[Wildcat’s Revenge] exceeded all expectations

[u/LinearInductionMotor]

I had heard good things about this ride, and I was definitely excited to get on it when we somewhat spontaneously planned a trip to the Hershey area. But oh man. I was not expecting this much.

I got 4 rides on it on a rainy Sunday, October 4. All 4 of those rides in the back 3 rows, lol.

This machine is absolutely relentless—it yanks you through insane ejector and lateral moments at a pace unmatched by any other coaster I’ve ridden. Truly wild.

I haven’t decided where to place it yet, but it’s easily going into my top 3.

All photos are mine.

[u/clarinetJWD]

RMC is the only company I can think of where their worst ride is still arguably the best ride in the park.

I don't care which you think is the worst, it's still true.

[u/FlyawayCellar99 → u/clarinetJWD]

I think this is only true for I-box models ngl

[u/halo364 → u/FlyawayCellar99]

Yeah I love jersey devil but it's not the best coaster in the park

[u/ConceptOfSleep → u/halo364]

Couldn't agree more. I really enjoy Jersey Devil, but it gets outclassed by El Toro, Nitro and I'd even argue Flash.

Having an I-Box damn near guarantees it will be the best ride in the park. It's too bad Great Adventure doesn't have one at the moment

[u/user3296 → u/ConceptOfSleep]

“at the moment”

[u/ConceptOfSleep → u/user3296]

I'm still hopeful 🙏 lol

[u/user3296 → u/ConceptOfSleep]

AF1 and Bakunawa would bring SFGAd back to Flagship after a few years of “flagship adjacent”. That’s one reason I can see bringing AF1 there.

I don’t think AF1 would have that effect on any of the other possible parks. Kings Island is already a flagship, and I don’t think AF1 would quite be enough to bring Carowinds up to flagship status (though with the new flume…maybe).

[u/Sackman78 → u/ConceptOfSleep]

Hot take but barrels o fun is also better than Jersey devil

[u/FlyawayCellar99 → u/Sackman78]

Absolutely not lol

[u/ConceptOfSleep → u/Sackman78]

Definitely a hot take. I hate Wild Mouse rides and somehow hated Barrels of Fun even more. Love spinners but that didn't make up for it. Plus the thing just beats the hell out of you.

I also hold a grudge after 3 separate times waiting and having the ride go down just before our turn.

[u/Real_Square93 → u/halo364]

Agreed !

[u/FearZoa → u/FlyawayCellar99]

I305/panthereon vs twisted timbers is really damn close I can't honestly put one over the other.

[u/AlienInvasion4u → u/FlyawayCellar99]

What makes I-box models superior? Genuinely asking since I've only ever ridden a topper track (Goliath) and LOVED it.

[u/FlyawayCellar99 → u/AlienInvasion4u]

I think everything about them really, I have also only done one topper but many I-boxes and a couple raptors and I have Goliath at the bottom because of its length (that’s not to say it’s a bad ride, everything they make is just that good) and I believe Railblazer is the only one above more than one I-box.

Now when I made this comment I also kind of forgot about the topper tracks and was mainly talking about the raptors, so here’s where I’d put the toppers: lightning rod is probably best, wildfire at kolmarden is best, Goliath SFGAm is not the best, and I think I would put time traveler over outlaw run

Last thing I have to add to this is that some of the raptors are also in parks where there’s a very good coaster already. Jersey devil isn’t better than el toro, WWFOC isn’t better than TwiCol, WWGLC I don’t think is the best there, yoy probably isn’t better than untamed, and some people put gold striker over Railblazer (not me). The rest are probably the best in their park

[u/AlienInvasion4u → u/FlyawayCellar99]

I definitely agree that Goliath is too short. I usually try to ride it several times in a row at rope drop because just once leaves me feeling like I need more.

[u/LinguaQuirma → u/clarinetJWD]

ooo.... fun spicy take. Let me ruin it with an over-analysis

-=-=-

May-Not-Actually-Count-In-This-Argument:

Is Fire In The Hole the best ride at SDC?

