Why do some wooden coasters look bigger than they are?

[CarolinaRider]

One example I can think of is Shivering Timbers. The ride looks like it should be in the 160-170 ft range when in fact it is only 122 feet tall. And it seems like the bigger they are, the more they look like their correct height. Why do wooden coasters appear to be bigger than they are? Does it have to do with the extra supports? Am I just imagining this?

 

[GuyWithAStick]

^No, I get what you're saying. I think it's a mix of it's surroundings and supports. For example, Voyage at Holiday World looks a lot taller than Goliath(SFGAm), despite being(a few feet) shorter.

 

[andrus]

Why do wooden coasters appear to be bigger than they are? Does it have to do with the extra supports?

Yes, that's it. The amount of supports indicates that it's a large structure. And the thin pieces of lumber used in the truss structure makes for an optical illusion causing the ride to look larger than it is. On the contrary (I find) B&Ms to look smaller than they are due to the larger and fewer supports, as well as a thicker track gauge.

 

[caffeine_demon]

is it just me, or does Kingda Ka look tiny?