Project Drachen Spire: Multi-Launch Shuttle Giga

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:​

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]

Drachen Spire........remember?

 

[halfabee]

Don’t worry. The same phenomenon will apply to Drachen Spire too. 😁

 

[Jonesta6]

They can't just decide to run Ka slower to save money! I shouldn't have to fight anyone on this.

I think this is a reply to something I mentioned regarding an ElToroRyan video where he mentioned both KK and TTD have had their launches slowed down from the advertised top speed. Nothing in there suggests that whatever the actual speed is is not adequate for a successful circuit, but that slower launches saves wear and tear/extends the ride's lifespan.

As far as the DF plans go, they could certainly neuter the launch with no real ill effects since they could also increase force from the extra stators currently designated to be at the bottom of the spike tower for the return trip.

 

[b.mac]

Nothing in there suggests that whatever the actual speed is is not adequate for a successful circuit, but that slower launches saves wear and tear/extends the ride's lifespan.

Reducing the speed doesn't negate the fact that they have to replace the majority of the parts in the launch system after a certain amount of cycles anyways, usually long before those critical parts actually come to a criticality in wear.

From what I got told with Kingda Ka when I worked at Great Adventure it actually only goes like 117 mph on the launches and maybe hits like 124 when empty. All the stories I've heard about it led me to believe that Great Adventure and Intamin are just going off of advertising figures, because I don't think Kingda Ka has actually hit 128 mph in its life.

 

[Jonesta6]

Reducing the speed doesn't negate the fact that they have to replace the majority of the parts in the launch system after a certain amount of cycles anyways, usually long before those critical parts actually come to a criticality in wear.

From what I got told with Kingda Ka when I worked at Great Adventure it actually only goes like 117 mph on the launches and maybe hits like 124 when empty. All the stories I've heard about it led me to believe that Great Adventure and Intamin are just going off of advertising figures, because I don't think Kingda Ka has actually hit 128 mph in its life.

That could very well be true, I haven't worked at either place so the best I got is anecdotal evidence from a YouTuber.

 

[bill s]

One thing cutting back the speed any at all might help, specifically on Ka with its vibration, is wheel wear. It feels like I305 when a wheel is going. But considering the small margin for error, they're not going to attempt to get ejector air over the top on every ride, though it can happen. It wouldn't take much at all in energy cost to have a little more left over upon reaching the top, but the wear factors truly could be exponential.

Yeah you're right, my engineering degree doesn't mean shit. 🙃

Not the only one here. However your comparison of a heavy roller coaster train to a whiffle ball doesn't inspire confidence. A thick steel whiffle ball, maybe.

 

[PNDS]

The've surveyed the Drachen Fire field for "a new coaster" which is Drachen Spire obviously.

 

[Nicole]

What is the source of that information?

 

[Mwe BGW]

dippin dots guy

 

[GrantLee123]

The guy who painted the Rhine river cruise trash can lids red

 

[horsesboy]

The've surveyed the Drachen Fire field for "a new coaster" which is Drachen Spire obviously.

I mean they actually did that a while ago when they were first drawing up plans so I don't know that this is any new info.

 

[Jahrules]

I mean they actually did that a while ago when they were first drawing up plans so I don't know that this is any new info.

And by a while, we're talking year(s) at this point...

 

[horsesboy]

And by a while, we're talking year(s) at this point...

correct I think we saw markers in the fall of 19

 

[PNDS]

I mean they actually did that a while ago when they were first drawing up plans so I don't know that this is any new info.

Thats just what the guy said. he was the same one who told me about DarKoaster. He works in entertainment if you're wondering.

 

[GrantLee123]

Thats just what the guy said. he was the same one who told me about DarKoaster. He works in entertainment if you're wondering.

So does the guy who paints trash can lids. He’s multitalented.

 

[Zachary]

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Huge thanks to @Jahrules for his help here as always!

 

[tursiops]

Enormous new coaster as in Spire or a NEW new coaster?

 

[ControlsEE]

Enormous new coaster as in Spire or a NEW new coaster?

New to the park, but I think Zachary was leaving it open ended to allow in case the park has made changes we have not learned about yet.

 

[Jahrules]

Enormous new coaster as in Spire or a NEW new coaster?

No telling at this time... Though I (we?) suspect if there have been any design changes, they have been relatively minor.

 

[DrunkenCronuts]

Well, if it's gotta be yet another shuttle launch coaster, I'll take the stance of "it's still better than nothing back there" and try to be positive about the end result. Thanks for 're-breaking it', fellas and gals.