Project Drachen Spire: Multi-Launch Shuttle Giga (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/

 

[PNDS]

Nope. Closest even slightly unobstructed views from pathways will be the ride's plaza and the bridge from Oktoberfest to San Marco. Rough map:

View attachment 26051

At least Verbolten's bridge will have a cool view if you turn around in the back row....

 

[DrunkenCronuts]

Verbolten gonna be neat to race with Pantheon's outer bank and look back and go "wth is that big carl lum blue thing?!"

It's the new coaster valley. (And give them a reason to never replace the roof) /sarcasm

 

[AIR]

At least Verbolten's bridge will have a cool view if you turn around in the back row....

Since this rumor/concept was leaked, I've hated the layout and placement of the spire part of the ride. I think the general idea is... decent... I guess. Even the simplicity of it is fine, it's just all that space and they decide to put a giant ass dragster tower basically right on top of Verbolten. It will not be balanced at all in terms of say Verbolten vs Pantheon on the other side of the water. The sight lines are all messed up with this one.

 

[Dave / Pink]

The Woods Maze location is expected to stay intact somehow.

It won't be "woods" by the time this is built

 

[Coasternerd]

It won't be "woods" by the time this is built

Unfortunately- this is very, very true. They could’ve kept some trees up with pantheon by using the train crossing next to Circo as the entry to pantheon. The big plus to this plot of land is that there isn’t really any tree clearing that would need to take place here, with the exception of some where that last launch and spire will go.

 

[madmax]

The launch hill at 100 mph is going to be lethal on this

 

[CoasterMac]

^I don't think there was one? Unless something changed, at least.

 

[Zachary]

^I don't think there was one? Unless something changed, at least.

There definitely isn't one in the valley launch and we don't know if there's one in the swing launch.

We still don't have an example of a fast track switch without one though, do we? I'm really curious if one is needed to valley a train in if the switch errors?

 

[BGWnut]

As cool as it'd be, I think Drachen Spire is likely the big 50th splash. Would be weird to have a giga on your 49th - makes anything on the 50th seem ho-hum.

edit: I DO think that space needs to be revitalized asap with winters being what they are. DarKoaster will help, but the park needs more and more climate control attractions.

I feel very confident in telling you the park has something else planned for the 50th. I would expect DS to open in 2024.

 

[DrunkenCronuts]

I feel very confident in telling you the park has something else planned for the 50th. I would expect DS to open in 2024.

That's awesome to hear! Thank you so much for the insight! I'm ready to be excited all over again!

 

[DrunkenCronuts]

Theme Park Predictions made a fun little youtube video about this project today.

Appears he's not a fan of the shuttle, though.

Edit: I don't think it's anything real or valid - I just like videos highlighting our parks and giving BGWfans proper credits.

 

[Furyous Baco 325]

I kinda hope the layout he proposed doesn’t end up happening because it crosses over Verbolten and makes that whole area look awkward. At the same time, it does look insane

 

[Zachary]

Just want to say that, for now, this is still accurate.

While I don't think anything has been absolutely finalized yet internally, it is my understanding that Drachen Spire, more-or-less as originally designed, is still currently in the pipeline. There's plenty of time for things to change since we're probably talking about a 2024 or 2025 project here, but all signs I've seen point to Drachen Spire right now.

 

[Zachary]

More new updates. Thanks to @Adam for spotting that letter!

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

Note: I updated this thread's wiki post with this new article too.

 

[PNDS]

Still wish it was "complete". Very good article though, and I'd rather have that then a field.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I can’t wait to zip around the turn to go into the super version of the launch before Pantheons top hat!

I wonder how cool that launch will sound. I love the sound of Pantheon and VelociCoasters launches.

 

[I64 Trekker]

I can’t wait to zip around the turn to go into the super version of the launch before Pantheons top hat!

I wonder how cool that launch will sound. I love the sound of Pantheon and VelociCoasters launches.

Agreed on sound, as you just don't get that on the smaller/older Intamin launch coasters. That said, after waiting through numerous cycles to address a maintenance issue on Pantheon earlier this evening, I was left pining for the simplicity of a chain system ala Apollo / Iron Gwazi.

 

[Coasternerd]

Agreed on sound, as you just don't get that on the smaller/older Intamin launch coasters. That said, after waiting through numerous cycles to address a maintenance issue on Pantheon earlier this evening, I was left pining for the simplicity of a chain system ala Apollo / Iron Gwazi.

I really do hope that after DarKoaster and then this that we finally get a chain lift roller coaster. But even before that we need some more flats that aren’t older ride models.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

^yeah I’m pretty glad we got Finnegans at least when they went for a large flat they got one of the best types. Really would like to see KD or BGW add some of these newer zamperla rides with nice large shoulder harnesses *stares at Mach Tower, Delirium, and Drop Tower*

 

[DrunkenCronuts]

These big intamin projects seem to be leaving plenty of room for just that, too.