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

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Mushroom said:
Since Pantheon being the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster also turned out to be false, someone should keep a running tally of fake “records” BGW keeps inaccurately awarding themselves.
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To be fair since there is no real industry standard for what, and how to measure these claims many parts seem to manipulate them. That is in no way defending what appears to be either just plain BS or just laziness in checking before claiming it in DarKoasters case. But I can make the argument that when you say multi launch you mean multiple different launch points which Pantheon might be the tastes of. Especially when you consider they didn't use the record rising number if launches in promotional material which supports only counting physical location if launches toward the number.
 
tiaba said:
Aren’t snowmobiles essentially just 20th Century sleighs? The old ride used sleighs as the ride vehicle, and now the lore has jumped ahead in time meriting the use of snowmobiles - at least that’s how I see it. I’m a bit skeptical to see the final design of the trains, but the concept image in the video made the trains look obviously like snowmobiles and it looked cool! I think it makes total sense for it go from a sleigh ride to snowmobile tour.

How does these not look like snowmobiles? These trains look aesthetically excellent, better than Verbolten even.
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They look like jetskis with tank treads on them. Which is loosely a snow mobile, but was very obviously a jetski with treads put on.
 
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I have to say that I’m scared. I’m actually very fascinated with Ludwig II and read about him all the time—all because of DarKastle. Like someone mentioned earlier, it was that fusion of history and fantasy that made the ride more special than any other ride I tried… even Disney couldn’t top it for me. The simple promo could give me more or less than it’s promising, but what I really want out of this ride is another fairy tale about Ludwig, a true sequel. Maybe I’m cheesy, but I think the lines of DarKastle are brilliant and I quote him all the time. To not experience such an amazing character again, when I’ve missed it for so long, scares me.
 
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tiaba said:
Aren’t snowmobiles essentially just 20th Century sleighs? The old ride used sleighs as the ride vehicle, and now the lore has jumped ahead in time meriting the use of snowmobiles - at least that’s how I see it. I’m a bit skeptical to see the final design of the trains, but the concept image in the video made the trains look obviously like snowmobiles and it looked cool! I think it makes total sense for it go from a sleigh ride to snowmobile tour.

How do these not look like snowmobiles? These trains look aesthetically excellent, better than Verbolten even.
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That man should see a chiropractor about his neck Jesus that’s cursed now that I saw it
 
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Noticed on the website:
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.

Escape the storm on the ALL-NEW DarKoaster™, the world’s first all-indoor straddle coaster, launching in 2023 at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg. Traveling on snowmobiles across 2,454 feet of track, daring explorers race through total darkness while changing course to avoid the elements. As the weather strikes, riders encounter four accelerating launches on this family-friendly dark ride experience.

Edit: Considering they explicitly state "total darkness", I wouldn't get my hopes up for super intricate theming.
 
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Nicole said:
I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions from random marketing language. Besides, they told people at the media what would be inside the building. Anyone can watch that video.
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But considering SEAS' thought process that could also hold completely true, especially if they decide to cut the budget to not allow those thematic elements. However, I just thought it was interesting that it was stated "total darkness".
 
Coasternerd said:
But considering SEAS' thought process that could also hold completely true, especially if they decide to cut the budget to not allow those thematic elements. However, I just thought it was interesting that it was stated "total darkness".
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I would think that it's a little late at this point to cut the budget. Pantheon's budget cuts were done early in the process I would be shock to see a significant cut this late into the project.
 
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I'd be surprised if there was any media utilized in the queue beyojd the DarKastle preshow screen. Neat idea though!

What is baffling me is how the park is going to justify guests walking up to and then entering a big haunted castle in order to board snowmobiles... to visit the castle...? Has the castle been turned into a tourist trap launching point for snowmobile tours of the grounds? Isn't that just Verbolten?

Just seems really messy narratively. Does anyone have any story concepts that could patch all of this together?
 
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Zachary said:
What is baffling me is how the park is going to justify guests walking up to and then entering a big haunted castle in order to board snowmobiles... to visit the castle...?
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Did a tour of the castle, now in the stables/garage to tour the grounds. Yes the VBolt repetitive but I personally don’t mind that when you got a themed exploration on yet another ride and two coasters the deal with interacting with gods not 200 feet from each other.

