Busch Gardens Gives Us a Look at DarKoaster
For years now, the building formerly known as DarKastle in Oktoberfest has politely housed some haunted houses and Santa's Workshop. But, at last, a ride is returning to the sinister home of Mad King Ludwig. In fact, the new ride, DarKoaster, looks like something that fits both Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town: a crazy "snow mobile" ride in which you try to escape an evil blizzard!
The ride has been a bit of an "open secret" for a while, but the park made a more formal announcement at a media event on Tuesday, September 6. After a brief presentation and video by Kevin Lembke, park president, they took us backstage to DarKastle to give us a look at the ride itself. But we had another visitor, too . . .
Yes, Jack would like to remind us that while DarKoaster is a fine thing, indeed, don't forget that Howl-o-Scream starts on Friday, September 9!
Here's the park's official press release for DarKoaster.
Here's a look at the media day and DarKoaster.
Welcome to the Abbeystone Theatre in Killarney.
There will be no traditional Irish dancing today, but this makes up for it. I think the scary face in the storm might be old Ludwig.
Park president Kevin Lembke tells us about DarKoaster.
Remember--you have been warned!
Here, we see coaster enthusiasts in their natural habitat. Be very quiet! We don't want to startle them.
Suzy Cheely, vice president of design and engineering, was there to answer questions about the new ride. DarKoaster will feature projection-mapping effects and physical set pieces to tell its story.
As I recall, we were standing in what used to be the maintenance bay for Curse of DarKastle. It was the entrance of the Distorted Dimensions HOS maze a few years ago, too.
Lots of twisty track in here.
It looks like they're repurposing some of the old ride's theming, too.
You can see it a bit more clearly here.
Here's a close up of one of the launch sections.
A closer look at the twistiness of it all. Looks like it'll get pretty "stormy" in there.
Gets pretty close to the ceiling there.
One last look at the track.
"COME BACK, YOU FOOLS! I was gonna make espresso."
And that's a wrap from Busch Gardens--for now!