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] The tallest point of the ride was topped off at 8:22am on July 28 and the final track piece set in place on September 6, eighty days after installation began.[13][14]
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 145 feet (44 m) tall, 3,086 feet (941 m) long, and reaches a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h) throughout the ride. The coaster will run two 20-passenger trains, arranging riders in 5 rows with a pair on each side.
