Pre-lifts

[DBru]

I have always admired cool pre-lifts (the stretch of track before the chain lift).

 

I enjoy Thunderhead's tight, downwards helix onto the lift. It is simple, but a very fun warm-up for what is to come!

 

What is your favorite?

[coasterguy618]

Hydra no-doubt the best pre-lift in the world.

[ebl]

I'm sort of fond of the one on the Santa Cruz Giant Dipper. That's a good one.

 

Eric

[Rollerman87]

I have two.

 

Scream! at SFMM- the small drop is a kinda fun, and it offers a great view of the cobra roll, and vast stretch of parking lot

 

Dominator at (now defunct) Geauga Lake- I like the little s-bend it has, and going through the bushes like that. It really made the pre-lift seem longer.

 

Yes, both are floorless

[downunder]

Out of coasters I have been on, I really liked Hades and Thunderbolt (Kennywood).

 

Although not thrilling, the pre launch section of Superman Escape at Warner Bros Movie World is very impressive, it's like a Universal Studios disaster dark ride.

[Mechanic]

I'll second the SCBB Giant Dipper pre-lift tunnel. It has a somewhat surprising little drop into pure black darkness followed by some nice little curves that lead you to the light at the end of the tunnel, which is the lift hill. There's also the smell of grease on the tracks that, to me at least, adds to the nostalgic feel of the ride.

 

I also like the pre-lift on Disneyland's Big Thunder. It's like a mini version of Knott's Calico Mine ride. (Or a rip-off of it.)

[pacoasterrider]

Phoenix's tunnel is pretty sweet.

 

And Fahrenheit is just intimidating sitting there looking straight up 110feet at the lift. And thinking "lift hills aren't supposed to do that." and the dual chain lift is so unusual it's intimidating.

[niiicolaaah]

Hydra's jo-jo roll, it's the only enjoyable part of the ride!

 

And I really like Phoenix's long tunnel before the lift.

[Jayjay719]

^I second that Nicole. Those two are my favorite pre lifts.

[haux]

Cyclone at Lakeside has a long tunnel before the lift, and that's fun. Thunderbolt has an impressive two drops before the chain. Mystery Mine also is really cool. A drop out of the station and a few turns. That's fun.

 

I'll be the first to say Hercules had a pretty cool prelift section. Too bad that was the best part of the ride.

[kraken613]

I like Thunderhead's it provides more laterals than you might think.

Also the Swooping drops some B&M's have like Kraken has.

[downunder]

Also at Warner Bros Movie World, Scooby Doo has a whole Ghost train with small drops under swinging axes and sharp turns before the lift hill - which is an elevator, and it rocks from side to side as it takes you up.

[Speeddeamon128]

I have to say Hydra: The Revenge & the Great White. On the Great White you dive under the boardwalk before the life

[missingmusician]

I have to say Hydra: The Revenge & the Great White. On the Great White you dive under the boardwalk before the life

Dude, you stole mine!!

[DBru]

I completely forgot about Mystery Mine's! The 2 drops and sharp turns are really fun!

 

Dollywood must have a thing about cool pre-lifts...lol

[kumba830]

Hades ! Any roller coaster with air time before the lift has to be great!

[RCFreak]

Although not thrilling, the pre launch section of Superman Escape at Warner Bros Movie World is very impressive, it's like a Universal Studios disaster dark ride.

I'm definitely going to have to agree and Scooby-doo's dark ride section was amazing for a dark-ride and coaster.

 

 

As for regular roller coasters, I think I'll go with any GCI's pre-lift those are always fun.

[KPfreak519]

Thunderbolt at Kennywood. The two drops before the lift are amazing at night, and if you sit in the back, there is some MAJOR ejector air on the first one.

[KGA29]

I agree about Giant Dipper at SCBB. Here's some which haven't been named yet:

 

-Ghostrider's is pretty fun

-Demon (at both SFGAm and CGA) with the tunnel and the voice

 

I would also say Powderkeg at SDC, considering that most of it occurs before the lift hill, but I haven't ridden it.

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

I'm gonna have to go with Hydra @ Dorney Park.

Thunderbolt @ Kennywood.

I'm surprised that this one hasn't been mentioned yet, Thunderation @ Silver Dollar City. Sitting backwards, going through the helix is pretty fun.

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

^^ Powder Keg is flippin sweet! I was sooo surprised the first time that I rode it. I didn't expect to like it, but I LOVED it!

[Holtskee]

I like WDW Big Thunder Mountain's bat cave prior to the first lift. Love the deafening clanking sound when the train hits the anti-rollbacks echoing through the tunnel.

[Josh Linn]

I have a soft spot for Phoenix's pre-lift tunnel, especially during PPP when they put all the Halloween stuff in it.

[Scaparri]

I have to go with Hades, with Thunderbolt coming in second. The large drop of Hades' station followed by the surprising ejector air is just great. The most intense airtime of the ride is before you ever reach the lift hill!

[PKI Jizzman]

Scooby Doo has about two minutes worth of coaster before the lift...hands down the best!!!

 

That ride is the best