Project 2025/Caldera: Rapterra (Launched B&M Wing Coaster)
- Thread starter horsesboy
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I thought the bouncing was bad enough that it detracted from my enjoyment a bit, but I rode in the back row outside seat, so it would’ve been better literally anywhere else, and even then it still wasn’t painful or uncomfortable in any way, it just made it harder to appreciate what was happening
I rode it opening weekend in the first row right side, sitting on the outer seat. The launch was decent and the bouncing honestly wasn’t as bad as people made it out to be.
I remember not enjoying Wild Eagle because of its bouncing and I got minor headaches after Tennessee Tornado and Lightning Rod because my head kept bashing against the headrest. I was worried about Rapterra in this regard.
But somehow it was fine. Not even a headache in the slightest. I was honestly expecting more positive g’s on the wing slide element, although that’s likely due to me being on the outside going through that. Unfortunately I was only able to get one ride on it since my OCD wanted to check out Grizzly retrack, Boo Blasters, and FoF’s new station. I hadn’t been since 2022, who could blame me? Looking forward to riding this more times later this year.
One thing I am interested in is the launch acceleration is stated as 0-65 mph in 4 seconds. There’s one inconsistency - this is a rolling launch, so obviously the acceleration starts while you’re already moving, not standing still. I mean the train’s definitely moving more than 0 mph, at least 5 mph, before it starts launching? Wouldn’t the acceleration rate be slower in this case than if you went to 65 mph in 4 seconds from a standstill? Or am I overthinking it? I’m not complaining though, overall I’m really glad I rode it and it should be good enough for the general public.
I remember not enjoying Wild Eagle because of its bouncing and I got minor headaches after Tennessee Tornado and Lightning Rod because my head kept bashing against the headrest. I was worried about Rapterra in this regard.
But somehow it was fine. Not even a headache in the slightest. I was honestly expecting more positive g’s on the wing slide element, although that’s likely due to me being on the outside going through that. Unfortunately I was only able to get one ride on it since my OCD wanted to check out Grizzly retrack, Boo Blasters, and FoF’s new station. I hadn’t been since 2022, who could blame me? Looking forward to riding this more times later this year.
One thing I am interested in is the launch acceleration is stated as 0-65 mph in 4 seconds. There’s one inconsistency - this is a rolling launch, so obviously the acceleration starts while you’re already moving, not standing still. I mean the train’s definitely moving more than 0 mph, at least 5 mph, before it starts launching? Wouldn’t the acceleration rate be slower in this case than if you went to 65 mph in 4 seconds from a standstill? Or am I overthinking it? I’m not complaining though, overall I’m really glad I rode it and it should be good enough for the general public.
The ride is (hersheypark) shortish but every element is great and the layout flows well. The theming is top notch as well as the landscaping. t’s a great addition to ice off this area of the park.
It’s definitely wobbly. You can see it on the launch.
It’s odd ti spend so much on theming to increase the guest experience then cancel it out with the lack of shade. There are a good number of new trees but they won’t give shade for a good while.
I’m surprised by the lack of netting considering how many paths and queues this crosses or runs close to. Especially with the open trains.
It’s definitely wobbly. You can see it on the launch.
It’s odd ti spend so much on theming to increase the guest experience then cancel it out with the lack of shade. There are a good number of new trees but they won’t give shade for a good while.
I’m surprised by the lack of netting considering how many paths and queues this crosses or runs close to. Especially with the open trains.
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There are a ton of post in the queue with eye hooks which I assume would be for shade in the future.
I have a concern about the ropes in the queue because ive noticed that a lot of people sit on them which is stretching them out. Many are also starting to get frayed from people unraveling the ends too. Hopefully the ropes can make it through this season! KD should probably use the same metal bars that Tumbili has imo.
yes. I saw a kid climbing on the caldera yesterday too
Atten:yes. I saw a kid climbing on the caldera yesterday too
Bridgette Bywater
It’s a shame that the target market is so lowbrow that they don’t respect the theming. That. Ring said all of those stones should have been encased in concrete. They are also sliding onto the pavement in places since there isn’t a border.
They switched to atmospheric music a few years ago. International Street, Old Virginia, CAG, and Jungle X all exclusively play themed soundtracks now. Planet Snoopy plays a mix of pop music and Peanuts/Vince Guaraldi music.
The Flight of Fear/I305 plaza used to play pop music but they just switched that to the Jungle X soundtrack this year. That leaves the Dominator plaza and Planet Snoopy as the only areas in the park that still play pop music.
They occasionally switch the soundtracks to non-atmospheric music for special events (I-Street changes for the July 4th weekend and during the day for Haunt, for example) so maybe you went one of those days?
I’ve said this before but I’m a huge believer that music/sound is one of the most immersive elements of a theme park. It’s inexpensive for the park, but it can make a huge difference if done right. I’m so glad KD moved in the right direction with their music, and I honestly think it’s been one of the biggest shifts in making the park more enjoyable in the past few years.
I missed KD's first two operating weekends this season, due to spring break with the kids and traveling out of state to other parks. And was thus a bit bummed on missing Rapterra's big opening, as I was really looking forward to it. However big props to this community in covering it so well; where it almost felt I was there too at the park.
