Some people don’t know how to raise their children right.
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Project 2025/Caldera: Rapterra (Launched B&M Wing Coaster)
- Thread starter horsesboy
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A couple of brief downtime moments and 3 hours of queue later... Rapterra has been ridden!
What an amazingly fun ride!! I got assigned to the right side, opted for row 5, inside seat- so my experience is isolated to that for now. It’s a total blast. The launch genuinely surprised me- not as much in acceleration G’s or initial kick, but fun total fun factor. The first element had some decent float to it. Dive loop was pretty standard.
Didn’t get much airtime on the big S-twist, so as of now, I do wish that was another large corkscrew (like I originally predicted waaaay back). Wing slide is awesome, equally so standing on the pathway beneath it. Also love the final roll & curve.
And finally, I’m happy to report that I felt no more rattle/shake/bounce/whatever you want to call it on Rapterra than any other wing coaster- absolutely nothing that I would personally complain about. Could change with more rides in other seats, but for now, total non-issue to me.
The only downside at the moment is… throughput. I’ll write it off “new ride syndrome”, but 23 dispatches in an hour (granted, there was some downtime) isn’t great- but is truly Volcano’s successor in that sense
Quick thoughts after 3 downtimes and a 3.5 hour wait.
Excellent ride and an excellent fit for Kings Dominion. It’s not rough *at all* and rides identical to every other wing coaster. It has a slight bounce at times due to the train design but Rapterra tracks perfect. The vests are super comfortable as expected. I sat in row 5 on the left outside seat.
The queue was great, though I’m worried that it will get ruined overtime. People throwing rocks from the theming areas, ropes already fallen off at the exit of the queue, a kid pissing in the landscaping. If this is what passholders are doing when waiting in this long line, I’m worried what others will do. The scale of the sculptures were impressive and the music/soundtrack playing in the queue was great but a bit on the quiet side. Looks like a potential smoke effect coming soon to the crater?
Rapterra is a great ride. Anybody can ride it. Not too fast, tall, rough. Seems to be pretty accommodating as well. It’s smooth and graceful despite the speed. It’s incredibly difficult to find anything to nit pick about, it’s just plain fun! The only wing coaster I haven’t done in the US is Thunderbird but for now Rapterra would be my favorite.
I’ll have more detailed thoughts after some extra rides. Unfortunately, just 1 ride for me today. I strongly recommend getting to the park early to ride or splurging on a Fast Lane for now.
Was fun meeting you @MrBradferd Glad we got to share some thoughts on the ride and get a kickass back row night ride on Grizzly! Was a fun night despite the waiting! Was great to see the park booming on a preview night again.
Excellent ride and an excellent fit for Kings Dominion. It’s not rough *at all* and rides identical to every other wing coaster. It has a slight bounce at times due to the train design but Rapterra tracks perfect. The vests are super comfortable as expected. I sat in row 5 on the left outside seat.
The queue was great, though I’m worried that it will get ruined overtime. People throwing rocks from the theming areas, ropes already fallen off at the exit of the queue, a kid pissing in the landscaping. If this is what passholders are doing when waiting in this long line, I’m worried what others will do. The scale of the sculptures were impressive and the music/soundtrack playing in the queue was great but a bit on the quiet side. Looks like a potential smoke effect coming soon to the crater?
Rapterra is a great ride. Anybody can ride it. Not too fast, tall, rough. Seems to be pretty accommodating as well. It’s smooth and graceful despite the speed. It’s incredibly difficult to find anything to nit pick about, it’s just plain fun! The only wing coaster I haven’t done in the US is Thunderbird but for now Rapterra would be my favorite.
I’ll have more detailed thoughts after some extra rides. Unfortunately, just 1 ride for me today. I strongly recommend getting to the park early to ride or splurging on a Fast Lane for now.
Was fun meeting you @MrBradferd Glad we got to share some thoughts on the ride and get a kickass back row night ride on Grizzly! Was a fun night despite the waiting! Was great to see the park booming on a preview night again.
