Project 2021/Drachen Spire: Intamin Multi-Launch Shuttle Giga Coaster [Cancelled]

General Information:​

"Project Drachen Spire," is a community-generated identifier for the Intamin-made, multi-launch, shuttle giga coaster that was originally slated to open at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2021. The attraction is planned to utilize the currently-vacant land behind Verbolten, Festhaus Park—the former home of Drachen Fire.

The coaster's main layout—as leaked before the addition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—featured two launches, two spikes (one spiral, one vertical-ish), and a couple of banked turns. Drachen Spire was designed to run two trains by means of a pair of switch tracks connecting the primary, shuttle portion of the layout to the station platform.

Important Articles:​

• Most Up-To-Date Understanding of the Layout:
  
  

  Leaked Electrical Plan Depicts Busch Gardens Williamsburg's 2021 Roller Coaster in Detail – BGWFans

  If there’s a god, he’s up there laughing this afternoon. Why? Because BGWFans just had one of those classic sitcom moments. Yesterday, we published our painstakingly detailed analysis of the footer plan for what we believe is Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s 2021 roller coaster—seemingly a huge...

  bgwfans.com
• Most Recent Status Update:
  
  

  Drachen Spire Height Waiver Extension Details – BGWFans

  Just over a week ago, we reported on the renewal of the notorious 355 foot Festhaus Park height waiver that was originally requested for the controversial, Intamin-made, multi-launch, giga, shuttle coaster we’ve dubbed Drachen Spire. In last week’s article, we were very careful to leave the door...

  bgwfans.com

NoLimits Model of the Layout:​

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Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

Additional Coverage (Newest to Oldest):​

• https://bgwfans.com/2022/drachen-spire-height-waiver-extension-details/
• https://bgwfans.com/2022/drachen-spire-height-waiver-renewal/
• https://bgwfans.com/2021/drachen-spires-slumber/
• https://bgwfans.com/2020/leaked-ele...-williamsburgs-2021-roller-coaster-in-detail/
• https://bgwfans.com/2020/busch-gardens-williamsburg-2021-shuttle-giga-coaster/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/germany-expansion-site-plans/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/2021-rpa-impacts-plan/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/newly-leaked-document-depicts-project-2021s-station/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/project-2021-height-waiver-vote-happens-tomorrow/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/born-from-the-ashes/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/bgw-project-2021/

Previous Thread:​

https://parkfans.net/threads/january-2019-festhaus-park-height-survey.5696/

 

[Zimmy]

We anticipate the conversation to go vertical very soon.

Or sideways... whichever

 

[b.mac]

Or sideways... whichever

Spinning around violently until it comes into contact with a tangible object and then careens across the room in another completely random direction.

 

[warfelg]

So I've been doing some thinking about this project lately, and I've landed at my personal "rock and hard place", so I'm going to throw this out there for the group. Would you rather:
~ A 'truncated one-trick-pony' coaster with additional flats and stands back there to create a whole new or mini-hamlet
OR
~ A full length all out giga that uses most the plot and does not give space for additional flats and stands and no new hamlet

The reason I've been thinking this:
If you want to go with the truncated one trick pony layout, you could put a bunch of stands back in there along with 2-3 other flats. You can take the traditional Germany hamlet, re-theme it to Switzerland or Austria (given it's 'set' in the Alps its not that big of a deal); keep Oktoberfest the same; and make this new area themed more to northern Germany. Both current German hamlets are more based on the southern end of the country, and culturally there's some differences for Munich and Hamburg and Berlin. I think you can do some cool things with that. Culturally Switzerland and Austria share a lot of similar things with the German Alps region.

If you go with the full giga layout, you get a better ride experience; but you loose the ability to full or mini-hamlet the area. I think the best you can do is a Black Forest idea back in there and 'expand' Oktoberfest back into there in some manner. I think the downside to this is it can limit the creativity you can eventually have with NuKastle/DarKastle building, in that you might not be able to go as 'dark' with the story line.

I keep bouncing back and forth on this idea. I think BGW is running out of logical easy access areas if they ever wanted to do an expansion of hamlets (without 'getting rid' of one). So I would like to see them do a 'bigger' fill out here by giving me a compact giga that's one-trick and a whole new themed area. On the other hand (since I've moved into the area) the coasters we've been getting feel 'incomplete' (I can expand more if you want me to) and I think I would like them to go all out in creating the biggest longest fastest giga, much like Griffon, Apollo, Alpie were when they came out.

 

[Celticdog]

....~ A 'truncated one-trick-pony' coaster with additional flats and stands back there to create a whole new or mini-hamlet...


...The reason I've been thinking this:
If you want to go with the truncated one trick pony layout, you could put a bunch of stands back in there along with 2-3 other flats. You can take the traditional Germany hamlet, re-theme it to Switzerland or Austria (given it's 'set' in the Alps its not that big of a deal); keep Oktoberfest the same; and make this new area themed more to northern Germany. Both current German hamlets are more based on the southern end of the country, and culturally there's some differences for Munich and Hamburg and Berlin. I think you can do some cool things with that. Culturally Switzerland and Austria share a lot of similar things with the German Alps region....

