Project 2025/Caldera: Rapterra (Launched B&M Wing Coaster)

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Yeah it really can’t be stated enough how perfectly this fits into the lineup. They really needed a “milder”, more accessible thrill ride that doesn’t rip your face off or try to yeet you onto 95. I know a couple people who are turned off of coasters completely because i305 was way too intense. Dominator is great but can be quite the headbanger depending on which train you get.

A launched B&M wing will be the crowd pleaser KD has needed. And that first overbank, if it’s close to the actual plans, reminds me of Pipeline’s first element which I always thought was a great start.
 
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Hope they are running 3 trains on this, otherwise capacity and lines will be terrible for what should be a popular attraction.
 
rswashdc said:
Hope they are running 3 trains on this, otherwise capacity and lines will be terrible for what should be a popular attraction.
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As a fellow enjoyer of operations greater than two trains, I don't see it happening. It would stack all three every time as the cycle time will be a bit short (seems to be about a minute and 5 seconds). My estimation is that theoretical hourly capacity is right around 900 per hour. 80ish second minimum dispatch times 20 riders per train.
 
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AlpenChariot said:
As a fellow enjoyer of operations greater than two trains, I don't see it happening. It would stack all three every time as the cycle time will be a bit short (seems to be about a minute and 5 seconds). My estimation is that theoretical hourly capacity is right around 900 per hour. 80ish second minimum dispatch times 20 riders per train.
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Depends how long the pre launch is. Also separate load/unload stations would help. At 20 riders it's going to be worse capacity wise than basically everything else.
 
Personally I think this a good replacement for volcano but not a great one. If KD announced tomorrow anaconda was getting torn down and this was taking it's spot I would be over the moon excited with the decision. Volcano was a unique, one of a kind, icon of the park that everyone associated KD with. Where else could you get shot out of a volcano? There are 14 other wing coasters already and this will be the third launched wing. Nothing about it will be solely identified with KD like volcano was. I'm sure my opinion on this is in the minority here so feel free to roast me all you'd like but it's just my thoughts. I do understand the decision to go with reliable b&m for a proven ride type just wish it was a bit more unique for KD. All that being said, I'm still very excited to ride this in 2025.
 
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I get where you're coming from @jwf. This coaster, on its face, is unlikely to ever be anywhere near as iconic as Volcano.

That said, I'd argue that nothing KD could have realistically built in 2025 could have ever come close to that bar. The tragedy of losing the mountain was that a thematic structure of that scale is highly unlikely to ever be built again at an existing, regional, chain amusement park.

I had already long since accepted that the aesthetic and vibe bar Volcano set was unreachable. I think that if you look at this project through the lens of realistically likely outcomes for a new coaster at a current Cedar Fair park, this thing looks nearly as good as you could possibly hope for.

Would I have, selfishly, preferred something absolutely insane—something like an Axis? Yeah, for sure. That said, that's just not how Cedar Fair behaves these days. Plus, I can fully accept that KD already has two absolutely insane coasters as their top two and that, for the good of the park, a reliable, reridable, crowd-pleaser is far more sensible.
 
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Zachary said:
I get where you're coming from @jwf. This coaster, on its face, is unlikely to ever be anywhere near as iconic as Volcano.

That said, I'd argue that nothing KD could have realistically built in 2025 could have ever come close to that bar. The tragedy of losing the mountain was that a thematic structure of that scale is highly unlikely to ever be built again at an existing, regional, chain amusement park.

I had already long since accepted that the aesthetic and vibe bar Volcano set was unreachable. I think that if you look at this project through the lens of realistically likely outcomes for a new coaster at a current Cedar Fair park, this thing looks nearly as good as you could possibly hope for.

Would I have, selfishly, preferred something absolutely insane—something like an Axis? Yeah, for sure. That said, that's just not how Cedar Fair behaves these days. Plus, I can fully accept that KD already has two absolutely insane coasters as their top two and that, for the good of the park, a reliable, reridable, crowd-pleaser is far more sensible.
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Extremely fair points. Cedar fair does play it relatively safe these days and I suppose nothing could ever live up to a coaster that's as nostalgic for me as volcano is. I can still remember going opening year as a kid.
 
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ITT: people wishing that this was as groundbreaking and one-of-a-kind as the original, when that was the origin of the maintenance migraines that led to the ride getting shut down in the first place.
 
I know its impossible to tell from the layout alone, but any guesses as to the max height and speed? Any chance at (made up) records?
 
rswashdc said:
Depends how long the pre launch is. Also separate load/unload stations would help. At 20 riders it's going to be worse capacity wise than basically everything else.
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Nostalgia is the big thing in the Virginia parks right now. I mean, just look at BGW bringing back BBW in a different, new form.

Few things can bring the nostalgia of Volcano back for future generations like waiting in line.
 
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richmondrider said:
I know its impossible to tell from the layout alone, but any guesses as to the max height and speed? Any chance at (made up) records?
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This mockup is 130ft tall, 62mph launch. These two stats were the biggest guesses I had to make, as there’s simply no way to know based on what we were working with. I do feel that these are solid guesses though, as each element gets naturally & proportionally shorter as the layout progresses, and more importantly to me, keeps its pace well.

As for records? No idea. If the first element is fully inverted, “World’s First Inverted Tophat on a Wing Coaster” sort of flows off the tongue, no?🤣
 
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CoasterAuditor said:
Cedar Fair must have a focus group that’s like “burnt. Orange. EVERYTHING!”
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Meme Shock GIF by Evan Klar


Chungulatron said:
ITT: people wishing that this was as groundbreaking and one-of-a-kind as the original, when that was the origin of the maintenance migraines that led to the ride getting shut down in the first place.
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Origins of the maintenance migraines came the first day Paramount bought the park. They had a habit of building the latest and not greatest and it's been driving the maintenance teams insane ever since. Pretty wild this thing will instantly be a top 5 reliable coaster in the park when it opens alongside Dominator, Racer 75, Grizzly, and Woodstock.
 
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