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Wildcat's Revenge

Coordinates: 40°17′33″N 76°39′21″W / 40.29250°N 76.65583°W / 40.29250; -76.65583
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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)
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; -76.65583
StatusUnder construction
Opening date2023 (2023)
ReplacedWildcat
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerRocky Mountain Construction
DesignerJoe Draves
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°
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
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

Wildcat's Revenge is an upcoming steel hybrid coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. 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 roller 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 ranked among the top 50 wooden roller coasters in the Golden Ticket Awards. Wildcat initially received critical acclaim, but it gained a negative reputation for its increasing roughness.

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

Original development

Wildcat from the Kissing Tower

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]

The roller coaster was designed by Mike Boodley and Clair Hain Jr.;[5] both men had cofounded GCI.[7] The company started constructing Wildcat in August 1995.[4] The roller coaster's trains were manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) between September 1995 and February 1996.[8] 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] 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] Wildcat cost $5.6 million to construct.[9] The ride was constructed with 514,000 board feet (1,210 m3) of Southern yellow pine.[10][8]

Wildcat ultimately opened to the media on May 23, 1996,[11] and to the public on May 26, 1996.[12] The ride's opening was accompanied by a one-hour-long television special called Wild Rides, which aired on the Discovery Channel on May 26, 1996.[11][12] The original PTC trains were replaced in 2007 with 12-car Millennium Flyer trains manufactured by GCI.[13]

Conversion

Hersheypark announced in July 2022 that Wildcat was scheduled to close permanently on July 31, 2022.[14][15] 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.[16][17] Following the announcement, the park posted on Twitter, "Any suggestions on what we could do with 3,100 feet of wooden track?"[18][19] Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) replied on Twitter stating, "We have a few ideas...".[18] 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".[18] 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.[20]

On November 2, 2022, Hersheypark confirmed that RMC was converting Wildcat into a hybrid roller coaster called Wildcat's Revenge.[21] The ride would utilize the existing wooden infrastructure accompanied by steel track, with an expected opening in 2023.[22][23] Hersheypark also began selling 160 pieces of wood, salvaged from the original GCI coaster, at a gift shop just outside the park.[24] Installation of trackwork began on November 9.[25][26] The next week, Hersheypark publicly displayed the front car of one of Wildcat's Revenge's new trains at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida.[27]

Characteristics

Wooden roller coaster

Wildcat's lift, drop, and large twister segment

The station was shaped like a "Victorian station house" with a red, white, and blue paint scheme.[5][9] Riders left the station and traversed a small right-hand drop.[28] The train ascended the 90-foot (27 m) lift hill, then descended the first drop at a 45-degree angle,[9][29] dropping about 85 feet (26 m)[8][13] and curving about 180 degrees to the right.[9] Riders then went on several similar drops before returning to the station.[15] 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.[28]

Wildcat's maximum speed was variously cited as being between 48 miles per hour (77 km/h)[21] and 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).[13] There were 11[6] or 12 banked turns in total, subjecting riders to forces of up to 3.5 Gs.[5][9] The track crossed above and below itself 20 times.[5][6] Wildcat was located on a relatively large hill, giving it the appearance of being taller than it actually was.[5][9] Because of the terrain, the top of the lift hill was 105 feet (32 m) above ground, even though it was only 90 feet above the bottom of the lift hill. At night, the track was illuminated by strings of lights.[5] The roller coaster was constructed of prefabricated wooden pieces, allowing park officials to replace worn-out pieces easily.[6] Wildcat also contained an on-ride camera; guests could purchase photos at a booth near the roller coaster's exit.[5]

The ride originally ran with two trains manufactured by PTC.[13] Both the PTC trains, and the GCI Millennium Flyer trains that replaced them in 2007, could fit 24 passengers each. The PTC trains had six cars, each of which had two rows of two seats, while the Millennium Flyer trains had twelve cars, each of which had one row of two seats.[13] Each of the trains contained lap bar restraints.[6] The ride had a maximum throughput of 1,000 guests per hour.[5]

Steel roller coaster

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).[21][30] The ride will contain an 82-degree drop off the lift hill, reaching a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h).[30] The ride is expected to feature the world's largest underflip inversion, which Hersheypark officials described as ascending upwards before the train twists counterclockwise into a 270° roll before descending down.[21][31] One cycle of the ride is expected to last 2 minutes and 36 seconds.[30] The roller coaster contains red track, as well as black supports made of wood and steel.[25]

