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...

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• 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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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/

 

[GrandpaD]

Moving on from community relations, I have to backtrack my comment regarding a potential Red Force clone. Measuring it via Google, it's well over 900ft in length. Although RF is just 12ft taller than the waiver request, I can't envision the length being that much shorter (unless they launch at "eyeballs in back of your skull" speed). Such length just doesn't fit in the Field, especially where @Zachary estimates the approximate peak location.

At the same time, I just can't see a lift hill. Supposedly they moved the peak 3 times away from KM. To me, that sounds like they moved from the center of the field towards the Rhine. So, how could a lift hill peak be initially in the center of the Field? Current position, yes. But initially, no. So, even though it'll be a bit of a walk, I still think we're looking at a tower/coaster combo.

 

[BGWnut]

At the same time, I just can't see a lift hill. Supposedly they moved the peak 3 times away from KM. To me, that sounds like they moved from the center of the field towards the Rhine. So, how could a lift hill peak be initially in the center of the Field? Current position, yes. But initially, no. So, even though it'll be a bit of a walk, I still think we're looking at a tower/coaster combo.

They could have had a number of different plans it iterations. Initially they could have been planning to have the ride exit the station toward the festhaus and then start the lift hill. Then they decided they didn't want to do that and the plan was to go straight from the DF station with the lift hill. Then they changed their minds again and the new plan moved the lift hill Crest to closer to Verbolten.

I will say that personally I don't think that they moved the highest point in an effort to move away from KM but more so in the natural evolution of the attraction. Now they are presenting it to KM as a look we want to minimize the impact to you so we moved it further away.

 

[warfelg]

As I said, I don't know how much time transpired between whatever KM/BGW meeting and the JCC hearing. It sounds like a short timeframe.

The one thing I’ll say on this is it could have been much calmer and had everyone understand better if they just got up and said when they got the notice and how much time it gave them.

 

[GrandpaD]

They could have had a number of different plans it iterations. Initially they could have been planning to have the ride exit the station toward the festhaus and then start the lift hill. Then they decided they didn't want to do that and the plan was to go straight from the DF station with the lift hill. Then they changed their minds again and the new plan moved the lift hill Crest to closer to Verbolten.

Using DF as a "model", I guess (based on your analysis) they could use the DF station but instead of going right (looking at the pic) they go left under a similar queue bridge and then up towards the Rhine side of the snack bar (taco stand) parallel to the Verbolten building. DF was 150ft, so you can imagine how deep into the trees they'd have to go.

 

[tursiops]

I think the new high point location would be extremely out of place for a tower unless part of a new area. Also does it really make sense to add two decent attractions in one year as opposed to spreading them and getting a boost multiple years? Maybe it does if you can get a package deal. SWT has gotten multiple rides in a year, but I believe they were flats. Just my ponderings.

Also I love that picture. That was so incredible looking. The blue and red together! I also really miss that Bavarian village!!

 

[RKRCC]

My husband and I are thinking about going to the next JCC meeting to speak in favor of this Project. BGW has such a positive impact on tourism and for the entire region as a whole (from Hampton Roads all the way up to DC). I would hate for a few "Not in My Backyard" type people cause this project to change or put such unrealistic limitations on this project that BGW may cancel it all together. What in the world do some people expect when they move into a neighborhood directly beside a 400 +/- acre amusement park?!?!?!

 

[Jahrules]

My husband and I are thinking about going to the next JCC meeting to speak in favor of this Project. BGW has such a positive impact on tourism and for the entire region as a whole (from Hampton Roads all the way up to DC). I would hate for a few "Not in My Backyard" type people cause this project to change or put such unrealistic limitations on this project that BGW may cancel it all together. What in the world do some people expect when they move into a neighborhood directly beside a 400 +/- acre amusement park?!?!?!

I think it would be awesome if we could get a ton of people to show up like this. Drown out kingsmill with sheer numbers.

 

[UncleDuncan]

I think it would be awesome if we could get a ton of people to show up like this. Drown out kingsmill with sheer numbers.

Meh. Im with ya, but it would be hard to get people to take time out of their life to go express in a public forum how excited they are about a potential project off in the distant future no one knows anything about.

 

[Conan233]

I remember when I brought up this subject back in March that Kingsmill had considerable influence on BGW's potential projects. There is a reason why I said that before...To really get this approved, more information is going to have to become public than BGW might normally want to disclose. Like everyone said, this next meeting should be very interesting...

 

[madmax]

If you move to a place that is near a theme park that’s on you. You knew what you were going into. I get that noise can be an issue but it’s not your right to micro-manage everything that isn’t your property.

 

[Conan233]

If you move to a place that is near a theme park that’s on you. You knew what you were going into. I get that noise can be an issue but it’s not your right to micro-manage everything that isn’t your property.

