Specific Type: Wild Mouse
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Batman and Six Flags have become an infamous pairing within the park industry since the 1990's with the introduction of the Batman: The Ride family of cloned inverted B&M roller coasters. Other types of coasters have been since picked up names and themes related to the "Dark Knight" and his story, including floorless and stand up coasters. Six Flags New England was already the home of one Batman coaster with the B&M floorless Batman: The Dark Knight coaster, but with the closure of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the opportunity to add another to the family became a distinct possibility.
With Kentucky Kingdom closed after Six Flags rejected renewing a lease with the land-owners, the future of many of the rides on site was left unknown. Possibilities ranged from complete destruction to relocation to other Six Flags parks. As part of the company's settlement with the Kentucky State Fair Board, the Road Runner Express wild mouse coaster was removed from Kentucky Kingdom and relocated to Six Flags New England. Sitting on the site of the former Batman Stunt Show arena, the wild mouse would make New England its home as the Gotham City Gauntlet: Escape From Arkham Asylum (often referred to simply as "The Gauntlet" or "Gotham City Gauntlet"). Along with being moved, the ride was also repainted from its original yellow and magenta scheme to one more fitting of the Gotham motif, grey and black. Riders can seek the coaster near the entrance of Bizarro, the park's recently re-themed hyper coaster. The sight of the many single cars zig-zagging through the course lets riders know that the ride is all about hairpin corners and sharp drops. After boarding the constantly moving cars (as most wild mice require), the car takes a sharp left out of the station and heads up the quick lift. At a little above 49 ft, the chain lift crests and drops quickly to the left, starting the ride. The first half of the ride is nothing but what wild mice are known for...hairpin curve after hairpin curve let the lateral G's fly, and with the wheels set towards the middle of the car, riders get the sensation that the car will careen off the side before whipping to either the left or right. Six switchback turns later, the ride settles down, but only for a moment. A wide sweeping curve over the station to the left serves as a small drop as the car bolts back to the back of the course. A small rise feeds trains into a turn around with brakes in the middle as a block section. The train then drops sharply providing some air time as the car heads back towards the station. Another turnaround commences, but with an s-curve to line the track beside the upper level. A set of two drops takes trains back towards the crest of the lift, and after another turnaround and block brake, the train drops twice more, into the final brakes and into the station. If you can't get enough of the Dark Knight at Six Flags New England, then you'll be happy to know that Gotham City Gauntlet will be more than happy to serve all your dark hero needs. |
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