Busch Gardens Williamsburg Project 2023: DarKoaster (Multi-Lap Intamin Straddle Coaster)

Important Articles:​

• BGWFans' full "Project DarKoaster" leak:
  
  

  Busch Gardens Williamsburg's New-for-2023 Roller Coaster

  BGWFans.com has exclusively obtained a bevy of information regarding a yet-to-be-announced, fully-indoor, multi-launch, family coaster currently in development for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

  bgwfans.com
• BGWFans' summary of the DarKoaster: Escape the Storm announcement:
  
  

  DarKoaster: Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Indoor Roller Coaster

  Everything we know about Busch Gardens Williamsburg's officially-announced, new-for-2023, multi-launched, family roller coaster, DarKoaster

  bgwfans.com

Animated Pre-Creation:​

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Major Updates:​

• July 15th, 2021: ParkFans member, @horsesboy, posts a rumor regarding possible DarKastle redevelopment plans
• November 25th, 2021: BGWFans begins teasing a Curse of DarKastle replacement
• December 2nd, 2021: Building permit filed for "modifications to existing Germany village building" valued at $3.5 million
• December 6th, 2021: BGWFans confirms that the Curse of DarKastle replacement is a roller coaster
• December 30th, 2021: BGWFans leaks "Project DarKoaster"
• February 10th, 2022: @Jahrules discovers a utility markings request for the area around DarKastle
• February 16th, 2022: DarKastle has been cleared out
• February 18th, 2022: Photos from inside DarKastle
• April 7th, 2022: DarKoaster plumbing and electrical permits found
• April 20, 2022: @horsesboy reports that stagged construction materials have been decreasing suggesting ongoing construction
• June 1, 2022: BGWFans reports that DarKoaster track is on-site and subsequently posts the first photos
• June 2, 2022: Busch Gardens Williamsburg teases Project DarKoaster for the first time
• June 14, 2022: BGWFans publishes DarKoaster photo and locker building plans
• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online
• September 6, 2022: Busch Gardens announces DarKoaster: Escape the Storm opening in 2023
• April 20, 2023: Busch Gardens announces May 19, 2023 as the opening day for DarKoaster, with a Members Only Preview starting May 11, 2023.

 

[warfelg]

Anyone find issue with the height requirement being 48 when they badly needed a 42 in ride?

No because the others like that are the exact same.

 

[Lord Robert]

First of all, glad they kept the DarKoaster name, it's great. Second, building off from the theme of DarKastle is a smart move that I'm not surprised they did that. From the video, it looks like the ride is going for an ice theme which considering the snowmobiles kind of makes sense.

 

[kmccarthy27]

Snowmobiles are just a way for SEAS to dodge having to pay Intamin for custom train moldings. The video showed the exact same trains as Wave Breaker but with a fancy paint job.

but different handlebars

 

[Coasternerd]

Also based on the video, it shows that bypass without spoiling the switches. During that video it also appears that the second lap around that it will have the initial launch area look ice covered.

 

[horsesboy]

but different handlebars

That an artwork image not a real one. Remember Finnigan's promo image had no restraint.

 

[Thomas]

Finnegan’s Flyer also didn’t look as ugly in the promo.

 

[Gavin]

DarKoaster | Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Escape the storm on DarKoaster®, the world’s first all-indoor straddle coaster, at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg.

buschgardens.com

 

[Zachary]

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[warfelg]

I rather like this:

King Ludwig’s abandoned fortress resurfaces as strange weather patterns have been recorded near the cursed castle grounds. Only the bravest souls will embark on snowmobiles in this dark expedition to discover the mysterious phenomenon. A supernatural force is imminent as explorers discover that they are evading more than just a raging storm.

If the animation is real and that’s what the event building is going to be like I feel some major Mummy vibes.

 

[Gavin]

Why does the DarKoaster face look like Joshua Gomez?

 

[Coasternerd]

Also note, like Pantheon, there is a 6’ 4” height max for this attraction.

 

[warfelg]

Per twitter the track is complete.

 

[tursiops]

Also note, like Pantheon, there is a 6’ 4” height max for this attraction.

I was just about to say that. That's ridiculous. I'd say no more Intamin coasters.

 

[warfelg]

Why does the DarKoaster face look like Joshua Gomez?

Is this secretly the Chuck movie we all want?

 

[Icer]

Hope they have the AC running overtime to make the inside of the building cold for this, would be a nice touch.

 

[Griffbolten]

The souvenir options should be epic.

Bring home a large picture frame? DarkPoster

Bring home a dog toy? BarKoaster

 

[kmccarthy27]

The souvenir options should be epic.

Bring home a large picture frame? DarkPoster

Bring home a dog toy? BarkKoaster

All with a DarSurcharge

 

[tursiops]

Why is this a limit of 76 inches but Wave Breaker doesn't list one? Same issue with Pantheon and Velocicoaster. Unless they just don't list the maximum online.

 

[Seaworld History]

Your souls are mine!

 

[warfelg]

Why is this a limit of 76 inches but Wave Breaker doesn't list one? Same issue with Pantheon and Velocicoaster. Unless they just don't list the maximum online.

Has more to do with ride envelope than anything else. The track crosses over itself and has a very limited clearance to do so.

IIRC most B&Ms have a 6’6” height limit.