Honestly, the original Wildcat at Hersheypark was a bit of a bone-shaker. It opened in 1996 as the first-ever coaster from Great Coasters International (GCI), and for a while, it was the pride of the park. It had that classic wooden aesthetic, that smell of treated lumber, and a layout that looked like a tangled mess of toothpicks. But as the years rolled on, the "bite" of the Wildcat became less about thrill and more about a literal headache. By the time it closed in 2022, fans were divided. Some loved the history; others were just glad their chiropractor bills might finally go down.
Then came the announcement that changed the skyline of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) was coming in to give the old cat a set of steel claws. This wasn't just a refurb. It was a complete reimagining.
What Really Happened with the Wildcat Transformation
The transition from the wooden Wildcat to Wildcat’s Revenge is a case study in modern engineering. You’ve probably heard people call it a "hybrid" coaster. Basically, that means RMC took the existing wooden support structure and slapped their patented I-Box steel track on top. This allowed them to do things wood coasters simply can’t do—like hanging you upside down or dropping you at an 82-degree angle.
It’s heavy. It’s fast. It’s 140 feet tall, which is actually higher than the original.
When Hersheypark announced the closure of the original Wildcat in July 2022, the rumor mill went nuclear. People were tracking every piece of wood being ripped out. The park played it smart, leaning into the "Revenge" branding. They knew that to make people forget the "rough" reputation of the old ride, they had to deliver something elite. And they did. Wildcat’s Revenge isn't just a local favorite; it’s consistently ranked among the best steel-hybrid coasters in the world since it opened in the summer of 2023.
The Ride Experience: Wood vs. Steel
The original ride was all about lateral G-forces. You’d slide across the seat, slamming into your ride partner as you whipped through the turns. It was chaotic. Wildcat’s Revenge, however, is all about airtime. That feeling where your stomach stays at the top of the hill while your body keeps moving down? Yeah, this ride has that in spades.
You start with a climb that gives you a brief, cruel view of the park before plunging into that 82-degree drop. From there, it’s a blur of four inversions. One of those is the "underflip"—a maneuver that feels like the world is rotating around you in slow motion while you’re actually moving at 62 miles per hour. It’s weird. It’s brilliant.
Schilke’s design (Alan Schilke is the mastermind behind RMC's layouts) thrives on pacing. There are no "dead" spots. From the moment you disengage from the lift hill to the final brake run, the coaster is trying to buck you off like a wild animal. It’s an aggressive ride, but because the steel track is so smooth, it doesn't leave you feeling like you just went twelve rounds in a boxing ring.
Why the Location Matters
Hersheypark is a weirdly shaped place. It’s hilly, and it’s packed with history. The Wildcat sits in the Midway America section, which is themed after classic American boardwalks and fairgrounds. Placing a high-tech hybrid coaster in a "vintage" section of the park creates this cool visual contrast. You have the Lightning Racer—a classic dueling wooden coaster—right nearby, and then you have the red-tracked beast of Wildcat’s Revenge looming over it.
- The First Drop: 140 feet of pure adrenaline.
- The Track Length: Over 3,500 feet of twisted steel.
- The Trains: They’re themed after different wild cats—black, charcoal, and silver.
- The Capacity: It runs three trains, which is a godsend for wait times on busy Saturdays in July.
A lot of people ask if it’s "too scary" for kids. Look, if your kid just hit the 48-inch height requirement, this is a massive jump. It’s intense. But because it’s so smooth, it’s actually less intimidating for some than the old, rattling wooden version. It feels secure. The restraints are lap bars—no over-the-shoulder clunkiness—which gives you a lot of upper-body freedom. Some find that terrifying. Most coaster enthusiasts find it liberating.
The Engineering Magic of I-Box Track
To understand why Wildcat’s Revenge works, you have to look at the I-Box track. Traditional wooden tracks are layers of wood topped with a thin strip of steel. They expand, contract, and warp. That’s why wooden coasters get "rough."
RMC replaces that with a solid steel beam shaped like a capital "I." It’s bolted directly to the wood. This preserves the "look" of a wooden coaster but gives it the performance of a high-end steel machine. It’s the best of both worlds. It also allows for inversions that would literally tear a standard wooden coaster apart over time.
Navigating the Crowds at Wildcat’s Revenge
If you’re planning a trip specifically for this ride, you need a strategy. Since its opening, it has become one of the most popular attractions in the park, often rivaling Candymonium or Storm Runner for the longest line.
- Hit it early or late. Most people run to Candymonium at the front of the park when the gates open. If you head straight to the back (Midway America), you can usually snag a ride on Wildcat’s Revenge with a minimal wait.
- The "Last Train" Magic. There is something special about riding this thing in the dark. The park lighting is great, but the woods surrounding the coaster are pitch black. It adds a layer of disorientation that makes the inversions feel even crazier.
- Check the app. Hersheypark’s official app is surprisingly accurate with wait times. If you see it dip under 45 minutes, drop your chocolate bar and run.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you want the best experience on the Wildcat, don't just wing it.
Pick your seat wisely. If you want the most intense airtime, sit in the very back row. The train "whips" over the crest of the hills, and you’ll spend half the ride out of your seat. If you want a better view of the inversions and a slightly "gentler" (relatively speaking) ride, go for the front.
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Secure your gear. RMC coasters are notorious for eating phones and hats. Use the lockers. They’re located right at the entrance of the ride. Don't be that person who stops the ride because their iPhone is on the tracks.
Check the weather. Hersheypark will run this ride in the rain, but they’ll shut it down if there’s lightning within a certain radius. Also, keep in mind that steel coasters "run faster" as the day goes on and the grease in the wheels warms up. A 4:00 PM ride will almost always feel faster than a 10:00 AM ride.
Dress for the restraints. The lap bars are snug. If you’re wearing bulky cargo shorts or have a lot of stuff in your pockets, it’s going to be uncomfortable. Go lean.
The Wildcat has lived many lives. From its namesake in 1923 (the original park coaster) to the 1996 wooden icon, and now to this steel-hybrid monster. It’s the centerpiece of Hersheypark’s evolution. It respects the history of the park while proving that they aren't afraid to tear things down to build something better. Whether you miss the old woodie or you’re an RMC fanboy, there’s no denying that the current Wildcat is the most exciting thing to happen to Pennsylvania's coaster scene in a decade.