View source for Wildcat's Revenge

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Short description|Roller coaster at Hersheypark}}
{{For|the roller coaster at Hersheypark that closed in 1945|Wild Cat (Hersheypark)}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name               = Wildcat's Revenge
| previousnames      = Wildcat (1996–2022)
| logo               = Wildcat's Revenge (logo).jpg
| image              = Wildcat’s Revenge train going down its first drop.jpg    <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[File:]] link-->
| caption            = Wildcat's Revenge's first drop
| location           = Hersheypark
| section            = Midway America<!--Based on park's website.-->
| coordinates        = {{Coord|40|17|33|N|76|39|21|W|region:US-PA_type:landmark_source:kolossus-frwiki|display=it}}
| type               = Steel <!--Must be "Steel" or "Wood", nothing else. Must not be linked.-->
                             <!-- technically it's a hybrid coaster which is why I changed the link down there-->
| type2              = <!--Must not be linked, will auto-categorize the coaster.-->
| type3              = <!--Must not be linked, will auto-categorize the coaster.-->
| status             = Operating
| opened             = {{Start date|2023|06|02}}
| manufacturer       = Rocky Mountain Construction
| designer           = Joe Draves
| model              = I-Box Track
| track              = Twister
| lift               = Chain [[lift hill]]
| height_ft          = 140
| drop_ft            = 135<ref name="numbers" />
| length_ft          = 3510
| speed_mph          = 62
| inversions         = 4
| duration           = 2:36
| angle              = 82
| acceleration       =
| rcdb_number        = 20462
| video              = <!--Wildcat's Revenge at Hersheypark - Official POV, 2023-06-2.ogv-->
| previousattraction = Wildcat
| carspertrain       = 6
| rowspercar         = 2
| ridersperrow       = 2
| trains             = 3
| capacity           =  
| restriction_in     = 48
| website            = {{official website|https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/rides/wildcats-revenge/}}
}}

'''Wildcat's Revenge''' is a [[hybrid roller coaster]] located at [[Hersheypark]] in [[Hershey, Pennsylvania]], United States. The ride originally opened in 1996 as '''Wildcat''', a [[wooden coaster]] manufactured by [[Great Coasters International]] (GCI). The wooden coaster was the first from GCI and served as the anchor attraction of the Midway America section of the park. It cost $5.6 million to construct and was built on a {{convert|2|acre|ha|adj=on}} plot of land 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 [[G-force|Gs]]. From 1998 to 2009, Wildcat ranked among the top 50 wooden roller coasters in the annual [[Golden Ticket Awards]] publication from ''Amusement Today''. Wildcat initially received critical acclaim, but it gained a negative reputation for its increasing roughness.

Wildcat closed for a major refurbishment in July 2022. [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] (RMC) was hired to convert the ride into a [[hybrid coaster]], a wooden support structure with a steel track featuring RMC's I-Box track technology. It reopened as Wildcat's Revenge on June 2, 2023. The renovated coaster added four [[inversion (roller coaster)|inversion]]s and additional track length to the previous layout, as well as increased the height, drop, and maximum speed.

