The Raptor, an inverted roller coaster from B&M, is not the most impressive coaster for Point Cedar. While it may be a crowd-pleaser on the Cedar Point peninsula, compared to other star attractions, it falls short in terms of creativity and size. The accusations against Point’s other attractions are relatively minor and circumstantial. Some reports suggest that Vekoma rides, like Maverick, can occasionally be rough and neck-choppy, while Magnum and Dragster have their own quirks and antiquated roughness. Millennium Force, on the other hand, is criticized for its slow timing and weak forces. However, Raptor could very well be the consistent crowd-pleaser at Cedar Point, leaving riders with a stomach-churning experience. B&M’s early layouts always pack a punch, and Raptor is no exception. With its forceful and big elements, it is definitely a “must-ride” at Point Cedar. However, its standard color palette and cookie-cutter elements packed together in a basic B&M configuration make it a bit bland compared to other theme parks. In terms of inverted B&M coasters, Raptor is not the most impressive.
Compatriots, it’s clear that Cedar Fair has outpaced others in the amusement park industry. While it may seem bland on the surface, I personally love the Raptor. It features a high-speed ground curve and a tunnel, giving it a unique appeal. Additionally, it has a larger overall scope compared to rides like Katun. It has a vertical loop, a cobra roll, and a heartline roll, all threaded through a tight helix element. These elements, along with its improved ideas taken from rides like Pyrenees and Katun, make Raptor stand out even among international rides. The creative strengths are evident in rides like Dragons Dueling and Afterburn, which have frenetically-paced sections and unique elements like a subterranean batwing roll and a free-flight drop. The Great Bear also presents unique ideas with its opening sequencing and helix. These ideas were presented by B&M, and they continued to experiment with other ideas until the turn of the millennium. However, Raptor got caught in the middle as they transitioned from compact layouts to more ambitious and sprawling projects. This was evident in the following years with Montu at Busch Gardens.
This is the issue: The problem lies in the fact that every other inverted coaster I have experienced has a significant drawback, and the ones I have not tried do not seem to address the problem effectively. With the exception of Alton Tower’s Nemesis, which I have yet to ride and may hesitate to make a definitive statement about, and possibly the similarly intense Black Mamba (although without its stunning surroundings, it becomes a rather basic B&M inverted layout), I can confidently say, as a long-time Raptor rider familiar with every twist, force, and movement, and having ridden several of the other mentioned alternatives, that Raptor could very well be B&M’s most successful inverted coaster to date once you delve beyond its initial appearance and examine the finer details.
Exceptions to this rule are virtually non-existent, as there are only a few major design firms that may possibly challenge and maintain a fresh design. However, designers must put in extra hard work and time to train and slow down the inevitable friction that occurs in the design process. It is inevitable that designers will face this problem in their portfolio, and to avert it, they must work hard. Nearly every designer has experienced this imbalance in their portfolio, which can be off-putting since you generally want a clear climax rather than a steady denouement. At least, if the design is not able to match the quality of the first few elements, it is not able to extend to the second half. In this analysis, the relative least enormous section of the brake block pre-midcourse will just be one half of the second half, and there will be a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. This is especially true for coaster designs like B&M and others. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all the way to the brakes, but in other cases, it will start great and sustain it all the way to the brakes. Especially for coaster designs like B&M and others, there are a few early moments where the rider will disengage from the intense flat-spin section after the river section. In cases where the rider disengages from the intense flat-spin section early on, they are unable to sustain it all
One of the limited options is Raptor.1.
My tolerance for waits on Raptor has significantly decreased, so I only go on Fridays or Sundays during Halloweekends or early season weekdays. Nevertheless, it still attracts a large crowd. Gemini used to have the highest capacity until they removed a train from both sides, but it still draws a crowd. It’s reassuring to know that Raptor has the second fastest-moving line in the park, after Magnum. Hopefully, they never have to visit on a day when only a few switchbacks are open, but with three 32-passenger trains dispatching every minute, it’s possible. The queue is a massive and intricate structure that stretches over the infield, between the ride’s lift, station, helix finale, and underneath the break run. It also fills the space between the break run and the Blue Streak. The green color of the coaster blends in with the natural foliage, unlike a more attention-grabbing color scheme like Talon or Silver Bullet. I no longer mind the coaster’s aesthetics; it’s now just part of the overall Cedar Point experience. It’s unusual to have an all-green coaster that dominates the main midway’s visual focus. Normally, I would complain about the garish paint scheme and poor location choice, but your time is better spent on Millennium and Maverick, whose queues tend to get longer later in the day, unless you have an early ride time session. I recommend skipping Raptor as your first ride of the day to avoid unnecessary waits, as it’s usually the first coaster most people encounter when they enter the park in the morning.
