Why do they call it "past 97 degrees" on the Hershey rollercoaster?

If it’s a 97 degree angle, then yes, it’s not quite vertical. I don’t think an 83 degree drop is possible, is it?

Sounds like marketing to me.

“HOLY FUCKING BALLS, OUR ROLLERCOASTER HAS A 97 DEGREE DROP TO IT! SWEET BABY JESUS IN A CORNCRIB, THAT’S HARDXXXCORE”

You know, something like that.

I think that’s because it actually goes a little backwards when it goes down.

Even looking at the photo, that doesn’t look like an acute angle to me. Looks straight down, if that.

It all depends on from what axis you’re measuring the angle. With no specification given, the Hershy Park people can say what they want, but it is a bit misleading…

@Seelix It actually does get a little closer to the “up part,” if that makes sense. If you grab a pencil, you can tell it’s not parallel. Not much of a difference, but it is there.

I looked at the picture just now, but if they’re talking about the angle from the top of the fall they’re wrong. Once again, no specifications allow for misleading. Now Barbie-her knees definitely bent forwards at a 97 degree angle…or actually that would be a 187 degree angle…

Whats the problem? If 90 is straight down I would take 97 to mean it goes down and back toward it self by 7 degrees.

I dont see why 83 degrees would be impossible either, its just not quite straight down.

And here is a really really crappy paint picture to further illustrate my point :P

Here’s a pic using a 110º slope with a box representing a roller coaster car on it.

It’s the same concept as a 97º degree slope, except that it’s 20º past vertical.

@Brian1946 I’m not sure I want to ride this ride…