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Got two rides tonight. First was right at the start of the evening. Probably about 20 minutes after opening. Rode left side, back row, outside seat. Second was right side, third row, inside seat, after dark after she had been running for hours.
I got a lot of bounce on my first ride. Nothing uncomfortable and it probably didn't really detract anything substantive from the ride, but it was definitely more up-and-down movement than I'd want there to be. Only other B&M Wings I have are Wild Eagle and Gatekeeper, but I remember both being notably smoother than my first ride on Rapterra tonight. That being said, despite the bounce, even on my first ride, I think I preferred Rapterra to both those other Wings. The layout just feels unique and different—and I value that a lot.
Then, that second lap on an inside seat on the right side felt completely different. I don't know if it's a middle vs back thing, a left vs right thing, a "warmed up" thing, or just a night ride thing, but that second lap was far, far better in every way—dramatically smoother and notably better forces. Went from a good coaster to a really, really good one in my opinion—easily my favorite Wing. Plus, the ride area looks stunning at night.
Definitely need to do a lot more experimenting in the weeks ahead re: best places to ride, but this is a really good, well presented coaster that will be a MONUMENTAL hit with general audiences for years to come. The fact that it LOOKS unlike anything else in the region really matters and I expect most everyone to come off satisfied. Huge win for KD.
I got a lot of bounce on my first ride. Nothing uncomfortable and it probably didn't really detract anything substantive from the ride, but it was definitely more up-and-down movement than I'd want there to be. Only other B&M Wings I have are Wild Eagle and Gatekeeper, but I remember both being notably smoother than my first ride on Rapterra tonight. That being said, despite the bounce, even on my first ride, I think I preferred Rapterra to both those other Wings. The layout just feels unique and different—and I value that a lot.
Then, that second lap on an inside seat on the right side felt completely different. I don't know if it's a middle vs back thing, a left vs right thing, a "warmed up" thing, or just a night ride thing, but that second lap was far, far better in every way—dramatically smoother and notably better forces. Went from a good coaster to a really, really good one in my opinion—easily my favorite Wing. Plus, the ride area looks stunning at night.
Definitely need to do a lot more experimenting in the weeks ahead re: best places to ride, but this is a really good, well presented coaster that will be a MONUMENTAL hit with general audiences for years to come. The fact that it LOOKS unlike anything else in the region really matters and I expect most everyone to come off satisfied. Huge win for KD.
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Reporting in. Also stood in the 3 hour line. Concur on people’s comments of people being rude and disrespectful to the theming as there was a kid that kept throwing rocks at the temple structure. I rode on the right side, back row outside seat and it was already dark out so my Rapterra maiden soaring was a night right. This is the best wing in the US off pacing alone (I know the lack of a near miss is an understandable flaw for some). Thunderbird is great this one has some interesting elements between the wing over, giant S turn, wing slide, small airtime jump.
I couldn’t be happier with the coaster and the effort KD has put into this ride and it looks like it’s going to be a massive success.
Definitely my new #3 in the park, just hope that line stabilizes I was reminded of a certain 2023 trip to Busch Gardens today but thaankfully the ride at the end of the line slapped hard.
Fun comment, try looking down if you’re on the right side at the top of the wing over. You’ll notice the ground and nothing between you and it.
I couldn’t be happier with the coaster and the effort KD has put into this ride and it looks like it’s going to be a massive success.
Definitely my new #3 in the park, just hope that line stabilizes I was reminded of a certain 2023 trip to Busch Gardens today but thaankfully the ride at the end of the line slapped hard.
Fun comment, try looking down if you’re on the right side at the top of the wing over. You’ll notice the ground and nothing between you and it.
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Was able to get one lone ride in the back row on the left side with a 45 minute wait shortly after the park opened, and wow, this thing is awesome! Yes, there’s a slight rattle, but nothing bad and by no means does it deter from the ride experience. Great launch, fantastic inversions, and just a well paced ride all around. #3 in the park for sure!
