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Richmond Family Magazine May-June 2026 Cover featuring CarMax Park and the Richmond Flying Squirrels mascots, Nutzy and Nutasha, along with two baseball loving kids
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Local News

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

World’s Tallest, Longest Launched Wing Coaster Rapterra  to Kick Off Theme Park’s Golden Anniversary Celebration
RFM TeamBy RFM TeamMarch 24, 2025
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Rapterra Kings Dominion
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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 

Family Fun Outdoor Fun
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