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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Jonesta6 said:
309 feet above ground level if I read the FAA filing on page 4 correctly.
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I still think it's 355' above ground level, like in the report.
A height that is 200 feet AGL, or above the established airport elevation, whichever is higher
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My guess is the highest point would be 309' above the elevation of the runway at the Jamestown airport. So the site is about 46' higher in elevation than the airport.
 
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Thanks @Adam - guess I didn't read it correctly.

If it were a coaster, they'd likely have to use the highest 10' or so for the FAA lighting right?
 
Jonesta6 said:
what about Sesame World?

What I'm wondering is if BGW is to receive SW, is it possible that they would be able to move from it's current home across the park and build out the rest of the 3rd gate park in FP?

The area seems large enough, it has the advantage of requiring a regular BGW ticket purchase for park entry to get to it with this being considered as an upcharge attraction, and it could free up the existing SP space for either future expansion or another as of yet to be leaked attraction.
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When they refer to a "third gate" as Sesame Place, it's an independent park/admission. Like how WCUSA is a separate park/admission. I doubt Sesame corporate would be acceptable to such an arrangement as you've described. Also, remember the present Forest of Fun is to be folded into Sesame if it happens.
 
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GrandpaD said:
When they refer to a "third gate" as Sesame Place, it's an independent park/admission. Like how WCUSA is a separate park/admission. I doubt Sesame corporate would be acceptable to such an arrangement as you've described. Also, remember the present Forest of Fun is to be folded into Sesame if it happens.
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While I generally tend to believe that this is a coaster and not any sort of hamlet or SW based upon the location of the FAA waiver, the proposed height, and the leaked DF station modification plans, I have curiosity because of the previously leaked drainage plans on that side of the water that are unrelated to Pantheon and the indications that SW is a go even though location is not yet announced.

I'm not sure if the drainage plans are still intact or were for the cancelled Madrid project - I'll gladly drop that line of thought if anyone can conclusively determine they were for Madrid.

As to SEAS corporate's deal with Sesame - all I am certain of is that there were discussions to have a whole new SW launching sometime in the next year or so. I'm not sure if any agreement between the two includes gate operations management and pricing structures.

The current trend seems to be an all-out AIS push, so in my mind it's conceivable that the SEAS strategy is to get standard BGW ticket/membership purchases up front then tack on an upcharge/upgrade/benefit to cross into SW territory.

Also conceivable is that they found it cost prohibitive to remove the France lot and find somewhere else for existing parking spaces to go plus add in new spaces for square footage SW adds.

If anything, they could move the existing SP for not that much in comparison (as I understand it, most of the rides and attractions aren't that hard to relocate and the buildings aren't particularly expensive to rebuild elsewhere) and use that space for a new ADA or preferred lot.

But again, I'm still not sure how a 355' attraction of any sort fits into a SW section.
 
The drainage plans were most likely for what Madrid was supposed to be. But it's also possible that they could be for a coaster that is being built. They could need drainage due to the ground and how deep they need to go with the foundations. Then because of the area they need to keep water away.

As far as SPW the agreement is allows the park to build a second Sesame Place somewhere in the US. That's from the press release. We have now way of knowing if the actual agreement has some other language in it. But to me that's pretty clear that it's going to a separate standalone park or they wouldn't have said that it would be second Sesame place.

Honestly from what we know about this attraction I feel confident in saying that there is 0 chance that it is related to Sesame.
 
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Jonesta6 said:
I'm not sure if the drainage plans are still intact or were for the cancelled Madrid project - I'll gladly drop that line of thought if anyone can conclusively determine they were for Madrid.
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The permit specifically noted "Project Madrid" the the project's name, so I would certainly think they're related ?

Edit: forgot to include the page from the permit application

20190922_161652.jpg
 
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Adam said:
The permit specifically noted "Project Madrid" the the project's name, so I would certainly think they're related ?
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I've been thinking about this lately and I wonder at times if that filing was the start of them changing plans and although it's tied to Madrid, will actually show up in project 2021.
 
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Jonesta6 said:
The current trend seems to be an all-out AIS push, so in my mind it's conceivable that the SEAS strategy is to get standard BGW ticket/membership purchases up front then tack on an upcharge/upgrade/benefit to cross into SW territory.
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Respectfully, that really just is not conceivable at all, for multiple reasons.
 
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BGWnut said:
Guys it's clearly going to be the called Gwazi Reborn and it's going to be themed to a mythical dragon with the head of a wolf
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Half dragon half wolf half alligator.

... Or is that half dragon half bearpig wolfgator
 
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