The best seats in the house are located where at least a hint of worthwhile things should proffer, while popularity itself doesn’t dictate any truths about the nature of the things. With the fact that everyone walks through the ride’s turnstiles, blocking up the entry station point for people willing to try other rows, they frequently end up waiting for the front rows. The trains are dispatched at a rapid pace, so as a result, a lot of empty seats can get sent out and people have little time or room to arrange themselves into groups of four. If you’re in the middle rows, be on the lookout for empty spots, even if you’re a single rider or in a group of two or more. The station floor plan is a pretty minimalist cube with a simple metal roof that balances bright yellows and pinks with a tasteful aesthetic design.
The train is already moving into a flat section before it reaches the lift. The noise it makes during this process is filled with nostalgia in my mind. It’s similar to the sound of starting up the first car you ever owned (or for those of us from a later generation, the sound of a dial-up modem connecting. Well, maybe not exactly, but hopefully you understand what I’m trying to describe with that ‘Raptor engaging the lift’ sound and are just hoping I’ll continue with the review.). If I’m sitting on the left, I can easily touch the car in front of me. I’ve wondered if the purpose of this tight pre-lift dip is to keep the connections between the wheel bogeys and the car bases flexible, but I have my doubts. The right curve out of the station has a slight dip with a sharp turn at the bottom. As we’re strapped into our seats, the floors drop and the front safety gate folds downward in a way that would have been really impressive in 1995.
The height of the lift on Raptor is not as tall as other B&M coasters, but it is still a significant height at 122 feet. The drop on Raptor is designed to be an S-curve, with a hidden twist to the right after the initial drop. This twist is not immediately visible, but can be seen from a different angle. The shape of the drop is deceptive, giving the illusion of a continuous downward motion, but in reality, there is a slight curvature to the right. The design of the track and the techniques used by B&M create this hidden twist. While it may not seem significant, it adds to the overall experience of the ride. The lack of a clear heartline design by B&M may not make much sense, but it is still an interesting feature. When riding Raptor, if you pay attention, you will notice a slight twist to the right in the back seat. This twist helps mask the lack of forward-moving motion and adds to the rotational sharpness of the ride. Looking down from the midway point, the ground appears much smaller, creating a surprising moment of awe. Overall, I find the design of the drop on Raptor to be quite interesting, despite its deceptive appearance.
Whenever I pause to look at it, observation always causes a moment’s pause for me. But it’s not the same height that supports the track or the lateral shift that causes it. I can’t tell if the part at the apex is precisely at the tightest part of the loop, but it always appeared to me that the loop is slightly tipped backwards. The drop of the pullout is the only part that erases from my short-term memory, but I tend to forget about this element when I’m actually riding Raptor. To be honest, the rides on Batman last longer than Raptor, but the tight circumference around the top still results in tremendously strong positives. The forces on the Raptor’s inversions, especially when moving to the twisted ones, provide a forceful and head-over-heels moment before starting the ride. The vertical loop is always a functional element, providing a ride with strong and forceful positives.
I always get a thrill when I’m flung off into the side of my seat while watching the cars ahead sharply bend around the heartline and the train moves towards the back. I kick back and enjoy the weightless feeling, even though it’s disorienting and the roll is super-fast. It hardly matters if you’re supposed to feel weightless or not, because the experience is just so exhilarating.
Following the rotation, individuals can develop a greater appreciation for the rotation itself once they reach it, as opposed to being forcefully thrown into it without an opportunity to regain their orientation. Furthermore, this aids in creating a sense of anticipation for the cobra roll, allowing individuals to better appreciate the pacing compared to a monotonous sequence of continuously descending and ascending between inversions without any changes in flow. This is yet another one of those minor peculiarities that were present in earlier B&M designs that I wish were still included. At the foundation of the zero-g roll, there is a brief flat portion of track that lasts for approximately one second before curving up into the cobra roll.
