I find Dominator just as rough as Rapterra. It feels like it’s on square wheels. But that’s not a matter of design. It’s a matter of maintenance on the ride.
Project 2025/Caldera: Rapterra (Launched B&M Wing Coaster)
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I want to love dominator so much but I just can’t because of how rough it is. Same with Rapterra!
Finally got to ride Reptar on Saturday, inside seat, row 5, left side. What a great addition to the park! It checks so many boxes that KD needed in it's ride lineup. Well done to all involved with the project. Wish I had the chance to get a few more rides in.
The queue and station are very well done. I was beyond skeptical, even after seeing everyone's pictures and reading comments, that they would be able to turn that gravel lot into anything more than that and I feel they did a great job. In 5-10 years, when the landscaping grows in it's going to look amazing. The caldera absolutely looks like it's supposed to have some type of fog or mist effect, I really hope they get that functioning. I have to admit I chuckled at the shades in the queue that were placed over top of trees that will be taller than the shades next year though. Oh, and good luck to the grounds crew trying to control the bamboo planted throughout the queue.
As far as the "new B&M rattle", the visually obvious section of the launch that we've all seen here - felt more 'wave like' or rolling than jarring and really didn't detract from the experience. There were a few other spots in turns where I could feel some jitter/chatter but nothing extraordinary. I personally felt the jitter on Penguin Trek and Phoenix Rising were much worse. Maybe it is exponentially worse in an outside seat, but overall it was a smooth ride for me. I also expected to feel some airtime in a couple sections but it just wasn't there. A near-miss element would be cool but it's not a real game changer for me.
The queue and station are very well done. I was beyond skeptical, even after seeing everyone's pictures and reading comments, that they would be able to turn that gravel lot into anything more than that and I feel they did a great job. In 5-10 years, when the landscaping grows in it's going to look amazing. The caldera absolutely looks like it's supposed to have some type of fog or mist effect, I really hope they get that functioning. I have to admit I chuckled at the shades in the queue that were placed over top of trees that will be taller than the shades next year though. Oh, and good luck to the grounds crew trying to control the bamboo planted throughout the queue.
As far as the "new B&M rattle", the visually obvious section of the launch that we've all seen here - felt more 'wave like' or rolling than jarring and really didn't detract from the experience. There were a few other spots in turns where I could feel some jitter/chatter but nothing extraordinary. I personally felt the jitter on Penguin Trek and Phoenix Rising were much worse. Maybe it is exponentially worse in an outside seat, but overall it was a smooth ride for me. I also expected to feel some airtime in a couple sections but it just wasn't there. A near-miss element would be cool but it's not a real game changer for me.
Does anyone else find the right side wayyyy better than the left? I just feel more of the elements on the right.
The stall over the midway is way better on the right side.
Right side has bigger range if motion on the dive loop, helix hill and zero roll. Left has larger range on overbank, corkscrew and final turn.
Imo the elenents thar right has a larger range on fell like more of a difference than the ones that keft has an advantage if that makes sense. For example, the overbank is great on both sides but the Dave Loop is definitely better on the right.
One advantage of the left is that the station is better shaded in the afternoon?
Imo the elenents thar right has a larger range on fell like more of a difference than the ones that keft has an advantage if that makes sense. For example, the overbank is great on both sides but the Dave Loop is definitely better on the right.
One advantage of the left is that the station is better shaded in the afternoon?
Rode this today. It definitely bounces quite a bit but I found it really enjoyable and had some good moments!
Also the spiels were done by Alicia Stella it seems
Also the spiels were done by Alicia Stella it seems
Nice behind-the-scenes look at the making of Rapterra featuring Sophie Bolliger.
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
That's a really unfortunate choice of still for the video.
I Know it's old news now. But I went my 1st time to cedar point the last 4 days and got 8 rides on gatekeeper in every possible way just about. Front, back, inside, outside, early morning, evening, and it's night and day "smoother" than rapterra. Almost 0 bounce, slight rattle but yea. Who ever says the other wings are just as bouncy deffiently need to go re ride the older ones. Also for what it's worth gatekeeper is so much more fun in general of a layout
Edit: The vests on the older ones are WAAAY more comftorable because they are so much more wore in and soft vs the new ones on rapterra. So that helped alot. Never hurt my collar bones once. So once Rapterras gets more worn it will feel better.
Edit: The vests on the older ones are WAAAY more comftorable because they are so much more wore in and soft vs the new ones on rapterra. So that helped alot. Never hurt my collar bones once. So once Rapterras gets more worn it will feel better.
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Gatekeeper is unfortunately one of a few coasters I’ve missed out on at Cedar Point. My first visit was the two days before Disaster Transport closed, and when I went back in 2023 the park was packed to a ridiculous extent. Still haven’t been on a wing because that’s been my only real opportunity.
Next time, I really gotta prioritize SC, TT2, Gatekeeper, Valravn, and Wild Mouse.
Next time, I really gotta prioritize SC, TT2, Gatekeeper, Valravn, and Wild Mouse.
Front left is best, as you barrel roll over the top the lift upward to upside down is so cool
Thunderbird at Holiday World is glossy smooth and my favorite wing coaster and doesn’t have any noticeable bounce.
Rode Thunderbird and thought it was a little smoother, came back and thought Rapterra was smoother. Tbird was less worse in the outside seat but still had no desire to ride there again when the inside seat was there for the picking. The biggest difference was that Thunderbird seems to intentionally throw you around some, which I like, while Rapterra is supposed to be all about grace, which any bounce detracts from.
I only rode Gatekeeper once when not feeling that great and found it clunky and ugly, was back row though. Loved Wild Eagle (except the reride policy), very smooth and some little pops of air going into turns like their GCI.
I think that's the first time I've heard the proper pronunciation of Bolliger and Mabillard. I've heard it pronounced many times before as Ball-uh-grr and Mab-ee-yard, but it seems it's Bowl-yair and Mab-yair. I'll just keep sticking to B&M.
I think that's the first time I've heard the proper pronunciation of Bolliger and Mabillard. I've heard it pronounced many times before as Ball-uh-grr and Mab-ee-yard, but it seems it's Bowl-yair and Mab-yair. I'll just keep sticking to B&M.
Bolliger is pronounced like Bowl-E-Gair. Mabillard is pronounced Mab-E-Yar (like saying the word Yard without the "d" at the end as it's silent in French).
But, yeah, just stick with B&M, unless you go to England where they'll think you're talking about their version of a Dollar Tree/Big Lots type store.
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If I recall correctly, the first time I heard it pronounced the way I had thought it was pronounced was on (I think) my VHS copy of America's Greatest Roller Coaster Thrills from 1994 or 1995.Bolliger is pronounced like Bowl-E-Gair. Mabillard is pronounced Mab-E-Yar (like saying the word Yard without the "d" at the end as it's silent in French.
But, yeah, just stick with B&M, unless you go to England where they'll think you're talking about their version of a Dollar Tree/Big Lots type store.
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