Premier Rides, known best for its cutting-edge attractions, is proud to announce that they are the inaugural sponsor of the first-ever virtual expo by IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry.  With travel and large gatherings limited worldwide, IAAPA has found a new way to connect theme park operators, designers and suppliers virtually by introducing IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia.

The show floor will launch virtually July 28-30, and clients can “explore the floor” and conduct business meetings in real time and from the comfort of one’s own…computer!

“Premier is known for its focus on leading-edge technology so it was a natural for us to be the inaugural sponsor of IAAPA’s first virtual trade show,” commented Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides.  Seay continued, “I am impressed by IAAPA’s clearly significant effort to quickly pivot and create a business platform to connect its members.  While I am very much looking forward to the 2021 IAAPA Expo Asia in Macau, this is a great way to bridge the gap in the meantime.  We are very appreciative of IAAPA, and especially Executive Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations June Ko and her team for bringing this event to us.”

Hal McAvoy, CEO of IAAPA noted, “We are appreciative of Premier Rides’s support for the IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia.  We have had a tremendous response to the announcement and anticipate an exciting event in July.”

Free to IAAPA members, and available for a registration fee to non-members, this immersive, three-day experience instantly transports participants to the online expo and educational conference at the click of a button. This online event puts buyers on the virtual trade show floor to see all that’s new in the attractions industry.

June Ko, Executive Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations, describes the IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia as “a new, innovative way to connect members and to create an immersive environment where members can learn from industry experts and where buyers can showcase new products.”  Ko continued, “IAAPA and its members are extremely passionate and are known for being creative, for being nimble, and for finding new ways to connect and to deliver quality experiences to guests around the globe.  This virtual show is an extension of that passion and ability to pivot to find creative applications of technology.”

Through immersive media and live interactions, attendees will discover new products and processes available from top exhibitors and suppliers around the globe.  The conference includes education sessions where industry professional can get a front-row seat, ask questions and learn best practices and new trends during live virtual education sessions featuring thought leaders from Asia Pacific and around the globe.

Seay noted, “Premier has always focused on the use of ground-breaking online platforms to provide the highest level of service to our clients.   For years we have provided 24-hour live feed technical support to assist in service and troubleshooting efforts.  It has become very clear during the past couple of months that the attractions industry has embraced rapidly advancing online technologies, so participating in and supporting the IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia is a natural extension of our current efforts.”

Registration for IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia is now open and can be accessed through the www.iaapa.org website.

ATTRACTIONS / SAFETY / TECHNOLOGY

With attractions and theme parks planning to re-open following COVID-19, the Premier Service division of Premier Rides is working with their clients to provide 24-hour a day support for areas such as ride rehab video link support, real-time service bulletins, and online training conferences.

As theme parks worldwide consider and implement new operating strategies for their facilities to reopen, the Premier Service team is emphasising its tech-savvy approach to customer support, using a wide array of existing and cutting-edge technology platforms.

Premier Rides’ focus on safety and service is why clients rely on Premier Service for support during this reopening phase.  The Premier team has experience with challenging regulatory environments and has even worked with clients to help them open other manufacturer’s rides.

Premier Rides President Jim Seay advises “the focus of our industry has always been one of providing amazing lifetime memories. We have all faced challenges before, and although this season has been delayed, we are seeing parks start to reopen.  Premier Rides is here to help our clients navigate through these uncharted waters as the reopening process begins to emerge.

While the pandemic has closed the doors for many, Premier Rides’ tech-savvy service team is proud to provide support and to be able to continue fabrication of products for valued clients around the world

During the pandemic, Premier Rides has been able to remain open for business and fully operational.   Seay notes “as soon as facilities started shutting down, our clients’ focus shifted rapidly to the service side of business.  And even though the logistics of delivering service has become far more challenging, our team has risen to the occasion and has been both providing global support and expediting shipments of rehab product worldwide.

