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

wombat96 · Jan 20, 2020

CarterGee said:
Sure there isn't one nearby, but it isn't a one of kind. This also isn't an Orion - a ride with many siblings and one of the least exciting looking of all of them. I'm glad we're not getting that.

This.

From my understanding the now cancelled Project Madrid was to be a traditional giga coaster by B&M. However, it wasn’t going to be the best. With the announcement of Orion enthusiast instantly compared the coaster to it’s arguably superior predecessor. If the park went through with a traditional giga coaster it would’ve been extremely expensive, caused quite the disturbance to the sky line due to the arch like shape of the lift, and also not broken any records. This will be a worlds first and break many “records” that the park will now be able to market. Also, within that same budget they could then build Pantheon, another “record breaking” ride, boosting the coaster count

I would’ve loved to seen a traditional B&M giga coaster cross the Rhine. My #1 is Fury, but if BGW had gone down this path it would’ve only been one coaster, not as much to market, and likely been compared to its predecessors as a disappointment had it not been longer, taller, or faster. Pantheon and Project 2021 show that SEAS is willing to try new and different things to separate themselves from other parks by embracing uniqueness and trying to find rides that break “records” for easy marketing. Very smart move.

Dylon · Jan 20, 2020

Love the colors! I’m excited to see what’s to come from this coaster. I think I’d prefer an over 90 degree spike rather than a spiral tbh. All I know is having watched the videos and seen some screen shots this thing looks insanely stupid, stupid being crazy, different..etc. I’m excited for this. Pantheon imo will most likely be the better coaster, but the size of P2021 is...stupid.

Zimmy · Jan 20, 2020

Connor said:
This.

From my understanding the now cancelled Project Madrid was to be a traditional giga coaster by B&M....

It was? I do not recall this. I do recall lots of people saying they WANTED it to be a B&M, but I also remember people saying all kinds of crazy shit.

Was there any evidence that BGW had solicited any designs from anyone other than Intimin?

Vigil · Jan 20, 2020

I too am just not a fan of shuttle coasters. And I think it's a stretch to say it has a drop of 300' because of that shuttle coaster status. This is essentially Superman: Escape from Krypton--a ride from 1997--with a turn. Sure it's weird, but I'd rather have a coaster that didn't have to rely on it being weird as it's primary draw.

I promise I will warm up to it. Really the only reason I am disappointed is because I love TTD-like coasters because of the acceleration, and you just don't get the same feeling with the swing launches.

madmax · Jan 21, 2020

It’s gonna launch to 100+ mph. It’s still gonna be crazy even if it has a backward section initially.

BGWnut · Jan 21, 2020

Connor said:
This.

From my understanding the now cancelled Project Madrid was to be a traditional giga coaster by B&M. However, it wasn’t going to be the best. With the announcement of Orion enthusiast instantly compared the coaster to it’s arguably superior predecessor. If the park went through with a traditional giga coaster it would’ve been extremely expensive, caused quite the disturbance to the sky line due to the arch like shape of the lift, and also not broken any records. This will be a worlds first and break many “records” that the park will now be able to market. Also, within that same budget they could then build Pantheon, another “record breaking” ride, boosting the coaster count

I would’ve loved to seen a traditional B&M giga coaster cross the Rhine. My #1 is Fury, but if BGW had gone down this path it would’ve only been one coaster, not as much to market, and likely been compared to its predecessors as a disappointment had it not been longer, taller, or faster. Pantheon and Project 2021 show that SEAS is willing to try new and different things to separate themselves from other parks by embracing uniqueness and trying to find rides that break “records” for easy marketing. Very smart move.

It was never confirmed to be B&M. It is my understanding from talking to people at BGW that Madrid was always going to be made by Intamin and that it would have featured a drop of around 350' with the height of 315' and another 40' added to drop because it was dropping down to Rhine. And crossing to the drachenfire plot. This would have made it the world's tallest Giga lift hill. This ride would have opened in 2019.