...So I would like to see them do a 'bigger' fill out here by giving me a compact giga that's one-trick and a whole new themed area. ...

I'm leaning more toward this idea based upon the documents that Zachary discovered late last year. Those documents showed changes and modifications to the Rhine River that would create a dedicated forebay to handle the stormwater. Those modifications are significant enough to give me the impression that the FP area will get much more than just a coaster. By contrast, the Festa/Pantheon side did not make any significant modifications to the Rhine. Pantheon is simply a coaster with minimal impacts to upstream areas. By adding more walkways, buildings, flats, etc would create the need for more significant stormwater management. I believe, just like Warfelg, that this area could be so much more.

 

[Jonesta6]

Weren't those storm water modification plans part of the cancelled Madrid project though? If so, then it's more likely we're getting a coaster only.

Also, given that the leaked station design puts the entrance and exit on the same side because of an unknown obstruction, it seems less likely there's going to be anything else but the coaster.

However, to counter myself - what if the obstruction was part of a new building or flat?

 

[----------------------]

My vote is for a one trick pony and nothing else.

 

[thopping]

... Would you rather:
~ A 'truncated one-trick-pony' coaster with additional flats and stands back there to create a whole new or mini-hamlet
OR
~ A full length all out giga that uses most the plot and does not give space for additional flats and stands and no new hamlet

Option #3, real coaster + hamlet w/ new flats/darks, which may not be possible in this area and likely isn't realistic. Given what's on the table, I'll go with #2. I'd prefer a real coaster than a one-trick pony. Some new flats would be good too, such as what would be in a new hamlet, but there's plenty of infill space around the park, plus the CoDK shell, to add more w/o the cost of a hamlet. Plus, I don't believe the park is interested in traditional amusement flats. If it can't be marketed on its own as a reason to come, the low draw versus the ride ops will kill their ROI calculations. I don't see much being added "to round out" the park.

The reason I've been thinking this: ...

Yeah, your logic is sound and I agree. Completely agree with the mini-hamlet theming comments. I've notionally called it "Bavaria" in my mind, because that's what the park called the village that BBW went thru--not a true mini-hamlet as it was backstage, but still... As for the cultural differences, etc. etc.--you and I think that way, I doubt the park does. IMHO, they feel the GP sees it all as "Germany." Thus, if there were a new hamlet, I'd expect them to call it "Spain" (or something missing), and if a mini-hamlet, maybe call it one of these ideas but not make a big deal over it. Like the small themed area where Alpie is--Swiss alps or whatever.

I think BGW is running out of logical easy access areas if they ever wanted to do an expansion of hamlets (without 'getting rid' of one). So I would like to see...

You're right, but my biggest takeaway from your post is that it actually gives me renewed hope for a real (not one-trick pony) coaster. IF the park feels similarly--i.e. that you ought to do a hamlet because it's one of the last easy options--I don't see them taking that route. Hamlets cost money--buildings, theming, and most importantly, people to staff it all. You're right next to Oktoberfest for services, and flats they can really add anywhere, so is the ROI for a hamlet justified? In my estimation of their logic--no. As Pantheon and 2021 take shape, I think the new hamlet idea is dead unless they ever expand across Grove Creek or replace surface parking w/ a garage--and I don't see either as likely. So "maybe" we'll see a real coaster, as a one-trick pony could be lost, and they really don't want to build out much over there to mitigate that...

Those documents showed changes and modifications to the Rhine River that would create a dedicated forebay to handle the stormwater.

So valid counterpoint. I've done some hydrology work, but I lack enough experience and knowledge of the site plans to make a guess as to whether a coaster alone would necessitate the forebay. My guess is a larger coaster would, coupled with updated requirements since DF was built there, and the forebay doesn't mean hamlet, but just my guess...

 

[GrandpaD]

I really don't see a new hamlet, even if they had ample land. For this project I'd anticipate an extension of the "Black Forest" that's conveyed with the picnic area name/Verbolten storyline.

I totally understand the "it's too far to walk" theory, but I'm still leaning toward a tower/medium coaster combo. With that, they could conceivably add a flat, a couple of shops and maybe restrooms. However, I think if that were to occur it would be phased with the two larger attractions and reconfigured DF stand the first year due to costs. A new flat/shop(s) would be 2022 for the "we add something every year" program.

However, to counter myself - what if the obstruction was part of a new building or flat?

One thing we've not considered in hypothetical layouts is the maintenance shed. I'm wondering if it's not going to be placed near the old DF station exit, which is why the leaked plan indicated both enter/exit on the same side. Perhaps that's what the dotted line ”track" was indicating.

 

[Lcucu3]

I'm by no means well versed on all the BGW news and plans, but didn't the park mention that they were going to focus less on hamlets and more on attractions? If this is true I don't think I could see them expanding FP into another hamlet, but rather just adding in one coaster, whether it be a fully fleshed out giga or a red force-style launched coaster.

