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

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:
  
  

  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
• Most Recent Status Update:
  
  

  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

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.

Accept third party cookies

Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

Additional Coverage (Newest to Oldest):​

• https://bgwfans.com/2022/drachen-spire-height-waiver-extension-details/
• https://bgwfans.com/2022/drachen-spire-height-waiver-renewal/
• https://bgwfans.com/2021/drachen-spires-slumber/
• https://bgwfans.com/2020/leaked-ele...-williamsburgs-2021-roller-coaster-in-detail/
• https://bgwfans.com/2020/busch-gardens-williamsburg-2021-shuttle-giga-coaster/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/germany-expansion-site-plans/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/2021-rpa-impacts-plan/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/newly-leaked-document-depicts-project-2021s-station/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/project-2021-height-waiver-vote-happens-tomorrow/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/born-from-the-ashes/
• https://bgwfans.com/2019/bgw-project-2021/

Previous Thread:​

https://parkfans.net/threads/january-2019-festhaus-park-height-survey.5696/

 

[J.J.]

Just wondering, what if this was a 2-phase project? I feel like the extra space leaves the potential to build some sort of expanded pathway, midway, or hamlet in the future.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Just wondering, what if this was a 2-phase project? I feel like the extra space leaves the potential to build some sort of expanded pathway, midway, or hamlet in the future.

you get a big spike and you like it!

 

[hyperrider]

Judging by the footers, I doubt this is a possibility, but is there any way we could see the transition between right and left turns actually be a barrel roll, a la Max Force?

 

[DECoasteyGuy]

Judging by the footers, I doubt this is a possibility, but is there any way we could see the transition between right and left turns actually be a barrel roll, a la Max Force?

Footers aside, at that speed I highly doubt it

 

[halfabee]

Colors look very dragony.

 

[DECoasteyGuy]

Colors look very dragony.

I was thinking gale or similar storm at first but that too

 

[thopping]

First, really appreciate the effort that went into this analysis. Especially with not one but two videos. Educated speculation as you say, but my guess is this is probably very close. And it tracks very closely to the September/October speculation.

So please don't take this as being ungrateful... but my initial reaction from the fall holds:

I'm really hoping there's got to be something unique (and compelling) here, but I can't imagine what. Backing out of a station first may be somewhat unique, but who cares?

I'm not a fan of shuttles or spikes to begin with, and yet, IF speculation is accurate, here we go again. Why would anyone even care about this thing compared to Pantheon? Some additional height on the spike in exchange for...well everything else that Pantheon has? Even worse of a one-trick pony... I'd rather have the TTD clone than another spike gimmick. I don't think it would be much of a sustained draw either...and given the location, people may start to think anything built in Festhaus Park is cursed.

So "unique" here is it's a shuttle w/ a second spike, an extra element or two, and maybe the spikes are beyond vertical. Still spikes. Still gimmicky.

I don’t think it looks amazing—I don’t think it’s going to be many people’s favorite ride in the park—I expect Pantheon to be better.

Completely agree w/ you Zachary, and I'm still "profoundly unenthusiastic" to borrow from Nicole. Only silver lining is Pantheon by comparison is absolutely awesome, plus maybe this will pull some riders from the better coasters. I fear "Drachen Spire" is appropriately named though--perhaps it will suffer the same fate.

 

[wombat96]

Very interesting. It's different. I like it.

However, to have a massive giga coaster and not offer a way to sit backwards seems like a waste. The view from the top looking down on the Rhine and Pantheon is going to be mesmerizing. I'd have to imagine the park has seating both ways ala Turbo Track or maybe a car turned around. Another option could be one train faces forward the other one faces backwards. It just seems like most of the major spike coasters (SEFK, ToT II, etc) have a car turned around or have now turned a car around. Either way I'm super excited to ride and even more excited to see another coaster finally replace Drachen Fire.

 

[Jonesta6]

To solve the backwards/forwards train thing, could they have cars on the train rotate near the the top of the spike? That wouldn't be anything requiring different track configurations meaning different footers, right?