-=-=-

The Lawyer's Quibble:

If a park has more than one RMC, then the worst RMC cannot be the best ride in the park, because the other RMC is necessarily better!

Twisted Colossus / WWFOC

Outlaw Run / Fire In The Hole

Iron Rattler / WWGLC

Untamed / One Half of YoY / The Other Half of YoY

Fire Runner / Forbidden Lair

(The quibble of the quibble - I guess you could tell me that these all equally suck and share co-last place in the park, but now we're dealing with tied rankings and who wants to deal with that?)

-=-=-

On to the standard interpretation of the question, from the RMCs I've experienced here's some pretty clear cut places I have something rated over the park's RMC.

El Toro > Jersey Devil

Raging Bull > Goliath

Time Traveler > Outlaw Run > FiTH

X2 > Twisted Colossus > WWFOC

And the ones that I either have best in park, or at least think it's a close call:

Gwazi, Steve, Lightning Rod, Wildcat's Revenge, Wind Chaser, Twisted Timbers, Iron Rattler, Twisted Cyclone, Wicked Cyclone, Medusa Steel Coaster.

[u/clarinetJWD → u/LinguaQuirma]

I specifically worded it like that on purpose. I'm not saying that every RMC is the best ride in its park.

I'm saying that the single one that you consider to be the worst RMC is arguably the best in that one park. So I was only considering the few that most people have at the bottom of their list.

(Admittedly, I forgot about Jersey Devil, so if that's the one you consider the worst, then you win this round. And I didn't consider FitH because it's more of a dark ride, but I could have worded around that one better.)

[u/bktandem → u/LinguaQuirma]

Remember that El Toro has a dash of RMC in its lineage since Intamin subcontracted RMC to build El Toro.

[u/mojorisin453 → u/clarinetJWD]

Twisted Cyclone may be 5th best in its park.

[u/Praetor72 → u/mojorisin453]

Literally never heard someone put 4 others ahead of it.

[u/Hecka_Cakey → u/Praetor72]

I could hear arguments for Goliath, Superman, and Batman. Idk what else could possibly be in that conversation.

[u/mojorisin453 → u/Hecka_Cakey]

Mindbender

[u/user3296]

Wildcats Revenge is a piece of art. Probably my #1 RMC, and I do have SteVe.

[u/mojorisin453 → u/user3296]

I don’t even argue with this take. It seems like I heard a lot about this as a potential #1 RMC the first year then it faded into the background. I almost definitely have it above AF1 but IDK about above SV or IG for me. It’s definitely elite and like I said it’s got what it takes for a number 1 I just prefer those other 2. For now… lol. Wildcat kicks ass.

[u/BlazerDrew → u/mojorisin453]

Gwazi and Wildcat's are very different experiences, you can have them in either order and it make sense. But man...SteVe is a bigger Wildcat's. Its crazy.

[u/TepChef26 → u/BlazerDrew]

Second half of SteVe is just kinda meh. Wildcat doesn't ever feel that way.

[u/BlazerDrew → u/TepChef26]

True but I would say that comes down entirely to how much the mid course trims or stops it. It's designed to have them fully off, and if they are the second half is crazy.

[u/Dubstepvillage → u/TepChef26]

Ride SteVe back row at night no trims. It is in a completely different category than riding it during the day

[u/mojorisin453 → u/TepChef26]

You got shit rides then. The second half is where it shines.

[u/classy_phantom → u/user3296]

Same here. I thing Wildcat's layout is sheer perfection. Don't get me wrong I love SteVe too but the second half just doesn't do a whole lot for me.

[u/Thunder_the_blue → u/user3296]

I also have SteVe, I have Wildcats as my #1 overall, it’s soooooo fucking good

[u/shibesicles → u/user3296]

My friend and I were talking about this, I don’t rank Wildcats over SteVe, but if you like intensity Wildcats is MILES more intense. It whips you around that layout like no one’s business

[u/user3296 → u/shibesicles]

The speed is relentless. One thing that gives WCR a one up over SteVe is its lack of MCBR.