 

[Zachary]

but didn't the park mention that they were going to focus less on hamlets and more on attractions?

Yep. Kevin told Nicole and I that exactly.

 

[b.mac]

Amazing how details like that are gleaned over in...

*checks page count*

105 pages.

 

[warfelg]

FWIW I didn’t slide over certain details, and I know that was said. However this will be a second coaster set off a bit and by no way did I mean to insinuate they should do so right away.

I fear there might not be too much of an eye to the future at BGW right now (well more than KD but that’s another thing). But as I said, and my enquiry is more around, would you rather see them give themselves space to do more, or just use the plot entirely and start to limit their growth space?

 

[thopping]

I took it that way... and same answer: the better coaster. I don't see them doing more (adding stuff to reserve space left over from a small coaster) any time soon even if it were an option. Given where the park and SEAS are financially and competitively, build whatever will draw the most people now, and then next year, and the year after (and that's their plan as I understand it). Don't worry about hypothetical expansions in that space years from now. Sure, have a plan for options...but none of that is possible if they can't justify it economically, and they can't do that without a major boost in attendance. So long-term viability necessitates maximizing short-term decision-making, within reason, in my mind.

They also have plenty of space (compared to many parks), so while this is one of the last easily built out areas, it isn't like they are hemmed in like Disneyland or something. Granted, it would require major expansion/investment, but they could do one of the scenarios I mentioned. But there's no chance they will ever expand (hamlet-wise) if Pantheon & 2021 aren't big successes. And I just don't see a one-trick pony as being a huge draw.

 

[Zimmy]

I know I may be alone on this, but I just do not feel the NEED for a new hamlet. More flat rides certainly, but I am not sure about a hamlet

 

[warfelg]

I know I may be alone on this, but I just do not feel the NEED for a new hamlet. More flat rides certainly, but I am not sure about a hamlet

So what drove me someone to be thinking that is that the major flat added since I moved here drew lots of ire (Finny's Flyer) because of what happened to the views of the area. So I was contemplating how we can add more flats without having to lose anything.

 

[GrandpaD]

So what drove me someone to be thinking that is that the major flat added since I moved here drew lots of ire (Finny's Flyer) because of what happened to the views of the area. So I was contemplating how we can add more flats without having to lose anything.

Flat(s) could be added to FP depending upon what major attraction 2021 is going to be. As indicated by the former park president, we won't see new hamlets... probably just extensions of what is there now.

In regards to your last sentence, why not start a "concepts" thread with a map or two? It's hard to tell topography with Google, but I see some areas (treed area adjacent to Little Balloons as example) that could be considerations.

 

[warfelg]

I see some areas (treed area adjacent to Little Balloons as example) that could be considerations.

The issue was that trees were removed.

 

[GrandpaD]

The issue was that trees were removed.

Sorry, I interpreted the issues you stated -
1. Not losing anything (I thought you meant existing attractions and not flora)
2. Views (no idea you meant views of flora)

Unless they can come up with floating flats to put them in other areas of the park in presently uninhabited areas, trees would have to be lost.

 

[thopping]

I agree, a long-term planning thread would be good. Not simply ride concepts, but more on the topic of expansion space planning options. I would be very surprised if the park didn't have a 20-year or whatever plan that identified areas for infill expansion and potentially the two options I mentioned (across Grove Creek and the parking areas) for more substantial expansion (heck, where SP in the France parking lot would go was probably long identified as a potential expansion location).

But...again on 2021, @warfelg's post gave me hope, as the one trick pony would be kind of lost back there. And being out of the way was a secondary reason for DF failing. They could have the same situation with the primary reason being a one-trick pony niche draw ride, versus an overly rough, poorly executed concept thus low draw ride. But if the idea is to mitigate the out of the wayness with more stuff, mini-hamlet, hamlet, whatever... I just don't see the park doing it for the reasons I wrote above.

So address both of these concerns by just doing the thing right as a proper coaster now. Draw the biggest crowd you can, then see what will do the same in the following years. And that's probably not a hamlet, as much as I would love to see a new (properly-done) one.

 

[Jonesta6]

What if it's actually some kind of observation tower?

Not trying to stir the pot so much with that thought, but thinking many of the other SEAS parks have them and I'd guess they aren't that expensive to build compared to coasters.

This would give them some money to invest in a small terrain coaster (per the leaked blueprints - a Maverick type ride with terrain would be awesome even if Pantheon is supposed to be like that on steroids) and either other flats or small revenue generating facilities such as food/drinks, games, or merchandise - any of that would start small and continue rolling out for a few years.

It'd be kind of cool to see the cheap carnival games in Oktoberfest replaced with permanent drinks/food stands (permanent locations for Bier Fest), which in turn would allow them to remove such stands from the middle of the paths. This would also free up staffers to go work in the new area food/beverage/merch/game locations.

Anywho, not sure if this belongs more in the concepts thread, so I apologize and thanks for reading my book!