DarKoaster • Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Comfort Disappointing!

When I was just about to enter the line there was this lady up front and I asked her hey is this a calm, non-jerky ride and she replies “yes this is very calm. So I say I have neck problems and I ask if I can still go on and she says yes. As I am going on the ride my neck was hurting like crazy and it was a very rough ride aswell. I usually love roller coasters but this was a hit or miss because it really depends on you if you like the jerkyness or not. I feel like they could do better not only with their staff but ride too.

Theming Launch Capacity

Capacity is garbage, yes, but the theming is still good and the launch is fun. It's also true to it's name, it is dark inside.

Theming Launch Fun Capacity Dead spots

Fun ride, great fit for the park. The theming in the queue is great, on-ride could've been done maybe a bit better. The launches are actually pretty punchy and there are some fairly forceful turns.

Launch Intensity

Kind of fun, but this ride felt like a missed opportunity to me. Good family coaster and intro to launch rides for younger riders, but nothing more...I would have tolerated a little bit more light for a lot more intensity.

Comfort Disappointing!

After I waited forever in line for this sad little thing, I couldn't help but imagine how much better this ride would be with an actual story and theme. Like, just take this dark building and throw out the tiny coaster and put a story-based ride in its place about the Prince Ludwig and how he scares his subjects or something. Spend actual effort on theming and make this worth riding.

Theming Nice surprise! Launch Capacity

This is nowhere near as bad as people have been saying. The story is weak, but there's solid theming. The launches were shockingly intense and the ride was just plain fun. 90 minutes was a bit excessive of a wait and it's nowhere near as good as Verbolten, but if you go in with reasonable expectations, it's fun.

a modern space mountain with sweet launches. It could use more intensity though.

Smoothness Theming Disappointing! Pointless

I have waited in line for this ride three times since it opened 4 months ago, and each time it shuts down for maintenance. This is a low thrill ride with cheap, boot-leg theming throughout the duration of the ride. The hype doesn’t match the experience. The induction of this ride was nothing more than a marketing scheme and cheap cash grab on BGs part

Location Launch Pace Capacity

This was my first straddle coaster I've ever ridden, and I'd say it was an enjoyable ride overall. I never got to experience the original Darkastle, so I don't really have much to compare it to. My biggest problem with the ride was a capacity. The day I rode it everything else was a walk on, and this had about a 30 minute wait. I know it's a new ride, but that shouldn't have been the case. The theming is also a pro and a con. The theming in the que line is really well done, but it doesn't do a very good job of explaining the actual storyline of the coaster. Then the theming in the actual coaster portion is almost non-existent except for some Spirit Halloween props and an admittedly cool projection at the end of the ride. As for the coaster itself it actually exceeded my expectations. I really like the fact that you go around the coarse twice, otherwise it would've been a very short ride experience. The coaster was also more intense than I expected. The launches were decently punchy, and there were some surprisingly whippy transitions, especially after the launches.

Theming Launch Fun Capacity Dead spots

I waited a hour to ride this ride yesterday and I think it’s a fun family coaster but it wasn’t quite worth the hour wait. The most I would wait for it is 30 minutes, the queue has good theming and the ride has just ok theming, they could’ve added more from the 2/4th launch to the break run. The launches are surprisingly punchy and it’s a fun coaster to ride whether it’s sunny or stormy outside. The line does move insanely slow though.

Lap Bar Launch Pace Capacity Disappointing! Pointless

Only ride in the park with a line, we waited an hour and change for the most boring pointless coaster

Launch Capacity Disappointing! Pointless

I waited almost 2 hours to ride this new attraction. I wish I would have spent that time riding Griffon or any other coaster, like 4 times. The capacity is awful, only allowing 2 per row, with 5 rows. There is little they can do to help in that respect because of the way it was built. I rode as a single rider, but with precious few chances to fill a gap due to the low capacity, there wasn’t much chance to bypass anyone in line. When I boarded, the disappointment continued. The launches were cool, but there was very little in the way of vertical movement. The spooky theming elements felt cheap and tacked on and didn’t add much of anything to the experience either. The whole thing feels like it was originally a much bigger idea that was massively scaled back thanks to a Covid-induced budget slashing. DarKoaster felt like a combination of Epcot’s Test Track, with a haunted house from a traveling carnival, but on a very small scale. It was nice to get out of the heat, but if the wait is longer than 20 minutes, this one is an easy skip for me in the future.

Lap Bar Launch Theming Capacity Disappointing!

Despite having 4 very punchy Intamin LSM launches it doesn't really do much else. The straddle cars are pretty cool, but the only thing they feel cool during is those launches. The queue has quite good theming, but once you're on the ride there is a jumpscare of a stringed up Party City skeleton, and I expected a lot more. It also has one of the worst capacities at the park; since it loops its layout twice it can only run two trains, and for some reason they designed each train with only 10 seats. Needless to say the 2 hour wait was not worth it for me. 6/10 - "Waste of my time, waste of my life" -Guy sitting next to me after waiting 2 hours

Theming Launch Capacity Discomfort

The theming in the queue is great, but on the ride itself it's a little disappointing. The launches and turns have good force to them. This was my first straddle coaster and I found the seating position kind of awkward, but maybe my posture was wrong. The line moved very slowly with only ten people to a train. It's not a bad ride but I'll probably skip it on most of my visits to BGW.

Pace Smoothness

Solid fun family coaster. Much better than the awful haunts that occupied the building the past few years. The theming is ok, not great and it could use more fx and a story or something. The coaster itself is solid though and a great use of the space

Disappointing!

Smoothness Capacity Disappointing!