Interestingly, several other amusement rides do the same trick.  Journey to Atlantis in Sea World San Diego, Cobra's Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida, Cannibal at Lagoon in Utah, Divertical at Mirabilandia in Italy, Matterhorn Blitz at Europa Park in Germany, Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster at Warner Bros Movie World in Australia, and Speed at Energylandia in Poland come to mind.  The amusement industry calls it an "elevator lift", which is kinda funny when you think about it.