Southern California: holy cash-flow, Batman, it's our own theme park - Six Flags Magic Mountain's new Batman the Ride roller coaster - Sunset's Travel Guide

Sunset, August, 1994 by Jeff Book

A full moon rose over Gotham City as Bat-beams raked the sky and the cries of terrified citizens rang out. Some fresh outrage from those archenemies, the Penguin and the Joker? No, just the debut of Batman the Ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The park's newest thrill machine is classed as an inverted looping roller coaster. Riders are secured four abreast, legs dangling. Imagine going through all the motions of acrobatic skiing while strapped into a turbo-charged ski lift and you've got a fair idea of Batman the Ride. Starting with a 10-story ascent, the coaster whips through two corkscrew turns and two heart-in-mouth loops. At certain points along the way, passengers experience up to four times the force of gravity, as well as brief sensations of weightlessness. The ride lasts only about 2 minutes, but you'll feel like you've really been somewhere--and you'll probably want to go again.

Instead of the freshly painted look of most theme parks, the 6.2-acre Gotham City Backlot echoes the dark decay of the Batman movie sets. The coaster queue doubles as a self-guided story line, proceeding through a city park, past graffiti-covered walls and an abandoned police car, into a mammoth public works pipe, and on to the Batcave launchpad. Other rides at the Backlot include the ACME Atom Smasher, a sort of high-speed merry-go-round that appears ready to melt down, and the Gordon Gearworks ride, which runs like a huge centrifuge and resembles a Rust Belt relic. Simulated urban grime streaks the art deco facade of the Axis Department Store (watch your wallet--it's a souvenir stand). And the aptly named Gotham City Pizza Factory spouts steam. Only the sleek Batmobile replica is grunge-free.

Kids and parents alike seem to enjoy Gotham City Backlot's industrial-gothic atmosphere. With its mordant wit and attention to imaginative detail (note the Moscow-meets-Main-Street monument to the Gotham City family), the Backlot is an entertaining antidote to the saccharine storybook scenarios spun at other theme parks.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is in Valencia. From Interstate 5, take the Magic Mountain Parkway exit. The park is open daily through September 18, but hours vary. General admission costs $29, $18 for seniors, $15 for children under 48 inches tall, free for ages 2 and younger. For more information, call (818) 367-5965.