Bat (Lagoon)
The Bat is a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster located at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah, United States.
| Bat | |
|---|---|
 Bat in April 2010 | |
| Lagoon Amusement Park | |
| Location | Lagoon Amusement Park |
| Coordinates | 40.986178°N 111.892638°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | April 16, 2005 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Inverted |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Suspended Family Coaster (342m) |
| Track layout | Inverted |
| Height | 14.8 m (49 ft) |
| Length | 342 m (1,122 ft) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:30 mins |
| Capacity | 650 riders per hour |
| G-force | 2.2 |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
| Trains | Single train with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train. |
| Bat at RCDB Pictures of Bat at RCDB | |
History
The Bat debuted at Lagoon Amusement Park on April 16, 2005.[1] Lagoon had hoped to open the Bat on the opening day of the 2005 season on April 9, but the opening was delayed a week.[2] It was built on the site of the Lake Park Terrace, a pavilion moved to Lagoon from the park's original location on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. The Terrace was removed on October 12, 2004, to make room for the new roller coaster, as the structure's deterioration had passed the point of feasible maintenance.[3] It was one of four roller coasters added to the park in a 10-year span, and the first to use a magnetic braking system.[3] The Bat was the third 'family-friendly' ride, allowing both adults and children, to be installed in the park, following the Kontiki and Dragon Fly flat rides installed in 2004. The ride was also the first inverted roller coaster for the park.
Ride Description
The Bat begins with a turn out of the station and up a pinch wheel lift, into a series of helixes and small hills around the bat cave and other themed features and trees. The Bat comes to an end with as the train is slowed by magnetic brakes and returns to the station. The minimum height for riders of the Bat is 42 inches (110 cm) with an adult companion, or 50 inches (130 cm) to ride alone; a smaller minimum height restriction than most of the other roller coasters located in the park.
Theme
The ride theming is based on bats. The ride façade and queue area resembling a cave with roosting bats, and the light coverings in the station area are decorated with images of bats. The ride track is painted green and purple, and the train is black and purple with orange restraints. As of 2008, The Bat is the only roller coaster at Lagoon with over-the-shoulder restraints.
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-12-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Arave, Lynn: "Lagoon to open its gates, unleash new 'Bat' coaster", Deseret Morning News, April 8, 2005.
- Arave, Lynn: "'The Bat' a different kind of fun", Deseret Morning News, January 14, 2005.