Everything about Wild Thing Roller Coaster totally explained
Wild Thing, located at the
Valleyfair amusement park in
Shakopee, Minnesota, is a
steel out-and-back roller coaster with more than one
mile (1.6
km) of track. Its first hill, measuring at 206 feet with a 60 degree drop, is home to the one of the longest
weightless zones of any coaster in the world. It reaches a top speed of 74 mph, making it one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, as well. Wild Thing's height was set by the
FAA, due to the nearby presence of
Flying Cloud Airport.
Wild Thing has been the main challenge for a local radio station's
Survive it and Drive It Game. Listeners of
101.3 KDWB who call in and win are challenged, along with approximately 20 other winners, to be the last one riding continuously for days upon end. The winner gets a new car from a local car dealer. In 2005, the contest lasted for seventeen days. Due to the unbelievable stamina and willpower of the final two contestants, they were each awarded a car.
Designed and manufactured by
Chance-Morgan, it was the first "
hypercoaster" to be built by the company, opening in
1996. It was the 5th tallest coaster in the world when it opened. The ride's success led to the construction of
Steel Force at
Dorney Park in
Allentown, Pennsylvania in
1997 and
Mamba at
Worlds of Fun in
Kansas City, Missouri the next year.
The Ride
After the ascent to the top of the 207ft (63.1m)
lift hill, the train plunges down the 196 ft (59.7 m) drop, reaching the maximum speed of 74 mph (119.1 km/h. The train then enters a 103 ft (31.4m)
parabolic hill, resulting in the longest low gravity section of any coaster in the world. After the hill, the train climbs a larger 130ft (39.6m) hill before entering the large figure-eight turnaround. After a
mid-course brake run, the train travels over several small
bunny hops before entering a
tunnel. Inside are more small hills and the
on-ride camera. The ride finishes with a final brake run followed by a turn back into the station.
Accidents
Several minor injuries occurred following a derailment on the
Wild Thing on May 21, 2006 when a brake mount came loose, causing the 6th car in the train to de-rail. 14 people were taken to St. Francis Medical Hospital, but all were released the same day. Wild Thing reopened on June 1, 2006, after being judged safe by inspectors.
Further Information
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