Record-Setting Coaster to Spread Wings for Public Launch March 29 at Kings Dominion

PR Newswire
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 9:00am UTC

Record-Setting Coaster to Spread Wings for Public Launch March 29 at Kings Dominion

PR Newswire

World's Tallest, Longest Launched Wing Coaster Rapterra
to Kick Off Theme Park's Golden Anniversary Celebration

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DOSWELL, Va., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kings Dominion will officially launch its newest addition as Rapterra takes flight on the park's opening day, March 29. At 145 feet tall and 3,086 feet long, Rapterra is the tallest and longest launched wing coaster in the world and headlines the park's 50th anniversary celebration season in 2025.

"Rapterra is the perfect centerpiece for our 50th anniversary celebration and promises to bring a captivating and exhilarating set of thrills to a brand-new generation of guests," said Bridgette Bywater, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. "Cutting-edge attractions, family-friendly thrills and developing rich, immersive experiences are what has made Kings Dominion the premier Virginia destination for 50 years. We carry on that tradition with the introduction of Rapterra."  

Rapterra was inspired by the flight of the mythical creature the "jungle hawk." The journey begins as riders choose to soar on the hawk's left or right "wing," and board a seat suspended on either side of the track with nothing above or below them. With tension mounting, Rapterra takes flight and riders are launched from 0 to 65 miles per hour in just four seconds. The ride then ascends to its zenith over the Jungle X-Pedition midway.

Rapterra's thrilling aerial maneuvers and inversions include:

  • Overbanked turn 145 feet above the midway and the ride's highest point
  • Dramatic "dive loop" ─ the ride's first inversion
  • Nimble S-turn with quick directional changes
  • "Wing slide" that creates a sideways sliding motion, unique to wing coasters
  • "Flat spin" ─ a tight corkscrew, the second inversion
  • "Airtime" hill delivering negative gravity
  • 360-degree "raptor roll" ─ a barrel roll, the third inversion

The nearly minute-and-a-half adventure includes eight breathtaking moments before Rapterra smoothly glides back into the station.

Rapterra will open to the public when the park opens on March 29. The park remains open every day through April 6 for spring break. Season passholders will be among the first to have an opportunity to ride during passholder preview night on March 28 from 5 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy unlimited rides on Rapterra with the purchase of a 2025 Silver Season Pass.

For more information on Rapterra, season passes and the robust lineup of events during the park's 50th anniversary season at Kings Dominion, visit www.kingsdominion.com

ABOUT KINGS DOMINION
Kings Dominion, a 400-acre amusement park located in Doswell, VA off I-95, is home to more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, including 13 world-class roller coasters and Soak City, a top-rated 20-acre waterpark. Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America.

ABOUT SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is North America's largest regional amusement-resort operator with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Focused on its purpose of making people happy, Six Flags provides fun, immersive and memorable experiences to millions of guests every year with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks, resorts and a portfolio of beloved intellectual property including Looney Tunes®, DC Comics® and PEANUTS®.

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SOURCE Kings Dominion