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

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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:
    bgwfans.com

    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...
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  • Most Recent Status Update:
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    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...
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BGWnut said:
I meant for the area. There aren't even any buildings in Williamsburg that are close to that height. There's not really a need for a hotel if that size at the park.
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It depends on design/layout/room sizes. Parks are starting to see the value of having their own controlled hotels, even if it’s submanaged. There’s a lot of money in hotels. It would make sense for them to build their own.

Williamsburg also has a big gap in its hotel market. You got expensive and cheap. In my experience there’s few well priced family suites.

And if SPW becomes a reality, the SEAS properties will become a 2-3 day destination for families. So being able to package a stay for the park is a big plus financially. Not to mention the inevidiable eateries and entertainment opportunities that come with it.

That being said, the extra land around WCUSA makes much more sense for a project like that. Space for parking and expansion. Or use the Bavaria lot across the street.
 
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I completely agree on the need for a hotel and think it would be a great idea for BGW. I just think that size is a bit ambitious for their first hotel
 
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I agree WC would be the best location. And I doubt very seriously that The Woods Golf Course would like to see Busch Road turned into an access road to the hotel.

And, regardless of whether a train station is viable, I still think a smallish hamlet is the route they might take.
 
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GrandpaD said:
And, regardless of whether a train station is viable, I still think a smallish hamlet is the route they might take.
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So outlandish idea: have a tower ride in FHP encased in a stone facade part of the way that also houses a cliff diving platform complex similar to the old WC tower show. Tower of Gilbratar or something like that. Could be placed so that the stone could block the view of the VB show building.
 
GrandpaD said:
Here's the Williamsburg paper story -

As new rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg take shape, the park has put in a request for a project that has, so far, been unannounced....

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Fans first announced the height waiver application Wednesday, saying the project is named “Busch Gardens Project 2021.”

The group, which runs a website dedicated to investigating new developments and changes at the Williamsburg park, said the height waiver is requested for the Oktoberfest area.

In January, the fan group also reported the park was conducting a height survey in that same area.

The writer of the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Fans analysis of the application said it is “way, way too early to tell” what the structure will be....
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About damn time Nicole, Zachary, Gavin, and everyone who helped them got some frackin' credit from the local press.

lce said:
Challenge accepted.
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I spent the equivelent of 1 man year's worth of day in the OLD JW Marriott in Dubai in my 2.5 years in the gulf. (the rest was split between my Flat in Bahrain and the JW Marriott in Kuwait City.)
IT WAS BY FAR THE BEST HOTEL EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. (And I have stayed at Marriotts and other similar level hotels all over the world)
When I saw that they were building this I was damn sad... Because I did not get to experience it!

*Marriott did not pay me for the advertisement.

madmax said:
Oh my god please no to a casino...
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No worries about that, Casinos are, for the moment at least, still illegal in the Commonwealth.
 
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it's actually going to be a 315 foot bridge to my house, duh.
 
Zimmy said:
About damn time Nicole, Zachary, Gavin, and everyone who helped them got some frackin' credit from the local press.


I spent the equivelent of 1 man year's worth of day in the OLD JW Marriott in Dubai in my 2.5 years in the gulf. (the rest was split between my Flat in Bahrain and the JW Marriott in Kuwait City.)
IT WAS BY FAR THE BEST HOTEL EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. (And I have stayed at Marriotts and other similar level hotels all over the world)
When I saw that they were building this I was damn sad... Because I did not get to experience it!

*Marriott did not pay me for the advertisement.



