The ride
The Wild Cat is a wood roller coaster built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, having opened to the public in 1923. After 103 seasons of operation it remains one of the defining attractions on the Hersheypark midway, drawing repeat riders who track every subtle change to its trains, restraints and station soundtrack.
On paper the ride is a serious thrill machine. That opening drop measures 75 ft, long enough to pin riders against their restraints and pull a prolonged moment of weightless airtime over the lap-bar. In total the track stretches 233 ft, giving the experience a distinctly long-form feel rather than the punchy one-and-done character of many modern compact coasters. enthusiast trip-planning resources
Coasters from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters have a recognizable signature in track shaping, train design and the way transitions are paced. Riders familiar with other Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters installations will pick up on the same DNA in The Wild Cat's layout, particularly through its station design and the sound profile of the running gear.
Plan to ride The Wild Cat early in the day or during the final hour before park close, when standby waits at Hersheypark typically drop. Single-rider lines and early-entry ticketing programs, when available at Hersheypark, are usually the fastest ways to get repeat rides on a busy day.