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...
This attachment is a good reference photo. Not sure if it's in the thread somewhere, but I didn't see it in the cover story. File name says "Updated" but not sure where/what. Also maybe @Zachary can clarify whether it's ok to post based on the copyright notice. If not delete..lol.
 

Attachments

  • HW-19-0001_Location_Map_UPDATED.pdf
    3.8 MB · Views: 0
  • Like
Reactions: scottyholiday
mdb07 said:
The citizen correspondence they included in the Agenda materials for Tuesday's meeting is an interesting read. https://jamescity.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=4699&MeetingID=880
Click to expand...

I'm actually in the final stages of an article about this right now. ?

GrandpaD said:
This attachment is a good reference photo. Not sure if it's in the thread somewhere, but I didn't see it in the cover story. File name says "Updated" but not sure where/what. Also maybe @Zachary can clarify whether it's ok to post based on the copyright notice. If not delete..lol.
Click to expand...

As I understand current precedent, that notice is pretty bullshit. The fact that it's a public record makes it fair game as far as I know.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GrandpaD, Lord Robert and BGWnut
GrandpaD said:
This attachment is a good reference photo. Not sure if it's in the thread somewhere, but I didn't see it in the cover story. File name says "Updated" but not sure where/what. Also maybe @Zachary can clarify whether it's ok to post based on the copyright notice. If not delete..lol.
Click to expand...

This might be beating a dead horse at this point but I just see no logical way this is a tower ride with that confirmed from the horse’s mouth as the “tallest point” location.
 
It's unfortunate that all of these attached emails are from May.. I'd liked to have seen some of the emails ahead of this meeting after Busch gardens had further communication with them.

Some of these emails are just gems though..

Like the one where the guy suggests they should reduce the height of the request by 75%! Haha.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alf33 and cdchen83
I formally request any of my friends put me out of my misery if I ever complain about something damaging my property's value. By then my life must be so incredibly miserable and bland that my existence will just be a hindrance to other humans.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, Alf33, Logang and 4 others
Jahrules said:
It's unfortunate that all of these attached emails are from May.. I'd liked to have seen some of the emails ahead of this meeting after Busch gardens had further communication with them.
Click to expand...
So, when did BGW have a follow-up meeting? I must have missed that. If there was a meeting with residents after the last commission meeting, you'd assume there'd be some communication pro or con in the public record.

<@Zachary check the last paragraph of the article... "Last weekend" (?)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary
GrandpaD said:
So, when did BGW have a follow-up meeting? I must have missed that. If there was a meeting with residents after the last commission meeting, you'd assume there'd be some communication pro or con in the public record.
Click to expand...

Private meetings between BGW reps and kingsmill would not be a matter of public record.. but it was pretty clear from the last BOS meeting that BGW would be having follow ups with kingsmill. We'll likely hear about them some tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thomas
Sorry...but it's not clear. You're assuming. I'm not talking records of a private meeting. If they had meeting(s), why not a single letter, etc in the public filing dated after a supposed one-on-one?
 
I'll go first. Here's what I just clicked send on:

BOS,
I am not a JCC resident but am a season pass holder to Busch Gardens and am thusly a frequent visitor. I have young children and come from just far enough away that we almost always patronize local hotel establishments.

I have been closely following the developments regarding the Busch Gardens MMXX project and also this new height waiver request. I was shocked at the outpouring of opposition from the neighboring community of Kingsmill.

Some of the comments I have read and heard suggesting that Busch Gardens should find ways to innovate outside of height I find particularly ridiculous. I think it very bold of anyone who supposes that they can suggest to Busch Gardens how they should conduct their own business.

I also feel that Busch Gardens has adequately demonstrated a desire to mitigate, as much as possible, any negative effects to the Kingsmill community by performing the balloon test and sound study. As stated by Ms. Cheely, Busch Gardens has moved the location of the highest point of this attraction with maximal noise/sight mitigation in mind.

Lastly, I find certain comments about why people visit Busch Gardens (particularly that they come solely for the animals and the park's integration with nature) to be particularly out of touch. To my knowledge, Busch Gardens does not publish any information as to attendance/demographics figures and so any statement asserting why people visit should be completely disregarded as speculative.

As a pass holder, I am excited that Busch Gardens is making significant capital improvements to their park and believe that their efforts will continue to grow tax revenues for James City County and, in doing so, benefit all residents.

I wholeheartedly support the height waiver request and look forward to your approving it at the coming BOS meeting.

Yours,
<Redacted>
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: jornor, Alf33, coasterfan94 and 6 others
.
Greetings,

I am emailing you in support for approving the height limit waiver. I am a local who visits the park on a regular basis. I visit dozens a time each year and regularly spend thousands annually in your county because the park continues to grow and provide new experiences. I enjoy that while there are other parks that provide thrills in a day's trip, a world-class park is in the area to support all of us economically and socially.

They support local children's charities as well as animal and environmental causes. They provide management opportunities to local youth and are often the first job teens get in this area. They can only do these great things that support the community if they are allowed to grow and thrive properly.

Having read some of the public comments of some people who chose to move close by, I'm afraid that some objective information has been skewed or intentionally misinterpreted. I hope the board decides to have an objective look at the bounty of data the park was required to submit and make an appropriate decision that benefits the greater area.

Regards,
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: jornor, Alf33, coasterfan94 and 6 others
I think one thing that has hurt BGW was the Madrid height waver. I have seen a few people referring to this as the second 300ft+ ride in a couple of years. We know that is not the case but I do wonder how many opponents of this do.
 
Last edited:
horsesboy said:
I think on Er thing that has hurt BGW was the Madrid height waver. I have seen a few people referring to this as the second 300ft+ ride in a couple of years. We know that is not the case but I do wonder how many opponents of this do.
Click to expand...
Suzy Cheely said in last month's meeting that project Madrid was cancelled so I assume nobody will think that.
 
Jahrules said:
The average public probably doesn't pay that close attention to these meetings.
Click to expand...

The problem for any KSCA members that try to bring that up is it’s already on record by Cheely that it’s not longer 2 300+ tall attractions. If the board is on their game they will shoot down that objection fast and hard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad