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• July 18, 2022: Outdated photos from inside DarKastle leak online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

 

[Seaworld History]

That is roller coaster track.

It just looks weird, it’s too bent to be part of the track, right?

 

[Ryanator]

It just looks weird, it’s too bent to be part of the track, right?

Looking back at the video, I took a deep glimpse look on that where you circled in. It’s 100% roller coaster track.

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

it’s a tiny lil outerbank

 

[ControlsEE]

Personally, I love how the video was almost all indoor bts shots, yet the event is not going inside, or even able to view what is going on while they build it. I would assume they'll have some construction photos and maybe a video screen to show stuff, but otherwise, seems like this preview isn't a huge deal and won't reveal anything we don't already know. Will be cool to get back in the DK queue though...

 

[Drachenwolf]

This is a brilliant decision (partly thanks to covid).
Scrap that hideous, uninSPIREd Drachen-crap in favor of a family-friendly, highly-themed coaster to offset the extreme thrills of Pantheon.
Good choice, BGW.

 

[Jahrules]

This is a brilliant decision (partly thanks to covid).
Scrap that hideous, uninSPIREd Drachen-crap in favor of a family-friendly, highly-themed coaster to offset the extreme thrills of Pantheon.
Good choice, BGW.

For the record, the existence of DarKoaster does not mean that spire is dead. They are mutually exclusive...

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

if spire isn’t dead, what the fuck are they doing with with a 220 foot height waiver right next to spire

 

[Zachary]

if spire isn’t dead, what the fuck are they doing with with a 220 foot height waiver right next to spire

I recommend reading through the articles on BGWFans if you want to catch up. The 220 foot height waiver is for a non-Drachen Spire project. Drachen Spire's waiver was 355ft.

 

[Jonesta6]

I recommend reading through the articles on BGWFans if you want to catch up. The 220 foot height waiver is for a non-Drachen Spire project. Drachen Spire's waiver was 355ft.

Both are still active but is it realistic to assume the park will move forward with potentially two major attractions in the same space so close in time to each other?

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

i just assumed that drachen spire was dead, i can’t imagine them putting 2 coasters right there, especially both of insane size

 

[Jahrules]

i just assumed that drachen spire was dead, i can’t imagine them putting 2 coasters right there, especially both of insane size

Anything is possible, but as far as I know there isn't strong evidence in either direction at this point.

 

[horsesboy]

Back to Darkoaster. They seem to have made a fair amount if progress on the lockers and photo booth.

 

[Coolguy15]

Back to Darkoaster. They seem to have made a fair amount if progress on the lockers and photo booth.

Will the lockers and photo booth be in the same building like Griffon?

 

[Coasternerd]

Will the lockers and photo booth be in the same building like Griffon?

Looks like it.

 

[horsesboy]

Will the lockers and photo booth be in the same building like Griffon?

as far as I can tell yes but I might be wrong

 

[CoasterFan2735]

Is there any update on when we can anticipate this opening, besides “Spring”? It seems like marketing is doing a pretty decent job of promoting/hyping this up, I’m just wondering if I’m going to be driving up to BGW in March or April. Or both I would have thought they would have announced an opening day/weekend by now.

 

[ControlsEE]

Is there any update on when we can anticipate this opening, besides “Spring”? It seems like marketing is doing a pretty decent job of promoting/hyping this up, I’m just wondering if I’m going to be driving up to BGW in March or April. Or both I would have thought they would have announced an opening day/weekend by now.

If it was March, they probably would have posted something by now. Most likely, spring means April-May. Late spring is May-June. Early spring is March-April.

 

[Zachary]

Assuming current timelines remain intact, I'd be surprised if we don't see some sort of soft opening or preview period before the end of March.

 

[SkyGriffon]

Assuming current timelines remain intact, I'd be surprised if we don't see some sort of soft opening or preview period before the end of March.

i originally thought the preview center thing was ride previews, but i rewatched the video, and it is not.

 

[horsesboy]

Sources have confirmed pull through testing was completed in January and a full train is currently on the tracks. Vthe can't sources also confirm lots of theming work still needs to be done and no ride testing has occurred.


"In addition to being among the first to ride DarKoaster, your Membership offers unbeatable benefits all year long" That is from Kevin's email letter to members and seems to strongly suggest we will see a members preview period.