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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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

 

[Jahrules]

They're doing the pull-through envelope testing today, I believe. This means the theming is likely set in place.

It's pretty easy to set up "no theming"...

 

[Zachary]

I don't have info specifically saying this will happen yet, but, based on earlier schedules, I think there's likely a real possibility that DarKoaster could begin previews in February if BGW wants to do so. Still plenty of time for delays to appear during testing and whatnot, but that Facebook ad may not be totally off base.

 

[Coasternerd]

I don't have info specifically saying this will happen yet, but, based on earlier schedules, I think there's likely a real possibility that DarKoaster could begin previews in February if BGW wants to do so. Still plenty of time for delays to appear during testing and whatnot, but that Facebook ad may not be totally off base.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if the social media person has already been told when they’re hoping to open the ride, and that they may have dropped that to tease people. I wouldn’t be surprised if February would be member previews.

 

[ControlsEE]

We don't know what the lighting package (or theming) will look like yet.

And we'll never know...

BG- "They won't notice the lack of themeing if it's dark..."

Lol jk

I don't have info specifically saying this will happen yet, but, based on earlier schedules, I think there's likely a real possibility that DarKoaster could begin previews in February if BGW wants to do so. Still plenty of time for delays to appear during testing and whatnot, but that Facebook ad may not be totally off base.

I thought it was a real possibility that Pantheon would begin previews in late 2020... I think we all did to some extent... or at least we hoped...

 

[Coasternerd]

Well I just saw a YouTube ad that said Darkoaster is slated to open in spring.
“Opening Spring” is all it said.

 

[horsesboy]

Well I just saw a YouTube ad that said Darkoaster is slated to open in spring.
“Opening Spring” is all it said.

The Youtube video is likely a guess and not hard facts. For what it's worth a reliable source with info on another park's coaster project has told me that said coasters is going to be 2 tov3 months behind that park's original projected opening date do to supply chain problem on parts. It seems entirely likely that Darkoaster might face similar issues.

 

[Jonesta6]

The Youtube video is likely a guess and not hard facts. For what it's worth a reliable source with info on another park's coaster project has told me that said coasters is going to be 2 tov3 months behind that park's original projected opening date do to supply chain problem on parts. It seems entirely likely that Darkoaster might face similar issues.

@Coasternerd mentioned it was an ad - assuming it was an ad and not a teaser for another video, I find it highly unlikely anyone besides the park (or their ad agency/corporate) would be buying ad space for this ride (or any other park attraction).

 

[ControlsEE]

Spring 2025...

 

[TGOALA]

The Youtube video is likely a guess and not hard facts. For what it's worth a reliable source with info on another park's coaster project has told me that said coasters is going to be 2 tov3 months behind that park's original projected opening date do to supply chain problem on parts. It seems entirely likely that Darkoaster might face similar issues.

Saint Diago?

 

[madmax]

Some of you need to start proving you have sources because there’s a lot of “I heard” without any evidence to back it up.

 

[R75]

Not sure how true this is, but I was told by a park employee two weeks ago that DarKoaster was opening June 1st.

Again, I could be totally off here and I hope it’s sooner, but this is just what I was told.

 

[Jahrules]

Not sure how true this is, but I was told by a park employee two weeks ago that DarKoaster was opening June 1st.

Again, I could be totally off here and I hope it’s sooner, but this is just what I was told.

Did this park employee try to sell you some dippin dots by chance?

 

[R75]

Did this park employee try to sell you some dippin dots by chance?

I mean, is any other source as reputable?

 

[VB06Hokie]

I mean, is any other source as reputable?

 

[R75]

He wasn’t there the day I got this info, but usually I’d get a second source to confirm

 

[Burnouts]

Busch Gardens ad I just saw on YouTube says DarKoaster is “Opening this Spring”

 

[Zachary]

Something would have had to have gone VERY wrong for the opening to be pushed anywhere near June.

Also, the more likely than not, an opening day has yet to be finalized at this point.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

The marketing seems like it's more and more tying DarKoaster to Mardi Gras lately. The rewards on the website have a lot of DarKoaster themed items for all of Mardi Gras now. One has to think it's going to be available at some point during the Mardi Gras event.

 

[Coolguy15]

Opening it in the middle of the winter would be smart, but you know how SEAS operates. Fingers crossed fellas.

 

[ControlsEE]

Opening it in the middle of the winter would be smart, but you know how SEAS operates. Fingers crossed fellas.

Opening Pantheon in 2021 made sense...