Kings Dominion | Rapterra | B&M Launched Wing Coaster | 2025

[bob_3_]

Something about it doesn't really inspire me and some of the elements, especially that helix, are really bizarrely (ugly) shaped. It reminds me of a first draft FVD++ layout that needs refinement.

BUT I do like how large some of the elements are, which will add to the feeling of flying. But also the speed looks pretty good at the moment, and if it's only going to get faster I think it'll be a solid experience. The only thing I'm concerned about it whether it'll rattle over the layout like most modern B&Ms, if that's the case it'll be such a shame for such a graceful flowing layout.

 

[Hyde]

Looks sl… - ah dang beat me to it @VonRolland!

 

[Peet]

It looks... fine? It doesn't seem to really do anything very interesting.

Something about it doesn't really inspire me

This is B&M all over for me at the moment, they rarely make *bad* rides but when was the last time that a new B&M was really exciting/new/interesting? Probably Fury 325 nearly 10 years ago.

 

[Hyde]

Doing a quick look at the numbers, Rapterra will reach 65 MPH, one of the fastest B&M wing coasters at that. It's launch however is 0-65 in 4 seconds, while Thunderbird's (60 MPH) reaches speed in 3.5 seconds. Rapterra by all accounts will take it's launch at a rolling start, while Thunderbird starts from a stand still.

My hunch is Rapterra's launch will actually feel some fun punch (think Cheetah Hunt's 60 mph second launch, for instance), but the opening stall and other non-inverting elements may feel a tad tamer, versus Thunderbird's amazing Immelmann and vertical loop opening combo that is, in fact, slower than Rapterra!