Wildcat (Hersheypark)

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Wildcat
Location Hersheypark
Type Wood
Status Open
Opened May 26, 1996
Manufacturer Great Coasters International
Designer Clair Hain and Mike Boodley
Height 90 ft (27.4 m)
Drop 85 ft (25.9 m)
Length 3183 ft (970.2 m)
Max speed 50 mph (80.5 km/h)
Cost US$5,000,000
Max G force 3.5
Wildcat at RCDB
Pictures of Wildcat at RCDB


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).


The Wildcat is a wooden roller coaster located in Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania. The ride was named for the Wild Cat (1923-1945), Hersheyparks' first roller coaster. It was the first coaster built by Great Coasters International, while the trains were built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

The layout of the Wildcat is a wooden twister, reminiscent of such classics as Harry Traver's Crystal Beach Cyclone and Rye Airplane Coaster. The ride crosses over and under itself 32 times during the full ride, and includes unique elements like a curving double-down.

The ride prompted many other firsts, besides the first new roller coaster to be added to the park in five years. The Wildcat also fueled the park's rapid expansion of a major new themed area. Midway America. The ride also won awards, and was featured in Popular Science Magazine.

The Wildcat includes ride photography produced and sold by GTP.


Roller coasters at Hersheypark

Current:   Comet - Great Bear - Lightning Racer - Roller Soaker - SooperDooperLooper
Sidewinder - Storm Runner - Trailblazer - Wild Mouse - Wildcat

Past:   Mini Comet/Little Comet - Twin Toboggans - Wild Cat

Cancelled:   Turbulence