It was 1997 and one new revolution was being swept through the coaster industry. Paramount Park’s opened up two LIM launched coasters by Premier known as Flight of Fear in 1996. LIM (Linear Induction Motors) set a new standard for launched coasters compared to past launched rides by Schwarzkopf and Arrow Dynamics. Six Flags invested into these types of coasters for their parks for the 1997 season and because Six Flags had Warner Bros. Licenses, they decided to theme them after DC Superheroes. The summer of 1997 had one movie churning promotions out the wazoo, Batman and Robin. As Six Flags invested into Mr. Freeze for Six Flags over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis, Batman: The Ride for Six Flags over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure got not one, but two coasters, Batman and Robin: The Chiller. The movie ended up being a success with bad reviews, but the rides ended up getting great reviews and a moderate success.

But, since LIM coasters were a new technology, prototype rides were very prone to breakdowns. It opened briefly for operations on June 7th, 1997 but since so much downtime occurred, Six Flags played it safe and decided to tweak the motors and other faults to have the rides fully prepared for the 1998 season on May 14th of that year. The next season came and the red and blue structure began running smoothly. The ride is very unique as they are two Premier LIM Launched Shuttle coasters side by side and duel each other. You go through Six Flags Great Adventure’s Movie Town area and encounter the red and blue structure with the Batman and Robin emblem in the middle as you go through the queue. Riders are then faced with a decision, go with the man himself, Batman, or his young sidekick Robin. Both sides have unique charms and provide a unique experience.

Riders then encounter the station and board the two across, five car trains on each side. Securing yourself with the restraint, riders brace themselves for the sudden launch. Both sides launch out of the station as 400 LIM motors accelerate the trains seventy miles per hour through their course. Now here is where the rides get different, lets start with the blue Batman side.

Batman, the blue side, goes up a rare fourteen story tall Top Hat inversion. The Top Hat inversion consists of a vertical twist to the right, then going upside down like a loop, then twisting to the left right side up. Robin, the red side, goes up a Cobra Roll, consisting of two inversions, half of a loop twisted into a half corkscrew, followed by another half corkscrew and half loop down.

After each of the rides’ unique elements, riders then gently ascend up and halfway through, you go through an inline twist and ascend up the reversing spike. Suddenly riders reverse back and go through the entire course again on whatever side you were on, backwards and still dueling. Thus completing your run on one of Premiers unique launched coasters.

The ride went on to have rave reviews and became a favorite, but one downer was the use of OTSR’s (over the shoulder restraints), causing numerous complaints during its first few years of operation. In 2002, Six Flags modified the restraint system from OTSR’s to lap bar’s causing less head banging and more fun. For the 2005 season, Six Flags Great Adventure gave the ride a fresh coat of paint.

If you want to have a double whammy of a chilling thrill, ride Batman and Robin: The Chiller. Its one coaster that should leave you cool in the thrill seekers paradise known as Six Flags Great Adventure.