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/

 

[BGWnut]

Re: Kingsmill...



Hmm. Funny you should mention guests staying at Kingsmill for the park... I wonder what Airbnb has to say about that?

Example listings:

Book a Piece of History at Kingsmill Williamsburg. "...just minutes from Busch Gardens..." (first attraction listed)

Williamsburg Condominium "Less than 5 Miles to Busch Gardens/Water Country" (first attraction listed)

Kingsmill Resort! Williamsburg, Va! 3Bed 3Bath "Right next door to Busch Gardens" (first attraction listed)

1 BR Kingsmill Resort Condo w/ Water/Golf View "Less than 5 Miles to Busch Gardens/Water Country" (first attraction listed)

Example Review: James, June 2018 "This place was perfect for us. We brought the kids there to check out Busch Gardens. The reisdence [sic] was less than 10 minutes away from teh [sic] park. The location was quiet and clean. We couldn't have been happier with our stay. It is highly recommended."

Visiting the park, staying next door, and quiet you say?

Ok, so maybe that's some residents acting on their own, using the park to make an extra buck. I wonder what the resort says?

Kingsmill Resort #SummerVayCay Package "Bring your family and your friends and enjoy comfy accommodations, a full breakfast buffet and a trip to Busch Gardens and Water Country."

Ooops.

Another perk that they won't tell you about but they all use religiously is that all the kingsmill members get 20 or 30%( I think 30% but I can't remember) off all their food and merchandise purchases.

 

[halfabee]

O RLY

Checking real estate listings now

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

Yes... We all move there, take over the HOA, and then we can have leverage over the park.

 

[BenWilkerson]

Yes... We all move there, take over the HOA, and then we can have leverage over the park.

I demand that the park build a brand new 700 ft roller coaster to boost our property values?

 

[warfelg]

As I've said, unless there's more soil sampling on the other side of the tracks I just can't see how a giga fits.

Here's 4 of the existing giga layouts from https://www.bluemoonpatentprints.com/ and I'm hard pressed to fit them in the existing real estate.

View attachment 15666

Just because that area is the current extent of the soil testing doesn’t mean it’s the furthest extent of soil testing.

Especially given that extended core samples were just recently (publicly) discovered, I wouldn’t be shocked if we find out the testing went much much further.

 

[GrandpaD]

I realize that @warfelg and acknowledged that probable situation. I was merely pointing out that with the current info I didn't see it conceivable.

 

[Lcucu3]

The resort even runs shuttles to BGW. Come on kingsmill stop being stubborn with this

Also, we very well might be seeing soil testing across the tracks. There’s more than enough space to fit in a Giga lift here

 

[warfelg]

Re: Kingsmill.

KCSA and Kingsmill Resort are two different entities. Just because the resort is ok with something doesn’t mean KCSA is.

 

[mountaineers]

Yes. The resort is a business where the bottom line matters most. KCSA operates similar to a HOA but more complicated.

 

[BGWnut]

The distinction is important but they both still benefit greatly from having BGW there. Residents pay less in taxes, their property values are high because of their proximity and there's a lot for them in Williamsburg that wouldn't exist without BGW.

 

[Jahrules]

The distinction is important but they both still benefit greatly from having BGW there. Residents pay less in taxes, their property values are high because of their proximity and there's a lot for them in Williamsburg that wouldn't exist without BGW.

I would take this even a step further and address the lady who brought up the concern about the ride being visible from "historic locations" and ruining the "historic skyline".

Would those historic bits even be preserved in their current state without Busch gardens? Historic Williamsburg is hanging on by a financial thread; and they do draw a fair bit of tourism from bgw visitors.

Honestly the historic preservation people (I don't say this negatively as I too appreciate history) should be all for bgw expanding and should be dreaming of it becoming a year round destination. 5-7 day visitors often look to break up their trip with more laid back days; and a stop at colonial could definitely fit that bill for many.

 

[GrandpaD]

True, especially when Trip Advisor recommends Williamsburg as one of the most popular Summer Destinations.

 

[Lcucu3]

We wouldn’t have come out to colonial Williamsburg without the resort and bgw honestly

 

[Jpineda96]

I feel like this possible coaster will be similar to Walibi belgium mega coaster but 355 feet. Their mega coaster has a drop that turns could possibly fit the highest point location. The structure is lattice construction ?

 

[GrandpaD]

I suggested that Walibi version previously , thinking BGW would go for both of the new Intamin's, that but certain people put the nay nay to the idea. But I still like it.

 

[Logang]

Those twisty drops get insane airtime in the back

 

[Jpineda96]

I suggested that Walibi version previously , thinking BGW would go for both of the new Intamin's, that but certain people put the nay nay to the idea. But I still like it.

I was just thinking maybe they packaged deal the two coasters from Intamin. Since Intamin is coming out with two of these unique coasters. It looks like it could fit what they’re doing but on a much bigger scale. We can even get that non inverting cobra roll as the turn around. I’m almost betting this is what we’re getting in 2021.

 

[GrandpaD]

I share the same thoughts @Jpineda96 regarding a package deal. Either make that a giga (?) or tower and same size Walibi "clone" combo.

 

[GotsFancyPants]

I doubt we'd get something even similar to a Walibi or Parc Asterix clone considering MMXX is already a blend of both

 

[thopping]

KCSA and Kingsmill Resort are two different entities. Just because the resort is ok with something doesn’t mean KCSA is.

Yes, re: KCSA and the resort being different. That's why I included both examples. Assumingly the Airbnb folks are subject to/have a say in KCSA. Whether KCSA condones Airbnb is besides the point. Their residents benefit directly or indirectly from the park. And the resort directly markets it.

If she wants to get pissy about it, one could argue the whole Kingsmill community/resort is a blight upon that "historic skyline." It was originally Kingsmill Plantation--the community/resort is suburban sprawl upon what was undeveloped agricultural land surrounding some of this nation's most historic colonial treasures. Do we really need more McMansions, golf courses, and condos*? Ironically, Kingsmill was only made possible by the eyesore brewery--and the theme park, originally requested as part of the brewery deal to increase tourism to the Williamsburg area. Busch didn't even originally want to come to Williamsburg, but planned on Newport News. Therefore, it is really the brewery & theme park that could argue Kingsmill has encroached in it, not the other way around. Queue that quote from August Busch...

She either knows full well what she bought into--and Kingsmill along with the brewery and theme park were built within years of each other, all by Busch, so this didn't creep up on anyone--and she just wants to impose her will now that she's "arrived" in her golf course community, or she's an even bigger fool than she seems...

*As to that "sprawl," I don't really view Kingsmill that way and don't care that the land was developed. All of these investments by Busch were a tremendous lift to the economy. Anyone remember what Williamsburg used to look like? I'm just playing devil's advocate... these hypocritical NIMBY fools that live in sprawling suburban neighborhoods really piss me off. They should really look in the mirror before criticizing. /rant