Six Flags Great America enhances original B&M inverted coaster
AT: Tim Baldwin
GURNEE, Ill. — In 1992, Six Flags Great America introduced a first of its kind. The amusement industry is always looking for innovative attractions. Some ideas come and go with limited success. There is no denying that the original Batman The Ride, the first inverted roller coaster to take riders through inversions while suspended below the track, sent shockwaves through the industry.
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), still a young company at the time, was making its mark. With a few stand-up coasters under its belt, B&M introduced the inverted coaster as its second genre in its portfolio. Since then, the Swiss company has manufactured 32 such rides, with other competitors following in its footsteps to capitalize on the idea. Batman The Ride caught so much attention globally, it was the sought-after ride for more than two decades. It was so groundbreaking, that it was the youngest recipient to be honored as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts in 2005, just 13 years into its career.
For 2025, the ride has received some noteworthy attention.
“What started as only a repaint quickly grew into a larger restoration project,” said Park President John Krajnak. “As we refreshed the ride’s colors, our team saw an opportunity to bring new life to the entire experience — restoring some original elements in the queue, platform and overall atmosphere. The idea came from so many people — our team members, passionate guests and longtime fans who love this ride. With so much enthusiasm behind it, we knew this was the perfect time to reinvest in such a ground-breaking attraction while it was already down for painting."
In addition to painting, much of the queue received aesthetic and thematic upgrades.
“We focused on restoring the original elements that guests remember from 1992 while also using new technology to take the experience even further,” Krajnak told Amusement Today. “It’s the best of both worlds — nostalgic but even better. Sounds, sights and special effects were not only brought back but enhanced, creating a fully immersive, sensory experience. From synchronized lighting and fog to dynamic audio timed perfectly with the ride’s movements, every detail was designed to stay true to the themed experience while making it more thrilling than ever."
In an age when theme parks are returning to the concept of rides being more immersive and telling stories, Six Flags is embracing the importance of that.
“This project was about more than just refreshing a ride — it was about enhancing the entire experience for everyone, from longtime enthusiasts to young guests riding for the first time in 2025,” said Krajnak. “It’s not just a roller coaster; it’s a fully immersive journey from the moment you step into the queue to the final moments of the ride cycle. The queue itself helps tell the story, pulling guests deeper into the world before they even board. Whether you’ve ridden it hundreds of times or are experiencing it for the first time, there’s something to appreciate at every turn. It’s an elevated experience that makes every ride feel special.”
Rachel Kendziora, regional area manager, social media, agrees, finding the project to be exciting. “What excites me the most is that we’re offering a brand-new ride experience to guests, without this being a completely new attraction,” she said. “We’ve already received such positive feedback from guests who got to experience about 60% of the project’s improvements in 2024. People are loving how immersive it is, and for those who’ve been riding since 1992, it really takes them back to those first days. Hearing that feedback and seeing how much guests are enjoying it is what makes this project so special. As for the 'cool factor,' I love the synchronized fog and lights when the ride leaves the station. Not only do riders experience it, but even guests waiting in the queue and the ride operators get to be part of it, too.”
Six Flags Great America opened for the 2025 season on April 18. When the park debuts its new coaster, Wrath of Rakshasa, later this spring, it will bring its coaster arsenal up to 16 rides, five of which are from B&M, tying the world record for most B&M coasters in one park.