==History==
===Original development===
[[File:Wildcat (Full).JPG|thumb|left|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.<ref name="n73791390">{{Cite news |last=Kolus |first=Howard |date=July 1, 1995 |title=Cat is back |pages=5 |work=The Daily News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73791390/the-daily-news/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201645/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73791390/the-daily-news/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n60975951">{{Cite news |last=Murse |first=Thomas A. |date=July 7, 1995 |title=New coaster, midway for Hersheypark |pages=11, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107787254/ 12] |work=Lancaster New Era |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60975951/new-coaster-midway-for-hersheypark/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60975951/new-coaster-midway-for-hersheypark/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride would be named after [[Wild Cat (Hersheypark)|The Wild Cat]], Hersheypark's first roller coaster, which operated from 1923 to 1945.<ref name="Wesser 2022"/><ref name="n107786302">{{Cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Lisa |date=May 24, 1996 |title=New ride recalls yesteryear |pages=44 |work=York Daily Record |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786302/new-ride-recalls-yesteryearlisa-wiseman/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201647/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786302/new-ride-recalls-yesteryearlisa-wiseman/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The coaster was intended as the main attraction in Midway America, an area in Hersheypark themed to classic American attractions;<ref name="n73791390" /><ref name="n107786185">{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1996 |title=Hersheypark unleashes a new thriller in Wildcat |pages=77, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786185/ 82] |work=The Morning Call |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786047/hersheypark-unleashes-a-new-thriller-in/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786047/hersheypark-unleashes-a-new-thriller-in/ |url-status=live }}</ref> construction of the themed area had begun the prior month.<ref name="n60975951" /> Wildcat was the first coaster constructed by Pennsylvania firm [[Great Coasters International]] (GCI).<ref name="Wesser 2022">{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=Hersheypark's Wildcat giving final rides this weekend | website=ABC27 | date=July 29, 2022 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheyparks-wildcat-to-close-on-july-31/ | access-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-date=July 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729020751/https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheyparks-wildcat-to-close-on-july-31/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=n107786185/> The {{convert|2|acre|ha|adj=on}} plot on which the ride was built had previously been used for parking.<ref name="Blank 1996">{{Cite news |last=Blank |first=Barbara |date=February 1, 1996 |title=Past and future twist together |pages=34 |work=The Sentinel |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40650309/past-and-future-twist-together/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817195106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40650309/past-and-future-twist-together/ |archive-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref>

The roller coaster was designed by Mike Boodley and Clair Hain Jr.;<ref name="n107786185" /> both men had cofounded GCI.<ref name="n108971161">{{Cite news |last=Young |first=B. K. |date=2000-05-07 |title=Coasting toward lightning-fast thrills |pages=21, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108971208/ 25], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108971409/ 26] |work=The Daily News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108971161/coasting-toward-lightning-fast/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905134710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108971161/coasting-toward-lightning-fast/ |archive-date=September 5, 2022}}</ref> The company started constructing Wildcat in August 1995.<ref name="n107786302" /> The roller coaster's trains were manufactured by [[Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters]] (PTC) between September 1995 and February 1996.<ref name="n112520382">{{Cite news |last=Binzen |first=Peter |date=1996-06-03 |title=Local firm riding high on the enthusiasm for roller coasters |pages=23 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112520382/local-firm-riding-high-on-the/ |access-date=2022-11-04}}</ref> Work on the ride was complicated by the [[North American blizzard of 1996]],<ref name="n107786302" /> during which workers reportedly "had to dig out wood from snow".<ref name="Blank 1996" /> It was originally expected to open on May 11, 1996, along with an "inauguration celebration".<ref name="n107786302" /><ref name="Blank 1996" /> Wildcat was planned to be part of "Physics Day" on May 17, where it would be used to demonstrate gravitational pulls.<ref name="Blank 1996" /> Wildcat cost $5.6 million to construct.<ref name="n107200439">{{Cite news |last=Kraft |first=Randy |date=July 7, 1996 |title=Hersheypark coaster unleashes $6.5M wild ride |pages=22 |work=Press Enterprise |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107200439/hersheypark-coaster-unleases-65m-wild/ |access-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808162953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107200439/hersheypark-coaster-unleases-65m-wild/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride was constructed with {{convert|514000|board feet|m3|abbr=out}} of [[Southern Yellow Pine|Southern yellow pine]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1996 |title=A new wildcat races into Hersheypark |pages=10 |work=The Gettysburg Times |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1124457/a-new-wildcat-races-into-hersheypark/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817195104/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1124457/a-new-wildcat-races-into-hersheypark/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n112520382" />

Wildcat ultimately opened to the media on May 23, 1996,<ref name="n107786811">{{Cite news |last=Arneson |first=Erik |date=May 24, 1996 |title=Untamed |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786769/coaster-offers-wild-ride/ 3] |work=The Daily News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786811/untamederik-arneson/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786811/untamederik-arneson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and to the public on May 26, 1996.<ref name="n107786603">{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1996 |title=Ride the Wildcat in your living room |pages=51 |work=York Sunday News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786603/ride-the-wildcat-in-your-living-room/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107786603/ride-the-wildcat-in-your-living-room/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="n107786811" /><ref name="n107786603" /> The original PTC trains were replaced in 2007 with 12-car [[Millennium Flyer]] trains manufactured by GCI.<ref name="RCDB_Wildcat">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Wildcat|location=Hersheypark|rcdb_number=100|access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref>