I'm not fully disagreeing with you on that. My point is that Kingsmill always has and can use their influence on the park. It has always been a delicate balance between the two, even when ownership was under the same roof. I think the two will find common ground on this and ultimately move this thing forward. This is one of the first times in recent memory though where Kingsmill has played this card. My thinking is that the last two years of speculation without much information has irked Kingsmill.

Sure you can say that plenty of information exists through public records, filings, plans, etc., but nothing substantial, nor fully confirmed by the park has made them worry. If you think about it, from Kingsmill's perspective, at one time, it looked like BGW could be adding two rides over 300' in less than a two year period... Obviously that's not going to happen but through those filings, certainly seemed possible.

 

[warfelg]

2021 is not a giga. Period end of story.

I brought this where it belonged. But this is not something to say this definitively this early. There were people saying MMXX was 100% not a coaster too.

 

[snowman6996]

All they have to do is theme it after golf. The 355 ft lift can act as the tee shot, and each subsequent hill is a bounce of a ball, with the ride ending going into a tunnel signifying the cup. Paint the track green. The train can be white. Problem Solved!

 

[----------------------]

All they have to do is theme it after golf. The 355 ft lift can act as the tee shot, and each subsequent hill is a bounce of a ball, with the ride ending going into a tunnel signifying the cup. Paint the track green. The train can be white. Problem Solved!

Just use the supports as a frame for a driving range!

 

[Jahrules]

All they have to do is theme it after golf. The 355 ft lift can act as the tee shot, and each subsequent hill is a bounce of a ball, with the ride ending going into a tunnel signifying the cup. Paint the track green. The train can be white. Problem Solved!

They'd complain that the ride hits a longer drive than they can.

 

[Jonesta6]

View attachment 15562

Using DF as a "model", I guess (based on your analysis) they could use the DF station but instead of going right (looking at the pic) they go left under a similar queue bridge and then up towards the Rhine side of the snack bar (taco stand) parallel to the Verbolten building. DF was 150ft, so you can imagine how deep into the trees they'd have to go.

One thing that sticks out in my mind is lift hill angle assuming this is indeed a coaster - B&M sharpened that angle considerably between AC to Griffon to be able to stick that ride in a much more compact footprint.

According to Google Maps measurements, AC is roughly 390' in length from the bottom to the top of the lift, Griffon is 185'.

RCDB has AC at only 170' tall with the extra 40' on the drop coming from the ravine, Griffon likely is similar with the drop into the pit under the bridge - we can estimate at maybe 35' for the sake of argument. That gives us both heights at 170'.

SOHCAHTOA gives us the angle for AC's lift at 41°, Griffon at 74° - even with some adjustments to reflect actual heights, huge difference.

Even if it's a different manufacturer, the techniques are potentially out there to make it a possibility.

Assuming a launch - would it be possible to assume that the track leading into a potential tophat in that location could be at a higher elevation to not require as much space for the launching mechanism(s)?

 

[madmax]

I brought this where it belonged. But this is not something to say this definitively this early. There were people saying MMXX was 100% not a coaster too.

The structure is described exactly like a tower. Plus if the height area was moved a few times that basically guarantees it’s not a giga coaster.

 

[GrandpaD]

@Jonesta6 Regarding your last paragraph about a launch - Google measurement of the launch portion of Red Force is approximately 470ft. That's to clear a 367ft top hat @ 112mph. If you started at the old DF station that same distance would be to the clearing of trees beyond the service road where a portion of DF was located.

 

[b.mac]

According to Google Maps measurements, AC is roughly 390' in length from the bottom to the top of the lift, Griffon is 185'.

RCDB has AC at only 170' tall with the extra 40' on the drop coming from the ravine, Griffon likely is similar with the drop into the pit under the bridge - we can estimate at maybe 35' for the sake of argument. That gives us both heights at 170'.

SOHCAHTOA gives us the angle for AC's lift at 41°, Griffon at 74° - even with some adjustments to reflect actual heights, huge difference.

That math is wrong. If Apollo's lift base is 390 feet long and it's 170 feet tall the lift angle is 23.6 degrees. Griffon's would be 47.9 degrees.

B&M's giga coasters have had lift angles of 40 degrees, Intamin's have been at 50 degrees. The only company that has come feasibly close to breaking 300 feet with a beyond 50 degree lift is Gerstlauer with Karnan.

 

[warfelg]

The structure is described exactly like a tower. Plus if the height area was moved a few times that basically guarantees it’s not a giga coaster.

No it isn’t. It’s described like every other one of their coasters that needed a height waiver. And where did I say Giga? I said nothing guarantees a tower. Moving it doesn’t mean it can’t be. And depending on how close it is to the steep drop off, it might eliminate tower from the possibilities.