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/

 

[804Shawn]

I'm hoping Seas got an RMC package deal!

 

[Icer]

This thread has quickly shifted from one I am intrigued by to Madrid levels of redditry

 

[b.mac]

Just wait, we have over a year and about 50 laps of this sort of discussion to go.

 

[basseyfish]

I was watching a coaster.net video awhile back and there were talking about how gigas really havent done much for a raised attendence for that year they opened. I wish i could find it and link it.

 

[madmax]

This thread has quickly shifted from one I am intrigued by to Madrid levels of redditry

Ehhhh it’s been mostly reasonable suggestions here

 

[Sly4Good]

I just want a tower that works smh.

 

[GotsFancyPants]

I dont wanna tower man! Honestly I don't mind Mach Tower (controversial opinion alert: I actually think its better than Falcons Fury) and I just dont think that would draw in crowds or be a reasonable investment.

 

[Sly4Good]

I dunno, I'd be more inclined to visit BGW if they get a new tower ride over a new coaster immediately after another coaster.

 

[Jpineda96]

I dunno, I'd be more inclined to visit BGW if they get a new tower ride over a new coaster immediately after another coaster.

Huuhhhh yeh right. If they got a giga in 2021 you’re telling you’re not gonna be as excited compared to a boring star flyer lol

 

[GotsFancyPants]

Really? Over a Mega-Lite or a Giga?

Edit: What he said ^

 

[Sly4Good]

Huuhhhh yeh right. If they got a giga in 2021 you’re telling you’re not gonna be as excited compared to a boring star flyer lol

I am, actually.

I dont' like Giga Coasters all too much and think they're kind of overrated.

 

[BGWnut]

C'mon, you're trying to say that the cost of site improvements, etc. don't factor into the $150M? That's some serious creative accounting. That's like saying building a new house on the beach is only $300K and exclude the $1M cost of the property, demo of the old structure plus site/utility prep.

I'm sorry, but I just have to laugh at all the people that "wish/beg/pray" for a giga coming up with so many justifications and logic to convince others that's what being built.

You missed my point completely. My point was that the $25 million was not just cost of the coaster but the cost of the entire project which includes all of those improvements

I'm also saying that the $150 million is not their entire capex. It's a commitment that they will spend that amount towards new rides, shows or events at every park every year. They can use more than that $150 million if they want depending on the year.

 

[GrandpaD]

I know it includes the entire package. That's been repeated ad nauseum. And yes, if need be they could spend more. But to spend $60M+ in 2 years just on coasters at BGW? Exciting if true. But doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Diamond Dave]

I know it includes the entire package. That's been repeated ad nauseum. And yes, if need be they could spend more. But to spend $60M+ in 2 years just on coasters at BGW? Exciting if true. But doesn't make sense to me.

Speculating here
How many parks in the chain are getting major investments these years? Where is the rest of this money going?
Let's just say 30m for each of these years... divide 150 by 30 and you get five. How many parks get major investments,...five? The two BGs and three SeaWorlds, kind of. So that's 30m each.. now adjust for what each park is spending on these new rides/events/etc... probably less than 30m at 3/5 of these parks. I think the money is there...

I'm curious what Williamsburg is going to do with that check...it's clear they have a plan of some sort

 

[GrandpaD]

You're forgetting the water parks plus Sesame Place. That's 12 parks. Then you've got to analyze what each park should/could add to gain more bodies through the turnstiles. A new coaster? New flat? Dark ride? An off-off-off-off Broadway show "Elmo Meets Hamilton"? Sure, the money is there. It just depends on where to spend it for the best return.

 

[madmax]

As much as I would love a giga I can’t really say the park needs one or that it would drastically improve their lineup. They’re already getting what looks like to be one of the best coasters out there next year and really they need another good family coaster, preferably at the 42 inch height requirement.

 

[GotsFancyPants]

As much as I would love a giga I can’t really say the park needs one or that it would drastically improve their lineup. They’re already getting what looks like to be one of the best coasters out there next year and really they need another good family coaster, preferably at the 42 inch height requirement.

Dead meme but it fit.

Personally, I think Busch Gardens Williamsburg has the best supporting lineup in the country, but needs just one BIG FLAGSHIP level coaster to push it over the top as a world class park. I mean, look what Fury 325 did to Carowinds and as well as BGW holds its own now, it could be a destination to beat with a shiny new giga.

 

[madmax]

View attachment 15527
Dead meme but it fit.

Personally, I think Busch Gardens Williamsburg has the best supporting lineup in the country, but needs just one BIG FLAGSHIP level coaster to push it over the top as a world class park. I mean, look what Fury 325 did to Carowinds and as well as BGW holds its own now, it could be a destination to beat with a shiny new giga.

That’s what MMXX is lol. It’s probably gonna be the most unique ride that comes out next year and is pretty massive.

 

[Diamond Dave]

You're forgetting the water parks plus Sesame Place. That's 12 parks. Then you've got to analyze what each park should/could add to gain more bodies through the turnstiles. A new coaster? New flat? Dark ride? An off-off-off-off Broadway show "Elmo Meets Hamilton"? Sure, the money is there. It just depends on where to spend it for the best return.

I wasn't counting the water parks or sesame place as none of them seem to be getting big investments this coming year (that we know of). I suspect the rate of return on adding new investments to the already great performing water parks pales in comparison to the return on new additions in the dry parks. Especially that considering a roller coaster is considerably more expensive than a new water slide that uses existing infrastructure...

 

[GrandpaD]

@GotsFancyPants , if a giga is the Holy Grail of roller coasters, why are there only six in the world? If they're such a crowd magnet, why doesn't every major park have at least one? Why does that twenty year old (but new painted) purple and yellow measly hyper coaster Apollo's Chariot still rank as the #6 steel coaster in the world?

A giga isn't always the answer. And, it appears most parks agree. Give me a coaster with some character, that fits it's surroundings and tosses in a surprise or two no matter how many times you ride it...that's the kind of coaster I'd like to see happen.