Again from what I understand this was the plan and then SEAS was getting ready toadopt the strategy to bring a new ride, show or event every year and they reached out to manufacturers. It was at this time that Intamin suggested this 2 for 1 idea where the park would build two unique coasters in consecutive years. This lead the park to start the process of building Finnegan's much later than they normally would because we were getting Madrid this year.

Take that with a grain of salt. That's just what I've been told by people at BGW who should know what they are talking about.

Edit: Also just wanted to add that is a lot to assume about the quality of a ride that literally we have nothing confirmed beyond a 315' height waiver. For all we know it could have been a truly incredible coaster that would have been everyone's #1 or it could be like Orion and people end up disappointed. It's also unfair to judge these two rides against what might have been with regards to Madrid. Unless you happen to site plans you want to share...

IRideCoasters · Jan 21, 2020

First of all, huge thank you to everyone who worked on the article. Very well done. ?

As for the ride, I think it looks like a blast. Very unique and insane in the best way possible. I will be pretty surprised if the big spike ends up just being completely vertical. Like many of you though I really hope for some reason facing seats on the trains. Could have two pretty different experiences in one ride

CarterGee · Jan 21, 2020

Honestly, if I ran KD, I would be very stressed out. This is the kind of custom, weird, one of a kind ride that KD lost when Volcano got torn down. (also, Volcano was majorly overrated fight me) Pair this with Pantheon and not only do you have the launch capital of the Virginia, but also two one of a kind attractions in the US and an easy "most launches in any park" tagline (2 with Verbolten, 3 with Tempesto, 4 with Pantheon, and likely 3 with Drachen Spire = 12) and I think this is such a clear winner. Not only that, but the only coaster over 305ft for 300+ miles aaaannnnnd like... I don't see how this is any kind of misstep.

Sure, everyone wants the longest, fastest, whatever every time, but budget isn't limitless and I think this is an incredible win.

And before anyone says, "yeah well I'd rather have Pantheon and then wait a few more years for more $ for a full circuit ride"... You need to factor in opportunity costs. What will BGW earn how quickly with two super marketable rides? What will be lost as nearby park catch up? How much more expensive would this new ride actually be?

I don't think I've ever been more excited since I saw the Verbolten plans for the first time ?

rswashdc · Jan 21, 2020

It seems like this and Pantheon were specifically aimed at competing with Volcano and Intimidator 305. BGW would even up the ride experience with KD and use it’s better events and atmosphere to pull guests away from KD.

With Volcano torn down, and nothing big in the queue, KD is potentially playing from behind on both fronts - rides and guest experience.

warfelg · Jan 21, 2020

Ok so I said it last night, but I really want to reiterate, that I'm convinced there's something that there's going to be different about the cars. Here's my logic to this thinking:
~Having the turns, IMO, was not necessary to this ride. If they were going for the launch and height, they could have built a straight out and back 350 ft launcher with a brand new station for cheaper.
~Again, the "triple launch" isn't really necessary to have, so again there's got to be something really interesting going on with those.
~Lastly I feel like there's got to be something going on, otherwise this feels like they did something to hit 300+ for the sake of 300+. If that's the case, it makes me less excited.

All in all, I'm cautiously optimistic for this ride, but disappointed in BGW for choosing to hit 300+ in this manner. Especially since, IMO, there is a lot of things that BGW could have done in the meantime between this and Pantheon that might have allowed them more time to engineer something really special. Ultimately, I'm going to express myself with a gif:

KDcoasterMAN · Jan 21, 2020

*begins rant*

"It's not everyday a +300 coaster is built stop being snobs"

*Ends rants*

this thing should pack on hell of a punch and I don't know about you but I for one will welcome our Spire overlords with pleasure.

