{{Short description|Roller coaster in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Infobox roller coaster |name=Wild Mouse |image=Wild Mouse Idlewild.jpg <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link--> |caption= |location=Idlewild and Soak Zone |type=Steel |tyep2= |status=Operating |opened=1985 (original)<br>May 15, 1993 (current location)<ref name="RCDB">{{cite web|url=http://rcdb.com/271.htm |title=Roller Coaster Database |accessdate=June 28, 2012}}</ref> |manufacturer=Vekoma |designer= |track=Wild mouse |lift=[[lift hill|Chain lift]] |height_ft=56 |drop_ft= |length_ft=1640 |speed_mph= 30 |inversions=0 |duration= |cost= |gforce= |restriction_in=48 <!--Must be expressed in inches and may contain only numeric characters.--> |rcdb_number=271 |coordinates={{coord|40.2598|-79.2799|region:US-PA_type:landmark|display=title,inline}} }}
'''Wild Mouse''' is a [[roller coaster]] at [[Idlewild and Soak Zone]] in [[Ligonier, Pennsylvania]].<ref>Bates, Jill. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/449801105/?terms=%22Wild%20Mouse%22%20and%20Idlewild&match=1 Idlewild Coaster Promises Thrills]" (article with captioned photo). Latrobe, Pennsylvania: ''Latrobe Bulletin'', May 5, 1993, front page (subscription required).</ref><ref>Lepley, Patricia. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/510570241/?terms=%22Wild%20Mouse%22%20and%20Idlewild&match=1 The 'Wild Mouse' Debuts at Idlewild]." Somerset, Pennsylvania: ''The Daily American'', June 5, 1993, p. 20 (subscription required).</ref> It is the one of two coasters in the park, and is the only [[steel roller coaster]] in the park.<ref name="ParkSite">{{cite web|url=http://www.idlewild.com |title=Official Idlewild and Soak Zone Website |date= |accessdate=June 28, 2012}}</ref> It is the only [[wild mouse]] coaster designed by [[Vekoma]].
==History== Wild Mouse was originally located at [[Prater]] in [[Vienna|Vienna, Austria]], where it operated as Speeedy Gonzalez<!-- The ride's name was purposefully spelled with three es. --> from 1985 to 1987.<ref name="RCDB" /> It featured a yellow-orange color scheme. It was then moved to [[Alton Towers]], an amusement park in [[Staffordshire]], [[England]], where it was renamed Alton Mouse and reopened in 1988.<ref name="RCDB" /> At Alton Towers, the ride featured a covered lift hill, which was used to conceal the curves at the top of the hill from riders until they reached the top.
Alton Mouse closed in 1991 for a multitude of reasons. The harsh curve and braking system had diminished its popularity over time. Additionally, the section of the park in which it was located was small, and the ride was popular, causing issues with congestion. Local residents also complained of the noise levels. When Alton Mouse was removed, so were the other rides in its section, which was then subsequently closed off from the rest of the park.
On May 15, 1993, Alton Mouse reopened at Idlewild as Wild Mouse.<ref name="RCDB" /> The track was painted rust red, and the supports were painted black upon its initial arrival to Idlewild. Rough air brakes continued to hinder the ride until 2002, when a smoother magnetic braking system was installed by Pribonics Technologies.<ref>{{cite news | last = Yeomans | first = Michael | title = Roller coasters use magnetic brakes | newspaper = Tribune-Review | location = Pittsburgh | date = 1 May 2005}}</ref> The ride's track was also repainted gray.
Wild Mouse features a traditional layout, including tight, unbanked curves and short, steep hills.
The ride did not operate during the 2012 season. It reopened to the public on July 14, 2013.<ref name="RCDB" /><ref name="ParkSite" />
Following the end of the 2024 season, the ride underwent a large refurbishment, most notably including an improved electrical system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Mouse {{!}} Idlewild & SoakZone Attraction Rides |url=https://www.idlewild.com/experiences/rides/wild-mouse |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=Idlewild & SoakZone |language=en}}</ref> The ride reopened on June 28th, 2025.
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayIW8Z0XzgA Youtube video on-board Wild Mouse]
[[Category:Roller coasters in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Roller coasters opened in 1985]] [[Category:Roller coasters opened in 1993]] [[Category:Wild Mouse roller coasters]] [[Category:1985 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania]]