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

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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:
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    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:
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    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...
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Cjeiban said:
I really had my doubts that BGW / SEAS would have done back to back coasters...but with what was released, does really appear to be the case. I can't imagine this not being a legit document. Maybe in the initial phases of whatever was being planned, they may have had an attraction comparison analysis (I.E Coaster vs. Starflyer / thrill ride) but at this point in the game, looks like they've made their decision.

I thought that a coaster in that area might face similar attendance issues to what plagued Drachen Fire, but after thinking about it, and maybe it's just me, find that the Oktoberfest portion of the park, especially during their seasonal attractions, actually has a fair amount of traffic, and seems to be one of the busiest areas. Then again, if Drachen Fire wasn't so rough, maybe rider attendance wouldn't have been so low either...
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Drachen Fire itself was the main issue, not its location. Though I'm sure the location did nothing to help matters.
 
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I really want to try and figure out SEAS strategy here. This type of extensive mass capital investment is unprecedented. I'm not complaining but it's like they were like "hey lets spend like $250 million over the next 2-3 years on new coasters at our parks."
 
CoasterChase said:
I really want to try and figure out SEAS strategy here. This type of extensive mass capital investment is unprecedented. I'm not complaining but it's like they were like "hey lets spend like $250 million over the next 2-3 years on new coasters at our parks."
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It's been discussed on here a bit but last year SEAS committed to spending $150 million per year in new attractions, shows and events at each park. They didn't give a deadline on when they would stop that investment strategy. So it would seem that we should be expecting this for the next few seasons.
 
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BGWnut said:
It's been discussed on here a bit but last year SEAS committed to spending $150 million per year in new attractions, shows and events at each park. They didn't give a deadline on when they would stop that investment strategy. So it would seem that we should be expecting this for the next few seasons.
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I remember that. Guess I just didn't expect it to mean "two huge intamins for BGW over two years" I guess. Wonder what BGT will be following up RMC Gwazi with.
 
I don’t see how a Taiga like coaster makes any sense at BGW. Again, just take away Pantheon’s spike and you have Taiga essentially.
 
madmax said:
I don’t see how a Taiga like coaster makes any sense at BGW. Again, just take away Pantheon’s spike and you have Taiga essentially.
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So basically VBolt? I think both times you used the bad comparison seeing as VBolt was Zeiers version of the blitz coaster which is what Tiaga and Taron are. Pantheon/SWD/Parc Astiks coaster are something completely different.
 
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Given the location of this, would it not be safe to assume that we will not be seeing a compressed air/ hydraulic launch due to noise issues? I have heard that Maxx Force is extremely loud.
 
Using that philosophy @madmax , we should also eliminate any RMC, since Pantheon uses the same type elements. To me, a compact footprint, tossing you every which way, to me, is totally different experience than Pantheon. And the trains appear I be there size depicted in the leak.

I'm only suggested a flat by the old DF exit to lessen the "agony" of the walk to the tower. (Hey! Let's move Catapult again ? )
 
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CarterGee said:
Why are people talking about Red Force specifically? Just because the trains are short?
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Trains are short and same manufacturer as Pantheon.

Most importantly it is the only coaster ever built in the height range requested (350’) with short trains like that. The height narrows things down a lot; obviously they could build lower than the waiver and that would open many more possibilities but that seems unlikely after the fight they put up and what just happened with Madrid/Pantheon.
 
Is it possible that they asked for 355 as more a publicity stunt, though they'll still be around 300?

Thinking that it's a big number that captures attention on its own, but by going a little lower it'll be less visible to KM residents whom will likely be involved with any and every new park request to JCC zoning for the foreseeable future...
 
CoasterChase said:
I really want to try and figure out SEAS strategy here. This type of extensive mass capital investment is unprecedented. I'm not complaining but it's like they were like "hey lets spend like $250 million over the next 2-3 years on new coasters at our parks."
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Money is still dirt cheap to borrow. It makes sense when borrowing money for capital expenditures is so cheap. The economy will eventually shift to where it won't be so cheap to do so and projects won't be as viable. My bet is that they continue to borrow for these massive projects, enhance their presence and market share, and go from there. It's in no ways apples to oranges, but look at companies like Lyft, Uber, hell, even Amazon until 2016...they hemorrhage cash and don't make a profit (which SEAS does) but their focus is on market share. So long as they have that, and consumer interests don't change, they aren't too big of a risk...
 
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GrandpaD said:
Using that philosophy @madmax , we should also eliminate any RMC, since Pantheon uses the same type elements. To me, a compact footprint, tossing you every which way, to me, is totally different experience than Pantheon. And the trains appear I be there size depicted in the leak.

I'm only suggested a flat by the old DF exit to lessen the "agony" of the walk to the tower. (Hey! Let's move Catapult again ? )
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RMCs have completely different feels than Intamins tho. Not an adequate comp.
 
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