===Conversion===
Hersheypark announced in July 2022 that Wildcat was scheduled to close permanently on July 31, 2022.<ref name="York Daily Record 2022">{{cite web |last=York Daily Record |date=July 8, 2022 |title=Last ride, as Hersheypark wooden roller coaster to close soon: What you need to know. |url=https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2022/07/08/wildcat-roller-coaster-hershey-park-closing-rmc-coasters/65369486007/ |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=York Daily Record |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201648/https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2022/07/08/wildcat-roller-coaster-hershey-park-closing-rmc-coasters/65369486007/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Inc. 2022">{{cite web |last=Hearst Television Inc. |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Hersheypark to close Wildcat roller coaster |url=https://www.wgal.com/article/take-a-first-person-ride-on-hersheyparks-wildcat/40558980 |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=WGAL |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808162954/https://www.wgal.com/article/take-a-first-person-ride-on-hersheyparks-wildcat/40558980 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Wesser 20223">{{cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Hersheypark allows family of late teen worker last Wildcat ride |url=https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/hersheypark-allows-family-of-late-teen-worker-last-wildcat-ride/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=ABC27}}</ref><ref name="Mautner 2022">{{cite web | last=Mautner | first=Chris | title=Hersheypark lets family of teen who died of cancer have last ride on Wildcat roller coaster | website=Staten Island Advance | date=August 18, 2022 | url=https://www.silive.com/nation/2022/08/hersheypark-lets-family-of-teen-who-died-of-cancer-have-last-ride-on-wildcat-roller-coaster.html | access-date=September 4, 2022 | archive-date=September 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904161823/https://www.silive.com/nation/2022/08/hersheypark-lets-family-of-teen-who-died-of-cancer-have-last-ride-on-wildcat-roller-coaster.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Following the announcement, the park posted on [[Twitter]], "Any suggestions on what we could do with 3,100 feet of wooden track?"<ref name="Enright Dispatch 2022"/><ref name="Adams 2022">{{cite web | last=Adams | first=Sean | title=Hersheypark is retiring a roller coaster, giving fans one last chance to ride | website=lehighvalleylive | date=July 13, 2022 | url=https://lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment/2022/07/hersheypark-is-retiring-a-roller-coaster-giving-fans-one-last-chance-to-ride.html | access-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201645/https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment/2022/07/hersheypark-is-retiring-a-roller-coaster-giving-fans-one-last-chance-to-ride.html | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] (RMC) replied on Twitter stating, "We have a few ideas...".<ref name="Enright Dispatch 2022">{{cite web | last=Enright | first=Matt | title=Wildcat, Hersheypark's wooden roller coaster, is retiring: How to ride | website=York Dispatch | date=July 8, 2022 | url=https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/07/08/wildcat-hersheyparks-wooden-roller-coaster-retiring-how-ride/10016354002/ | access-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-date=September 6, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906164532/https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/07/08/wildcat-hersheyparks-wooden-roller-coaster-retiring-how-ride/10016354002/ | url-status=live }}</ref> 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".<ref name="Enright Dispatch 2022"/> 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.<ref name="Boeckel 2022">{{cite web | last=Boeckel | first=Teresa | title=Last ride, as Hersheypark wooden roller coaster to close soon: What you need to know. | website=Yahoo! Sports | date=July 8, 2022 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/last-ride-hersheypark-wooden-rollercoaster-160737484.html | access-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817201644/https://sports.yahoo.com/last-ride-hersheypark-wooden-rollercoaster-160737484.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Workers began dismantling the existing ride immediately after it closed.<ref name="Wesser k362">{{cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Creating Vengeance: How Hersheypark’s Wildcat’s Revenge was built |url=https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/creating-vengeance-how-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge-was-built/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=ABC27}}</ref>