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I also got two rides in tonight one right after open and one at dark. Both of mine were out side back. Both were noticeable bumpy but not enough to make uncomfortable. Restraints fit me much tighter then I anticipate with needing the op to assist in buckling me in both times. I like the ride layout out significantly more then Wild Eagle which is the only other Wing I have been on and look forward to playing with seating selection to see if I can find an area that rides better. For me it's either my 4 or fifth choice ride at the park behind 305, Timbers Grizzly and possibly flight of fear.
For the record, I had this same experience. I found it less accommodating than other new B&M vest coasters I've ridden recently (namely Iron Menace and Emperor). Didn't see anyone get walked and the employees were happy to push, but I did think the difference was a bit strange.
My 1 ride I got tonight was front row right edge. My 1st wing coaster, my 1st vest restraint coaster. I really don't feel comftorable reviewing it because it was overwelming on that 1 ride experiencing so much new. I tried to get a 2nd ride in later and I waited almost 2 hours and just made it past entrance tunnel before saying screw this and meeting up with @RollyCoaster since he was almost on.
The bounce was intresting since I have never felt that on a coaster, didnt bother me to much. The vests sucked. I probably need to figure them out but they were deffiently hurting my collar bones. The ride was fun and the launch felt so long. The wingover kinda scared the shit out of me but it was awesome. Deffiently a good fit and can't wait to get more rides on it.
If i had to rank it off the 1 ride
I305
Dominator
Flight of fear
Rapterra
Grizzly
Twisted timbers
Tumbili
The bounce was intresting since I have never felt that on a coaster, didnt bother me to much. The vests sucked. I probably need to figure them out but they were deffiently hurting my collar bones. The ride was fun and the launch felt so long. The wingover kinda scared the shit out of me but it was awesome. Deffiently a good fit and can't wait to get more rides on it.
If i had to rank it off the 1 ride
I305
Dominator
Flight of fear
Rapterra
Grizzly
Twisted timbers
Tumbili
I didn't get a night ride in so that will have to wait later this season. But wow, 3 hour line? I guess I'm not surprised. I did notice the downtime as they were testing trains at one point. I wanted to get back on but the park was pretty busy tonight and figured it was gonna be along wait. Anyways, Rapterra was great from the one ride I had. The launch was a lot of fun, not super forceful but not a lackluster either. The overbanked turn was a lot of fun and the inversions flow nicely. The section of track that goes over the midway is a really nice feature and makes me appreciate it more seeing it running in person now. It definitely had some bumpy moments but not enough to ruin the experience. This ride is gonna be a huge hit with the public. Just another addition for Kings Dominion. Easily in the top 5 in the park for me.
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I rode it twice today and my experiences were very different from each other. During the day (right after rope drop), I rode it Left-Back-Inside. It was fun and swoopy with no noticeable bounce or roughness. Like other wing coasters, it was fun, but not forceful. After dark, I rode it Right-Front-Inside and the experience was completely different. The visuals were better; it felt faster; I got more airtime; and it was just a much more exhilarating experience. I have no idea which of the many variables are responsible for the differences.
All of that said, Reptilian felt more forceful.
All of that said, Reptilian felt more forceful.
Apple Zapple isn’t even on this list, what the fuck?
I ended up with 2 rides today. And as other have said... both rides were noticeably different from one another. The 2nd ride being the better ride. My first ride was back left outside and was about 20 minutes after open while my second ride was row 2 left outside later in the evening. Back row had obvious bouncing, but still very smooth ride I didn't experience any bounce in the 2nd row. The site lines were great and I definitely like the station if I'm not looking at the front wall. The side view and inside look great and give the vibe of a temporary dig site. I really love the flow of elements though and still really like the launch. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting it to be more like Copperhead Strike which was very dull and boring. I'm very happy that the park finally got another ride that interacts with the pathways because it adds a lot of energy to the area. Maybe it's the nerd in me, but while waiting in the queue it was great to see the train flying all around me.
