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

Animated Pre-Creation:​

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Yeah if you ask me I will only push for opening day for the VA parks. I would like to get up to Hershey for the angry kitty opening, but it's...........4 hours away and this is 50 minutes away. Much bigger difference on getting to a short notice grand opening.

 

[horsesboy]

I am hear rumors that there have been significant issues that have only recently been taken care of with testing.

 

[Jonesta6]

I am hear rumors that there have been significant issues that have only recently been taken care of with testing.

Can you elaborate?

 

[Coasternerd]

It’s an Intamin. That should tell us everything, lmao

 

[horsesboy]

Can you elaborate?

It's an Intamin issue involving a very important function of the ride system.

 

[Zachary]

I had heard rumors about braking issues, but haven't seen any proof.

(A BGW family coaster running faster than anticipated?! What a rare and unexpected problem! )

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Intamin doing their best Norfolk Southern impression I see.

 

[CoasterFan2735]

It's an Intamin issue involving a very important function of the ride system.

My guess is one of the launches or the switch track.

 

[Coasternerd]

(A BGW family coaster running faster than anticipated?! What a rare and unexpected problem! )

Solution: slow the launches

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

or alternatively just let it be ridiculous like they did with verbolten

 

[Icer]

My solution for bad brakes is just a thicker bumper

 

[madmax]

What if it runs like Jet Rescue in Australia

 

[CoasterMac]

Oof. Not great to hear, but I can totally see the braking being an issue. Check out a fellow straddle coaster Namazu @ Vulcania here, you can see the totally average speed it enters the brakes at & how long it takes to actually stop. If for some reason the train MUST fully stop on the final brake run before it hits the last switch, I can see that being a big problem if, say, the switches aren't aligned properly.*

Not a lot of braking force generated with these flat magnet brakes.

[*Logically, the train should not be capable of launching through Launch 2 if the switches aren't in the correct positions. I'm just kicking tires on scenario testing]

 

[VikingvadR]

New statue going up where the wolves statue used to be.

 

[Mushroom]

That makes me happy. It’ll be hard to top the wolf statues, but I was worried they were going to just leave the center of that area empty.

 

[Icer]

New statue going up where the wolves statue used to be.View attachment 28768

Ah yes, legs.

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

Any word yet on if there will be a preshow in the old room?

 

[Zachary]

My impression is still no, but I haven't gotten confirmation one way or the other. If anyone knows and wants to have it put out there, let me know.

 

[qdeathstar]

On the sign, it screams “kid freindly” which is why I think they went for the font so that tweens and parents wouldn’t think the ride is scary…

 

[Zachary]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source