No worries about that, Casinos are, for the moment at least, still illegal in the Commonwealth.
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Actually thery are not. The general assembly allowing voters to vote to authorize one in their local. They can be on the ballot this year which would allow for construction to start in 2020. Right now the two mostly places for the first one are Norfolk or Portsmouth.
 
horsesboy said:
Actually thery are not. The general assembly allowing voters to vote to authorize one in their local. They can be on the ballot this year which would allow for construction to start in 2020. Right now the two mostly places for the first one are Norfolk or Portsmouth.
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Not quite. The law that was signed requires the legislature to reenact it in 2020 after a study on the social and fiscal impact of legalizing them. After that they can then be placed on ballots. Only 5 cities meet the requirements to allow a ballot measure currently. Those are Norfolk, Richmond, Bristol, Portsmouth and Danville. Norfolk and Richmond can only be built by the Pamunkey Indians. They technically don't need state approval unless they build it outside of their reservation because they are a federally recognized tribe.

Bottom line no casinos in Williamsburg for a while and that's if the legislature reenacts the law next year.

More information: https://www.casino.org/news/virginia-governor-signs-off-gaming-bill-but-casinos-not-legal-yet
 
horsesboy said:
Actually thery are not. The general assembly allowing voters to vote to authorize one in their local. They can be on the ballot this year which would allow for construction to start in 2020. Right now the two mostly places for the first one are Norfolk or Portsmouth.
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That's why I said, "for now..."
 
Heard that Bristol is attempting to get one moving into the former mall. Kind of unique idea. All kinds of room for gaming, meeting rooms, lounges etc.. All parking and infrastructure already on site just need to add an attached hotel.
 
halfabee said:
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Oh please oh please oh please

Lift hill might be a bit of a trick though.
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we all wish thats what we were getting but its most likely a star flier or new drop tower but i really wanna giga
 
Really don't think I'd say it's most likely. I think the case for both has been laid out pretty effectively. It might be a star flyer or windseeker but it's not a new drop tower unless they are removing MT which still has life left.

Personally I think it's a coaster and the whispers I'm hearing from people who work there indicate that as well. And I don't mean from people who are low level front line workers. These people should have some idea of future plans. They might not know the whole picture but they know pieces.
 
BGWnut said:
They haven't had concerts or anything back there since probably 2012. They've all been in the Royal palace. The park isn't broke. SEAS is building 5 coasters next year and they have committed to spending at least $150 million every year on new attractions across the chain. The money is there for a Giga.
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Getting excited!!
 
BGWnut said:
These are some exciting times. I never would have thought that we could potentially see two huge attractions coming in back to back seasons.



That's what I was getting at. Personally I think the park decided that they wanted to go truly record breaking with the tallest, fastest, etc. Giga coaster and B&M(my personal wish) wouldn't be able to deliver what they wanted in 2019 because of other previous commitments or because they wanted to not build something bigger than Fury 325 so soon so they pushed it back 2 years so they could get exactly what they wanted from the Giga.
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I definitely agree with you on this. I just got back from carowinds this past weekend actually and may i just say fury 325 is absolutely an amazing ride and seeing that they possibly pushed this back to get one is incredible. Now we know bgw has the permission to go up to 355 but they very well may just go to 330 or 315 theres no way to know. Seeing its most likely coming in 2021 next spring we may start seeing some markings and depending on how far out they may go may tell us the answer.
 
Jahrules said:
Not to get off topic. But let’s assume for a minute this project is indeed a roller coaster. Along with new hamlet and associated attractions.

One would think that at some point soon, our friendly neighbor to the West (KD) will have to respond (compete) with all the cool stuff we’re getting.

Fun times all around
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But i mean they have a giga already i mean if it is a coaster and becomes like fury i think they would respond with something but with what is the question
 
Seado said:
I definitely agree with you on this. I just got back from carowinds this past weekend actually and may i just say fury 325 is absolutely an amazing ride and seeing that they possibly pushed this back to get one is incredible. Now we know bgw has the permission to go up to 355 but they very well may just go to 330 or 315 theres no way to know. Seeing its most likely coming in 2021 next spring we may start seeing some markings and depending on how far out they may go may tell us the answer.
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I wouldn't count on any markings in the near future. MMXX barely has markings (some clearing work has recently started) and it's coming next year.

The more likely scenario is we'll see more filings with the local government and ascertain more info there long before any markings occur.
 
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