Pantherian at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, stands 305 feet tall and reaches speeds of 90 mph, making it one of the most intense giga coasters in the world. Built by Intamin and opened on April 2, 2010, it launched as Intimidator 305 before receiving a bold new identity as Pantherian for the 2025 season, now themed to a panther prowling through the jungle.
The second giga coaster built in North America, Pantherian features a cable lift that carries riders to the summit before a near-vertical 85-degree first drop of 300 feet. Six airtime hills and relentless high-speed turns follow across 5,100 feet of track, generating notorious g-forces that regularly push riders to the edge of tunnel vision. The $25 million attraction won Best New Roller Coaster of 2010 from Amusement Today and has anchored Kings Dominion’s thrill lineup ever since.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kings Dominion
- Location: Doswell, Virginia
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: April 2, 2010
- Height: 305 ft (93 m)
- Top Speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
- Length: 5,100 ft (1,554 m)
- First Drop: 300 ft (91 m) at 85°
- Inversions: 0
- Duration: 3 minutes
The Ride Experience
Riders ascend the cable lift at a steep 45-degree angle before plummeting 300 feet at 85 degrees — a drop so sharp it borders on beyond-vertical. The coaster reaches 90 mph almost instantly and immediately launches into low, ground-hugging turns that press riders deep into their seats.
Six airtime hills punctuate the 5,100-foot layout, alternating between floater and ejector moments that contrast sharply with the crushing lateral g-forces elsewhere on the course. Two trains carry 32 riders each at a capacity of around 1,350 guests per hour, keeping lines moving without softening the experience.
A Coaster Reborn
When it debuted in April 2010, the ride was called Intimidator 305, honoring NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt — nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ — with the number referencing its 305-foot height. The tribute coaster quickly became one of the most talked-about steel coasters in North America.
After the licensing agreement with the Earnhardt family expired, the coaster ran under the interim name Project 305 through 2024. Kings Dominion unveiled the Pantherian identity for the 2025 season, giving the ride a jungle-predator theme that leans into the coaster’s explosive speed and ferocity.
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Pantherian FAQs
How tall is Pantherian at Kings Dominion?
Pantherian stands 305 feet (93 m) tall, with a first drop of 300 feet at an 85-degree angle.
What is Pantherian’s top speed?
Pantherian reaches 90 mph (145 km/h), achieved almost immediately after the first drop.
What was Pantherian called before 2025?
The coaster opened in 2010 as Intimidator 305, honoring NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. It briefly ran as Project 305 in 2024 before being renamed Pantherian for the 2025 season.
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Photo: Dan Hood / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.