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/

 

[SukaUniFl]

I hope you guys don't get a one trick pony that would be yucky to look at when going back thru the Oktoberfest area. Who knows maybe this is something that came up with with when Operation Madrid (Quick everyone Spain hamelet with a 355 ft dipping dots stand) My bad, but just my No Filter No Chill just Savage me how I am.
However, its Intamin maybe being so secret because this the new type of coaster they came up with, or please B&M winged coaster)

Hope you guys get an exclusive hybrid break records award winning coaster. Especially since me and the hubby are coming up next year for 3 days and then will be back up the following year.

 

[BGWnut]

It'd be a real disappointment to build Pantheon and then follow it up with a one trick pony that just launches into an overbank and a tophat, especially when that space could be much better utilized.

I've been wondering if it is a Red Force style coaster if they could also flip you so that you are inverted at the top. I think that would be pretty interesting and BGW could at least get some credit for doing something different when the concept.

 

[warfelg]

Ok, hear me out. What if it's a Red Force start, but more of an XCellorator/Storm Runner finish?

So come out of the station and slight turn left, launch up to the top of the hill. Up there you make a single 360 turn or multiple like Cheetah Hunt. Then you drop 90 degrees from where you started. Coming out of the drop is a massive overbanked turn, Hammerhead turn with bunny hills in between. Then a few low to the ground transitions, one last overbook, and breaks before returning to the station.

 

[Drachenwolf]

The brilliance of this coaster design is the time in line being about the same as the time on the ride. Strict enforcement of not allowing riders to “go again.”

My favorite part is the track to the maintenance shed is about as much track as the ride itself... I mean, how much maintenance is really necessary for such a short ride and wouldn't the main station serve as a perfectly acceptable maintenance location (considering it will likely be empty, often)? ?

 

[Drachenwolf]

I've been wondering if it is a Red Force style coaster if they could also flip you so that you are inverted at the top. I think that would be pretty interesting and BGW could at least get some credit for doing something different when the concept.

Had the same thought although I think BGW's priority would be a view of the park- "non-askew"- at the crest of their tallest ride.

 

[CarterGee]

A 'way too flat, open' area...
that likely has tons of concrete, piles and rebar beneath it (left over from Drachenfire).

I don't think that would prove as problematic as you might think. The land is much more valuable than the cost of removing existing footers.

 

[thopping]

I mean, how much maintenance is really necessary for such a short ride and wouldn't the main station serve as a perfectly acceptable maintenance location (considering it will likely be empty, often)? ?

If a one trick pony, probably a lot. My impression* is TTD, etc. has a bit of downtime.

*All anecdotal, and stories on the web from when it closed for extended periods (plus, chronic downtime when I visited CP). Anyone know of a source for downtime stats?

 

[jonfin826]

If a one trick pony, probably a lot. My impression* is TTD, etc. has a bit of downtime.

*All anecdotal, and stories on the web from when it closed for extended periods (plus, chronic downtime when I visited CP). Anyone know of a source for downtime stats?

I think DrachenWolf may have been referring to their own layout from the previous page. Is joke! (Or is?)

 

[basseyfish]

Any ideas when we might see and sort of teaser at all, or land work done? Is it possible we see something before Pantheon is open?

 

[Thomas]

I hope they do construction updates like they did with Finnegan's Flyer and Cutback.

 

[JohnD]

My favorite part is the track to the maintenance shed is about as much track as the ride itself... I mean, how much maintenance is really necessary for such a short ride and wouldn't the main station serve as a perfectly acceptable maintenance location (considering it will likely be empty, often)? ?

Albeit modest in scale, I presume the coaster would run up to three trains.

 

[Drachenwolf]

Albeit modest in scale, I presume the coaster would run up to three trains.

Minimum.

 

[Drachenwolf]

Any ideas when we might see and sort of teaser at all, or land work done? Is it possible we see something before Pantheon is open?

Wouldn't expect any official information whatsoever prior to Pantheon. Not likely to want to detract any hype away from a major project like Pantheon.

 

[FoozMuz]

There are blue markers between the train tracks and df maintenance building. Conceivably looks like it could be for footer locations.

 

[Jahrules]

There are blue markers between the train tracks and df maintenance building. Conceivably looks like it could be for footer locations.

What's the best spot for a photo of them? Train?

 

[FoozMuz]

Yes, only visible from the train. I will try to take a video.

 

[VACoasterFan]

Utility Flag Marking Cheatsheet
Having trouble memorizing what each color flag is used for? Use our flag color cheatsheet.

FLAG COLOR	USE
Red	Electrical utilities like power lines
White	Excavation
Pink	Temporary survey markings
Yellow	Gas lines like petroleum, steam
Orange	Communication lines
Blue	Water lines
Purple	Undrinkable water lines
Green	Sewer lines

For Future reference for Site development as things move along.

Paint, stakes or flags are all used in the color codes listed above.

 

[Jahrules]

They aren't necessarily utility markings though.. if Busch gardens is marking them for their own purposes the color may be irrelevant..

 

[FoozMuz]

Seems like an odd place and path for water lines. These are flags if that makes a difference.

 

[BGWnut]

They aren't necessarily utility markings though.. if Busch gardens is marking them for their own purposes the color may be irrelevant..

I agree it depends on whether this was BGW just marking stuff up for their own purposes or Utilities being marked. I will note however that the park did request utility markings so they could do soil samples not very long ago. It's possible these are related to that.