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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  • Most Recent Status Update:
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    Drachen Spire Height Waiver Extension Details – BGWFans

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Right on, thanks @Zachary!

My thought is that if it's a package deal it could be more of a real cheap tower ride for getting Pantheon, so more of the Cap Ex could go to SPW or other projects.

Yes, there'd be work to do to get it built next to a ravine, but the bigger question is of how would guests get there.

Unless I'm mistaken, isn't the request still out there for the wooden piles in the creek that we were thinking could be for a bridge?
 
Jonesta6 said:
Unless I'm mistaken, isn't the request still out there for the wooden piles in the creek that we were thinking could be for a bridge?
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I can't find the drawing right now, but if I recall, the supposed "bridge" came ashore right about the area where Pantheon is making the sweeping river turn. So, IMHO, extremely unlikely it's a pedestrian bridge. And, could you image how long it a walk it would be?
 
GrandpaD said:
I can't find the drawing right now, but if I recall, the supposed "bridge" came ashore right about the area where Pantheon is making the sweeping river turn. So, IMHO, extremely unlikely it's a pedestrian bridge. And, could you image how long it a walk it would be?
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Headchopper element, one of the surprises they wanted to keep under wraps?

As far as the walk, totally agree but it's possible they could do a F&B expansion or some other not-new-hamlet addition that makes some kind of bridge there a new loop.
 
GrandpaD said:
I can't find the drawing right now, but if I recall, the supposed "bridge" came ashore right about the area where Pantheon is making the sweeping river turn. So, IMHO, extremely unlikely it's a pedestrian bridge. And, could you image how long it a walk it would be?
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17481

This one?

I'm 99.9% sure it isn't a pedestrian bridge, based on what we know about these attractions and associated filings.
 
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If it was a bridge that was being built then we would see some evidence of it on the plans for Pantheon but there is 0 evidence on the Pantheon plans
 
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GrandpaD said:
I saw this posted on /r/rollercoasters by Elementerch. It's supposed to be a 2002 Heide Park 340ft+ Intamin giga that was under development but eventually tabled. Thought it might provide some food for thought, etc.

View attachment 17478
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Definitely looks more like Millenium Force, which makes a lot of sense as it was developed around the same time period, compared to modern Intamin designs.
 
Jonesta6 said:
So what's your guess then? Just curious
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My guess originally--buried somewhere in the Pantheon thread along with the above diagram--was that the structures were connected to themeing. Lighting, water effects, etc. Based on the description in the permit (type of pilings, etc.), location relative to the Rhine and adjacent topography, expected layout of Pantheon, etc.--it just doesn't make sense as a coaster or pedestrian crossing.

It could be something else I didn't think of, and it could have been related to the original Madrid plans now "overcome by events." I believe the permit had even referenced Madrid if memory serves me. So whatever the structures were intended for may have entirely changed.
 
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Pilings generally don't get used for submerged utilities that I can think of.

However, if a coaster was to cross under the old Madrid plans what sort of effect could they have possibly supported that'd be noticable to either riders or spectators?

I couldn't think of anything that'd require that kind of piling configuration though I'm not an expert.

That's why my guess of saying a bridge is a possibility, though I'll definitely defer to someone who is actually an expert.
 
Bridge aside...Definitely interested in any new theories... and/or information about whether anyone has heard what became of this permit since originally filed, to include its relevance to Madrid, Pantheon, and/or 2021....
 
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