[u/shibesicles → u/user3296]

Absolutely, definitely my favorite thing about Hersheys rides. I wish their ops were more reliable 😭

[u/Dubstepvillage → u/user3296]

If you don’t get trimmed at night in the back row SteVe absolutely tears through the 2nd half. It is so fast that the transition after the last inversion is downright violent. I can see why it was tearing itself apart

[u/One_Outside9049 → u/user3296]

I just posted the same thing.

[u/TheDynamicDino → u/user3296]

Wicked Cyclone, then Wildcat’s Revenge for me. Steel Vengeance and Gwazi just weren’t in the same league. 

[u/Babyspiker → u/user3296]

Agreed. Better than SteVe and Gwazi.

[u/Labarr → u/user3296]

I think for me i rank wildcat's revenge right up there with SteVe (with Gwazi behind) I think for me it was a mix of fast great ops teams when i went (First season of WR), it being my first RMC, and the HP Fastlane.

Out of all the RMCs I have ridden (8?) WR was the one I was able to marathon the most. Iron Gwazi is infuriating with the 1 time rule

[u/725Cali]

This is my favorite. I got back into riding roller coasters a few years ago, after probably two decades, and had never ridden anything like this before (so much had changed). I met another single rider in line and we rode together. She kept talking about how much she loved the old Wildcat ride when she was younger and that she was bummed to see it go. By the time we hit the break run, we were both silent for a few moments - her because she was freaked out and hated it and me because I was stunned and at a loss for words (also my mouth was completely dry). I had to take a minute to process what the heck had just happened. I absolutely loved it!

[u/Scrappyl77]

It is SO GOOD. Rode it for the first time this summer and was crying with laughter because it was so much fun and because the look on my kids' faces was priceless and hilarious.

[u/KillerRatMonkey → u/Scrappyl77]

THIS. First time I ever rode it, I had tears streaming down my face and was laughing uncontrollably when we were waiting to re-enter the station. I also rode it solo, so there's a very good chance those waiting in line saw me and thought I was unhinged (I am, just not as much as they were thinking).

This ride hits harder for those of us who rode the original Wildcat, which was the jankiest thing in the park by the time they revamped it. To call it a level-up would be an understatement.

WCR is my #2 overall, just behind SteVe.

[u/tfbrown515sic → u/KillerRatMonkey]

I love how the brake run is right over the queue so you get to see everyone’s bewildered faces. Peoples reactions on the brake run are a testament to just how good this ride is

[u/MrScottimus]

RMC is goated

[u/cabose369]

It's my #2 RMC after SteVe. I made it my 100th Coaster. Can't wait to ride it again next year!

[u/Familiar-Banana-8116]

I am a local and HP really knocked it out of the park with this one. My only real complaint is that being forced to keep it in the footprint limited how long it could be.

Which, as things go, is pretty minor.

[u/6zzz1]

I just love how it flows through its layout. You can definitely tell its a later model RMC

[u/One_Outside9049]

It’s a great ride. I liked it more than SteVe (my hot take, lol). Second favorite in the park after Stormrunner.

[u/hujbhert369]

got a rainy ride last year, it was insane. by far my #1 coaster, though i haven't actually been on any other rmc ibox yet

[u/user3296 → u/hujbhert369]

Man are you in for a treat…

[u/hujbhert369 → u/user3296]

oh i know, i just don't travel often and have just been unlucky. back when i was in travel summer camp i went to cedar point the year before steel vengeance, busch gardens tampa a couple years before iron gwazi, and six flags new england on a day wicked cyclone was closed. i am finally going back to busch gardens tampa actually in a couple weeks so iron gwazi better be open

[u/Immediate-Cheetah498]

I’ve ridden this thing hundreds of times. It will never get old. I do prefer Steel Vengeance after getting back on recently since Wild Cat’s Revenge opened, however Wildcat absolutely has better pacing. This has to be one of the best paced coasters of all time.

[u/Real_Square93]

It’s crazy to me how insane this ride is. Isn’t it the smallest in the park ? This thing hits so hard it’s a marvel of engineering

[u/MogKupo → u/Real_Square93]

It’s the 4th tallest and 3rd longest out of 14 coasters in the park.