“Many parks are facing limited time to ramp up for reopening once restrictions are lifted, and many have limited staff to perform all the necessary work related to opening.  That is where the Premier Service team can help.  Whether it be support related to maintenance inspections or providing guidance to socially distance riders on an attraction, the Premier Service staff is working to ensure our clients get in business as quickly and as safely as possible so the focus can return to creating lifelong memories of fun.”

Celebrating 25 years in business this year, Premier Rides has extensive experience not only in the development and delivery of new attractions but also in providing service to clients around the globe.  The majority of the service work performed by Premier Service is on non-Premier attractions.  During the past quarter century, the Premier Service team has worked onsite alongside clients to perform maintenance on all rides and to train park staff.

They have performed ride rehabilitation, safety analyses and modifications, provided spare parts, ride upgrades, and replacement fleets of roller coaster trains.

Seay adds “the attractions industry is a close-knit community, and occasions like this highlight how we support each other and our communities for success.

“Thank you to the global attractions community for coming together…thanks not only the committees in our global and regional associations, but also to the individuals and entities who are working long hours to explore ideas and develop guidelines, technologies, and best practices  that have been shared around the world in an effort to ease the challenges of reopening.  We are in this together.”

By: Brendan Ward

USA Today has named Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Tigris as 2019’s best new roller coaster in its 10Best New Amusement Park Attraction poll.  Tigris, which opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in April 2019, is Florida’s tallest launch coaster standing at over 150 feet.

“Tigris is unlike anything we had in our coaster collection and was the perfect addition to our unrivaled collection of adrenaline-pumping attractions” Stewart Clark, president and general manager of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, said in a statement. “This new attraction is a testament to our continuing investment in the park and brings new and innovative experiences to our guests.”

The ride’s queue includes educational content about the plight of tigers in the wild and what conservationists are doing to help save them. Furthering its conservation message, 5 percent of the sale price of any merchandise purchased in the Tigris gift shop is donated to the Sea World & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund to protect tigers and their habitat.

“Premier Rides was honored to work with the dedicated team at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to deliver Tigris, despite being located on one of the most challenging sites in the park,” commented Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides. “The team’s hard work resulted in the coaster opening early, giving Florida their tallest launch coaster weeks ahead of schedule.”

Seay continued, “We are very proud of the recognition by the USA Today poll, considering they have the widest circulation of any newspaper with millions of daily readers. I am personally thankful to all those who voted. We also encourage voters to experience Premier Rides’ new 2020 attractions, including the highly anticipated Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando!”

The rankings were determined by USA Today readers in an online poll from Dec. 5, 2019 and Dec. 30, 2019. These lists are often used by tourists to determine where to travel, potentially bringing revenue dollars to the bay area.

Busch Garden is owned by parent company Sea World Parks and Entertainment (NYSE: SEAS).

By: Joe Kleiman

“Ice Breaker is on track to launch this Spring… literally.”

With those words, the final track section and the first train were installed early this week at SeaWorld Orlando.  Not only is Ice Breaker SeaWorld Orlando’s first ever launch coaster but it also features Florida’s steepest beyond-vertical drop.  This new Premier Rides coaster will feature four airtime filled launches that accelerate riders both forwards and backwards.  Thrill seekers will be propelled — in reverse — up the nearly 10-story spike where they experience Florida’s steepest beyond-vertical drop — at an angle of 100 degrees.

The final track piece completes the coaster course along which riders will travel more than 2,700 feet at speeds of more than 50mph.

Brian Andrelczyk, Vice President of Design and Engineering described Ice Breaker, stating “it can run not one, but two trains through the use of a unique, high-speed horizontal track switch” Brian continued “The fun is just getting started … The launch track itself is special because we have an airtime hill on either side, so you’re going to get airtime on every hit of that launch – that totals to 16 hits of airtime throughout the entire layout! It’s going to be a really exciting ride keeping you out of your seat almost as much as you’re in it.”

Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides commented, “We are extremely proud to reach this important milestone.  The ride looks spectacular and the installation has been a great team effort. We are honored to be a part of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s formula for success by supplying this one-of-a-kind, record-breaking coaster that is sure to be a must-see attraction this spring!”