On November 2, 2022, Hersheypark confirmed that RMC was converting Wildcat into a hybrid roller coaster called Wildcat's Revenge.<ref name="York Dispatch 2022">{{cite web |last=York Dispatch |date=November 2, 2022 |title=HersheyPark announces new hybrid steel-and-wooden coaster, replacing Wildcat |url=https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/11/02/hersheypark-announces-new-hybrid-steel-and-wooden-coaster-replacing-wildcat/69614017007/ |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=York Dispatch}}</ref><ref name="Wesser k362" /> The ride would utilize the existing wooden infrastructure accompanied by steel track, with an expected opening in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boeckel |first=Teresa |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Wildcat's Revenge, a new hybrid coaster, coming to Hersheypark next summer |url=https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2022/11/02/hersheypark-wildcats-revenge-a-hybrid-coaster-to-open-in-2023/69612723007/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=York Daily Record |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement |url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheypark-announceswildcats-revengeas-wildcat-replacement/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website= |publisher=WHTM-TV |language=en-US}}</ref> Hersheypark began selling 160 pieces of wood, salvaged from the original GCI coaster, at a gift shop just outside the park that November.<ref name="Wesser 20222">{{cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Hersheypark selling pieces of wood of former Wildcat roller coaster |url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheypark-selling-pieces-of-wood-of-former-wildcat-roller-coaster/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=ABC27}}</ref> During the design process, Hersheypark dictated the parameters for the ride to RMC, such as height, length, and number of inversions. RMC and Hersheypark workers collaborated to determine which elements should be included in the ride, eventually deciding upon four inversions: an underflip, zero-g stall, and two rolls.<ref name="Wesser k362" />

Installation of trackwork began on November 9.<ref name="Wesser 2022a">{{Cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Track installed on Hersheypark's 'Wildcat's Revenge' coaster |url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/track-installed-on-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge-coaster/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=WHTM |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2022 |title=First piece of steel track in place at Wildcat's Revenge roller coaster |url=https://www.wgal.com/article/first-piece-of-steel-track-in-place-at-wildcats-revenge-at-hersheypark/41925533 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=WGAL |language=en}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=Hersheypark unveils front car of Wildcat's Revenge coaster trains | website=ABC27 | date=November 16, 2022 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheypark-unveils-front-car-of-wildcats-revenge-coaster-trains/ | access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> Parts of the existing support structure were removed to make way for the installation of RMC's [[I-Box]] track, though the supports at the border of the park, along Hersheypark Drive, were retained.<ref name="Wesser k362" /> Installation of the first inversion—the underflip, which used some of the old lift hill's structure—began in mid-December 2022<ref>{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=‘Underflip’ on Hersheypark’s ‘Wildcat’s Revenge’ coaster installed | website=ABC27 | date=December 16, 2022 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/track-installed-on-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge-coaster/ | access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref> and was completed the next month.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=‘Underflip’ inversion complete on Hersheypark’s Wildcat’s Revenge | website=ABC27 | date=January 21, 2023 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/underflip-inversion-complete-on-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge/ | access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref> Hersheypark released a video of a simulated ride on Wildcat's Revenge in February 2023.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=Hersheypark releases ‘Wildcat’s Revenge’ ride simulation video | website=ABC27 | date=February 4, 2023 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/hersheypark-releases-wildcats-revenge-ride-simulation-video/ | access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> The top of the lift hill was installed on April 17, 2023,<ref>{{cite web | last=Wesser | first=James | title=Lift structure topped off on Hersheypark’s Wildcat’s Revenge | website=ABC27 | date=April 17, 2023 | url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/lift-structure-topped-off-on-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge/ | access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Hersheypark tops off Wildcat's Revenge hybrid coaster | website=WGAL | date=April 19, 2023 | url=https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-hersheypark-tops-of-wildcats-revenge/43630220 | access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> and the final inversions were being installed by the end of the month.<ref name="Wesser 2023">{{cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=May 1, 2023 |title=Construction timeline of Hersheypark’s Wildcat’s Revenge |url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/when-will-wildcats-revenge-at-hersheypark-open/ |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=ABC27}}</ref>  Test runs of WIldcat's Revenge commenced in mid-May 2023,<ref name="Wesser 2023" /> and Hersheypark announced the ride's final opening date shortly afterward.<ref name="Adams 2023">{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Sean |date=May 19, 2023 |title=Hersheypark announces opening date for new roller coaster, Wildcat’s Revenge |url=https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2023/05/hersheypark-announces-opening-date-for-new-roller-coaster-wildcats-revenge.html |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=pennlive}}</ref><ref name="WGAL 2023">{{cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Wildcat's Revenge hybrid coaster to open June 2 at Hersheypark |url=https://www.wgal.com/article/hersheypark-wildcats-revenge-hybrid-roller-coaster-to-open-june-2/43944053 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=WGAL}}</ref> The ride opened on June 2, 2023,<ref name="Wesser 20232">{{cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=June 2, 2023 |title=abc27 Daybreak team takes on Hersheypark’s Wildcat’s Revenge |url=https://www.abc27.com/hershey/abc27-daybreak-team-takes-on-hersheyparks-wildcats-revenge/ |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=ABC27}}</ref><ref name="WGAL 20232">{{cite web |date=June 2, 2023 |title=Wildcat's Revenge opens at Hersheypark, Pa. |url=https://www.wgal.com/article/hersheypark-wildcats-revenge-open/44074073 |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=WGAL}}</ref> following a soft opening for members of the media the previous day.<ref name="Adams 20232">{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Sean |date=June 1, 2023 |title=New Hersheypark roller coaster opens this week: What’s it like to ride Wildcat’s Revenge? |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2023/06/new-hersheypark-roller-coaster-opens-this-week-whats-it-like-to-ride-wildcats-revenge.html |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=pennlive}}</ref><ref name="LancasterOnline 2023">{{cite web |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Wildcat’s Revenge opens this week at Hersheypark; here’s what riding newest coaster is like |url=https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/wildcat-s-revenge-opens-this-week-at-hersheypark-here-s-what-riding-newest-coaster-is/article_db9fdc16-0092-11ee-823a-67a73fd3de0f.html |access-date=June 3, 2023 |website=LancasterOnline}}</ref> Wildcat's Revenge was the first roller coaster in Pennsylvania to be converted into an RMC hybrid coaster.<ref name="Wesser k362" />

