwards on the lift hill lying down and then flips over and accelerates downwards
I remember the first couple Tim Ives been here they did have 2 trains running it did make the line move faster but other than this being my favorite ride here I can understand why they use just one train the track is short and you sit on the second train longer than the ride so they can get everyone buckled to the other train to take off but I do hope this ride stays a while it is something awesome to ride
I like it more than the B&M fliers. It's glossy smooth, extremely intense, and I just like the elements more. Manta will probably still be my sentimental favorite, but I think Batwing's ride experience alone is better. It's my favorite Vekoma and in my top 50.
I finally got to ride it last year, and the wait all day was only 15-20 minutes. Operations were slow, but I swear that the B&M fliers have even slower ops in my experience.. Tatsu was having 5-10 minute dispatches on my last visit, and with 2-train ops, sitting on the brake run that long in the prone position is brutal.
I love Batwing. Its better than the Ultimate Flight clones imo. I have ridden Nighthawk, Firehawk, and Batwing, and I think Batwing is the best out of the three. I also really dig its color scheme.
I really enjoyed this ride when I went last year. It was very intense !
The loop was literally insane and I LOVED it
I love the vertical loops on these
My favorite ride at SFA. And I vastly prefer it to Superman Ultimate Flight. Wish the Flying Dutchman was more of a success so that there would be more support, and maybe Batwing would have more than one train.
I miss the Coaster Parodies
I 100 percent agree. I like the intensity and thought it was less rough than nighthawk although if you prefer airtime over intensity some people might not like it.
Another great review!
I haven't been to Six Flags America but I have ridden the other 2 in their original parks. Maybe I'll make it out there some day and get all 3. It's still amazing to me that with all the advertising that was done for Stealth about it being the world's first etc. That they got rid of it after just 3 years. In a park that really needed more big attractions at that time as well.
It’s a pretty good park
Honestly prefer this coaster to any basic superman ultimate flight. Batwing is very intense but I'd say it's the best coaster there. Ride of steel is overrated. I'd probably put jokers jinx and roar after it in the lineup. I'd agree that like tatsu and manta are better (and probably flying dinosaur xd) but these models are a+ over the prototype air or the superman flyers. Glad people love f.l.y. even if it's a different breed of vekoma now.
I just rode ride of steel back in September and I have to tell you I didn't think it was a shame I thought it was worth it was one of the worst rides that I had ever had on the Superman roller coaster it was really rough and I had said that it would be the last time I rode that roller coaster
These Flying Dutchmen have the worst dispatches I’ve ever seen
I've ridden Nighthawk but I hope to get on this ride sometime this year
still waiting to get on one of these
Keep Batwings that's a great ride
I've done stealth the O.G. and boy do I miss it. Apparently a lame waterpark for families was a better long term plan. Good ride, however yes loading and dispatch 🤯 ouch
I always thought these were just really fun rides, the restraints are kind of clunky, but i dont see why there's so much hate among the community for these. i do prefere the inline twist on this as apose to a b&m flyer, cause im smaller, i just get taused around, but with the restrictive restraints on this its much more enjoyable.
This is your favorite Vekoma over the SLC at Morey's? I remember how much you were raving about that.
Around fright fest I was getting on for the first time they strapped us in and my dad saw that the people next to us weren’t strapped in so then they laid us down then my dad flaged the operator that there weren’t strapped in they were about to send us
I personally like this ride more that Superman ultimate flight
Nighthawk > Superman Ultimate Flight clones
I havent ridden Batwing but it looks really weird compared to F.L.Y (which i have been on). F.L.Y just looks more thought through and the loading on that one is just as fast as every other "normal" coaster. Batwing still looks fun to me and i would love to go on that one
FLY is clearly a big upgrade and high on my bucket list, but Batwing still stands up as a great ride, but yes, very different.
Can you imagine the feel of ride with both Vekoma and B&M elements.
Can we get this? Can this be a thing already???
I rode this once and I got the worst headache and I felt extremely nauseous. However, I do think this was because I rode in the back and the G forces there are probably somewhat more intense than the ones in the front. Currently it’s one of my least favorite coasters, but I really do owe it a re-ride.
I prefer batwing to the S:UF clones but I'm sure if I ever got on Manta or Tatsu those would be superior.
Do a review/overview of jokers jinx please!!!!!
People who have never ridden a Vekoma Flying Dutchman but have ridden F.L.Y: 😐😐😐
So I did Nighthawk and hated that one, those corkscrews at the end were weird. But Batwing was so much better. Didn't think it was rough and thought it was smooth. The forces are well balanced and that vertical loop is awesome. Much better than the Superman flyers imo.
