Wildcat's Revenge

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For the roller coaster at Hersheypark that closed in 1945, see Wild Cat (Hersheypark).
Wildcat's Revenge
Previously known as Wildcat (1996-2022)
File:Wildcat's Revenge (logo).jpg
Wildcat (Drop).JPG
The original Wildcat's first drop
Hersheypark
LocationHersheypark
Park sectionMidway America
Coordinates40°17′33″N 76°39′21″W / 40.29250°N 76.65583°W / 40.29250; -76.65583Coordinates: 40°17′33″N 76°39′21″W / 40.29250°N 76.65583°W / 40.29250; -76.65583
StatusUnder construction
Opening date2023 (2023)
ReplacedWildcat
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerRocky Mountain Construction
DesignerAlan Schilke
ModelI-Box Track
Track layoutTwister
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height140 ft (43 m)
Length3,510 ft (1,070 m)
Speed62 mph (100 km/h)
Inversions4
Duration2:36
Max vertical angle82°
Trains3 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial website
Wildcat's Revenge at RCDB
Video
The Wildcat, Hersheypark roller coaster (video), 2013-08-10.ogv

Wildcat's Revenge is an upcoming steel hybrid coaster to be located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Originally constructed as a wooden roller coaster named Wildcat, it was the first roller coaster manufactured by Great Coasters International (GCI). It opened to the public on May 26, 1996, as the anchor attraction of the Midway America section of the park. The coaster cost $5.6 million was built on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) plot that had previously been used for parking. The ride traversed a 90-foot lift hill and twelve banked turns, subjecting riders to forces of up to 3.5 Gs. From 1998 to 2009, Wildcat received a Golden Ticket Award for being one of the 50 best wooden roller coasters.

Wildcat closed permanently in July 2022. Hersheypark announced in November 2022 that Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) was converting the ride into a steel hybrid coaster named Wildcat's Revenge. The ride, scheduled to open in 2023, will contain four inversions along a 3,510-foot-long (1,070 m) course.

History

Great Coasters International construction

In June 1995, the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company announced that it would build "The Wildcat", a wooden roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, over the following year.[1][2] The ride would be named after The Wild Cat, Hersheypark's first roller coaster, which operated from 1923 to 1945.[3][4] The coaster was intended as the main attraction in Midway America, an area in Hersheypark themed to classic American attractions;[1][5] construction of the themed area had begun the prior month.[2] Wildcat was the first coaster constructed by Pennsylvania firm Great Coasters International (GCI).[3][5] The 2-acre (0.81 ha) plot on which the ride was built had previously been used for parking.[6]

GCI started constructing Wildcat in August 1995.[4] It was originally expected to open on May 11, 1996, along with an "inauguration celebration".[4][6] Wildcat was planned to be part of "Physics Day" on May 17, where it would be used to demonstrate gravitational pulls.[6] Work on the ride was complicated by the North American blizzard of 1996,[4] during which workers reportedly "had to dig out wood from snow".[6] Wildcat cost $5.6 million to construct.[7] The ride was constructed with around 500,000 board foot of Southern yellow pine.[8]

Wildcat ultimately opened to the media on May 23, 1996,[9] and to the public on May 26, 1996.[10] The ride's opening was accompanied by a one-hour-long television special entitled Wild Rides, which aired on the Discovery Channel on May 26, 1996.[9][10] Erik Arneson of the Lebanon Daily News wrote of the ride: "I'm a fan of multiple loops ... but the Wildcat is the fastest roller coaster I've ever been on, and it's exciting from start to finish."[9] Wildcat initially ran with six-car trains built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company; each car had two rows of two seats. These were replaced in 2007 with GCI's Millennium Flyer trains, each of which contained 12 cars with two seats in a single row.[11]

Rocky Mountain Construction refurbishment

Hersheypark announced in July 2022 that Wildcat was scheduled to close permanently on July 31, 2022.[12][13] Family members of Nicholas Pantalone, who had been one of the ride's operators before his death in 2013, were present on Wildcat's final ride.[14] Following the announcement, the park posted on Twitter, "Any suggestions on what we could do with 3,100 feet of wooden track?"[15][16] Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) replied on Twitter stating, "We have a few ideas...".[15] This led to speculation that RMC would rebuild the retired ride. RMC had previously rebuilt several wooden coasters, such as Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Twisted Timbers at Kings Dominion, and Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England; according to The York Dispatch, these rebuilds "might be a model for the closing Wildcat".[15] At the time, a spokesperson for Hersheypark refused to confirm rumors of Wildcat's future, saying: "We will share details on what's next before the end of" 2022.[17]

On November 2, 2022, Hersheypark confirmed that RMC was converting Wildcat into a hybrid coaster called Wildcat's Revenge.[18] The ride would utilize the existing wooden infrastructure accompanied by steel track, with an expected opening in 2023.[19][20]

Characteristics

Statistic Wildcat[11] Wildcat's Revenge[21]
Years 1996–2022 Planned to open 2023
Manufacturer Great Coasters International Rocky Mountain Construction
Designer Clair Hain; Mike Boodley Alan Schilke
Track Wood Steel
Height 106 ft or 32 m 140 ft or 43 m
Drop 85.2 ft or 26.0 m —
Length 3,183 ft or 970 m 3,510 ft or 1,070 m
Speed 50 mph or 80 km/h 62 mph or 100 km/h
Max vertical angle — 82°
Inversions 0 4
Trains Philadelphia Toboggan Company (1996–2007)
Great Coasters International (2007–2022) 		—