DRIFT · Jan 21, 2020

Lcucu3 · Jan 21, 2020

Easily one of the most bizarre and confusing concepts out there for a new coaster, interesting move for sure.
Anyways I’m honestly still really excited for this. I’ve always been a fan of rides that carry huge amounts of speed (Millie for example). Also that ravine dive into launch 2 up the spike looks to be picking up an absurd amount of speed. Will be crazy for sure

---------------------- · Jan 21, 2020

BOGO

Coaster

Thats exactly what this is, and i have that on good authority, ever since something like a year ago that I claimed the coaster was already paid for before it was publicly a coaster. Anything extra is very unlikely, even a 350ft beyond vertical spike.

Edit: im not explicitly trying to bash but so many of y’all are grasping at straws hoping that this will be more than it is.

BGWnut · Jan 21, 2020

ˁ˚ᴥ˚ˀ said:
BOGO

Coaster

Thats exactly what this is, and i have that on good authority, ever since something like a year ago that I claimed the coaster was already paid for before it was publicly a coaster. Anything extra is very unlikely, even a 350ft beyond vertical spike.

Edit: im not explicitly trying to bash but so many of y’all are grasping at straws hoping that this will be more than it is.

Doesn't mean that the ride won't be something really different and interesting which it is. I get that this is probably something that the park wouldn't have built unless they got a good deal on it. That doesn't mean that this won't be exciting, fun and weird.

Also BOGO is not entirely accurate. Intamin is not building this for free. I have it one good authority that BGW was making two separate payments to them for rides(not sure if they are still paying for Pantheon). This is really just a bundled price where the price for both was reduced if BGW bought both.

warfelg · Jan 21, 2020

I want to make a quick off topic comment if I may:

Telling people that they are being a snob because they don't like it, is being a bit snobby itself. Some of us feel like sharing our thoughts. Yes 300+ is exciting no matter what, but it's fair to criticize some things with any attraction we don't like and it's not 'snobbery'. Snobbery would be saying rather not have it; I think we all want it. But I do feel it's very fair to call this a letdown after Pantheon. I think it would be nice to still have gotten this combo, but if there's nothing extra special about this (unique cars, twisting spike, beyond vertical spike), I would have rather had this first Pantheon second.

Zachary · Jan 21, 2020

warfelg said:
I would have rather had this first Pantheon second.

Counterpoint: Marketing Pantheon after 2021 would be way harder. They will both be claimed as the fastest multilaunch coasters. Not possible if the order is reversed.

warfelg · Jan 21, 2020

Zachary said:
Counterpoint: Marketing Pantheon after 2021 would be way harder. They will both be claimed as the fastest multilaunch coasters. Not possible if the order is reversed.

Touche. Going 300+ then trying to market what Pantheon would have been much more difficult. That was more of a personal statement. 300+ is an easy marketing no matter what.

Curiosity, is this going to be the tallest LSM launched coaster? I think that's for me going to be the biggest marketing point outside 300+, unless like I've said a few times, there's something really interesting going on with the cars/trains.

AIR · Jan 21, 2020

If this is all, I am very disappointed. It's so funky and just feels like a giant, tower that's unnecessarily close to Verbolten. Viewing the proposed spire would be right behind Verbolten's bridge. Something about how it'll affect the skyline seems off. But I guess we won't know until it's built.

On a positive note, I'm happy that minimal trees are being removed and that the impact on the overall park is fairly low.

GrandpaD · Jan 21, 2020

As I and a few others stated, a front/back facing train would, in a sense, makes this current speculation "two rides".

Something I haven't seen mentioned is capacity. Is this a single train? If so, it's 8 riders every 1:30 or so. Or 2 trains, with a dispatch of "train 2" once "train 1" passes the station on the return?

So the front/back train...

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

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

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DRIFT

You Have Such Hunger For My Secrets?

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

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NoLimits Model of the Layout:​

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Previous Thread:​

avid coaster enjoyer

Nessie is lonely.

You Have Such Hunger For My Secrets?

Tree?! Who would put a tree there?!

Curve Flattener.

We value your privacy

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