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

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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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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.

 

[Howl-O-Scream Fanatic]

DarKastle wasn’t anything amazing tbh so it’s not like I really care

This just in: Some takes are incorrect.

 

[snowman6996]

Coin-op theming canons.... You heard it here first

Somehow I don't hate that idea. As long as I don't get wet.

 

[qdeathstar]

Darkastle was an incredibly boring ride. I waited three hours to ride it when it opened and I guess I got more from the occulous VR headset than darkastle. I don’t know what is the deal with the love affair. It’s a Disney type ride. So what. I’m not planning a trip to Disneyland.

 

[qdeathstar]

Somehow I don't hate that idea. As long as I don't get wet.

Sparkle cannon

 

[b.mac]

I figured out the parlor trick for Darkoaster, @Zachary can confirm.

It is simultaneously the dumbest yet most genius thing for such a small footprint.

 

[bill s]

Darkastle was a really good ride, but I didn't ride it every visit to the park, probably not even every other visit. It relied too much on novelty, which is lost with repetition.

 

[madmax]

I’m just glad the building is being used for something cool

 

[Dogface]

Coaster Talk Podcast used an image of Cheetah Hunt in the thumbnail

 

[rswashdc]

Coin-op theming canons.... You heard it here first

Just theme the quick queue and leave the regular line bare bone. That way it's both jump the line and experience the entire story behind the ride.

 

[Zachary]

Coaster Talk Podcast used an image of Cheetah Hunt in the thumbnail

They don't know any more than you do. Their live impressions will be wholly authentic.

 

[CarterGee]

Darkastle was an incredibly boring ride. I waited three hours to ride it when it opened and I guess I got more from the occulous VR headset than darkastle. I don’t know what is the deal with the love affair. It’s a Disney type ride. So what. I’m not planning a trip to Disneyland.

Yes, that stupid multimillion dollar attraction that came out... 7 years before the first Oculus

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I don’t really find a ton of value in just trashing a cool former ride just because it wasn’t Griffon, Alpengeist, or Apollos Chariot. Theme parks are about experiences and the roller coasters are one element to them. DarKastle was one of the coolest dark rides you could find outside of Universal or Disney in the world.

 

[panopticon31]

So what time is the article dropping today?

 

[madmax]

I don’t really find a ton of value in just trashing a cool former ride just because it wasn’t Griffon, Alpengeist, or Apollos Chariot. Theme parks are about experiences and the roller coasters are one element to them. DarKastle was one of the coolest dark rides you could find outside of Universal or Disney in the world.

I mean that’s not saying much. It was still a headache inducing ride with subpar effects.

 

[panopticon31]

I mean that’s not saying much. It was still a headache inducing ride with subpar effects.

 

[Howl-O-Scream Fanatic]

So what time is the article dropping today?

Knowing @Zachary, it’ll probably come out at 11:59 PM so that he can say he published it today. /j

It’ll probably arrive around 5:30 ET.

 

[Zachary]

Livestream starts around 6:15pm. I will be posting the article live while on stream.

 

[Icer]

@Zachary In the event that the tidbit of info you shared with me upon revealing my original prize info is once again revealed to the public with this article/podcast/Redbull sponsored skydive out of a plane, I feel it is in both of our best interests to make you aware that I have once attended an introductory law course in a summer camp in middle school, and I am not afraid to whip out my certificate of completion in a court of law.

 

[Zachary]

Speaking of super daring Redbull-sponsored skydives out of planes, I think the Coaster Talk guys may have worked out how to facilitate voice call-ins via Discord for questions and/or comments so I guess you all can air your grievances live on air.

 

[madmax]

Speaking of super daring Redbull-sponsored skydives out of planes, I think the Coaster Talk guys may have worked out how to facilitate voice call-ins via Discord for questions and/or comments so I guess you all can air your grievances live on air.

Is there a coaster talk discord?