Last ride, as Hersheypark wooden roller coaster to close soon: What you need to know.
Rollercoaster fans have just a few weeks to ride the Wildcat at Hersheypark one last time.
The wooden roller coaster in Midway America is closing July 31, Hersheypark said in a Tweet Friday. No reason was given.
In addition, the amusement park asked what should be done with the wooden track.
"We will share details on what's next before the end of the year," spokesperson Amanda Polyak said in an email.
The Wildcat is named in honor of Hersheypark’s first roller coaster, Polyak said. That one was added in 1923.
The announcement sparked reactions on social media. One said he was sad to hear the news as his nephew will be devastated and will not be able to ride it again before it closes. Others said they are looking forward to what will replace it.
Here's what we know about the ride:
Opened: 1996
Maximum speed: 48 mph
Length: 3,100 feet
Ride height: 85 feet
Ride time: 1 minute, 15 seconds
The Wildcat is one of three wooden roller coasters in the park. The others are the iconic Comet and Lightning Racer.
The park also has steel roller coasters, such as Candymonium, Skyrush and the Great Bear.
Earlier this year, Hersheypark debuted the Jolly Rancher Remix roller coaster. Riders blast through a flavor tunnel on it. It also offers a family-friendly ride Mix'd Flavored by Jolly Rancher.
Last to ride alert! 🚨
Wildcat will close Sunday, July 31 so be sure to visit this month for one final ride. Any suggestions on what we could do with 3,100 feet of wooden track?
Stay tuned for details later this year. pic.twitter.com/ut8aRmfhat— Hersheypark (@Hersheypark) July 8, 2022
The Wildcat is one of numerous roller coasters across the state.
Other popular wooden coasters include the Phoenix at Knoebels in Northumberland County and the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Hersheypark's Wildcat to close on July 31
