The Bat
Kings Island’s classic suspended coaster sends riders swinging beneath the track through fast turns and wooded terrain.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 3
Confident Family / Step-Up
Type
Arrow Suspended Coaster
Minimum Height
42 in.
Should You Ride The Bat?
The Bat is a great step-up coaster for riders ready for more speed and stronger movement without facing huge drops, launches, or inversions.
Best For
Riders who are comfortable with Level 2 coasters and want to experience faster speeds, swinging cars, and a more thrilling suspended coaster.
Biggest Fear Factor
The cars swing freely from side to side through the turns, making the ride feel faster and more unpredictable than a traditional coaster.
CoasterSchool Take
The Bat is a strong Level 3 option because its 51 mph speed and dramatic swinging create a real thrill-coaster experience without adding inversions or extreme height.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for The Bat at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Arrow Dynamics
Type
Steel Suspended Coaster
Opened
1993
Height
78 ft
Speed
51 mph
Length
2,352 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 1 min. 52 sec.
Minimum Height
42 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 3
DID YOU KNOW?
The Bat originally opened as Top Gun in 1993 before becoming Flight Deck and eventually being renamed The Bat in 2014 as a tribute to Kings Island’s original suspended coaster.
A Rare Coaster Design
The Bat is one of only a handful of Arrow suspended coasters still operating, making its free-swinging ride experience increasingly rare.
What The Bat Feels Like
The Bat combines moderate coaster height with surprisingly high speed and freely swinging cars, creating a ride that feels much more energetic than its size suggests.
The First Drop
After the lift hill, the train turns before diving about 70 feet into the wooded terrain.
The drop is noticeable but not especially steep or intimidating compared with Kings Island’s larger coasters.
The Swinging
The cars hang below the track and swing naturally from side to side as the train travels through each turn.
You are not flipping upside down, the swinging simply exaggerates the turns and creates a flying sensation.
The Speed and Turns
The Bat reaches 51 mph and carries that speed through a series of sweeping and rapidly changing turns.
Because the cars swing outward, the turns can feel faster and more dramatic than they look from the ground.
The Old-School Feel
The Bat has the distinctive movement and restraints of an older Arrow coaster, but the suspended design helps create a very different experience from a traditional sit-down coaster.
Expect quick directional changes and plenty of movement rather than major airtime or intense positive forces.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Seat position can change how strongly you feel The Bat’s drops and swinging.
- Front: Gives the clearest view of the track and makes the swinging easier to anticipate.
- Back: Provides a stronger pull through the first drop and can make the ride feel faster and more aggressive.
Body & Restraint
The Bat uses traditional over-the-shoulder restraints, and the swinging can create quick side-to-side movement.
- Keep your head slightly forward and centered when comfortable to help reduce contact with the restraint during quick transitions.
- Always follow posted ride instructions and any directions given by the ride operators.
During the Ride
The unusual swinging is the main feature, so let the cars move naturally instead of trying to fight the motion.
- The cars can swing surprisingly far during the fastest turns, but they are designed to move that way.
- There are no inversions, even when the swinging makes some turns feel much more dramatic.
Watch The Bat Ride Preview
See The Bat from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the 70-foot first drop, freely swinging cars, fast turns through the trees, and quick direction changes so riders can see how the suspended design makes the coaster feel faster and more dynamic than its size might suggest.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Coaster progression isn’t a checklist. Choose the next ride based on what felt comfortable, or what still felt intimidating.
Not Ready for The Bat Yet?
Woodstock’s Air Rail — Level 2
Get comfortable riding beneath the track on a much slower and gentler suspended coaster before adding The Bat’s speed and swinging.
Try Woodstock’s Air Rail →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Mystic Timbers — Level 4
Step up to faster pacing, stronger airtime, and a more intense overall coaster experience without needing to tackle inversions.
Explore Mystic Timbers →