Villains have invaded Six Flags Over Georgia's new Justice League: Battle for Metropolis ride, and Batman and Superman need you to help conquer them.
The slow, dark ride through an enormous building combines 3-D video, special effects, animatronics, and plenty of fun and excitement. Riders board a six-person vehicle for an air-conditioned journey to battle the bad guys, rescue the heroes and save Metropolis. It’s an immersive experience housed in a structure that covers nearly half the size of a football field.
“It’s two rides in one: the video and screenplay, plus incredible set design with details and surprises around every turn. I can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” said Dale Kaetzel, president of Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water. The ride officially opens May 26.
“It’s not really a traditional dark ride; it’s an action adventure that you are in the middle of,” Kaetzel said.
It’s sort of like riding through a comic book, yet it’s part video game too. Riders don 3-D glasses and aim “stun blasters” as they enter the Joker’s Lair and Lex Luthor’s LexCorp in an effort to save Metropolis from the evildoers. In the process, the riders aim to hit the bad guys and score points that are totaled and displayed in front of them during the ride.
Surprises along the way include fire, mist and fog effects, plus a vehicle that rocks and spins; you never go upside-down, but at times, you might think you do. It all turns Justice League: Battle for Metropolis into more than just a ride or a game. It’s an impressive adventure that envelops the riders, making them part of the action and part of the story.
“It’s family-friendly, but you still got some (virtual) loops and fun stuff,” said Rich Hill, creative director of Sally Corp., the company that created the ride with Six Flags.
People who attended a recent preview of the ride were impressed. “It’s a family thrill like nothing you’ve ever seen. It puts you right in the middle of the DC Comics universe,” said Chip Sieczko, assistant Southeast regional representative of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, a roller coaster and amusement park club.
“The animatronics (including the Joker riding a cannon) are so smooth and lifelike it’s like you’re in the comics, you’re in the animated series.” And he noted that the heroes-and-villains theme breaks a gender barrier by including Supergirl as well as Wonder Woman: “She inspires all of us.”
“It’s got something for everybody,” Kaetzel said. “It takes Six Flags to the next level, bringing a destination theme park experience right here to Atlanta,” he said, comparing the ride’s quality to what’s offered at Florida’s Disney and Universal parks.
WHAT IS THE BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS?
Six Flags’ Justice League: Battle for Metropolis is a ride that tells a story, and the riders play a key role in that story: Supervillains Joker and Lex Luthor have captured some of the DC Comics Justice League Superheroes — Supergirl, the Flash, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern — and they hope to lure Batman, Superman and Cyborg and capture them as well, then take over Metropolis. Those three superheroes are off to rescue the captives, and they need help, especially after Superman gets caught, too. So, the riders, armed with “stun blasters,” join the battle to rescue the heroes and save Metropolis.
RIDE PREVIEWS
Justice League: Battle for Metropolis doesn’t officially open until May 26, but there are two weekend previews:
May 13-14: Park guests who buy a special T-shirt for $15.99 will receive a wristband that will let them ride Justice League from noon to 6 p.m.
May 20-21: Season passholders will be able to ride Justice League throughout the day.
RIDE HINTS
Riders on Justice League take part in the ride by shooting at the bad guys to help save Metropolis. But don’t just shoot randomly. Aim at the henchmen, dressed in orange, and the Lex-bots, which are flying green orbs, to rack up more points. And there are other special targets for you to discover to get an even higher score.
IF YOU GO
Six Flags Over Georgia is west of Atlanta on I-20 outside of I-285 (275 Riverside Parkway, Austell).
Open weekends through May 14; open daily May 20-Aug. 6; open most weekends the remainder of the year. Hours vary; check website for details. General admission at the gate is $66.99 for adults and $46.99 for children under 48 inches tall, but discounts abound; save up to $20 on adult tickets at www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia if you buy a ticket at least one day before your visit. AAA and some credit unions also sell discounted tickets. Children 2 and younger are admitted for free.
For more information: 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
ABOUT THE REPORTER
Tom Kelley is a lifelong roller coaster and amusement park fan. He grew up in northeast Ohio near Cedar Point, an amusement park known for its rides and roller coasters. He is a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and has ridden more than 300 different roller coasters.
About the Author
