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:​

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

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/

 

[halfabee]

Autobahn sits right at the edge of a very steep hillside; Verbolten’s show building is waaay down in that hole. Moving the bumper car pavilion back would require substantial work just to build the elevated flat surface atop which the ride would sit. Major undertaking.

There are other options which, while unpalatable and highly unlikely, would require fewer engineering heroics — like removing the ride entirely (booooooo), rebuilding somewhere else in the park that has available power (less boo, I like ControlsEE’s idea above!), or removing just the kiddie section and “sliding” the entire adult-scale ride system about 40 feet away from Festhaus within the pavilion’s existing footprint so the equivalent length of that building can be chopped off the Festhaus end, opening up a wider and more inviting pathway to 2021 (boo again, I say, park needs kiddie rides). But I think the whole thing is just gonna stay where it is.

Maybe the advent of 2021 will get the Verbolten show building the major visual screening it ought to have received originally. One can dream...

 

[warfelg]

What about moving the bumper cars somewhere else in Oktoberfest, say swap some of the games near DK and bumper cars? Games shouldn't take up as much room as the bumper cars, allowing the same slab to be reused, but also freeing up that corner near the Festhaus. Just a thought.

Or, hear me out: We move the bumper cars to New France, by say where Catapult is. And instead of bumping, they are on a track, and on that track they look like GT cars. In fact, since we moved it, we should call it Autobahn, something more fitting like LeMans. Then where Autobahn used to be we more Le Catapult because she's getting restless in her new spot.

 

[halfabee]

The bumper cars really should be in Italy.

Because that’s exactly what it’s like to drive in Italy.

 

[belsaas]

But the experience of getting drunk at the Festhaus and then driving bumper cars must be preserved.

It's a sacred tradition!

 

[Zachary]

But the experience of getting drunk at the Festhaus and then driving bumper cars must be preserved.

It's a sacred tradition!

In all seriousness, is driving a bumper car while intoxicated a DUI in VA...? It sorta seems like it may be....

PS: If this point causes a big thread derailment, I’ll split the relevant discussion off into its own thread... because now I’m legitimately very curious.

 

[horsesboy]

I been listening to Coaster radio and they are convinced that we are being punked by the park. I personally find that highly unlikely given the push back on the height waver.

 

[FoozMuz]

And that it would be borderline fraud on the local government...

 

[Drachenwolf]

The best way to 'punk' BGW goers might be to actually build it.

 

[GrandpaD]

Could you get arrested for a DUI while driving bumper cars at the fair?

Answer (1 of 5): Depends on what state your in. In Missouri, if it has a motor you can be charged and it does not have to be on a roadway. You can be intoxicated on your golf cart in your back yard and get arrested. These odd type arrests are usually tied to some type of accident. Contrary to som...

www.quora.com

 

[thopping]

OT: Not worth me searching for, but I'm 99% sure there was a story about an Arlington resident getting a DUI on a golf cart. Argument probably hinges on whether this is public or private property/roadways, not whether it is a car or a bumper car. And there's always the public intoxication issue, regardless of whether one's driving.

But on the topic, I really don't see Der Autobahn moving for 2021...it's just not practical...and really hope it isn't ever closed, which IMHO is the only other option other than retaining it (the mobility of Catapult, it lacks)... so I won't comment on it further here, but may if someone starts a new Autobahn futures concept thread.

 

[ControlsEE]

If the park was punking us, why have they basically barred BGWFans from all media events since the release?

And on the bumper cars DUI: The operator has the true control of the ride, being able to shut it off if something crazy happens. I don't think a cop would be able to charge a person for riding the bumper cars drunk, simply because they are called "cars" and there is a steering wheel and go pedal (it doesn't really have speed control).

With the bumper cars moving locations: I don't see it, the games idea was simply a solution, but I doubt they will do anything with it.

 

[Diamond Dave]

In all seriousness, is driving a bumper car while intoxicated a DUI in VA...? It sorta seems like it may be....

PS: If this point causes a big thread derailment, I’ll split the relevant discussion off into its own thread... because now I’m legitimately very curious.

Guilty. What's the worst that could happen (assuming you have your seatbelt on properly)?
BGW has the only bumper cars attraction I've been on where you won't get yelled at for collisions, particularly head-on.

 

[Jonesta6]

Guilty. What's the worst that could happen (assuming you have your seatbelt on properly)?
BGW has the only bumper cars attraction I've been on where you won't get yelled at for collisions, particularly head-on.

Granted it's still off-topic but this is exactly why the Dodgems at KD suck.

Realistically I don't see them moving there bumper cars at all, nor 'slide' them down. However, I'm guessing there's a way to readjust the path through there to make it obvious that there's something to ride back there.

 

[snowman6996]

Maybe they should add a big arrow on top of the 355 ft spike so guide where the ride is

 

[BGWnut]

I don't think they need to move the bumper cars to make the entrance more obvious. They sold remove the planter that blocks the view of the bumper cars and FP from the arcade area. That would do wonders if they just opened up and made the plaza in front of the Festhaus larger

 

[Irishman]

This is my personal opinion but : If they see it they will come. I think that although it’s not neck and neck, Lochness Monster is technically not the best entrance location either were as people could tend to use the first path into Ireland. I think it will do just fine. Could they also use some small scale version of the sign and place it on the left side flower bed in front of festhaus ? Sometime like meltdown had if you remember that sign ...

 

[thopping]

OT...

BGW has the only bumper cars attraction I've been on where you won't get yelled at for collisions, particularly head-on.

Ssshh!! SEAS is very risk averse. Don't draw attention to that or we'll find new rules and Der Autobahn Comfort Collars next season...

 

[Celticdog]

They should get Guy Harvey to paint a large mural on the side of the Verbolten building. Just like at SeaWorld. It would look better than the bland brown and just maybe they could theme it in with the new coaster. They are selling his stuff in Scotland.

 

[halfabee]

Ten bucks says they'd save money by using whoever painted Finnegan's Flyer.

 

[wombat96]

They should get Guy Harvey to paint a large mural on the side of the Verbolten building. Just like at SeaWorld. It would look better than the bland brown and just maybe they could theme it in with the new coaster. They are selling his stuff in Scotland.

I've always thought they should paint a mural of a rolling hillside leading into some mountains on the V-Bolt show building.