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:
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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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halfabee said:
Having just visited Hersheypark, aka the current US showroom for Intamin, on Friday... let's hope Intamin's downtime issues are at least somewhat better on their newer ride systems.

It can be hard to tell where Intamin downtime issues end and Hershey ride operation issues begin. But informally controlling for each across the park during the day, the other still looked pretty poor.

So, fingers crossed for BGW and Intamin starting next year...
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It’s more Intamin than HP. That’s all I’ll be saying about that ?
 
I wish that explained Lightning Run ops on Friday. Good holy Moses crap, it was bad!

At this point I should migrate my comments over to the Hershey thread... but on the other hand I want people to read them... oh well. Back to BGW.
 
1. That coaster is not real. At least I refuse to believe it is real until it is actually constructed. It is simply the most absolutely ludicrous concept I have ever seen come from a real press release and not from the mind of a teenager on YouTube. That thing alone will easily cost what most major parks spend on attractions for an entire decade, combined, if not more.

2. The reality of this concept completely blows open all possibilities for BGW 2021. No idea is off the table anymore.
 
PhantomJB93 said:
1. That coaster is not real. At least I refuse to believe it is real until it is actually constructed. It is simply the most absolutely ludicrous concept I have ever seen come from a real press release and not from the mind of a teenager on YouTube. That thing alone will easily cost what most major parks spend on attractions for an entire decade, combined, if not more.

2. The reality of this concept completely blows open all possibilities for BGW 2021. No idea is off the table anymore.
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It is being built in Saudi Arabia so they likely have a humongous budget for said park. They are trying to turn the city where this is being built into their own version of Dubai.
 
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So is anyone else thinking about potential layouts with this concept in mind? I'm now envisioning a 200-and change foot lift hill. A drop with boost up to 355.

Really fixes a lot of the angle of attack issues to reach a spire like 'knife edge' from Kingsmill...
 
I'll throw in my two cents...

If this Saudi thing really is achievable and BGW is putting in an (obviously) abbreviated version they'd be able to market -

  • Tallest giga (wording to eliminate the one-trick launchers.
  • Fastest giga (get above 95mph)

But, unless they take it "below" the train tracks, I don't see how they'd be able to make it work to take advantage of the milestones they've established with the speed/height. It has to be at least 6,000ft IMHO.
 
PhantomJB93 said:
1. That coaster is not real. At least I refuse to believe it is real until it is actually constructed. It is simply the most absolutely ludicrous concept I have ever seen....
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How much do you know about building in the Gulf? (serious question not an insult)

Ludicrous is sort of on brand out there. While admittedly a different country UAE is the country that brought you in door snow skiing. Also the world's tallest building. The largest man made Port. And let's not forget the then tallest hotel the Burj Al Arib. (aka the Sail Boat Hotel). Also the Palm Islands and 6 star hotels.

The Saudis want some of that so they are looking for even more weird building projects.

They don't mess around. They build big, fast, and expensive. And if they can they will guild it.

Frankly Intimin is sort of the perfect company for them.
 
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Zimmy said:
How much do you know about building in the Gulf? (serious question not an insult)

Ludicrous is sort of on brand out there. While admittedly a different country UAE is the country that brought you in door snow skiing. Also the world's tallest building. The largest man made Port. And let's not forget the then tallest hotel the Burj Al Arib. (aka the Sail Boat Hotel). Also the Palm Islands and 6 star hotels.

The Saudis want some of that so they are looking for even more weird building projects.

They don't mess around. They build big, fast, and expensive. And if they can they will guild it.

Frankly Intimin is sort of the perfect company for them.
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Don’t forget they already have the worlds fastest coaster by Intamin and tooooonnnns of oil money.

Add that to a wealth divide that makes the USA look like a socialist utopia and I can easily see this happening, even though the render was clearly more of an animators concept than an actual demonstration.
 
GrandpaD said:
I highly doubt (if the Saudi is the design) it'll get up to "gotta wear goggles/need a windshield" speed. ?
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I figured that the main reason for the goggles/shields was because of the sandier landscape of UAE, correct?
 
Zachary said:
We have an FAA waiver! Huge thanks to @Adam for the tip!

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View: https://twitter.com/BGWFans/status/1166425260239020035
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The January 1st lines up nicely with when the FAA permit for Pantheon is done. Although granted this ride will likely by larger and is going in a space where they will be to do more land clearing based on where the highest point is going to be.
 
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ControlsEE said:
I figured that the main reason for the goggles/shields was because of the sandier landscape of UAE, correct?
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I think Formula Rossa has goggles too for some rows.

I saw the FAA waiver request and position of highest point. Depending on what kind of attraction, are we looking at some supports straddling Verbolten track? It's very close.
 
GrandpaD said:
I think Formula Rossa has goggles too for some rows.

I saw the FAA waiver request and position of highest point. Depending on what kind of attraction, are we looking at some supports straddling Verbolten track? It's very close.
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Double post but that's certainly a possibility. But they could also have a lift hill that looks like I305. It is wider but not that much wider than at the top.
 
Looking back through the other filings by BGW, I noticed that MT was 239' (which is it's actual height), but I seem to recall that the height waiver was initially taller, but I don't see any record of that. Is that correct, or am I misremembering? Would Pantheon's height be lowered (still at 315' as of now) once it opens/is built and therefore indicating that this ride will most likely NOT be 355' tall?
 
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