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:
    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...
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  • 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...
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I don't personally, think that BGW has shown any recent proclivity for updating, retheming, or even just maintaining the hamlets they currently have. I would almost prefer that they do something about their current themed areas, before building any new countries.

My cynical Option 4: one trick pony and a gift shop. No Hamlet and no more than one additional element. I hope I am wrong, because I am profoundly unenthusiastic about the prospect of Red Thrill Ka.
 
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Couldn't have said it better myself... "Profoundly unenthusiastic" is exactly how I feel about the one-trick pony.

Let's hope they opt to fully utilize the space and attendance potential with something more. One thing in favor of that is that hopefully the park really is simply focused on what will draw the biggest attendance now, and that they view the one-trick pony as dated and having niche appeal.

Other than Red Force (2017), which admittedly could go well with a Ferrari Land theme (like TTD), most of these things are fairly dated, am I right? I really don't think it will move the attendance needle much...

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Top Thrill Dragster 2003
Kingda Ka 2005
Stealth 2006
etc.

...nearly 20-year-old ride concept.... <yawn>
 
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With the point they filed for, I personally don’t see how this could be anything like red force. The station doesn’t line up
 
I don't know about Red Force, but have noticed that the strata type launchers all have a significant amount of downtime, assume weather for much of it. My guess is we're not getting one of those.
 
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Yeah, I've never actually ridden a one of these one-trick ponies myself. They're always down. I get that they have been maybe are still popular, but it seems like such a niche thing to me, and never worth my time to wait out the lines and downtime.

I have however ridden things that incorporate an accelerator & top hat, but have more elements. e.g. I would take something like Storm Runner any day over TTD/RF/KK, etc.
 
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One thing to me that argues against a one trick pony is that it seems the park will be starting construction and clearing very soon after Pantheon. The park was very clear that they had a tight deadline for construction when talking to JCC about the height waiver. From what I have heard the plan is that as Pantheon finishes the crew will just move over to Festhaus and begin work on this attraction. Another indication is that the FAA height waiver goes into effect on January 1st. Which is conveniently the day after the parks FAA waiver for Pantheon is finished. To me this indicates that the coaster will be massive and there is considerable work to be done. I wouldn't be surprised if they began clearing the trees during the off-season as Pantheon finishes up.
 
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Realistically, they could clear trees at any time since it likely won't require more than a few trucks which already have relatively easy access depending on where it's needed.
 
Jonesta6 said:
Realistically, they could clear trees at any time since it likely won't require more than a few trucks which already have relatively easy access depending on where it's needed.
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Ah, realistically they can't do much without permits, etc. I'd think the first obstacle is awaiting FAA approval on the waiver request. Doubtful it won't get oked, but you don't want to start spending money until you know you can build. Then you have the JCC permitting process. They really did very little (if anything) on the Pantheon site until plans were submitted (and leaked).

If they're trying to fast track this project to commence soon after the grunt work of Pantheon is completed, I'd assume some plans might be to JCC before year's end.
 
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I thought there were plan approvals alongside the JCC height waiver, thus tree clearing could commence. Definitely forgot about FAA and what other permits are needed for doing anything near the water.

Thanks!
 
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Whatever this coaster will be, I do hope it is not a "One Trick Pony" as well. I have rode and re-rode rides like "Top Thrill Dragster", "Kingda Ka", and even "Storm Runner", which is my favorite of them. With TTD or KA or RF it's the same thing over and over except maybe a difference of a Front, Middle or Back seat, which is still the same ride to me, except the front views are amazing IMO.
I hope that whatever Intamin has up their sleeve along with BGW that you guys get a fun, reride, and maybe first of its kind type of gimmick or whatever. Maybe this coaster will be a really good themed one too, or maybe like Maverick, which is very fun.
Could you imagine if BGW, was going with the Black Forrest follow thru and it be as intimate and thrilling and themed like TARON, (which I have gotten to ride, and is amazing). So, my fingers are crossed that whatever this Project 2021 may be, that it is gonna be something well needed and wanted, and to maybe get its record breaking status for something. Just build a nice coaster without any more launches for a while please.
 
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Note Kingda Ka started construction over a year before its opening date.

Also note that due to the height of this attraction, whatever it may be, BGW is going to be contracting for one of two 500+ foot tall construction cranes on the East Coast that have a usual waiting list of two to three years.
 
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Why can't we complain? What if we're not fans of the idea of the two coasters they are adding? What if some of us would have rather seen the project delayed 2 years, get a B&M Giga, and just fill in flats in the mean time?

I don't think telling people what they are and aren't in a position to do because of what was just announced is the best of things to do.
 
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Expense budget surely isnt a matter of how long we wait for an installation, we get the attractions that have been identified as producing ROI.
 
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