Ice Breaker is named after the icy Arctic summits and the ride queue offers an interactive educational experience, a reflection of SeaWorld’s partnership with Alaska SeaLife Center—which specializes in rescue, rehabilitation, education and research—a perfect alignment with SeaWorld’s own conservation activities and educational mission.   This partnership will help educate riders about the Arctic and its inhabitants.

“The Alaska SeaLife Center is excited to grow our partnership with SeaWorld. For many years, SeaWorld has been a stalwart supporter of the Center, and particularly our Wildlife Response program,” said Tara L. Riemer, President and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Center. “We are grateful for SeaWorld’s contributions of funding and staff over the years to further our mission. This new collaboration will continue efforts to highlight Arctic rescue and conservation stories.”

The opening of Ice Breaker will be the newest addition to SeaWorld’s ever-growing ride portfolio and a marque experience in Orlando.

Ice Breaker Track Completed – Photo Courtesy of Midway Mayhem

Mega real estate developer Wanda Group has released, through its website and social media, amazing behind-the-scenes images of the highly secretive “multi-dimensional cinema robotic roller coaster” project. In a statement released by the company, the attraction is an 800 million yuan investment within the new Guangzhou Wanda Cultural Tourism City theme park, designed to be a world-class amusement and leisure destination located in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou.

Wanda social media pictures show theming of multi-dimensional cinema attraction

Encompassing over 20,000 square meters, Wanda states the attraction is the first-of-its-kind in the world. An unprecedented marvel of engineering, the ride combines robotic arm movements with roller coaster track elements in a highly-themed cinematic environment. Called the “World’s Most Advanced Multi-Dimensional Cinema”, the dark ride roller coaster features technology from some of the most revered suppliers in the themed entertainment industry. Wanda Group has announced that the sophisticated, technically complex ride equipment is supplied by USA-based Premier Rides who has integrated the robotic technology. This equipment, combined with USA-based Tippett Studio’s full media production and the storyline of USA-based ITEC Entertainment, will achieve the most immersive experience ever built.

The Guangzhou Wanda Movie Park ride “The Ghouls” has recently completed installation, marking a new phase to the construction of the multi-dimensional cinema project.

The behind-the-scenes images of the factory testing reveal the state-of-the-art vehicle design: riders will be seated at the end of a large four-degree-of-freedom robotic arm attached to a roller coaster chassis. Wanda Group posted a picture of the successful prototype testing that occurred in the United States. They stated that the multi-dimensional cinema concept combines “dark ride equipment with the roller coaster experience” unlike any attraction in the world, putting to rest speculation by coaster enthusiasts and industry insiders about the details of the ground-breaking attraction. The project breaks through the traditional experience of dark rides and roller coasters, allowing visitors of Wanda Guangzhou City to feel the unlimited potential of movement and total immersion in the storyline.

When contacted, Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides, commented, “While we understandably cannot share any details on the project, Premier Rides is honored to be a part of this ground-breaking project that will raise the bar and expectations related to themed attractions in not just Asia, but around the world. Wanda Group is known for having immense vision and we are incredibly thrilled to deliver this esteemed project.”

Guangzhou Wanda Cultural Tourism City is a 50 billion yuan investment project located in the city’s Huadu District. It covers 154 hectares and has a gross floor area of 3.8 million square meters. It will include a Wanda Mall, outdoor theme park, stage show, numerous hotels. A bar street and more.

Guangzhou Wanda multi-dimensional theater riding equipment successfully tested

The Wanda Movie Park will be a state-of-the-art entertainment project. The multi-dimensional theater, “The Ghouls” is the first ride to combine a mobile platform with multiple degrees of mobility to a robot arm and a roller coaster.

ABOUT DALIAN WANDA GROUP
Dalian Wanda Group was founded in 1988 and is engaged in three key business activities – commercial properties, culture, and finance. Wanda Commercial Properties is the world’s largest real estate enterprise and the biggest five-star hotel owner in the world.