==Characteristics==
=== Wooden roller coaster ===
[[File:Wildcat (Lift, Drop and Turn).JPG|thumb|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.<ref name="n107786185" /><ref name="n107200439" /> Riders left the station and traversed a small right-hand drop.<ref name="Wildcat-POV">{{Citation |title=2019 Wildcat POV Hersheypark |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTHdFWlxdWA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512013614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTHdFWlxdWA |language=en |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The train ascended the {{convert|90|ft|m|adj=on}} lift hill, then descended the first drop at a 45-degree angle,<ref name="n107200439" /><ref name=calhoun>{{Cite web |title=Taken for a ride |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=375&dat=19960611&id=EaclAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kzwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6618,6408744 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=Calhoun Times|via=Google News |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512013614/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=375&dat=19960611&id=EaclAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kzwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6618,6408744 |url-status=live }}</ref> dropping about {{Convert|85|ft}}<ref name="n112520382" /><ref name="RCDB_Wildcat" /> and curving about 180 degrees to the right.<ref name="n107200439" /> Riders then went on several similar drops before returning to the station.<ref name="Inc. 2022" /> After the first drop, the ride ascended a left-hand curve, traveled through an [[Air time (rides)|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.<ref name="Wildcat-POV" />

Wildcat's maximum speed was variously cited as being between {{convert|48|mph}}<ref name="York Dispatch 2022" /> and {{convert|50|mph}}.<ref name="RCDB_Wildcat" /> There were 11<ref name="Blank 1996" /> or 12 banked turns in total, subjecting riders to forces of up to 3.5 [[G-force|Gs]].<ref name="n107786185" /><ref name="n107200439" /> The track crossed above and below itself 20 times.<ref name="n107786185" /><ref name="Blank 1996" /> Wildcat was located on a relatively large hill, giving it the appearance of being taller than it actually was.<ref name="n107786185" /><ref name="n107200439" /> Because of the terrain, the top of the lift hill was {{convert|105|ft}} 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.<ref name="n107786185" /> The roller coaster was constructed of [[Prefabricated building|prefabricated]] wooden pieces, allowing park officials to replace worn-out pieces easily.<ref name="Blank 1996" /> Wildcat also contained an [[on-ride camera]]; guests could purchase photos at a booth near the roller coaster's exit.<ref name="n107786185" />

