Official reason for Drachen Fire closure from BGW

I email BGW and asked them why they took Drachen Fire out and this is the responce I got:

"Thank you for your interest in Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Drachen Fire is no
longer part of the park's roller coaster line up, but we hope you enjoy the five
Busch Gardens Williamsburg coasters including Apollo's Chariot, Alpengeist, the
Big Bad Wolf, Wilde Maus, and the Lochness Monster, which is celebrating it's
25th Anniversary.

It is standard practice at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to monitor attraction ridership closely. Drachen Fire had experienced declining popularity and guest surveys indicated that Drachen Fire ridership was consistently lower than the park's other roller coasters. And, with the addition of the park's newest roller coaster, Apollo's Chariot and top rated Alpengeist, Drachen Fire simply did not deliver the thrilling new ride experience guests are seeking."

My thoughts, Dont take out a great ride like Drachen Fire just because it wasn't as popular as Alpengiest.

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Bring Back The Drachen Fire

The park's business is attracting people to the park, not maintaining unpopular rides, despite how "historical" or innovative they may be.

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

I used to like the ride, I don't even remember it being that rough, I was like 7 though so maybe my head didn't even touch the restraints. They could have added some more rides/shows/food near Drachen Fire, because its sorta hidden in its location and if people realized there were more rides near there they'd prolly ride the Drachen more.

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I go to the point each year to have their new coaster break down, thats my life. Dragster and WT may have been closed, but MF is always there to fulfill my thrill needs

Well If it was a B&M like originally planned i don't think think they would have had problems attracting guests.

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Bring Back The Drachen Fire

I think Drachan would have not had as many complaints as it did if it used the other arrow looping tubs (Loch Ness). From what I understand, the seat molds on DF didn't have the shoulder support that was needed, and people slid around too much.

But thats just what I heard...

Countdown to "Did B&M design DF?" argument in 3...2...1...

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Must we discuss this yet again? Give it up, people...the ride is gone, it's not coming back, and it wasn't that great to begin with.

mOOSH

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A random Mooshter's Dawntionary listing: Frisbeetarianism [n.] the belief that when you die your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.

Did B&M design Drachen Fire? ;)

Ahh, another DF thread. I suppose it wouldn't be complete without a post from yours truly praising the hell out of it. Dang, I miss it. *sniff* :(

Oh well, Alpie's right next door. :)

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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omg you can tel ltaht b7m made DF coz it has teh interlokcing crokscrews!!!!!!!!!11111 wtf olololo!!!!!1111

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

OF COURSE Drachen Fire had lower ridership than the other coasters...IT WAS CLOSED!!!

It's a little like Cedar Point trying to claim that Mine Ride didn't need its third train because it was only carrying 6,700 people per day...well, with only two trains running at 675 PPH, that's the best it can do!!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Den said:
The park's business is attracting people to the park, not maintaining unpopular rides, despite how "historical" or innovative they may be.
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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

And that would help explain KC.

I heard B&M designed BGW's haunted swing until Vekoma built it but they forgot to build a path to it so it had low ridership so they taered it down.

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Touchè, teacher, touchè.

twlvzrock said:
My thoughts, Dont take out a great ride like Drachen Fire just because it wasn't as popular as Alpengiest.

Sure. Pay maintenance and operators to keep the thing running when nobody's riding it. That makes PERFECT business sense...

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"Another visitor. Stay a while. Stay FOREVER!"

DF's location wasn't the problem. If a ride was good enough, people would find it.

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SCREAM with me... in 2003!

Well guys, hopefully this ends the B&M and Drachen Fire argument once and for all....

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"...they came like a winged curse. A twin plague of demonic dragons!" - Dueling Dragons

http://www.nscallen.freeserve.co.uk/bmletter1.jpg
*** This post was edited by CsTrFrK 7/18/2003 11:54:49 AM ***

"I heard B&M designed BGW's haunted swing until Vekoma built it but they forgot to build a path to it so it had low ridership so they taered it down."

Huh? BGW has never had a Haunted Swing. B&M is not in the business of building flat rides.

BGW did have a ride called "Gladiator's Gauntlet" that was a Vekoma attraction. However it was outdoors, and was VERY lame. It was located in Festa Italia and lasted a very short period of time. It's former location is now an Apollo's Chariot Gift Shop. Perhaps that has created your confusion?

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Shaggy

That's not news... they've been handing out that response for ages.

We've been down this road far too many times... let's not go there again. The ride sucked, they tore it down.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?