Rapterra Explained

Rapterra
Logodimensions:200px
Location:Kings Dominion
Section:Jungle X-Pedition
Status:Under construction
Year:2025
Opened:2025
Type:Steel
Type2:Wing Coaster
Type3:Launched
Manufacturer:Bolliger & Mabillard
Model:Wing Coaster
Lift:LSM
Height Ft:145
Length Ft:3086
Speed Mph:65
Inversions:3
Duration:1:29
Trains:2
Carspertrain:5
Rowspercar:1
Ridersperrow:4
Rcdb Number:21885

Rapterra is an upcoming steel launched wing roller coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.[1] [2] Once open, it will become the world's tallest and longest-launched wing roller coaster.[3]

History

Removal of Volcano

See also: Volcano: The Blast Coaster. Volcano: The Blast Coaster was an inverted launched coaster that operated at the park from 1998 to early 2018, situated inside of the preceding Smurf Mountain structure. In February 2019, Kings Dominion announced that Volcano had been decommissioned, citing issues with reliability, rider capacity, and overall customer satisfaction.[4] [5] By May of the same year, the entire attraction had been fully demolished.[6]

The removal of Volcano left a sizable empty site in the park, sparking discussions for a replacement as early as 2019; it was then that Bolliger & Mabillard first drafted a wing coaster layout for the land.[7] However, the park's closure during 2020 per the COVID-19 pandemic and retirement of The Crypt after the 2019 season contributed to Tumbili taking priority as a replacement for the latter. The coaster opened in March 2022, bringing with it the reimagining of Safari Village as Jungle X-Pedition and thematic foundation for future attractions.[8]

Preparation & Construction

Plans were submitted to Hanover County, Virginia in December 2023 for the construction of Amendment 47, a new roller coaster project to be located where Volcano: The Blast Coaster previously stood.[9] Construction had already commenced when the park opened for the season in March 2023, with groundwork in full swing and the first concrete foundations being poured.[10]

Roller coaster steel – including track and supports – began arriving at the end of May, with the first piece of brake run being placed on June 18, 2024.[11] [12] Installation continued from there, with the tallest point of the ride being topped off at 8:22am on July 28.[13]

Announcement

Kings Dominion began promoting their mystery attraction during construction, with various teasers and clues gradually appearing around its work fences.[10] On July 31, 2024, Kings Dominion officially announced Rapterra for the 2025 season.[1] [2]

Characteristics

Rapterra will be 145feet tall, 3086feet long, and reaches a top speed of 65mi/h throughout the ride. The coaster will run two 20-passenger trains, arranging riders in 5 rows with a pair on each side.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-07-31. Eric. Kolenich. Kings Dominion gets approval to build new roller coaster. 2024-08-03. Richmond Times-Dispatch. en-US.
  2. Web site: 2024-08-02. Patriceia. Beckford. New Rapterra rollercoaster to open at Kings Dominion in 2025. 2024-08-03. WVEC. en-US.
  3. Web site: 2024-08-01. Duncan. Weigand. Rapterra Roller Coaster coming to Kings Dominion. 2024-08-03. WSLS-TV. en-US.
  4. Web site: Park Update. Kings Dominion.
  5. Web site: Kings Dominion announces decision to remove Volcano: The Blast Coaster. Tyree. Elizabeth. February 9, 2019. WSET. February 9, 2019.
  6. Web site: Kings Dominion's "Volcano" is Almost Completely Gone!. May 3, 2019. Rdzanek. Austin.
  7. Web site: Leaked Draft Reveals Possible Plans for Kings Dominion's Next Major Roller Coaster. November 5, 2019. Zachary. kdfans.com. August 17, 2024.
  8. Web site: The Not-So-Hidden Details of Jungle X-Pedition at Kings Dominion. April 14, 2022. Stilwell. Andrew. Coaster101. August 17, 2024.
  9. Web site: 2024-07-09. Marshall. LeMert. New Roller Coaster to Debut in 2025 at Kings Dominion. 2024-08-03. Cville Right Now. en.
  10. KDFansOnline. 1771286882099298759. March 22, 2024. Much of Jungle X-Pedition is behind walls in preparation for....
  11. KDFanatics75. 1796217751503024291. May 30, 2024. It looks like a support is being unloaded. ....
  12. Web site: Rapterra Report - Kings Dominion 2025 Update. August 16, 2024. Kings Dominion. YouTube. August 17, 2024.
  13. briansterowski. 1817610148963086400. July 28, 2024. Sunday surprise! The first element after the launch is complete on the....