Afterwards, there is a slight tingling sensation in your feet, which is not uncommon. The entire element around you is smothered by positive g-forces, which can sometimes lead to unnecessary headbanging. However, this maneuver adds an aggressive element and can sometimes result in a roll cobra inverted later on, rather than transitioning from a loop to a roll. At the top of the transition, there is a much more intense whip-like sensation. Before the act starts, there is a slow buildup, but the opening is much faster. The pace is also much faster here, making it an effective coup-de-grace. Additionally, the mix of the horizontal rotation of the loop with the vertical flip of the roll creates a unique and thrilling experience. At least, the first two elements mirror the roll cobra in a sort of way.
Instead of another zero-gravity roll, at the summit there is a sudden decrease in speed, which does not distinguish it at all from the rest of the elements except for finding a sudden decrease in speed at the top instead of another zero-gravity roll. Instead of only a straight hill on either side of the midcourse in certain cases, it is only a straight hill on either side of the midcourse which does not distinguish it at all from the rest of the elements except for finding a sudden decrease in speed at the top instead of another zero-gravity roll. The surrounding Cedar Point scenery glides around you, and simultaneously creates a middle ‘interlude’ that is formally distinctive from the rest of the experience, instead of only a straight hill on either side of the midcourse which does not distinguish it at all from the rest of the elements except for finding a sudden decrease in speed at the top instead of another zero-gravity roll, it still provides ample opportunity to showcase a different aspect of the overall ride, enjoying a brief moment of free-flight as the surrounding Cedar Point scenery glides around you. Although this lead-up into the brake run may not be significant, it still provides ample opportunity to showcase a different aspect of the overall ride, enjoying a brief moment of free-flight as the surrounding Cedar Point scenery glides around you. It can easily overpower any sensation of flying that the inverted coaster was originally designed for, with other inverted coasters always so focused on immediately sequencing one inversion after another. With other inverted coasters always so focused on immediately sequencing one inversion after another, it can easily overpower any sensation of flying that the inverted coaster was originally designed for. Instead of simply choosing to ascend a hill straight up like Montu does, needing to gain some altitude for a midcourse block brake, it instead takes the time to provide a moment of free-flight, a enjoyable little s-curve between the supports before taking a slow carousel high above ground level into the brake run. But this is where Raptor begins to distinguish itself from the rest of the group. But this is where Raptor begins to distinguish itself from the rest of the group, needing to gain some altitude for a midcourse block brake, instead of simply choosing to ascend a hill straight up like Montu does, it instead takes the time to provide a moment of free-flight, a enjoyable little s-curve between the supports before taking a slow carousel high above ground level into the brake run. But this is where Raptor begins to distinguish itself from the rest of the group, needing to gain some altitude for a midcourse block brake, instead of simply choosing to ascend a hill straight up like Montu does, it instead takes the time to provide a moment of free-flight, a enjoyable little s-curve between the supports before taking a slow carousel high above ground level into the brake run. The opening segment of the ride now complete, it performs quite well compared to most other inverted coasters, so far having been a gradual increase in intensity up until the end of the cobra roll, similar to other outstanding inverts such as Alpengeist or Afterburn (although I would rank both of those ride’s opening segments slightly above Raptor’s for various reasons).
Honestly, if it weren’t for the two things: the sustained speed which adds to the enjoyable sensation of ‘flight’ and the sudden dive that leads into a banking increase, this moment would have been a dud. There’s a moment to breathe as we are drawn out of the flight near midway, as well as the quick timing and forceful rollover in the middle of the cobra roll, there is no less intensity in terms of the four inversions of the ride’s first toe-to-toe stand easily against any other flatspin. The intensity increases quickly at the brief moment at the bottom of the anticipation, as the energy potential is regained from the bottom and the speed explodes back into kinetic energy in terms of pace and g-forces. This one, only a little steeper and more to-the-point, is another fun, sweeping helix with the hill up mirroring the way we got off at the other end of the midcourse.