The ride originally ran with two trains manufactured by PTC.<ref name="RCDB_Wildcat" /> 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.<ref name="RCDB_Wildcat" /> Each of the trains contained [[lap bar]] restraints.<ref name="Blank 1996" /> The ride had a maximum throughput of 1,000 guests per hour.<ref name="n107786185" />

=== Steel roller coaster ===
From 2022 to 2023, the former Wildcat was converted into a steel roller coaster manufactured by RMC and designed by Joe Draves.<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" /> The ride contains four inversions and reuses most of the original wooden roller coaster's support structure. This roller coaster is {{Convert|3510|ft}} long, with a lift hill rising {{Convert|140|ft}} and a first drop of {{Convert|135|ft}}.<ref name="York Dispatch 2022" /><ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" /><ref name="Tanenbaum 2022">{{cite web |last=Tanenbaum |first=Michael |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Hersheypark to transform Wildcat roller coaster into hybrid ride with wooden frame, steel track |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/hersheypark-wildcats-revenge-roller-coaster-2023-pennsylvania/ |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=PhillyVoice}}</ref><ref name=numbers>{{cite web|title=Wildcat's Revenge by the Numbers|date=June 6, 2023|publisher=Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company|url=https://stories.hersheypa.com/wildcats-revenge-by-the-numbers/|accessdate=2023-07-13}}</ref> The expansion of the lift hill required the construction of a new truss.<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" /> The ride has an 82-degree drop off the lift hill, reaching a maximum speed of {{Convert|62|mph}}.<ref name="Tanenbaum 2022" /> The ride features the world's largest underflip [[Roller coaster inversion|inversion]], which Hersheypark officials described as ascending upwards before the train twists counterclockwise into a 270° roll before descending down.<ref name="York Dispatch 2022" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wesser |first=James |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Hersheypark announces 'Wildcat's Revenge' as Wildcat replacement |url=https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/pennsylvania-news/hersheypark-announces-wildcats-revenge-as-wildcat-replacement/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=WETM |language=en-US}}</ref> One cycle of the ride lasts 2 minutes and 36 seconds.<ref name="Tanenbaum 2022" /><ref name=numbers/> The roller coaster contains red track, as well as black supports made of wood and steel.<ref name="Wesser 2022a" /> The ride's station has a [[gable roof]], which was intended to be reminiscent of the Wild Cat roller coaster that closed in 1945.<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" />

Wildcat's Revenge is equipped with three custom trains. Each train has six cars that contain two rows of two seats, allowing up to 24 people per train.<ref name="Wesser 2022a" /><ref name="Marden">{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Wildcat's Revenge - Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States) |url=https://rcdb.com/20462.htm |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website= |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}}</ref> The trains are themed to wildcats and are painted black, charcoal, and silver.<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" /><ref name="InPark Magazine 2022">{{cite web | title=Hersheypark to welcome RMC hybrid coaster in 2023 | website=InPark Magazine | date=2022-11-03 | url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/hersheypark-wildcats-revenge-2023/ | access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref> Despite the lack of a mid-course brake run, all three trains can theoretically operate at the same time, as the station can fit two trains. However, only 2 of the 3 trains have ever been seen in operation at one time on Wildcat’s Revenge.<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023" />

=== Comparison ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! width="20%" |Statistic
! width="40%" |Wildcat<ref name="RCDB_Wildcat" /><ref name="Wesser k362" />
! width="40%" |Wildcat's Revenge<ref name="Wesser k362" /><ref name="Marden" />
|-
|Years
|1996–2022
|2023–present
|-
|Manufacturer
|Great Coasters International
|Rocky Mountain Construction
|-
|Designer
|Clair Hain; Mike Boodley
|Joe Draves<ref name="Amusement Today Feb 2023">{{cite magazine | title=Hersheypark, RMC partner on new-for-2023 Wildcat’s Revenge |first=Tim|last=Baldwin |work=Amusement Today |date=Feb 2023 | url=https://amusementtoday.com/issues/2023/202302/|page=10 | access-date=May 25, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|Track
|Wood
|Steel
|-
|Height
|{{Convert|106|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|{{Convert|140|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|-
|Drop
|{{Convert|85.2|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|{{Convert|135|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|-
|Length
|{{Convert|3183|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|{{Convert|3510|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|-
|Speed
|{{Convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|{{Convert|62|mph|km/h|abbr=on|disp=or}}
|-
|{{No wrap|Max vertical angle}}
|45°<ref name="n107200439" /><ref name="calhoun" />
|82°
|-
| Inversions 
| 0 
| 4
|-
|Trains
|2, made by [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] (1996–2006)<hr />2, made by [[Great Coasters International]] (2007–2022)
|3, made by Rocky Mountain Construction
|}

