"The Dark Knight," Six Flags ride, opens

What better way to mark the advent of warmer weather than walking in the park, having a picnic, or spinning upside down at break-neck speeds in complete and total darkness?

Huh? Six Flags Great America is up and running for the season, and the Gurnee theme park's latest coaster, The Dark Knight, is set to open to the public Wednesday.

Here's some information about the $7.5 million Batman-themed ride, as well as highlights about the park:

• The two-minute ride is all indoors and features six 180-degree turns, special effects and video, all in complete darkness.

• The building housing the ride is seven stories tall. The ride itself features more than 1,000 feet of track.

• Visitors will ride in one of 10 individual Gotham City subway cards, each carrying four passengers each. In all, the park can move 600 guests an hour through the ride.

• Kids have to be 4 feet tall to ride alone, or 3½ feet tall to ride with an adult.

• The coaster is meant to coincide with the opening of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight." It is the first coaster built at Six Flags since Superman Ultimate Flight in 2003.

• In all, the park features 13 different coasters, from the Viper to the American Eagle.

• One-day tickets to the park at the gate cost $54.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids under 4 feet tall. Online prices are less expensive. Parking is $15 and up.

• The Hurricane Harbor Water Park opens on Memorial Day and closes on Labor Day. The theme park remains open until Nov. 2.

• For information, visit www.sixflags.com or call (847) 249-INFO.