Namtab 2013 at Great America

In addition to Backwards Batman, we also have the new sports [full] bar concept in SW Territory to be excited about, and what looks like will be a very good show in igNIGHT. As far as the new main gate goes, I'm not sure how much time it will save, but this will be eerily similar to how Kings Island's main gate was prior to the 2012 season. We shall soon see.

The only thing that would worry me about this idea is the vertical loops. I would think there would be excessive forces going up into the loop, and going over the top,that may cause your body to lurch forward as you face the ground, and then more excessive forces exiting the loop, that may put strain on your neck and back.However, thinking of rides like Faceoff, and other inverted shuttle coasters, this may not be such a horrible experience. Though I think the forces on Batman would be greater. I would be willing to try it at least once. I wonder if they will be offering both a forward and backward ride? That way those who don't want to go backwards, can wait for a forward train.

"Keep your head against the head rest at all times" or whatever the instructions are, will help with that problem.

But I see your point, people rarely follow more than one instruction at a time. They're doing it for a limited time but not saying how long; I think they probably want to see how things go (injuries, if any, etc.)

Anytime you offer a half fprward, half backward experience (Superman: Escape from Krypton, half backwards Raptor (Gardaland)) I feel like you're just throwing away half your capacity. I can't imagine there are that many people who will ride the forwards side given the chance to ride backwards.

Oh, I don't know. Maybe at first. I might be in the minority, but I'd try it once and probably decide to ride it forwards from then on because riding inverting coasters backwards is not especially fun. I compare it to riding a flying coaster. Impressive at first, then downright uncomfortable once the novelty immediately wears off.

I did enjoy Rebel Yell backwards, but there were no stomach churning inversions that I recall. And when Cedar Fair turned the backwards side forward again, I didn't miss it a bit.

I agree with you as an enthusiast. I am not a fan of going backwards in just about any situation. (Though I'm still waiting for someone to build a backwards hyper. I'm pretty sure I'd be terrified.)

However, for the "once a summer" which is a majority of the attendance, given the choice between waiting longer to go backwards, and just going forwards, I suspect most will choose backwards.

I like the backwards experience on the racer style coasters, not only do I find riding backwards fun, but i like that you get an interesting view of the riders in the other train. When run together and timing is right there's stretches of the ride where the forward and backward trains face each other, and you get the rare opportunity to watch coaster riders closer than usual, and for an extended period.
Kings Island was the first to turn a train around, shocking everyone with a surprise mid-season improvement which they say was to direct attention from another failed season with The Bat. But the odd phenomenon we noticed was that most everyone who waited all that time for the backward side twisted themselves around and looked over their shoulder (like you would if you were backing up your convertible), essentially adjusting themselves so they were riding forward anyway. This was pre headrest days, of course- once they were installed the weird behavior went away, natch.
The other odd thing is that the park left the front seat queue alone and all throughout Backward Racer's run people continued to keep it full, even though (well, in IMO anyway) the most desirable seat on the ride had moved to the other end of the train. I wonder how many people, after waiting all those extra cycles, finally sat down and said "Hey! What am I doin' back here? I can't see s...!"

I've ridden batman the ride at six flags great america. Its best in the front seat with the best view. Running it backwords is a bad idea.

Hi all!

I had the opportunity to ride The SWARM at the Thorpe Park backwards yesterday (B&M Wingrider). What can I say – it’s cool, not life changing or anything – but certainly fun. There’s certainly no discomfort, I think mainly because the ride doesn’t have the ‘snap’ (as Gonch says) that certain B&Ms do. It doesn’t feel THAT different, to be honest.

The only downside I’d mention is that on the SWARM there are plenty of head chopper effects, a fire ball etc which are almost completely wasted in the reversed seats. The feeling is very much “wow that was close” after you’ve passed it, rather than “OMG we’re gonna hit it” etc.

They have only switched the back two rows (which means it’s essentially like waiting for a mouse running one car), so it’ll be interesting to see how this pans out in the summer.

Fun fun times though….

Rick_UK said:

It doesn’t feel THAT different, to be honest.



Well, it is a B&M.

Rick_UK said:

They have only switched the back two rows (which means it’s essentially like waiting for a mouse running one car), so it’ll be interesting to see how this pans out in the summer.

Maybe they can upgrade to more backwards seats if it's a success? Good for them (and B&M!) People love backwards rides (not including some of us) - more options are good. Kudos for B&M stepping outside their perceived comfort zone.

I was just thinking. When the special Chassis is moved to St Louis, will the space time continuum implode?

Tekwardo, maybe.

Should probably call The Doctor.

We will have to call it "batmaN"

I just realized that Namtab is Batman backwords.

Egad.

Bantam is an anagram of Batman.

Fun with words... ;~P

Tyler Boes said:
I just realized that Namtab is Batman backwords.

It took me a while too. Don't feel bad. :)

Actually you both should probably feel bad. ;-)

Carrie, *LAUGH*

Okay, yeah...probably.

I rode Batman Backward's this weekend and it was pretty incredible! The experience felt completely different and was very disorienting!

If you get a chance to ride it at Six Flags Great America this year, don't pass it up thinking it's just a gimmick! It's a pretty awesome ride with a completely different ride experience.