Wildcat

The station was shaped like a "Victorian station house" with a red, white, and blue paint scheme.[5][7] Riders left the station and traversed a small right-hand drop.[22] The train then ascended a 90-foot lift hill and descended the first drop at 45 miles per hour,[7][23] curving steeply to the right.[22] Riders then went on several similar drops before returning to the station.[13] After the first drop, the ride ascended a left-hand curve, traveled through an airtime hill above the bottom of the first drop, and descended to the left beneath the lift hill. The train then traveled straight over another airtime hill before curving 270 degrees to the right. Passing over the bottom of the lift hill, the train curved left again, ascended another airtime hill, then descended another left-hand curve. The train next curved right and traversed another series of lift hills before entering the final brake run and making a sharp right turn into the station.[22]

There were twelve banked turns in total, subjecting riders to forces of up to 3.5 Gs.[7] The Wildcat was located on a relatively large hill, giving it the appearance of being taller than it actually was.[5][7]

Wildcat's Revenge

As of 2022, the former Wildcat was being converted into a steel roller coaster manufactured by RMC. The ride will contain four inversions and will reuse most of the original wooden roller coaster's support structure. This roller coaster will be 3,510 feet (1,070 m) long and will rise up to 140 feet (43 m).[18][24] The ride will contain an 82-degree drop off the lift hill, reaching a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h).[24] The ride will feature the world's largest underflip inversion, which is described as ascending upwards before the train twists counterclockwise into a 270° roll before descending down.[18][25] One cycle of the ride is expected to last 2 minutes and 36 seconds.[24]

Rankings

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking 11[26] 12[27] 17[28] 22[29] 25[30] 28[31] 28[32] 32[33] 43[34] 38[35] 45[36] 45[37]

Gallery

  • Wildcat's lift, drop, and large twister segment

    Wildcat's lift, drop, and large twister segment

  • Wildcat from the Kissing Tower

    Wildcat from the Kissing Tower

  • The entrance to Wildcat, taken in 2013

    The entrance to Wildcat, taken in 2013

References

  1. ^ a b Kolus, Howard (July 1, 1995). "Cat is back". The Daily News. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Murse, Thomas A. (July 7, 1995). "New coaster, midway for Hersheypark". Lancaster New Era. pp. 11, 12. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Wesser, James (July 29, 2022). "Hersheypark's Wildcat giving final rides this weekend". ABC27. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Wiseman, Lisa (May 24, 1996). "New ride recalls yesteryear". York Daily Record. p. 44. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "Hersheypark unleashes a new thriller in Wildcat". The Morning Call. June 2, 1996. pp. 77, 82. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "Past and future twist together". The Sentinel. February 1, 1996. p. 34. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Kraft, Randy (July 7, 1996). "Hersheypark coaster unleases $6.5M wild ride". Press Enterprise. p. 22. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "A new wildcat races into Hersheypark". The Gettysburg Times. May 23, 1996. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Arneson, Erik (May 24, 1996). "Untamed". The Daily News. pp. 1, 3. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Ride the Wildcat in your living room". York Sunday News. May 26, 1996. p. 51. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Wildcat  (Hersheypark)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  12. ^ York Daily Record (July 8, 2022). "Last ride, as Hersheypark wooden roller coaster to close soon: What you need to know". York Daily Record. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Hearst Television Inc. (July 11, 2022). "Hersheypark to close Wildcat roller coaster". WGAL. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  14. ^ Mautner, Chris (August 18, 2022). "Hersheypark lets family of teen who died of cancer have last ride on Wildcat roller coaster". Staten Island Advance. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Enright, Matt (July 8, 2022). "Wildcat, Hersheypark's wooden roller coaster, is retiring: How to ride". York Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  16. ^ Adams, Sean (July 13, 2022). "Hersheypark is retiring a roller coaster, giving fans one last chance to ride". lehighvalleylive. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  17. ^ Boeckel, Teresa (July 8, 2022). "Last ride, as Hersheypark wooden roller coaster to close soon: What you need to know". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c York Dispatch (November 2, 2022). "HersheyPark announces new hybrid steel-and-wooden coaster, replacing Wildcat". York Dispatch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Boeckel, Teresa (November 2, 2022). "Wildcat's Revenge, a new hybrid coaster, coming to Hersheypark next summer". York Daily Record. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Wesser, James (November 2, 2022). "Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement". WHTM-TV. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  21. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildcat's Revenge  (Hersheypark)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  22. ^ a b c 2019 Wildcat POV Hersheypark, archived from the original on May 12, 2022, retrieved May 12, 2022
  23. ^ "Calhoun Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  24. ^ a b c Tanenbaum, Michael (November 2, 2022). "Hersheypark to transform Wildcat roller coaster into hybrid ride with wooden frame, steel track". PhillyVoice. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  25. ^ Wesser, James (November 2, 2022). "Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement". WETM. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  26. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  27. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  28. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  29. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  30. ^ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "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.
  37. ^ "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.

External links

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