Cheetah (Wild Adventures) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheetah |
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Cheetah (roller coaster)
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| Wild Adventures | |
| Location | Wild Adventures |
| Park section | Main Park |
| Coordinates | 30°43′11″N 83°19′32″W / 30.719592°N 83.325681°W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | June 16, 2001 |
| Closing date | March 2020 |
| Cost | US$4,500,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Custom Coasters International |
| Model | Steel frame |
| Track layout | Out and back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Drop | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 2,680 ft (820 m) |
| Speed | 52 mph (84 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:04 |
| Capacity | 1200 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
| Cheetah at RCDB | |
The Cheetah was a thrilling wooden roller coaster at the Wild Adventures theme park. It was located in Valdosta, Georgia, in a part of the park called African Pridelands. This coaster was named after the speedy cheetah animal. When it first opened, it was very fast, reaching speeds of 65 miles per hour!
Over time, like any ride, it slowed down a bit. By 2009, its top speed was about 52 miles per hour. Cheetah was the biggest roller coaster at Wild Adventures when it was built in 2001. It had a classic "out and back" design with fun hills and a special figure-eight twist at the end.
Contents
About the Cheetah Roller Coaster
The Cheetah roller coaster was a popular attraction for many years. It was known for its wooden structure and exciting ride experience. Riders enjoyed its speed and unique layout.
Design and Features
Cheetah was built by a company called Custom Coasters International. It featured a classic "out and back" track. This means the coaster would go out from the station and then turn around to come back. Along the way, it had five "bunny hops." These are small hills that give riders a feeling of weightlessness. The ride ended with a cool figure-eight section.
Renovations and Upgrades
To keep the ride in great shape, Cheetah received a big upgrade. Between 2009 and 2010, it got a $1.3 million renovation. This work was done by Martin & Vleminckx. They replaced parts of the track, especially in the figure-eight section. They also smoothed out the rest of the track. This helped make the ride smoother and more enjoyable for guests.
How the Ride Worked
The Cheetah roller coaster started with a tall climb. It went up a 95-foot (about 29-meter) hill. After that, it dropped down into a small 20-foot (about 6-meter) bunny hop. This was followed by a larger 55-foot (about 17-meter) bunny hop. The ride then went into a 35-degree decline, which is a steep slope, leading into a helix. A helix is a spiral-shaped turn.
The Return Journey
After the first part, Cheetah began its journey back to the station. This included a 62-foot (about 19-meter) drop. Then, riders experienced two more 35-foot (about 11-meter) bunny hops. These led into a right-hand flat helix. The ride finished with its famous figure-eight section.
Why Cheetah Closed
In March 2020, the Wild Adventures park, including Cheetah, closed temporarily. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the park reopened in June 2020, Cheetah did not operate. The park explained that it was difficult to ensure enough "physical distancing" on the ride.
Since then, the area around the coaster was blocked off. The trains that carried riders were also removed from the tracks. In January 2021, Wild Adventures officially announced that the Cheetah roller coaster was "retired." This means the ride was permanently closed. The park plans to use the space for new and exciting attractions in the future.
