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

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Got in line a little after 4 yesterday and it was already pulling an hour. I'm afraid with how low capacity is, this might be a coaster you'd need to hit first thing in the morning.

I enjoyed the queue. I'm sure once they get the TVs working, we'll get some kind of backstory. There's a plaque where the first set of ski props is basically giving you the preshow from the original ride.

There's audio playing in the preshow that sounds similar to the phone calls in the back office at Verbolten. Unfortunately there's no preshow. Yeah the interior is brighter than it was as Darkastle, but you can see a lot of the props better that way.

That being said, with how low capacity is on Darkoaster, I'd imagine all the props within arms reach will be tagged up pretty soon. I hope the park has a solution to that as it didn't take long for Verbolten's props to get tagged up.

Ride itself is fine. Not too intense. It does feel incomplete inside though. I hope they add some dialogue and a few more audio effects in the building. I love the 2nd/4th launch. Those were surprisingly powerful. With how quotable the original ride is, there's no reason to not add references to that.

I didn't really have any issues with the seats on Wave Breaker or the motorbike seats on Hagrid's so the seats on DK didn't bother me much either.

Unfortunately Wave Breaker's operations carried over. The line moved at a steady pace most of the time, but once we got to the station, the line speed dropped dramatically. I definitely recall Wave Breaker having the longest line in San Antonio so I can see DK being the same way.

The ride is probably the least intense of BGW's family coasters. I wish they were able to lower the height restriction too. I feel like 48 inches is way too high for a coaster like this. It still doesn't completely fill the gap Darkastle left in terms of height requirement unfortunately.

Overall if more set pieces on the ride and in the queue are coming, I can't wait to see what the park has in store. Solid addition, but the low capacity and currently unfinished nature of the ride does hurt it a little.
 
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Alright now that I'm not in a 3 hour line or irritated at it, I'll provide my spoiler thoughts as well.

The ride is very cool smooth, has some tight turns that are fun to take in the straddle seat set up. I couldn't tell where the 2nd launch was because of how dark it was and how many things we're going on. (I felt it I just didn't know when it was coming despite watching the layout 100 times). The launches have some solid kick to them absolutely. The sudden lighting strikes are timed well enough to catch guests off guard. The ghouls are timed well to appear. I am disappointed there is a lack of purple smoke after the animation. None, no purple smoke at all except maybe on the projection screens. You do not stop at any point during the course until the brakes like you might suspect. I will note there were a bit less effects on the 2nd lap on my ride. I largely find the ride experience satisfying and unique to where it fits among the ride lineup nicely. Families are going to love it when the line isn't insane, which I have to say based off my experience tonight with the throughput is not going to be a common occurrence.

I haven't noticed it mentioned quite yet but the portrait of Ludwig in the former pre show room appeared to have several different animations that it would do every few minutes. Some of them are fun throwbacks to DarKastle so be sure to look at the portrait each time to see what Ludwig is up to. I like the addition overall and I look forward to riding again and including it in my day when I visit BGW. Sadly it is very likely going to be skipped if the line is remotely long, there's just more interesting rides at the park to me to wait in that line again. This is absolutely the rope drop ride now, as if you plan to ride it, it will likely delete a part of your day at the park if the line is built up. I was surprised it only went down once that entire wait (right when I got to the loading platform naturally) so that gives me optimism for its reliability. I would agree with the "tame Verbolten" comparisons at the end of the day.

As for the people who are going opening weekend next week, may God have mercy on their souls.
 
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I loved the portrait - one of the effects was a callback to when wolf Ludwig lunged at the sleigh on DarKastle. That is an awesome touch! I think if they add some more physical props and effects to the main ride itself and a little more backstory to the queue, I think I will like it better. Overall, it’s a fun ride but I will not wait hours and hours for it. I’ll sprint to Oktoberfest at park opening to ride it before I wait all day.
 
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I will say that this ride did blow me away because there was actually some effort on the theming, but I can see where some people can be underwhelmed. However, the ride is still very fun, actually family friendly in regard to the forces (whaaaaaaat? BGW actually built a family friendly roller coaster?!?). Anyways, there are people losing their shit on Facebook about how it’s too scary for their kids and that they should’ve themed it to something else (and I quote) “Europe in the Air”.
 
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Coasternerd said:
I will say that this ride did blow me away because there was actually some effort on the theming, but I can see where some people can be underwhelmed. However, the ride is still very fun, actually family friendly in regard to the forces (whaaaaaaat? BGW actually built a family friendly roller coaster?!?). Anyways, there are people losing their shit on Facebook about how it’s too scary for their kids and that they should’ve themed it to something else (and I quote “Europe in the Air”.
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Oh I saw that suggestion and gave that a massive eye roll.

Well if it’s too scary, go ride Grover…geez.
 
I'm still debating heading down Sunday or waiting to burn up my QQs from last year to ride this. My expectations for this ride are something like Slinky Dog Dash but indoors with a different seat (a carnival Tron Lightcycle if you will)
 
sotomexx said:
I'm still debating heading down Sunday or waiting to burn up my QQs from last year to ride this. My expectations for this ride are something like Slinky Dog Dash but indoors with a different seat (a carnival Tron Lightcycle if you will)
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Slinky is better, DK is not as smoothe and the only elements are really the launches. Slink has the launches plus some weightless parts as well as the whoop de whoops toward the end.

 
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madmax said:
Are you sure about that
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Yes there are two?

netdvn said:
I enjoyed the queue. I'm sure once they get the TVs working, we'll get some kind of backstory. There's a plaque where the first set of ski props is basically giving you the preshow from the original ride
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The Tv in the outdoor section was blank for and extended time, maybe all day right up till 9pm, then randomly it started playing adds to upgrade membership. The two screens inside the queue just before load will be to explain how to board since you need to cross much like Tron does, since this is not the norm for US coasters it needs to be explained to speed the process.
 
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madmax said:
With basically no acceleration
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I dont consider what you get in DK to be noticibly faster. I mean the first in Slinky gets ypu up and over the first hill, DK has no hills basically. To be honest DK is like riding in a car with someone that does not know how to use a gas pedal and gives it gas then completely lets off before giving it the gas again.....over and over.
 
Being that I rode Slinky last year and DarKoaster yesterday, DarKoaster is certainly more thrilling in my opinion. It has much faster pacing than Slinky.
 
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Alright. I planned on starting a “tipsy coaster Thursday” review series on the forum, starting with DarKoaster. Unfortunately, after 3 hours of waiting, I was sober when getting on the ride.

Tipsy Coaster Thursdays will start another day I guess.

With that out of the way… It was fine. Will I ever wait over 3 hours for it again? Fucks no. I’d maybe wait about 30 minutes for it.

The theming is still confusing as hell. There is still a hurricane in Virginia taking place somewhere in the story in a ride themed to ice, storms, ghost hunting, and GERMANY, but I digress.

The queue is too lit. The station is too lit. The actual ride was nice and dark when I rode. It was hard to see elsewhere in the track area, but I believe an extra $50? $100? For a scrim to block station lighting would help a lot. Fun launches, cool effects, and you get eaten at the end of the ride (still best part)

If I could just get a backstory as to why all this shit is happening at the same time in this castle I’d be more inclined to favor the attraction.

The pre-show room needs work, and they need to tell the ride attendants to just shut up in the station. All the “are you ready to ride” bullshit is so annoying on themed attractions, especially one with themed music/spiels. ESPECIALLY after waiting over 3 hours. They need to consider bathroom passes or the addition of a water fountain in the queue as well.

7/10 “It’s “Ight” but it’s no Curse Of DarKastle”
 
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