As for that last point:
It’s been decades since the the spirits have battled brave venturers into Mad King Ludwig’s grounds. Long enough that guests no longer fear the stories of old. But, all might not be settled as once thought as true crime stories focus on the old tails of the Mad King. Join the true crime fans to explore the ruins of Mad Kings Ludwig’s castle and grounds for clues to the rumors of missing hikers, and find that the epic battle may not be as settled as once thought.
 
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Zachary said:
I'd be surprised if there was any media utilized in the queue beyond the DarKastle preshow screen. Neat idea though!

What is baffling me is how the park is going to justify guests walking up to and then entering a big haunted castle in order to board snowmobiles... to visit the castle...? Has the castle been turned into a tourist trap launching point for snowmobile tours of the grounds? Isn't that just Verbolten?

Just seems really messy narratively. Does anyone have any story concepts that could patch all of this together?
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Could they flip the entrance and exit? New entrance has forest feel? Strom chases you to the castle then you do something to trap Ludwig and leave the castle safely?
 
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Zachary said:
I'd be surprised if there was any media utilized in the queue beyojd the DarKastle preshow screen. Neat idea though!

What is baffling me is how the park is going to justify guests walking up to and then entering a big haunted castle in order to board snowmobiles... to visit the castle...? Has the castle been turned into a tourist trap launching point for snowmobile tours of the grounds? Isn't that just Verbolten?

Just seems really messy narratively. Does anyone have any story concepts that could patch all of this together?
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The only way I can imagine the story would make sense to me is if we’re supposed to be on some sort of modern-day archeological expedition to examine the ruins of the castle — sort of like Escape from Pompeii — and the expedition team is using snowmobiles the navigate the castle grounds.

Even in the original ride, the loading station was supposed to be set at the outskirts of the castle, with the left turn out of the station leading to the “outdoors.” So I guess they could be using the old stables (station) as a “docking” area for the snowmobiles?
 
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Mushroom said:
The only way I can imagine the story would make sense to me is if we’re supposed to be on some sort of modern-day archeological expedition to examine the ruins of the castle — sort of like Escape from Pompeii — and the expedition team is using snowmobiles the navigate the castle grounds.

Even in the original ride, the loading station was supposed to be set at the outskirts of the castle, with the left turn out of the station leading to the “outdoors.” So I guess they could be using the old stables (station) as a “docking” area for the snowmobiles?
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I agree, this is the most probable scenario. Almost like Cobra's Curse where you walk through an ancient Egyptian dig site. As you journey on, you discover that the area has been cursed by an ancient spirit. You try to escape and narrowly escape the Cobra's Curse. SWSD's JTA has a similar storyline where researchers "Journey to Atlantis," then the intern takes a photo of Poseidon's Grotto that awakes and angers Poseidon. The researchers narrowly escape being stuck in Atlantis forever.
 
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Zachary said:
I'd be surprised if there was any media utilized in the queue beyojd the DarKastle preshow screen. Neat idea though!

What is baffling me is how the park is going to justify guests walking up to and then entering a big haunted castle in order to board snowmobiles... to visit the castle...? Has the castle been turned into a tourist trap launching point for snowmobile tours of the grounds? Isn't that just Verbolten?

Just seems really messy narratively. Does anyone have any story concepts that could patch all of this together?
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But with snow
 
On a dark mountain highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There wolves stood in the doorway
I heard the castle bell
And I was thinking to myself
"This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"
Then Ludwig lit up a candle
And he showed me the way
There were voices down in the trees
I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel Darkcastle
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel Darkcastle
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it here
His mind is transalvania-twisted
He got the Mercedes Benz
He got a lot of pretty, pretty wolves
That he calls friends

….

Just to hear them say
Welcome to the Hotel Darkcastle
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel Darkcaslte
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis
Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice
And Ludwig said, 'We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device"
And in the master's chambers
Wolves gathered for the feast
We stab them with our steely knives
But we just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
"Relax, " said the night man
"We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave"
 
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Jonesta6 said:
Better have the guitar solos at the end of they go that direction
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Not in the budget for this year but my sources are telling me they plan on passing out Kazoos to the que for the opening day so everyone can get into character to the tune of their own song.
 
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