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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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

 

[Memles]

Is this a pre show or just a static picture?

No idea how it functions during a normal running period, but it does activate a variety of different effects sequences based on what we saw yesterday. Whether this is just an ongoing cycle or a pre-show with some additional elements (audio, etc.) remains to be seen.

 

[saltytaco]

I think the theming could use more sectioning or isolation if that makes sense. There appears to be a lot of light bleed from the elements to surfaces and what not that I think kinda go against my brain. That said maybe I'm not immersing myself because I rode lights on yesterday so I'm expecting everything lol. I think the coaster works though in its state

 

[Nicole]

There a few random lighting effects, props, and screens, but no storytelling.

Hopefully, it improves.

 

[enaosaka]

what are the lines like? I might still check it out tonight

 

[CoasterFan2735]

Overall I liked the queue a lot - they did a great job here.


I think the end of the ride when that purple light comes on in the break run is missing something. I remember seeing that full Ludwig uniform in the preview center and that remains to be seen…it’s a fun family ride - it just seems like it’s missing something.

 

[Zachary]

Very spoil-y thoughts here:

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[Nicole]

They are using the outside queue:

 

[TLancaster]

Does anyone know if they are allowing rerides today or is it still just one ride per pass? The line is out the castle now but also it doesn’t look like there is anyone collecting tickets anymore.

 

[Zachary]

Does anyone know if they are allowing rerides today or is it still just one ride per pass? The line is out the castle now but also it doesn’t look like there is anyone collecting tickets anymore.

Still collecting vouchers. Given the line, I think rerides are doubtful.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

The wait right now I was just told by the lady at the front is 1 hour and 45 minutes. I’m here so whatever I will wait. I’m wearing a Gatekeeper shirt if anyone wants to say hi or whatever I’m on my own tonight.

 

[madmax]

I was never a fan of DarKastle so lucky for me there’s no standard for me to compare this to

 

[RollyCoaster]

I thought it was platinum preview day? Lmao everybody and their grandmas is in this line right now

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Yeah I noticed they just did “members” and no “platinum exclusive” day this round.

The ultimate darkastle throwback? Long waits in this fancy queue especially in the sun.

EDIT: I’m standing in line, and they ostensibly started taking pictures of people at a point in the queue looking scared. Naturally every party with a young girl screams as loud as possible or something and it’s ear shattering listening to it over and over again.

 

[Thomas]

I was never a fan of DarKastle so lucky for me there’s no standard for me to compare this to

Don’t ever admit that in my presence again.

 

[Mwe BGW]

I enjoyed the ride and the indoor queue is very nice, but they have added a bunch of lights so the inside queue is now way too bright instead of dark when it was Darkastle.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

So I hate this line…..

 

[Full Send LSM]

So I hate this line…..

I am also stuck in line and it's not great

 

[mikes]

How many times did it break down yet?

 

[CoasterAuditor]

So it went down the second I stepped into the station. BGW loves trolling me right at park close too.

EDIT: I do not actually take any of it personally as that is silly.

 

[CoasterFan2735]

I just want to know what they’re going to do with Ludwig’s outfit that they so prominently displayed at the preview center.

I’m still hoping that maybe they’ll sneak one good Ludwig dad joke in somewhere after tech rehearsal is over.