Bat (Lagoon)

Bat General [[File:|link=|center]] ' ' Park Lagoon Location Farmington, Utah, USA Status Operating Operated Operated 15 April 2005 - Opened 15 April 2005 Opening Cost $3,000,000 USD Height restriction 44 inches (107 cm) Statistics Manufacturer Vekoma Builder Designer Type Steel- Inverted- Family Type Model Suspended Family Coaster (342m) Riders per train 20 Riders per hour 650 Lift/launch system Height 49 feet Drop feet Top speed 26 mph Length 1,122 feet Dimensions feet x feet Duration 1:30 Inversions 0 Steepest drop Maximum g-force 2.2G

Bat is a Vekoma inverted family roller coaster located at Lagoon, in Farmington, Utah. The ride was originally scheduled to open on the opening day of the 2005 season on April 9, but the opening was delayed a week.

History

The Bat debuted at Lagoon Amusement Park on April 16, 2005.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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Design

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.