Batman & Robin: The Chiller

In 1996, Six Flags Great Adventure announced the addition of a new roller coaster for the 1997 season. The new ride would be a dual-tracked, launched roller coaster called "Batman & Robin: The Chiller", featuring linear induction motor (LIM) technology for its launch system.[1] The theme was chosen with the intent of promoting the Batman & Robin film, which was set to open in the summer of 1997. The Observatory prop that loomed over the launch tracks and exit ramp was inspired by the film source material. Each track represented one of the title characters, with the blue track for Batman and the red track for Robin.[1]

The ride was fabricated by Dynamic Structures and Intermountain Lift, Inc.[2][3] Following a series of delays, Batman & Robin: The Chiller opened briefly to the public on June 7, 1997.[1] It was closed a short time later in what Six Flags Great Adventure cited as "inconsistencies" with the LIM launch system and unsatisfactory ride quality.[4] Early adjustments failed to solve the issue, which included changes to the LIM configuration and the installation of additional padding to the passenger restraints.[4] On July 30, 1997, the park announced the possibility that the new coaster would be closed for the remainder of the season.[4] The Chiller didn't operate on a full-time basis until 1998.[1]

The Chiller was faced with excessive amounts of downtime while the launch systems were repaired. One track was often closed, while the other was kept in operation. The Batman track faced the most downtime, operating sporadically during the ride's existence and occasionally closing for entire seasons. Power shortages and low temperatures occasionally caused the trains to stall on the track in a low area following the zero-g roll.[5]

The original over-the-shoulder restraints were reportedly uncomfortable. Riders frequently complained of hitting their heads against them. Attempts were made to improve comfort by adding extra padding, but the restraints were eventually replaced with individually-ratcheting lap bars, with Robin's side receiving the change in 2001 and the Batman side in 2002.[1]

In May 2006, Six Flags Great Adventure made the decision to close The Chiller indefinitely. It remained closed for the rest of the season, while the park considered a major overhaul of the ride. After several significant modifications the following off-season, including the removal of the zero-g rolls, the ride reopened briefly in 2007.[1] Ultimately, the ride became too expensive and problematic to maintain, and another incident in June 2007 sealed its fate. The park permanently closed the ride following the incident and began demolition in October 2007.[6]

During the end of the 2007 season, the ride was completely removed, leaving only the station, observatory and queue line behind. The following year, the remaining foundation caps under the observatory and the former exit ramp were removed. The ride's parts were relocated to a storage lot in the adjacent Plumsted Township in New Jersey.[7]

The ride remained there for several years before Beto Carrero World, a Brazilian park, purchased the coaster. The ride was never assembled for unknown reasons and was scrapped in 2018.

In December 2018, the Robin train was reused as a third train on Mr. Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas.[8]

Following the removal of the ride, the queue line was used for the "Escape From The Asylum" Terror Trail during Fright Fest. The Fright Fest exclusive attraction turned the former ride area into a Terror Trail maze for guests to walk through while costumed employees were hiding and frequently scaring guests. The remodelled observatory opened on July 3, 2009, as the "Xploratorium", a new attraction with many virtual and interactive features for park guests to enjoy.