Operations seemed to fall as the night went on. Definitely felt strong in the beginning, but they seemed to have a hard time recovering from a few situational events. My second ride I waited two hours and there were only two delays. One of which the train stopped on the final break run, but it looked like maintenance was posted up on site and the ride was running again after 5-6 minutes. The second was for a guest illness - which looked like with a more seasoned crew that next time this wouldn't be as long of a delay than it was because they spent more time cycling the ride down than it took to clean the seat. The other issues that should resolve as the crew becomes more seasoned is how to handle loading guests with the RAP passes. There were quiet a few complications with holding rows, but again as the crew becomes more seasoned, hopefully this resolves as time goes on.
The ride area looks fantastic and I was enjoying the views of the ride in the queue. The site line will be a tad different once the shades go in. There was a lot of black poles all around the queue where they will installed in the future. Fortunately I didn't experience any kind of rowdiness that others experienced. Very solid addition overall and I hope with the clean slate of all the fallen rides, that in the future the park can further expand to similar new offerings and really transform the park.
Operations seemed to fall as the night went on. Definitely felt strong in the beginning, but they seemed to have a hard time recovering from a few situational events. My second ride I waited two hours and there were only two delays. One of which the train stopped on the final break run, but it looked like maintenance was posted up on site and the ride was running again after 5-6 minutes. The second was for a guest illness - which looked like with a more seasoned crew that next time this wouldn't be as long of a delay than it was because they spent more time cycling the ride down than it took to clean the seat. The other issues that should resolve as the crew becomes more seasoned is how to handle loading guests with the RAP passes. There were quiet a few complications with holding rows, but again as the crew becomes more seasoned, hopefully this resolves as time goes on.
The ride area looks fantastic and I was enjoying the views of the ride in the queue. The site line will be a tad different once the shades go in. There was a lot of black poles all around the queue where they will installed in the future. Fortunately I didn't experience any kind of rowdiness that others experienced. Very solid addition overall and I hope with the clean slate of all the fallen rides, that in the future the park can further expand to similar new offerings and really transform the park.
Rode at about 5:25 and absolutely loved it.
Also, are these old Volcano footers in the archeological theming?
Also, are these old Volcano footers in the archeological theming?
One thing to note with B&M vests is that over time they will get more comfy and softer as they get broken in. Since the vests are brand new, they’re going to fit much tighter than something like manta, where it’s had it for a decade+ now. Pipeline on my first ride I found the vests to be very tight and at points painful as they dug into my collarbone. Nowadays if you ride toward the front you’ll find the vests to be a bit more comfy as they’ve been broken in, but not quite as comfy as manta.
Loved the theming, it’s even better at night I think. I rode back right outer and front left inner and it was amazing for both, some bounce in the back outside seat but honestly rather negligible, no side to side rattle so that’s really good. I found the second ride much more forceful, but I rode the first time about 5:15 so it hadn’t warned up yet. Honestly though the less forceful first ride had great hangtime (which with berserker gone I need some hangtime). Also that launch is super punchy, way stronger than I expected
I got 1 ride, row 4 inside right, smooth enough to be the most graceful ride in the park. I did feel a bounce on the launch. Could hear the train bouncing coming out of the dive loop offride but felt nothing unusual for that amount of G force and speed. Launch is very visibly inclined so it makes sense it's not the fastest point of the ride. Longer and far smoother than Volcano (in its case a plus), smoother than Dominator. Probably waited 45 minutes from the start of the switchbacks but the park kept getting more crowded. Was a lot to take in and need to get more rides, so far graceful, fun, forces hit when intended.
Vest was bothering me until it launched. but coming back in it seemed comfortable enough. You can pull it away from you until it gets going.
Vest was bothering me until it launched. but coming back in it seemed comfortable enough. You can pull it away from you until it gets going.
So, I got six rides in. Two front row outter seats, two rides back row, left and right. The last two i got middle. Now, on this, I have to say, this ride is great. Its no volcano, but DAMN, this ride will do justice for the park. Gp will eat this up so hard. Fun ride, not top rough. I definitely understood what you all meant about the back tho. It can be a little jostling. I prefer the front for sure with this ride. It's solid, will do KD wonders. This was a good wing to start with, super excited for thunder and gatekeeper. To all those who came out tonight, it was amazing talking to you all!!! So much love tonight.
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