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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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

 

[Diamond Dave]

Is the wall in the last picture completely new, or is that an old facade being repaired?

It also kinda looks like the show room before the station has been gutted to the metal frame.

That facade was part of the DarKastle ride, used to have backlit stained glass.

I don't think you can see the pre-station showroom from these pics. It would be to the back left of the second photo, right?

 

[Dogface]

That facade was part of the DarKastle ride, used to have backlit stained glass.

I don't think you can see the pre-station showroom from these pics. It would be to the back left of the second photo, right?

Oh yeah I see now, I’ve got it all spun around

 

[Coaster Takes]

For full disclosure, these photos weren’t privately sourced by any means. They were on a construction worker’s very public social media account. I’m not going to go out of my way to provide it because it’s managed to remain under the radar for months speaking that the pictures of the facade and station were posted back in May.

 

[tursiops]

For full disclosure, these photos weren’t privately sourced by any means. They were on a construction worker’s very public social media account. I’m not going to go out of my way to provide it because it’s managed to remain under the radar for months speaking that the pictures of the facade and station were posted back in May.

Interesting. I thought it seemed not as far along as I was guessing, but it could be quite a bit further now.

 

[definitelyNotAnEmployee]

Interesting. I thought it seemed not as far along as I was guessing, but it could be quite a bit further now.

you can see inside from the parking lot behind the festhaus when they leave the big garage door thing open. there are a few supports up in an area outside these photos, but nothing substantial looks to have changed.

 

[Murphy]

This may have already been mentioned, and it’s really of no consequence, but you can see quite a bit of track laid out on the grass outside the fence on the right at the tail end of Alpengeist.

 

[Darkoastie]

Any updates ?

 

[RollyCoaster]

If there was I’m sure somebody would have posted.

 

[Jahrules]

Any updates ?

You're the mechanic; you tell us...

 

[Zachary]

Any updates ?

Most of the track has vanished from view outside the building so the layout is likely nearly complete.

 

[mikes]

Most of the track has vanished from view outside the building so the layout is likely nearly complete.

So that must mean they are busy with the elaborate sets now....

 

[Howl-O-Scream Fanatic]

By "elaborate sets", you mean spraying everything in sight with a thick coat of black Krylon, right?

 

[Zachary]

To be honest, the fact that they've been so aggressive on the ride installation schedule should maybe provide a little hope as per theming and/or effects. To be clear, I've not heard any positive rumors hinting in that direction, but there's definitely time to do a lot more than we're currently imagining.

 

[tursiops]

By "elaborate sets", you mean spraying everything in sight with a thick coat of black Krylon, right?

You mean Great Value black paint. No way they budgeted for name brand paint.

 

[Icer]

I've not heard any positive rumors hinting in that direction

Have you heard negative rumors though

 

[warfelg]

Hot take:
I would be perfectly fine with a completely blacked out main even building, with the only theme elements being in the queue and switch track for reloop.

 

[Zachary]

Have you heard negative rumors though

Exclusively

Hot take:
I would be perfectly fine with a completely blacked out main even building, with the only theme elements being in the queue and switch track for reloop.

As long as it is justified through a coherent and well-conveyed story, I concur.

 

[Jahrules]

Exclusively



As long as it is justified through a coherent and well-conveyed story, I concur.

Meanwhile in BGW ride planning: "Grumble grumble: kids these days and their lack of imaginations... We leave rides with no theme to allow kids to imagine their own theme..."

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

Most of the track has vanished from view outside the building so the layout is likely nearly complete.

all of the track is gone as of today.

 

[I64 Trekker]

To be honest, the fact that they've been so aggressive on the ride installation schedule should maybe provide a little hope as per theming and/or effects. To be clear, I've not heard any positive rumors hinting in that direction, but there's definitely time to do a lot more than we're currently imagining.

Perhaps they are trying to extend the time it is SBNO?