Wanda Cultural Industry Group is the largest cultural enterprise in China, and the world’s largest cinema operator. It owns four companies- film holdings, sports holdings, tourism holdings and children’s entertainment.

The Wanda Financial Group is the largest internet finance enterprise in China. By 2020, Wanda Group aims to become a world class multinational corporation with assets of $200 billion, market capitalization of $200 billion, revenue of $100 billion and net profits of $10 billion. For more information, please visit www.wanda-group.com.

This week SeaWorld San Diego hit a major milestone for the construction of their new roller coaster, Electric Eel. The park completed the steel work on the ride, topping out what will become the tallest roller coaster in San Diego when it opens later this year. In addition, the park revealed the cars for the new coaster.

Electric Eel is a Sky Rocket II model roller coaster, designed by Premier Rides. It will be the second Sky Rocket II in California, joining the first ever version of the model, Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The ride is a multi-launch coaster with multiple inversions in a unique shuttle design. It’s 150 feet tall and will hit over 60 mph.

In SeaWorld style, Electric Eel will tie in with a nearby animal habitat. The Ocean Explorer area that opened last year included a large California Moray Eel habitat, which will be right next to the new coaster. In addition, the coaster will include an interactive educational experience called “Mission: Deep Discovery.”

The new car for Electric Eel was revealed. The coaster will use a three car train with over the shoulder restraints. (Photo credit: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld San Diego)

Electric Eel is scheduled to open in Summer 2018. Park operations director Rob McNicholas said the remaining work includes things like building out the educational exhibit, and that testing should begin in April. For more on SeaWorld San Diego and Electric Eel check out their website here, and keep checking Coaster101 for more construction updates and ride reveals all offseason!

Chimelong Paradise theme park in Guangzhou, China delighted its guests during the National Day holiday with the debut of its high-thrill, high-tech launch coaster- the Sky Rocket Roller Coaster. The multi-launch roller coaster commissioned by parent-company Chimelong Group was designed and manufactured in the United States by Baltimore-based Premier Rides and the ride equipment was exported to China earlier this year. The top-rated park, whose 5A quality ranking from the China National Tourism Administration equals that of The Forbidden City and The Temple of Confucius, is located in the bustling metropolitan city of Guangzhou in southern China.

The multi-million dollar triple-launch coaster integrates many exciting and unique elements, including Premier Rides’ advanced magnetic drive technologies and high-quality U.S. fabricated and welded steel. The dramatic layout is the first of its kind in Asia and features one of the highest inversions in Asia.

“Sky Rocket brings visitors an unprecedented carnival experience in the “Paradise Town” area of the park on this year’s National Day,” says General Manager Jiang Min Ling. With the launch of Sky Rocket, the growing coaster enthusiast population within China can be pleased to know that a thrilling, crazy, fun coaster experience is waiting for them at Chimelong Paradise. 

Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides, commented, “The theme park market in China is an exciting one and all of us at Premier are motivated to not only be part of that market, but to also set the industry standard by bringing in a world-class USA-made attraction for the Chimelong Group. The minds behind the Chimelong Group certainly wanted to make a statement with this ride and we are honored to be part of their formula for success.”

Almost six hundred and ninety million people travel for the celebration of China’s Golden Week holiday, so it was very important and satisfying for Chimelong to have the ride open on time and be available for its large number of holiday visitors. Coaster enthusiasts described the ride as a “ground breaking, free falling” experience. The triple-launch coaster is based on the Premier Rides’ award-winning coasters, SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California and Sky Scream located at Holiday Park in Germany. Sky Rocket has the most current launch system technology available in the industry. With the exception of the coaster train itself, there are virtually no moving parts on the ride which makes the attraction very reliable and maintenance-friendly.

Premier Rides is known for focusing on large, technically complex projects that incorporate the newest technologies and has provided the ride equipment for award-winning attractions like The Revenge of the Mummy™ at Universal Studios and the world record-breaking Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The project with Chimelong Paradise raises the bar on expectations throughout the Asian region.