I didnt like the ride because of long lines and the ending makes me light headed especially with the block breaks. That's why i ride it twice. And thank god they changed the damn colors to Black and Yellow. And i agree going in the morning especially with Superman. Which I enjoy seeing my locals still get scared riding this thing. lol
Hoping that its running when I get a chance to go down to Dc in October for Iron Maiden
I’ve only experienced Firehawk and Nighthawk I want to ride this one
The last time I rode Batwing was 2018, and maybe it’s just me, but I felt like the restraints combined with the forces just made the ride uncomfortable. I hope to give it one more ride before it bites the dust, which I feel may be sooner rather than later unfortunately.
I actually like Batwing better than the flying B&M Superman clones.
my least favorite part of these old school vekoma flyers is that the angle of the seats don't just put you on your back, you're actually slightly upside down, with your feet higher than your head. That angle is great for the flying position beneath the track, but going up that slow lift hill in the hot sun, blood rushing to your head, with that loud chain? No thanks
i got to ride it around the time it opened and generally enjoyed it, but i found the parts on your back were a bit rough
Only 45 minutes away if that from my house. Been 21 sad years since this park put anything legitimate in. That’s all I can think of when I see this ride now. This park is the absolute worst.
Bring back Coaster Parodies
The ride is designed nice
Did you prefer batwing or firehawk? I remember batwing having better theming but firehawk was smoother
They’re about equal, I wouldn’t take one over the other
If it’s running.
Was a great ride but still prefer Nighthawk.
I was so angry this wasn’t open when I last went in 2018
How do operations compare at Carowinds nighthawk? Do they run more than one train? Loading time?
They’re about equal in terms of operations.
@@CoasterStudios thanks, Have a season pass to Carowinds this year and want to go a few times, I’ll be sure to hit that one early. And BTW, thanks for making the RMC doc. Only been on twisted Timbers this past year but got on it at least 5 times. Absolutely love it and might have to take a trip to Atlanta when fun spot’s opens up next year
I was at Carowinds on a slow weekday, and Nighthawk's line started out at 2 hours (line up for it at least 15 minutes before park opening to avoid that), and it gradually lowered to 1 hour during the day, while Fury was almost a walk-on. That same week, on a busy day at Six Flags America, Batwing's line was 15-20 minutes all day. In my experience, Batwing is killing it with operations, while Nighthawk is atrocious. btw, Twisted Timbers might be my # 1
What are your opinions on reptilian(avalanche) at kings dominion?
A much needed improvement. I love that it’ll fit in this new area, and the theme works great. The colors are also perfect. I’m very excited for it!
Behemoth left?
Do you prefer the loop to a pretzel loop?
From the company who thinks Taylor is trash…
Second best ride at SFA behind Superman and they are right next to each other which is nice. That with the meal pass I would be in and out in less than an hour.
Wild One would like a word...
Jokers jinx is great and roar is like the most underrated gci ever.
@@oneandonlysound3453 oh yes Jinkx is amazing
haven't rode it yet, but i am visiting the park in June on vacation, and yes this was and is going to be my 1st ride i do in the park. then the decision next is which worse coaster to do 1st. mind eraser or roar.
If you follow the origin that plan you have a lot of walking to do! And btw batwing often opens later in the day and roar and mind eraser are really far away from batwing and each other.
Roar is underrated. Mind eraser on the other hand is awful. Firebird is really just a very mild b&m now (but way better than when it was a murderous stand up).
@@oneandonlysound3453 my guy I got a glass smooth ride on mind eraser and no head banging🤣🤣🤣 I’m a different breed
@@arthurz3808 I enjoy them once or twice if they have different trains (nor Easter, riddlers revenge, t3) but the original restraints the headbanging is just too much and annoying. They could use to repaint retheme and new trains. And a raptor from RMC. leave roar alone
Roar is getting a full retracking this season with all old track being removed and replaced
Isn't F.L.Y. a flying dutchman (a launched one)?
Technically, but the flying aspect looks so much better that I don't group them together
It is, but to me comparing them is like comparing Superman to Hyperion.
No. It’s a totally new model of flying coaster from Vekoma.
I enjoyed Bat Wing FAR better than Super Man Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Great Adventure. Definitely the 2nd BEST coaster for SFA. @SixFlagsAmerica get rid of that Larson Loop already!!😂
looks pretty crappy