Question about Space Mountain

[hooters dude]

Recently got back from Disney and as always went on Space Mountain a good number of times! One of the things I noticed (don't know why I haven't before) is that after the initial chain hill climb and start, you actually end up higher than the top of the hill climb at one point after the first decent?

This seemed odd as most coasters highest points seem to be at the start as the momentum wears off the further you go (hope this makes sense to you people). Yet in the dark I clearly remember looking down near the beginning and realising that I was actually above the initial 'blast off' point :shrug:

Surely if you roll down at the beginning you can't roll up higher shortly afterwards Am I imagining this or can any of you confirm this and explain to me how this happens!

Thanks guys

:wave:

 

[Coasterbp]

I believe that what you were seeing was the mini-lift that returns vehicles from the unload floor, to the load floor, one floor above.

It's clearly visible from the main portion of the ride and especially the end of the ride. If you were to have looked closer, you would notice no riders riding back up to the load area.

 

[hooters dude]

I believe that what you were seeing was the mini-lift that returns vehicles from the unload floor, to the load floor, one floor above.

It's clearly visible from the main portion of the ride and especially the end of the ride. If you were to have looked closer, you would notice no riders riding back up to the load area.

No I know the mini lift at the end of the ride, you see it above you just as you go to unload. But thanks anyway.

It's about 10-15 seconds (at a guess) after the initial start after the top of the main hill

:wave:

 

[hooters dude]

This clip may show what I mean better. About 55 secs in they're at the top of the lift hill, then about 113 secs in is the point they appear to be higher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8-D2pdtBG0

is there a second lift hill :shrug:

 

[unkadug]

It would be impossible, without another lift hill, to be higher than the initial lift hill. At least from what I remember about physics.

 

[darthjohnny]

It may have been an optical illusion.