The descending spiral, the ride’s last move, starts to anticipate as it halts uncomfortably in the banking. The initial components are equally significant as these flatspins with the suddenness at the summit and powerful rotational g-forces, and they don’t diminish in intensity as the ride progresses. Raptor, I genuinely admire that aspect of it, the one preceding it is equally as thrilling as the ultimate flat spin / corkscrew.
The final helix of the ride has consistently been the most intense and thrilling element, with the first loop serving as a knuckle-white spin. If I had to choose a favorite singular element on the ride, it would probably be this final helix. However, the rest of the ride is notched up several levels by Raptor, which is situated in a different stratum. While each inversion on Raptor provides a thrilling experience, the longer wrap-around layout and the pace leading up to it can make the ride feel anticlimactic. On the other hand, other B&M rides have their own unique features that are just as cool, if not cooler. Personally, I appreciate the elevated helix in the midcourse brake run, as it allows for a change in pace. Raptor has performed well in comparison to other B&M inverted coasters, until this point.
Rewritten Output: The overall analytical nerd in me wants to note how the full circle layout of the ride stands as a distinct and unique centerpoint in the overall ride experience, with the first inversion sustaining positive rotational interference. It is also the longest lasting element of the entire ride, and the most forceful. However, I understand the need to not black out weaker riders, so it is important to let them up lest they risk starting the ride with weaker constitutions. Personally, I still wish the moment could last just a bit longer. When the train is hauling around the course, especially on a hot day, it can lead to a scary bit and the physical reactions of riders starting to display themselves. But the feeling of forces simply no longer being there is not present in the body. The forces continue to increase, causing the blood flow to our toes and the difficulty of getting it to our heads. The helix holds us nearly parallel to the ground while the forces continue, and the last 1/3 of the helix navigates sharply downhill. The train continues to spiral around the back half of the helix, accumulating steadily stretching and centrifugal forces. “Hey, this is going to be a piece of cake!” Mentioned earlier. It starts out gentle and slow, like those few moments of freeflight sensation. But not at first.
In 1994, B&M’s Raptor, the most successful inverted coaster, was designed to be even more ambitious and bolder than its predecessors. Despite its thrilling nature, I believe that the primary reason for its continued success is its well-designed and truly safe characteristics. I neither think Walter nor Claude would argue that it is not a coaster that allows for artistic expression, unless it compromises safety. Even though the Raptor has had many ambitious and bolder rides since its debut, I still consider it to be a truly safe and well-designed coaster. Reflecting on the entire experience, from the moment we step onto the advanced train to the final maneuver, I am thrilled that we come to a complete stop and exit the ride unharmed. If I had the chance to inspect it myself, I would determine if any damage was done to my neck vertebrae, as the jerking motion can be bone-jarring. However, I have not noticed any clear patterns of jostling while sitting in the rows inside. The brakes help lessen the jolting, but I still feel a bit nervous and always brace myself during the final left turn, which leads up to the last minute of the ride. The fact that the rider is in control until the very end is definitely evident and, in my opinion, a good thing. It allows each individual to make their own decision about whether it was a good or bad experience. Now, let’s talk about the finale. The transition from the intense ride to the brake run and final left turn is notoriously sudden and frequently painful. This is why I am still engaged with the ride, even after the big finale. In actuality, the ride doesn’t truly end until we reach the brake run. This is why the ending of the ride is so memorable and impactful.
I would like to see an avant-garde response to one of these years, but I’m a bit embarrassed that I have established such basic criteria as a ‘traditionalist’ for a good ride. Personally, I rely somewhat on factors such as near-miss collisions or a really forceful half first, as these are important to me. Whether or not these things are important, the most successful meeting at Raptor is indeed provable, at least until the end. The way that the engaged riders keep the experience consistent in terms of quality and intensity throughout the entire ride is one of the factors that I accept as valid criteria for a good riding experience. However, I wonder how much rides other than this one or the influence of 100 rides will ultimately affect my final opinion. I would be happier if proven wrong.
Another possible exception is Chariot Apollo’s, which is able to fully utilize the small design quirks and terrain in the second half, taking strong advantage of it. There are probably also contenders like Dominator and Kumba, as well as many stand-ups, that some people out there would like to refute my assertion about B&M’s designs altogether.