originally posted on 5/26/2023
DarKoaster is the first all-indoor installation of Intamin’s straddle coaster combining a compact layout with special effects.
Photo: Courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. View full-sized image.
What do Wild Izzy (the ride named after the mascot of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia), Wild Maus and Curse of DarKastle have in common? All once stood on the location of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s (Williamsburg, Virginia) brand new roller coaster, DarKoaster.
DarKoaster’s exterior pays homage to Curse of DarKastle, which is sure to resonate with longtime fans of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Photo: Aidan Brown. View full-sized image.
DarKoaster is North America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster from Intamin, similar to Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio and the soon-to-debut Arctic Rescue at SeaWorld San Diego and is the 10th roller coaster in the park’s growing lineup. It stands on the original site of a Mack Rides mobile Wild Mouse called Wild Izzy – the mascot of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, which opened the same year. The following year the coaster’s name was changed to Wild Maus and remained in operation until 2003, when it was relocated to sister property Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The ride still slithers today as Sand Serpent.
DarKoaster’s real estate was once home to Wild Izzy/Wild Maus and the 4-D Curse of DarKastle dark ride.
Photo: Courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. View full-sized image.
Photo: Howard Gillooly. View full-sized image.
In 2005, Curse of DarKastle’s doors opened and introduced guests to the ghost of King Ludwig. Busch Gardens Williamsburg parkgoers were treated to a 4-D experience with 3-D glasses and state-of-the-art ride vehicles. This created a unique experience through the cold halls of the haunted castle. However, the number of guests eager to explore the mad king’s halls eventually dwindled, and the doors to the castle closed one last time in 2017.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg took special care to connect DarKoaster to the site’s previous use as Curse of DarKastle.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
The ghosts remained restless in their forced slumber and in 2023 DarKoaster reopened the doors to the castle. It is a coaster with a track length of 2,454 feet that reaches a height of 37 feet and achieves speeds of 36 mph, but don’t let these mild statistics fool anyone because the ghosts and King Ludwig still have tricks up their sleeves. The layout features four linear synchronous motor launches and a switch track, much like the park’s most recent coaster installation, Pantheon. The switch track is the reason why a ride on DarKoaster includes two laps on the circuit.
Riders experience DarKoaster while leaning forward, as if piloting snowmobiles.
Photo: Courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. View full-sized image.
DarKoaster features two trains designed to resemble snowmobiles with each seating 10 guests. The train names, Wild Wolf 9684 and Frostbite 17-19 – nods to Curse of DarKastle – were voted on by the public. There is a height minimum of 48 inches and a maximum height of 77 inches, and though the ghosts may seem terrifying, this ride is a great family coaster. There are several hidden Easter eggs throughout that will be a blast for those who have roamed the halls before and will surely create many memories for those who haven’t in the years to come.
Park guests seeking the park’s typical attention to detail will not be disappointed – everything from the ride vehicles to DarKastle-branded offerings such as beer are visually perfect.
Photos: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
— Amanda Hilliard
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