Wilderness Run
A gentle first coaster designed to help young or very cautious riders become comfortable with coaster motion.
Park
Cedar Point
CoasterSchool Level
Level 0
Starter Coaster
Type
Kiddie / Junior Steel Coaster
Minimum Height
36 in.
Should You Ride Wilderness Run?
Wilderness Run is built for riders who are still learning what a roller coaster feels like. The hills are small, the speed is very low, and there are no major drops or intense forces. At Level 0, the goal is not to prove that a rider is ready for something bigger, it is simply to let coaster riding become familiar and fun.
Best For
Young children, first-time coaster riders, and very cautious riders who are ready to experience a coaster train, restraint, lift hill, turns, and small hills without a major thrill element.
Biggest Fear Factor
For a brand-new rider, the unfamiliar experience itself may be the challenge: sitting in the coaster train, being secured by the restraint, climbing the lift hill, and realizing that they cannot simply stop the ride once it begins.
CoasterSchool Take
Wilderness Run is exactly what a Level 0 coaster should be. It gives riders a chance to learn the basics without asking much from them physically.
There is no reason to rush progression here. A child may want to ride Wilderness Run several times—or return to other familiar rides between coaster attempts. Once the experience becomes comfortable and they naturally begin asking for something bigger, that is a much better sign of readiness than simply completing the ride once.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Wilderness Run at Cedar Point.
Park
Cedar Point
Location
Sandusky, Ohio
Manufacturer
Intamin
Type
Steel Kiddie / Children’s Coaster
Opened
1979
Height
19 ft
Speed
6 mph
Length
443 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 50 sec.
Minimum Height
36 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 0
DID YOU KNOW?
Wilderness Run was the first roller coaster ever built by Intamin.
Rider Restrictions
Guests over 54 in. can ride Wilderness Run only when accompanying a child under 54 in.
What Wilderness Run Feels Like
Wilderness Run is intentionally simple. The experience is about introducing coaster motion at a very manageable speed rather than delivering traditional thrills.
The Lift Hill
The train slowly climbs the small 19-foot lift hill. For a brand-new rider, even this can create some anticipation because it introduces the familiar coaster sensation of climbing before a drop.
The Hills
The hills are small and gentle. Riders get their first taste of going up and down on coaster track without the stomach-dropping sensation associated with larger coasters.
The Turns
Wide turns introduce side-to-side coaster movement at very low speed. Nothing happens particularly suddenly, which gives new riders time to understand what they are feeling.
The Overall Ride
At only about 6 mph, Wilderness Run is far closer to a children’s ride than a traditional thrill coaster. That is exactly its purpose: riders can concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than bracing for a major element.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
There is very little intensity difference from the front to the back on Wilderness Run.
- Any seat: A manageable first coaster experience
- Let a nervous rider sit wherever they feel most comfortable
Body & Restraint
No special riding technique is needed on this gentle kiddie coaster.
- Sit naturally against the seat
- Let the ride attendant secure the restraint normally
During the Ride
The goal is comfort and familiarity, not rushing to the next coaster.
- The hills and turns stay very gentle
- Repeating Wilderness Run several times can build confidence before moving up
Watch the Wilderness Run Ride Preview
See Wilderness Run from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the lift hill, small drops, turns, and overall pacing so first-time riders and parents can see exactly what to expect.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Coaster progression isn’t a checklist. At Level 0, familiarity and confidence matter more than moving quickly to the next coaster.
Not Ready for Wilderness Run Yet?
Stay With Familiar Rides
There is nothing wrong with spending more time on comfortable family and children’s rides. Let the rider repeat the experiences they enjoy until riding feels fun rather than stressful.
Keep Building Confidence →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Woodstock Express — Level 1
Move into a longer coaster with more noticeable hills, greater speed, and a larger ride experience while still avoiding major drops or extreme thrills.
Explore Woodstock Express →