DarKoaster

[Zachary]

So, uh, why has Busch Gardens Williamsburg's newest coaster been relegated to weekend only operations this Spring...? Not even Tempesto gets that honor and it's always deserted on lower attendance days. Is something wrong with DarKoaster? Is it a maintenance issue? Ridership issue? Operating cost problem? Very bizarre move. If anyone knows more and can't share publicly, feel free to reach out. Super curious to know what's up.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

 

[Seaworld History]

So, uh, why has Busch Gardens Williamsburg's newest coaster been relegated to weekend only operations this Spring...? Not even Tempesto gets that honor and it's always deserted on lower attendance days. Is something wrong with DarKoaster? Is it a maintenance issue? Ridership issue? Operating cost problem? Very bizarre move. If anyone knows more and can't share publicly, feel free to reach out. Super curious to know what's up.

View attachment 32295

Damn, guess I’m going 2 days

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I genuinely find it fascinating they’re not running it on weekdays is that just in May this season? The ride is brand new and still gets 90 minute waits on weekends or more.

 

[Mushroom]

So, uh, why has Busch Gardens Williamsburg's newest coaster been relegated to weekend only operations this Spring...? Not even Tempesto gets that honor and it's always deserted on lower attendance days. Is something wrong with DarKoaster? Is it a maintenance issue? Ridership issue? Operating cost problem? Very bizarre move. If anyone knows more and can't share publicly, feel free to reach out. Super curious to know what's up.

View attachment 32295

Just wait until Holzfaller opens and is completely hidden in the back of Festhaus Park.

The NEW Big Bad Wolf*
*Open Saturdays 12pm-3pm

 

[Diamond Dave]

Just wait until Holzfaller opens and is completely hidden in the back of Festhaus Park.

The NEW Big Bad Wolf*
*Open Saturdays 12pm-3pm

*reservations required to be made and paid in advance online
*there's no cell service or wifi at the ride entrance, so I hope you downloaded your ticket in advance

 

[warfelg]

Has it been closed for maintenance lately?

 

[Celticdog]

It was not running yesterday (Thursday), which I thought was quite odd.

 

[Animator]

I'm willing to bet it is staffing issues. See if it opens back up during the week after colleges and high schools let out.

 

[Zachary]

If it is a staffing issue, it's alarming that BGW would pick DarKoaster as the attraction to shutter though, right? It's brand new.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I wonder if they decided during the week in the spring is a good time for maintenance if they want it running year round?

 

[warfelg]

I wonder if they decided during the week in the spring is a good time for maintenance if they want it running year round?

This is my thought.

 

[BGWfan]

Well it's not the only one.

 

[horsesboy]

If it is a staffing issue, it's alarming that BGW would pick DarKoaster as the attraction to shutter though, right? It's brand new.

My understanding is it's a combination of staffing and capacity. They want to use the limited staff on higher capacity rides to keep the crowd flow moving rather then have DK open with a line backing up.

 

[ciffar]

*reservations required to be made and paid in advance online
*there's no cell service or wifi at the ride entrance, so I hope you downloaded your ticket in advance

You surely aren't forgetting the $5 surcharge as well...

 

[Memles]

It opened with one train today, so maybe some maintenance dynamics at play as well? (We rope dropped, got on the third train, moved on with our day).

 

[snowboard83]

It opened with one train today, so maybe some maintenance dynamics at play as well? (We rope dropped, got on the third train, moved on with our day).

I am in line now. I know that one train ops over the winter only used Frostbite. Today's one train ops are Wild Wolf only. I'm assuming Frostbite is now getting its annual maintenance. So..I guess it makes sense to close it with more dismal throughput than usual.

 

[Mushroom]

1 train ops on DarKoaster are brutal. Doing some quick math, if we assume:

• New riders load every 3.5 minutes
• 10 riders per train (assuming 2 odd-number groups per train, leaving 2 empty seats)

60 minutes / 3.5 minute cycle * 10 riders = 171 riders per hour.

And that’s with some generous assumptions. Ouch.

 

[Jwanger93]

If these are the numbers, how does the park not justify the purchase of a 3rd train for the Alpengeist style maintenance rotation. There’s no way these numbers are viable.

 

[the_pantsmith]

I'm sorry I keep bringing this issue up in various threads, but I'm curious. I know Pantheon has a bar everyone must walk under to ensure they're under the height limit. I haven't been to BGW since 2021 but I won't even try to ride Pantheon for that reason. Does DarKoaster have a similar height check? I know there's a technical limit, but I'm curious if employees are as strict as they are on Pantheon, for both DarKoaster and even more so for the 2025 coaster.

I've found the level at which riders are checked for maximum heights varies wildly, even within the same park. Heide Park has a limit of 6'6 on almost every major coaster, and I was only asked for two of them (and ended up riding both). Phantasialand checked RELIGIOUSLY for Black Mamba (which I missed), but not at all for Winjas (which I rode like 6 times). Hoping BGW is the same. BGT will likely have my answer for project 2025 here soon.

Really hope the next coaster after 2025 if more accessible for taller guests. I hate having to worry about this stuff. If nothing else I can hold onto my pipe dream that the height limit will be removed like it was for El Toro.