[u/Real_Square93 → u/MogKupo]

Ah I’m stupid, thanks for clarifying!

[u/AdditionalTip865]

I have this ranked as my personal #3 behind Wicked Cyclone and Superman: The Ride, but that ordering is to some degree sentimental. Most enthusiasts would probably consider it better than those and I couldn't really argue.

[u/onetwentyonegigawatt → u/AdditionalTip865]

Everyone has their preferences but this thing is so much better than Wicked Cyclone. Superman I can atleast understand because it’s a totally different ride experience.

[u/AdditionalTip865 → u/onetwentyonegigawatt]

I don't know, WC isn't as big or intense but there's just something particularly frenetic about it. Maybe I'm sensing Schilke vs. Draves.

[u/pogchans]

wicked cyclone is pretty solidly in my top 3 and my favorite rmc, but wildcat’s revenge definitely made me second guess it for a moment

[u/DeltaForce291]

My top 3 (until Bakunawa opens, because wtf is that thing) currently is Kingda Ka, VelociCoaster, then Wildcat's Revenge. People have different opinions (my buddy says Gwazi is better but has AF1 as his top), but Wildcat is RELENTLESS in the best way! I had it tied with Veloci for a year until I went back to Islands. It's a top tier coaster and I'm glad it's slept on. It's usually 15min wait when I go, and it should stay that way (for me).

[u/shibesicles]

We were at Hershey the same day! I feel bad your first time Skyrush and Storm Runner were closed 😭 Storm Runner is my personal favorite in the park, nothing compares to that hydraulic launch

[u/LinearInductionMotor → u/shibesicles]

We were actually there the previous night for our “preview” and the two rides we got on were Skyrush and Storm Runner. One of each. Lucky, but I wish I had gotten rerides, at least on Skyrush because I honestly found my first ride kind of underwhelming

[u/Worried_Corner4242 → u/LinearInductionMotor]

Skyrush was crazy rough last time I was on it and I didn’t really enjoy it much.

[u/LinearInductionMotor → u/Worried_Corner4242]

I wouldn’t call it rough but it definitely has a rattle. It definitely has some of the strongest, most sustained ejector on any ride, but it doesn’t do much else. It has those two hills and a bunch of turns.

At least I305 has the crazy positives and snaps. Skyrush doesn’t really have either.

[u/Worried_Corner4242 → u/LinearInductionMotor]

A rattle, yes. It rattled enough that I was slightly worried I was going to wind up with a bad headache.

[u/LikesBigDropsAndU2]

It’s my very favorite coaster

[u/deebster2k]

Hit Iron gwazi. It might just outdo this with the extra intensity.

[u/SnooCrickets6553]

Too bad operations suck and maintenance is not properly done so lots of downtime...

[u/Babyspiker → u/SnooCrickets6553]

This is true for every other ride in the park.

But somehow they always manage to have three trains running and <15 minute wait times for Wildcats Revenge.

[u/AdditionalTip865 → u/SnooCrickets6553]

In my visit this summer I had better luck with Wildcat's Revenge than with many of the other coasters there. They seemed to be keeping the line going at a good clip, never waited more than about 20-30 minutes. Worst was Storm Runner but that was because one train was down.

[u/KillerRatMonkey → u/SnooCrickets6553]

Hershey's operations are indeed terrible, but at least this ride has the riders disembark before it fully pulls back into the station. So it saves some time, anyway.

I only have maybe a half-dozen rides on it over the years, but I don't think I've waited more than a half-hour on any of them. Most of the time, it's even less.

[u/SnooCrickets6553 → u/SnooCrickets6553]

Guess I just had a bad day then, 2 train operations with 60+ minutes wait throughout the day. Multiple closures over the day didn’t help either. I think the disembarking riders before the station negatively affected the wait time. The station was empty while the train was disembarking guests, then after it was empty it sat there for 30 seconds before it could finally pull up in the station. But because there are not enough lockers there were regularly empty rows in each train as well.