Project 2021/Drachen Spire: Intamin Multi-Launch Shuttle Giga Coaster [Cancelled]

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!

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:
    bgwfans.com

    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 bgwfans.com
  • Most Recent Status Update:
    bgwfans.com

    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 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.

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

Additional Coverage (Newest to Oldest):​

Previous Thread:​

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Click to expand...
I agree this is beyond ridiculous but if anything we will probably get some more information out of the park about the ride than we would have otherwise.
 
A friend, whose been a BGW since ancient times, told me of an issue long ago between Kingsmill and BGW. He says after a long to and fro, August Busch stood up and said "this is my park and your house is on my land. You don't like it, move!"' End of issue. Shame ol AB isn't still around.

Zachary said:
Has Kingsmill, the company, ever formally objected before? Typically I thought objections came from residents, not the actual business.
Click to expand...
Didn't Kingmill become a separate entity in 2009 when InBev sold them? Before they were part of the park ownership, weren't they?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Mushroom, Diamond Dave and BGWnut
BGWnut said:
Ultimately the county will approve BGW's project. The delay is likely just to appease the residents. I would be beyond shocked if the county didn't approve BGWs request. The county cares far more about not losing revenue from BGW than some residents in Kingsmill being upset.
Click to expand...

Well it's been relocated 3 times already to appease KM.... It's to the point of being almost on top of Bolt now. I think this 300+ foot project is on life support to ever happen.
 
b.mac said:
They've been doing this for 40+ years, they have every legal right to do so.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a business operator object on behalf of their residents without any resident testimony to quote. They've also quoted 'noise' as why, without knowing what the project is.
 
warfelg said:
Well it's been relocated 3 times already to appease KM.... It's to the point of being almost on top of Bolt now. I think this 300+ foot project is on life support to ever happen.
Click to expand...
I read that more as in while they were developing they project they adjusted the position multiple times in an effort to negate any impacts. Not as a direct response to KM.

Edit:fixed an autocorrect
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary
BGWnut said:
I read that more as in while they were developing they perfect they adjusted the position multiple times in an effort to negate any impacts. Not as a direct response to KM.
Click to expand...

I read that as direct response TBH. I don't think you move something like that to be less visible without someone saying something.
 
Something that I want to add that's not Kingsmill related:
Park President Kevin Lembke said delaying the vote on the height waiver is “not ideal, but it’s not impossible.”
[...]
“This is a very critical piece of decisions going forward for our park,” Lembke said.
Click to expand...

That's a rather interesting combination of statements to be made. Especially saying 'critical piece of decisions going forward'. Wow. Just amazing to already hint that this project is that important to them. That's something that caught my eye on the third re-read. This sounds like something they wanted fast tracked and to anchor something for them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LudwigII and BGWnut
warfelg said:
Something that I want to add that's not Kingsmill related:


That's a rather interesting combination of statements to be made. Especially saying 'critical piece of decisions going forward'. Wow. Just amazing to already hint that this project is that important to them. That's something that caught my eye on the third re-read. This sounds like something they wanted fast tracked and to anchor something for them.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I had some initial thoughts on this in a post above.

The article I posted had the quote a bit different.

"Kevin Lembke, president of Busch Gardens, cast the new attraction as a critical need for the park, which has to innovate to keep up with competing amusement parks.

“This is a very critical decision going forward for our park,” he said. “This is the first major step to realize that development in future years.”"

But yeah. Sounds like this is just one piece of a big puzzle
 
  • Like
Reactions: tursiops and Zachary
Listening to the discussion, I got the impression that BGW had the majority of the board on their side honestly. The only reason the supervisors seemed to agree to a delay is that BGW didn't meet with Kingsmill residents until very, very recently.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lightninlady and BGWnut
GrandpaD said:
@warfelg
Moving it down "the hill" (so to speak) to the broken bridge causes me to thing it's not a tower ride. That would be one heck of a long path for guests to get to.
Click to expand...

That, or if this is just one piece of a larger project. (I.e. new hamlet) then this could just be a tower ride within that hamlet.
 
BGWnut said:
These quotes right here from the article that was posted earlier are why I really wouldn't worry about it being approved.



The county knows where it's bread is buttered and they don't want to mess it up.

Source
Click to expand...

I don't necessarily disagree. But this delay and their statements, from my planner background, ticks me off.
 
Zachary said:
Listening to the discussion, I got the impression that BGW had the majority of the board on their side honestly. The only reason the supervisors seemed to agree to a delay is that BGW didn't meet with Kingsmill residents until very, very recently.
Click to expand...

I'll admit I didn't listen to the meeting, but maybe the quote reads far worse than the way it came out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BGWnut
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad