The Wild One (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Wild One |
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| Six Flags America | |
| Location | Six Flags America |
| Park section | Mardi Gras |
| Coordinates | 38°54′33″N 76°46′21″W / 38.90917°N 76.77250°W |
| Status | Open |
| Opening date | 1986 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Dinn Corporation |
| Designer | John A. Miller Herbert Schmeck |
| Height | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Drop | 88 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 4,000 ft (1,200 m) |
| Speed | 53 mph (85 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:52 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass Available |
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| The Wild One at RCDB | |
The Wild One is a thrilling wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags America in Prince George's County, Maryland. This exciting ride is famous for its big spiral turn, called a 450-degree helix, and many small hills that make you feel like you're floating, known as 'air time'. Before it came to Six Flags America, this coaster was called the Giant Coaster. It was located at Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts, and operated there from 1917 to 1984.
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The Wild One's Journey: From Past to Present
When this roller coaster first opened in 1917, it was known as "The Giant Coaster." It was a "double out and back" coaster at Paragon Park in Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts. This park was about 25 miles (40 km) south of Boston.
In 1932, a fire partly damaged the ride. Herbert Paul Schmeck then redesigned much of the coaster. Later, in April 1963, another fire destroyed the station, the trains, the spiral ending, and part of the lift hill. The park wanted John C. Allen to rebuild it exactly as it was. However, his price was too high for the park.
Instead, Allen rebuilt the coaster without two small hills and the spiral ending. This change made the ride go straight into the brake area. While it wasn't as exciting as the original ending, it was a more affordable way to keep the coaster running.
New Trains for the Giant Coaster
On July 19, 1963, a big fire happened at Forest Park Highlands in St. Louis. Luckily, its roller coaster, named Comet, was not burned. When Comet was taken down in 1968, Paragon Park bought its trains. This was cheaper than buying new ones from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. For the rest of the Giant Coaster's time at Paragon Park, the front car of its trains still said "Comet."
Moving to Six Flags America
The Giant Coaster closed when Paragon Park shut down in 1984. It was then sold to Wild World, which is now Six Flags America. Wild World bought the ride at an auction at the last minute. In 1986, the coaster reopened in its new home and was renamed The Wild One.
It was restored to its original design, including the exciting spiral ending. Some of this restoration work was done by Martin & Vleminckx. On June 18, 2018, the American Coaster Enthusiasts group gave The Wild One their special Coaster Landmark award.
World Records Held by The Wild One
When The Giant Coaster first opened in 1917, it was 98 feet (30 meters) tall. This made it the tallest roller coaster in the world at that time! Its record stood for eight years.
In 1925, the Revere Beach Cyclone opened. It was 100 feet (30 meters) tall, which was just a bit taller than The Giant Coaster. This new coaster then took the record for the world's tallest roller coaster.
| Preceded by Unknown |
World's Tallest Roller Coaster 1917 - 1925 |
Succeeded by Cyclone |
| Preceded by Unknown |
World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster 1917 - 1925 |
Succeeded by Cyclone |
