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/

 

[panopticon31]

In the case that this does become a full circuit giga by Intamin how do they make it different from I305? More airtime? Some inversions? Imagine a giga coaster with the worlds largest vertical loop.

Imagine Kondaa but 100FT+ Taller

 

[rswashdc]

50 feet (355 vs 305) makes it significantly different from I305 already...

That extra 50 feet may be more of a curse than a blessing where they are trying to build, particularly if they need to keep most of the ride under the tree line. The choices are a Top Thrill Dragster type or a I305 copy that stays low enough to the ground. The extra height while it looks good and can be marketed also limits elements you can put in unless they plan on trimming it near the beginning.

 

[Jonesta6]

I think it's been said that only the highest point needs the waiver, not lower points still above the treeline, right?

 

[warfelg]

I think it's been said that only the highest point needs the waiver, not lower points still above the treeline, right?

Correct. You are typically applying for the high point understanding you have a “leeway” of being able to go close to that within a distance. It’s buried somewhere in the JCC Comprehensive Plan but IIRC they have a 200/300 yard restriction (600-900 feet)

 

[Jonesta6]

Then if I understand what you're saying correctly, any other points above 60' over ground level that are outside of 2-3 football fields will need their own waivers?

 

[Zachary]

I don’t know of a real regulation. Just know that, as far as I’m aware, every BGW coaster has been built with a single height waiver. Most notable there is definitely Apollo which rises above the treeline repeatedly throughout its course over a long distance.

It is my assumption that the height waiver is granted for an entire project. Anything that is part of the project for which that height waiver was requested can be built up to the point of the max height granted by said waiver.

 

[Ryanator]

When is Busch Gardens ready to build this new attraction?

 

[Zachary]

It is currently on hold. We don’t know if or when it will be reintroduced into the pipeline.

 

[Jonesta6]

Theoretically the manufacturer still are on the hook with the alleged pre-payment.

 

[Griffbolten]

Just eager to hear more developments with this project throughout the year

 

[warfelg]

I don’t know of a real regulation. Just know that, as far as I’m aware, every BGW coaster has been built with a single height waiver. Most notable there is definitely Apollo which rises above the treeline repeatedly throughout its course over a long distance.

It is my assumption that the height waiver is granted for an entire project. Anything that is part of the project for which that height waiver was requested can be built up to the point of the max height granted by said waiver.

To expand on this, the actual wording from JCC is as follows:

Height limits and height limitation waivers.

SHARE LINK TO SECTIONPRINT SECTIONDOWNLOAD (DOCX) OF SECTIONSEMAIL SECTIONCOMPARE VERSIONS
(a)
Structures may be erected up to 60 feet in height from grade to the top of the structure. Structures in excess of 60 feet in height from grade to the top of the structure may be erected only upon the granting of a height limitation waiver by the board of supervisors.
(b)
Water towers, chimneys, flues, flagpoles, mechanical penthouse, electrical, plumbing, elevator, parapet walls or other accessory mechanical functions which are part of or on top of a main structure, shall be considered part of the structure.

So as long as it is all part of the same structure, and it remains under the 355 foot mark (even if it hits 354.5) it can all fall under the same waiver. Only reason most places have some kind of limit to the area at which that height can be gone over is more to due with FAA regulations than Township concerns. And the FAA's hight limit is much higher than JCC's, so if these plans change we definitely won't know until the site plan gets updated.

 

[horsesboy]

To expand on this, the actual wording from JCC is as follows:


So as long as it is all part of the same structure, and it remains under the 355 foot mark (even if it hits 354.5) it can all fall under the same waiver. Only reason most places have some kind of limit to the area at which that height can be gone over is more to due with FAA regulations than Township concerns. And the FAA's hight limit is much higher than JCC's, so if these plans change we definitely won't know until the site plan gets updated.

I think that in this case you might be of on the FAA limits. I seem to recall from the Madrid debate that there are some lower FAA limits do to the municipal airport being in fairly close proximity but I can't swear to that or tell you how that would effect modifications to the existing plan.

 

[Zimmy]

if there is a re-design, I just want them to come back from the ledge and straighten the drop out. No force killing twists. Also... one or 2 more elements. Nothing big like an invert, just a few twists and humps... If they want to make ME happy they would take the drop top 400 ft... but they wont cause they dont care about my feelings....

 

[panopticon31]

if there is a re-design, I just want them to come back from the ledge and straighten the drop out. No force killing twists. Also... one or 2 more elements. Nothing big like an invert, just a few twists and humps... If they want to make ME happy they would take the drop top 400 ft... but they wont cause they dont care about my feelings....

I for one would think a twisted 300+ft drop would be pretty cool as long as it isnt graceful (which i mean c'mon this is Intamin not B&M). Could have a big wrap corkscrew halfway down the drop as an homage to the OG Drachen Fire. Would also provide marketability as the worlds highest inversion , which funny enough is currently held by Steel Curtain with its "drachen fire dive drop".

 

[Griffbolten]

A lift hill with the highest point being where the top of DS spike was and a twisted drop into the ravine where DS second launch was would be great.

Excuse my lazy planning here but something that could wrap its way around the boneyard after a couple of airtime hills. Then finish off the ride with some banked turns and smaller off axis airtime hills.
Where I put the yellow circle is a good place to put a Konda or Hyperion like non-inverting turn around (non-inverting batwing comes to mind).

 

[Zimmy]

I for one would think a twisted 300+ft drop would be pretty cool as long as it isnt graceful (which i mean c'mon this is Intamin not B&M). Could have a big wrap corkscrew halfway down the drop as an homage to the OG Drachen Fire. Would also provide marketability as the worlds highest inversion , which funny enough is currently held by Steel Curtain with its "drachen fire dive drop".

and kill the drop.

 

[panopticon31]

and kill the drop.

If you want a big gnarly drop Apollo and Griffon are already there. I personally hope they get pretty funky with it to make sure it stands out when compared to i305 and Fury325

 

[Zimmy]

Apollo has a good drop, but yes I want another a 305 topping drop. We have an invert with its non-drop.

 

[Twisted_Airtime]

Apollo had a good drop, but yes I want another a 305 topping drop. We have an invert with its non-drop.

The park doesn't care about what we want, there going to do something that is easily marketable and "the worlds tallest twisted drop on the east coast" is right up there alley

 

[Jonesta6]

From riding taller drops at CF parks, I can say that all it contributes is time (blacking out from the poorly thought out turn off the drop on I-305 nonwithstanding) - to me, I get the same feeling of forces as the drop pulls out between AC, TTD, and MF - the main difference becomes the varying next element forces that make the difference.

I think if this thing is gonna be close to the shuttle design we've seen renderings of based on the submitted documents to the county, the twisted spire may give off a noticeable amount of laterals but will also possibly have the satisfying passive forces any tall drop tends to have at the bottom.

Biggest thing remains is to wait and see what happens.

Also, @Zimmy - what do you mean by AC had a good drop? It's still operating to my knowledge...