At nearly 50 meters high, riders will experience lightning speeds of 100 kilometers per hour, with many exciting and unique elements including multiple launches, a twisting heartline inversion, ascending and descending twists, and two vertical rolls. After an initial slingshot launch using Premier Rides’ signature magnetic launch technology, riders execute a vertical ascent of approximately 20 meters, and then drop back through the station where they are accelerated backwards to a height of 25 meters. After a brief cliffhanger pause, the sleek train rockets through the station and is accelerated this time to a height of 50 meters. The train then slows for dramatic effect where guests can appreciate how high they are while anticipating an amazing twisted heartline roll directly ahead. After executing the roll, the train is braked before guests enter a face-first vertical twisting drop, ending in an over-the-top loop where riders will experience the force of approximately 3 ½ Gs. The riders then drop to ground level, where they again shoot through the station and then smoothly come to a stop as they drop backward into the station.

Kirmes Park & Revue has announced the winners of its prestigious European Star Awards during its 6th annual ceremony held this year at the Columbia Theatre in Berlin.

Premier Rides garnered acclaim at the European Star Awards by receiving European Star Awards in the categories of Best New Coasters and Best Water Rides. Presented by Kirmes & Park Revue, the awards recognize entrepreneurship, courage and innovation within the European theme park industry.

After reviewing attractions spanning across Europe, including Turkey and Russia, a panel of international experts selected “Hype” (pictured above), located at Särkänniemi, as one of the best new coasters in Europe, and Linnanmaki’s “Vonkaputous” as one of the best water rides for 2017. The award ceremony by the independent trade journal was held at the historic Columbia Theatre in Berlin, Germany.

Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides, commented, “We are very proud and honored that Hype was selected for a prestigious European Star Award this year in the category of Best New Coasters. The team at Särkänniemi is passionate about delivering a first-class theme park experience and Premier Rides really appreciates that Hype is part of their formula for success. We enjoy working with their team on this incredible attraction that guests will remember for a lifetime.”

Since its opening, the ride has been a spectacular success, helping make Särkänniemi a true destination theme park and the ride an icon in the city of Tampere. Not only is Hype the first new roller coaster at Särkänniemi in nearly a decade; it is the first high-tech, triple-launch coaster in the entire Nordic region.

Miikka Seppälä, Managing Director of Särkänniemi commented, “We are very delighted that Hype at Särkänniemi is being recognized in the industry as a Best New Coaster. The ride has been a success at the park since it opened with great fanfare earlier this year and it enjoys immense popularity with thrill-seeking guests. Hype is a representation of Särkänniemi’s commitment to delivering world-class attractions to our visitors and we were pleased to partner with Premier Rides in making it a reality.”

The magnetic technology in the Hype launch coaster allows the ride vehicle to be launched forward, then in reverse, then forward again even faster. It features a twisting heart line inversion, ascending and descending twists, two vertical rolls and a non-inverting loop.

Pictured from Left to Right: Maria Eskelinen, Project Manager of Särkänniemi; Miika Seppälä CEO of Särkänniemi; Sara Seay, Director of Sales & Marketing of Premier Rides; Ville Aarresuo, Development Director of Särkänniemi

With regard to the Water Coaster, Seay commented, “the unique layout of Vonkaputus, combining exciting coaster elements with water interaction, is a response to Linnanmaki’s creative desires to integrate thrilling attractions with their unique topography. The splashdown of Vonkaputus is impressive and even guests watching the ride from the midway get a show. It was a pleasure to work with the amazingly creative staff of Linnanmaki to deliver this award-winning ride experience.”

Pia Adlivankin, Managing Director of Linnanmaki Amusement Park in Helsinki, Finland, commented, “All of us at Linnanmaki Amusement Park are very pleased to have Vonkaputous be recognized as one of the top four water rides of Europe. Linnanmaki is famous for having the biggest selection of rides in Scandinavia and Vonkaputous, one of Finland’s first water coasters, is a great example of our efforts to provide a fantastic and unique ride experience.”