Wildcat's Revenge will operate with three custom trains. Each train has six cars that contain two rows of two seats, allowing a maximum capacity of 24 people per train.[25][32] The trains will be themed to wildcats and will be painted black, charcoal, and silver.[33]

Comparison

Statistic Wildcat[13] Wildcat's Revenge[32]
Years 1996–2022 Planned to open 2023
Manufacturer Great Coasters International Rocky Mountain Construction
Designer Clair Hain; Mike Boodley Joe Draves
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 45°[9][29] 82°
Inversions 0 4
Trains Philadelphia Toboggan Company (1996–2006)
Great Coasters International (2007–2022) 		—

Reception

When the original Wildcat opened, Erik Arneson of the Lebanon Daily News wrote: "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."[11] Lisa Wiseman of the York Daily Record said at the ride's opening: "The Wildcat is indeed a wild ride, but surprisingly, a smooth ride."[34] According to Randy Kraft of the Associated Press, "After the top of the first hill, it seems to have almost no sections of straight track. There’s no chance to catch your breath or orient yourself."[5] Elizabeth Arneson of the Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Daily News wrote in 1998: "The top speed is listed at 45 mph at Hersheypark's Web site, but the ride feels much faster. [...] there is little time for sightseeing as the coaster hits banked turn after banked turn."[35] By the time Wildcat closed in 2022, it had become noticeably rough.[36]

Rankings

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking 11[37] 12[38] 17[39] 22[40] 25[41] 28[42] 28[43] 32[44] 43[45] 38[46] 45[47] 45[48]

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 – via newspapers.com.
  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 – via newspapers.com.
  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 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "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 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Blank, Barbara (February 1, 1996). "Past and future twist together". The Sentinel. p. 34. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Young, B. K. (May 7, 2000). "Coasting toward lightning-fast thrills". The Daily News. pp. 21, 25, 26. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c Binzen, Peter (June 3, 1996). "Local firm riding high on the enthusiasm for roller coasters". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 23. Retrieved November 4, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Kraft, Randy (July 7, 1996). "Hersheypark coaster unleashes $6.5M wild ride". Press Enterprise. p. 22. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "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 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ 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 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ 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 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Marden, Duane. "Wildcat  (Hersheypark)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Wesser, James (August 17, 2022). "Hersheypark allows family of late teen worker last Wildcat ride". ABC27. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ a b c d York Dispatch (November 2, 2022). "HersheyPark announces new hybrid steel-and-wooden coaster, replacing Wildcat". York Dispatch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  22. ^ Boeckel, Teresa (November 2, 2022). "Wildcat's Revenge, a new hybrid coaster, coming to Hersheypark next summer". York Daily Record. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  23. ^ Wesser, James (November 2, 2022). "Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement". WHTM-TV. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  24. ^ Wesser, James (November 3, 2022). "Hersheypark selling pieces of wood of former Wildcat roller coaster". ABC27. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Wesser, James (November 10, 2022). "Track installed on Hersheypark's 'Wildcat's Revenge' coaster". WHTM. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  26. ^ "First piece of steel track in place at Wildcat's Revenge roller coaster". WGAL. November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  27. ^ Wesser, James (November 16, 2022). "Hersheypark unveils front car of Wildcat's Revenge coaster trains". ABC27. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  28. ^ a b 2019 Wildcat POV Hersheypark, archived from the original on May 12, 2022, retrieved May 12, 2022
  29. ^ a b "Taken for a ride". Calhoun Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022 – via Google News.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Wesser, James (November 2, 2022). "Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement". WETM. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  32. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Wildcat's Revenge - Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  33. ^ "Hersheypark to welcome RMC hybrid coaster in 2023". InPark Magazine. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  34. ^ Wiseman, Lisa (May 24, 1996). "Ride 'Wildcat' and Feel Like You've Grabbed a Twister". York Daily Record. pp. 43, 44. Retrieved November 4, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Arneson, Elizabeth (May 30, 1998). "New coaster at Hersheypark a bear of a ride". Lebanon Daily News. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Coleman, Chris (July 31, 2022). "Today is the Final Day to Ride This Legendary Rollercoaster in PA". WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
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