==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."<ref name="n107786811" /> 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."<ref name="n112520620">{{Cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Lisa |date=1996-05-24 |title=Ride "Wildcat" and Feel Like You've Grabbed a Twister |pages=43, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112520620/twister/ 44] |work=York Daily Record |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112520588/ride-wildcat-and-feel-like-youve/ |access-date=2022-11-04}}</ref> 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."<ref name="n107786185" /> 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."<ref name="n107714685">{{Cite news |last=Arneson |first=Elizabeth |date=May 30, 1998 |title=New coaster at Hersheypark a bear of a ride |pages=7 |work=Lebanon Daily News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107714685/new-coaster-at-hersheypark-a-bear-of-a/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816182603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107714685/new-coaster-at-hersheypark-a-bear-of-a/ |archive-date=August 16, 2022}}</ref> By the time Wildcat closed in 2022, it had become noticeably rough.<ref name="Coleman 2022">{{cite web |last=Coleman |first=Chris |date=July 31, 2022 |title=Today is the Final Day to Ride This Legendary Rollercoaster in PA |url=https://wpgtalkradio.com/today-is-the-final-day-to-ride-this-legendary-rollercoaster-in-pa/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM}}</ref>

When Wildcat's Revenge opened, a reporter for the Harrisburg-area [[The Patriot-News|''Patriot-News'']] wrote: "For people who don’t mind a lot of twists, turns, dips and spins, it’s definitely something they’ll want to check out."<ref name="Adams 20232" /> A writer for ''LNP Lancaster Online'' wrote: "An immediate joy about Wildcat’s Revenge is that, from the moment the ride takes off, it almost instantly jolts off instead of giving you a few seconds to ponder the next minute and a half of your life. ... Other than the initial tick-tick-tick up the initial 140-foot climb and the hard stop at the end, Wildcat’s Revenge is unbelievably smooth."<ref name="LancasterOnline 2023" /> [[National Amusement Park Historical Association]]'s 2024 survey ranked Wildcat's Revenge as its "favorite new attraction", tied with [[Big Bear Mountain (roller coaster)|Big Bear Mountain]] at [[Dollywood]].<ref>{{cite web |date=July 2, 2024 |title=Knoebels Named Favorite Park, Phoenix Voted Best Wood Coaster, Hersheypark's Wildcat’s Revenge Recognized in NAPHA Survey |url=https://www.skooknews.com/2024/07/knoebels-named-favorite-park-phoenix.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=Skook News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Montag |first=Madison |date=July 3, 2024 |title=See which Pa. amusement parks, roller coasters were named best in the country |url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2024/07/see-which-pa-amusement-parks-roller-coasters-were-named-best-in-the-country.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=pennlive}}</ref>

===Rankings===
{{GTA table
| type       = wood
| accessdate = December 26, 2014
| 1998       = 11
| 1999       = 12
| 2000       = 17
| 2001       = 22
| 2002       = 25
| 2003       = 28
| 2004       = 28
| 2005       = 32
| 2006       = 43
| 2007       = 38
| 2008       = 45
| 2009       = 45
}}

{{GTA table
| type       = steel
| accessdate = December 26, 2014
| 2023       = 40
| 2024       = 29
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/rides/wildcats-revenge/}}

{{Hersheypark}}
{{Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wildcats Revenge}}
[[Category:Hersheypark]]
[[Category:Hybrid roller coasters]]
[[Category:Roller coasters in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Best New Roller Coaster winners]]
[[Category:2023 establishments in Pennsylvania]]