This past weekend I finally got my chance to ride it, and some thoughts and observations:
Overall I think Rapterra is a great addition to the park's lineup - even though from a fun/thrill-level it doesn't do much for me personally. (But from my earlier pre-comparison to Thunderbird post here, I never expected Rapterra to "thrill" me, and always just wanted the theming/experience - where I absolutely love what they accomplished.) And I fully expect the average park goer is gonna love it too; especially with the lower 48-inch height restriction, opening it up to more families.
[Note to KD: please budget for a near-miss, or two, adding and hyping it as a minor enhancement for a future season... thus further enhancing the overall theming, and helping keep public interest strong for that key 3-to-4 year opening period.]
This past weekend I finally got my chance to ride it, and some thoughts and observations:
- Just as I expected, the coaster has some very fun elements; where a favorite is the 'raptor roll' at the end of the layout, giving a nice little finale to the ride. However I would not consider any of the elements 'fantastic', giving me that "wow" feeling.
- On my several rides this past Sunday, ride ops was great, cranking out dispatches fairly consistently. But between a compressed station layout - where guest access to line up for rows 4 and 5 are sometimes blocked by people lining up for row 3 - and the fact that there is no staff directing people to rows, I witnessed many an empty row on trains.
- If the larger-sized seats are in row #3, there needs to be clear signage in the station directing guests to that row.
On Sunday I witnessed two different cycles where ops could not lock the restraint for a guest; both riders in the row were directed to the exit; they dispatched the train with that original row empty; next train into the station they would block row #3 from boarding, and have the guests enter from the exit lane and board row #3 -- which in turn then disrupted the next guests in row #3, who had coordinated their party across multiple rows, and further caused additional rows to go empty (as their party in the other rows would skip the train to stay aligned).
So again: KD please provide clear signage in the queue, and not make riders guess on which are the more 'accommodating' seats.
- Volcano had a short ride time. And even though Rapterra's layout has expanded beyond Volcano's, out into the midway, it would have been nice if it had just a bit longer ride time, with say one or two more elements (especially given the average 'wait time' for that singe ride).
- I've kept hearing how rough this ride is. Though the outer seats certainly have some "bounce" on a few track sections, it is waayy far from a rough ride - where I found it fairly smooth, graceful, and was surprised how well it seems to maintain its speed throughout the entire layout.
- As many have of us here have expressed, I would love to see a near-miss. But I suppose this can always be added later; so not a big deal if we don't have it now.
- Theming: This is what makes the coaster for me! From all the little easter eggs when you first enter at Volcano's old queue house; to all the aspects in the exterior queue; theming in the station; little touches like the audio clip at launch... It's all fantastic, where I keep noticing little things each time through. This is what I was hoping for, and they absolutely nailed it!
(However with the recent reports of kids throwing rocks in the queue, I certainly hope this does not ruin future theming efforts...though is something the park will likely learn from.)
Overall I think Rapterra is a great addition to the park's lineup - even though from a fun/thrill-level it doesn't do much for me personally. (But from my earlier pre-comparison to Thunderbird post here, I never expected Rapterra to "thrill" me, and always just wanted the theming/experience - where I absolutely love what they accomplished.) And I fully expect the average park goer is gonna love it too; especially with the lower 48-inch height restriction, opening it up to more families.
[Note to KD: please budget for a near-miss, or two, adding and hyping it as a minor enhancement for a future season... thus further enhancing the overall theming, and helping keep public interest strong for that key 3-to-4 year opening period.]
Queue times is reporting a 2 hour wait right now. Love to see it honestly. We need KD as busy as possible this season. Make that bottom line sing to the investors!
Rapterra is closed right now. Not sure what happened but there was a train stopped on the launch.
I think they’re gonna have to eventually change the rope in the queue into that wooden railing like they have along the exit queue, unfortunately it’s probably the only way to keep kids from crawling on shit and throwing rocks
They could hang netting from the ropes and attach it to a new cable or rope right next to ground level to prevent the ability to reach under the existing rope to pickup rocks and whatnot.
As much as I love theming, metal rails are the best solution for line queue rails. (metal can be themed like Tumbilis supports). People waiting in line want to lean on something. One can’t stop that. The ropes aren’t going to last.
They just need to put the rocks in concrete where they are in reach. instead of leaving them loose.
They just need to put the rocks in concrete where they are in reach. instead of leaving them loose.
Or, and this is a crazy suggestion, Parents could start doing their job, and people could start shaming them mercilessly when they don't.
My mom saw another mom throwing stones with her kid and she apparently had an “I don’t really care” shirt on and my mom said “well clearly she doesn’t lol”
I agree that many parents fucking suck and I wouldn't have dreamt of doing this stuff as a kid. That said, unfortunately, this is the reality that we find ourselves in meaning that KD does need to fix it with some sort of physical change. In the short-term, until such a change can be made, KD needs to have a security person in the area to prevent the issue and to ban repeat offenders. People are going to get hurt and theming is going to be legit damaged (if these things haven't already occurred).
It's early in the season but I've already seen unaccompanied kids and teens causing problems at KD this year—security needs to be increased.
It's early in the season but I've already seen unaccompanied kids and teens causing problems at KD this year—security needs to be increased.
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