Wildcat (Hersheypark)

Wildcat is a wooden roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The coaster opened on May 26, 1996, as the anchor attraction of the Midway America section of the park. Wildcat was the first coaster built by Great Coasters International, and initially ran with trains built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company until 2007 when they were replaced with GCI's Millennium Flyer trains.

This article is about the roller coaster currently located at Hersheypark. For Hersheypark's former roller coaster with the same name, see Wild Cat (Hersheypark).
Wildcat
Wildcat's first drop
Hersheypark
LocationHersheypark
Park sectionMidway America
Coordinates40°17′33″N 76°39′21″W
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 26, 1996 (1996-05-26)
CostUS$5,000,000
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerGreat Coasters International
DesignerClair Hain
Mike Boodley
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height106 ft (32 m)
Drop85.2 ft (26.0 m)
Length3,183 ft (970 m)
Speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:15
Capacity1310 riders per hour
G-force3.5
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
WebsiteOfficial website
Wildcat at RCDB
Pictures of Wildcat at RCDB

History

The ride, opened in 1996, was named after The Wild Cat, Hersheypark's first roller coaster, which operated from 1923–1945.

Ride experience

Like many other GCI coasters, Wildcat contains a curved first drop to reduce chances of nausea. There is an on-ride camera located towards the end of the ride prior to the final brake run.

Characteristics

The ride was known for being extremely rough and painful while operating with the original trains. After the ride was retrofitted with Millennium Flyer trains, guests and enthusiasts alike noticed that the ride was less painful but retained its original roughness.

The Wildcat is located on a relatively large hill, causing it to appear much higher than it is in reality.[1]

Rankings
Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Ranking 11[2]12[3]17[4]22[5]25[6]28[7]28[8]32[9]43[10]38[11]45[12]45[13]

Images
  • Wildcat's lift, drop,and large twister segment
  • Wildcat from the Kissing Tower

References
  1. Randy Kraft (August 11, 1996). "Test Drive Hershey's New Coaster". Allentown Morning Call / Indiana, PA Gazette. p. E-5.
  2. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  3. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  4. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  5. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  6. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  7. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  8. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  9. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  10. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  11. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  12. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  13. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.


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