Otherwise, an idea for an element that probably won't work here based on what loads the footers appear to be designed for:

Straight spike to the top, holding brakes up there, fast switch track to another track that curves around the spike tower (becoming the inbound track - spiral is a somewhat looser version of what TTD uses), the second track ultimately parallels the outbound track to the station on the opposite side of the outbound track from the station. The #1 switch (front of station) is moved to the far left to direct the inbound train towards the rear spike (maybe even a slow last ascent) before switching back to dispatch, the #3 switch (back of station) then moves to allow the inbound train to unload while the next train is cycled to the main track. Unrealistic, I know.

Otherwise, the one thing that doesn't square for me is the maintenance track - the plans show it completely missing the existing maintenance building?

 

[halfabee]

an idea for an element that probably won't work

Correct.

 

[thopping]

I do love the colors though!

 

[Rdbarne03]

Would one consider this a "family ride"?

 

[RKRCC]

I miss the ‘old fashioned’ chain lift hill coasters....

 

[Ryanator]

Two back-to-back Intamin coasters. That actually desires a “Two Thumbs Up” for Busch Gardens.

 

[GrandpaD]

First off. Great work by the entire team for a highly informative, professional bpresentation. Whether readers like the coaster or not, that shouldn't taint the hard work in interpreting the plans and developing realistic conjecture.

I have to concur with @Zachary , @thopping et al. It's not something that screams "you gotta ride this!". Shuttle coasters just don't do it for me. I agree with a few that stated it might be "better" with a front/back train. Then, in a way, it becomes "two" rides.

I did notice a lot of land between the Verbolten building and the launch track. Conceivably you could place a flat (or two) and maybe a shop/food stall. Better yet (wishful thinking) move Tempesto there and then properly theme Festa and redo that Roman themed drainage ditch.

Again, nice job in securing the plans and interpreting them.

 

[Lord Robert]

Everyone who put together the article and videos did a great job tonight. TBH, I'm more interested in "Drachen Spire" than I am of what Kings Dominion is getting in 2021 for I like how interesting the technology might be. And I agree that Busch Gardens Williamsburg getting a whooping 2 Intamin roller coasters deserves a BIG thumbs up.

 

[thopping]

TBH, I'm more interested in "Drachen Spire" than I am of what Kings Dominion is getting in 2021...

OMG. Can't. Believe. I'm. Writing. This.

I'm actually far more interested in KD 2021 than I am Project 2021.

I don't follow KD...since I don't like the park...at all...but I thought I heard a B&M Wing was rumored...

In such case, far more interested in that, and may have to actually have to... gulp... make a trip there. It's a B&M afterall.

What's going on??? What have you done to me SEAS???!!!

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

I would pretty much guarantee the ride will have "Drachen" in the name

 

[JohnD]

Kudos to Zachary and team for the article, videos, and painstaking effort that went into the compilation.

 

[Vigil]

I'll start with the positive: props to the forum team for the analysis and pulling everything together. Now the rare negative from me. I'm usually the first to say that you shouldn't judge a ride until you ride it, but I'm going to break that. This ride actually annoys me. Like who thought it was a good idea? It utilizes the exact same elements and concepts as a ride opening the year before. It just seems like a bit of a waste of space... I love launches, but like 90 percent of the fun is the acceleration, which you don't get with the swing launches. I really hope there's something we're missing that isn't evident in the plans. I just don't see a "point" yet. Nothing strikes me as compelling reason, "Oh yeah that's why they built this," other than "We got a package deal" which I don't think is a great reason. Here's hoping, I guess... OK, I'm done.

I do think this will be a huge version of Turbo Track. I think the beyond vertical back spike makes sense, and I think the up-the-middle front tower lends itself to a spiral, which also helps differentiate it. I'm not sure whether I'd prefer a spiral or straight drop, considering how tall it is, but I think the precedent is there with Turbo Track. I definitely think there will be back-to-back seating as well.