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/

 

[Zachary]

Lattice just leave this here.

Counterpoint: From a distance (read Kingsmill), it just looks like another tower. Seems easier to sell a "single tower" to Kingsmill than a mystery structure, no?

View from a distance for reference:

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View: https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/83wyvr/worlds_tallest_starflyer_now_topped_off_in_orlando/

 

[warfelg]

To add to @Zachary ’s point: the few times I’ve been able to find info on a star flyer it’s being described as a “tower like structure.”

Also to people saying “there’s a Giga up the road”....there’s a wind seeker up the road too. Starflyer and windseeker experiences are the exact same while a Giga coaster should be completely different.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

There's not a polercoaster up the road.

 

[GrandpaD]

Mystery structure @Zachary ? (tongue firmly in cheek)

 

[Zachary]

Mystery structure @Zachary ? (tongue firmly in cheek)

View attachment 15660

Sure looks "more like a spire" to me... ?

 

[GrandpaD]

Not to make this idea ex-"spire"....??

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View: https://mobile.twitter.com/themeparkww/status/991319214022647809

 

[FoozMuz]

Would they really be able to get away with describing it from only one vantage when it would be extremely visible from 60?

 

[Jonesta6]

Would they really be able to get away with describing it from only one vantage when it would be extremely visible from 60?

The thing is, route 60 doesn't contain a neighborhood that's concerned about a siteline or extra noise; it's just a road... ?

 

[GrandpaD]

Would they really be able to get away with describing it from only one vantage when it would be extremely visible from 60?

It's sorta like David Copperfield making the Statue of Liberty disappear, they're going for an illusion from the vantage point of Kingsmill. ?

 

[Lcucu3]

If I’m being honest I don’t know why kingsmill is being so stubborn with this. The park is so important for not only the town’s economy but also their own business. Many guests are probably staying there for the park and/or colonial Williamsburg

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

Silly, selfish reasons like property value and backyard views.

 

[BGWnut]

If I’m being honest I don’t know why kingsmill is being so stubborn with this. The park is so important for not only the town’s economy but also their own business. Many guests are probably staying there for the park and/or colonial Williamsburg

I would say it's more BGW than CW

Silly, selfish reasons like property value and backyard views.

Some of their property value comes from the proximity to BGW. The reason their development exists today is largely because BGW was there first.

Also they get a lot of other benefits from having BGW here. And they were mentioned at the meeting. BGW is the largest employer in the county. Actually brings a lot of the money to all the restaurants/shops in the area. If BGW were to close a lot of local businesses in Williamsburg would probably end up closing because they get a lot of business from tourists.

Also another benefit they get is that their property taxes are lower because JCC gets so much from BGW.

It's incredibly short sighted for KM to fight BGW because if they really cared about their property values or people outside of Kingsmill they would be happy that BGW wants to build new rides because their property values will plummet if BGW stopped existing.

 

[Lcucu3]

I hope the city board will realize the importance of the park and approve the plans tbh

 

[BGWnut]

I hope the city board will realize the importance of the park and approve the plans tbh

They will. Based on the meeting it seems like the majority of the board is in favor. They just postponed the vote in an effort to appease KM not because they intend to not approve it. The board members in general all seemed in favor of it because they recognize the importance of BGW to the area and it's economy. They also understand that BGW building new rides can be really good for local tourism.

 

[GrandpaD]

I really think this whole episode mirrors society today - entitlement. BGW was "late" going to Kingsmill and Kingmill Co. with plans, etc. Being neighbors, the Kingsmill folks feel entitled to be "in" on the plans and their "need" to wave the magic golf club over the plans. It'll get the green light, if only for the tourism and tax dollars BGW contributes.

 

[b.mac]

there’s a wind seeker up the road too. Starflyer and windseeker experiences are the exact same while a Giga coaster should be completely different.

Worked both. At least a Star Flyer won't leave you 200+ feet in the air for 3 hours.

 

[BGWnut]

I really think this whole episode mirrors society today - entitlement. BGW was "late" going to Kingsmill and Kingmill Co. with plans, etc. Being neighbors, the Kingsmill folks feel entitled to be "in" on the plans and their "need" to wave the magic golf club over the plans. It'll get the green light, if only for the tourism and tax dollars BGW contributes.

Excellent point. It's funny too because the meeting it came out that they were "late" because kingsmill was unavailable to schedule a meeting the normal time frame. BGW got in contact with them at their normal point out from the meeting and KM delayed it.

 

[GrandpaD]

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.

 

[Seado]

This whole KM v BGW thing reminds my family and my neighbor. Last year we wanted to get a pretty large pool, and he texted us saying he didn’t want us to get one because he was worried of noise levels. We said oh, thanks for the input and got it anyway. Best decision ever.

 

[thopping]

Re: Kingsmill...

If I’m being honest I don’t know why kingsmill is being so stubborn with this. The park is so important for not only the town’s economy but also their own business. Many guests are probably staying there for the park and/or colonial Williamsburg

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.