Is Premier Rides not getting enough credit?

Looking at the coasters that were built during the last 15 years it seems that many elements that look cool and pioneering on current new installations (mainly from Intamin) were first introduced on Premier Rides coasters... top hats, vertical towers, overbanked turns, LIM-launches -

It seems their designs lifted off at a point were the late Schwarzkopf desings ended (inclunding a similar train and track design).

Why are they not building more rides at present?

They recently finished two Revenge of the Mummy coasters, and two Italian Job: Sunt Track coasters, both of which feature elements that have not been seen on other coasters.

^I'm curious. What element is offered on IJ:ST that has not been seen?

^ Launch into a large upward helix? I really don't know. Maybe the simulated splash down under the bridge.

Now that you mention it, yeah, I guess maybe they're not getting the credit they deserve. I'm not sure why their rides haven't had the same sex appeal as some of their counterparts.

The credit for those probably ggoes to Werner Stengal. I believe he did the design for FOF, Freeze, Chiller, etc. Not to discount Premier's involvement, though.

Right, the mummy coasters, I almost forgot.

Don't forget zeroG rolls with lapbars brought to us by Chiller.

I think the problems Chiller has had along with some of the problems Freeze had (oT had structural problems) may influence our thoughts some. I've yet to get BatmanChiller in 2 trips in 2 years.

Mummy in Florida is fantastic, and although I never think about the others LIMbowls, and Chiller and the like before I get to the park, I always try to ride those as much as possible.

From the parks' perspectives (the ones that COUNT), Premier is doing quite well nowadays. Four coasters in the last two years is pretty good I'd think. Not *ultra-thrilling COASTER rides* (which kinda explains the lack of enthusiasm from, well, enthusiasts) ;), but supafantastic themed experiences that will really DRAW the GP in droves to the gates. :)

Since the redesigned restraints were introduced, Premier has been at/near the top of my list....and Paramount and universal seem to agree. Probably took a while from the time of the retrofits to the contract-signings to the design stage to the construction of IJs and Mummys, so....

My thinking (I know, always dangerous), is that the LIM launch really can be included in the ride without harming the THEMING of their rides, whereas S&S launches are *comparatively* bulky, loud, and disruptive...this based solely on H:XLC, P-Keg riders please speak up if you think that ride is able to *conceal* the launch better...

Finally...Premier *is* getting credit from the people that count, those with money to spend building rides. Enthusiasts...well, we're coming along slower than the GP on this one...LOL!

If only SFNJ would ever get both sides of Chilla operating (doesn't NEED to be simultaneous launches, not that that would hurt a BIT)...

P.S. If you haven't been on a Freeze, then fix that....those things are Da Bomb! :)

*** Edited 6/18/2005 5:25:55 PM UTC by rollergator***

They manufactured the trains on SOB...enough said there.

I think they don't get more credit because to my knowledge they haven't built any of the really large custom designed installations here in the states.

I think the rides loose about half of the thrill factor they could have with those big boxy confined trains. You have to make an effort to even notice what is going on.

I was shocked at how good Mr Freeze was, I would almost say it was more of a rush than TTD was for me.

thrillerman1, B&M built the trains for Psucklone, whch is potentially the worst-riding woodie standing, and gets a * very strong* nomination at least.

Building trains for Sonny, woulda hurt the reputation of PTC, and even c-punk's M-Flyers would have probably trouble on that thing (although they'd have to be modified, those are the ONLY chance Sonny has for long-term profitability and redeability...wonder if Paramount has "what it take$" to convince GCI, LOL).

But my point is I woudln't judge B&M too harshly over Psucklone, and ditto for Premier with Sonny. Wooden coaster trains are "best left to the professionals", and they're in Eastern and Central PA, not in MD, and certainly not in Switzerland...ROFL! :)

B&M went on to do WHAT in wooden coasters? Premier will likely not venture into that realm again either....

So far, Premiers steelies have been *considerably* more reliable, and certainly WAY safer, than Intamins, while staying more *technologically advanced* and more inventive, than the Beemers (see: tophat, the best inversion since Anton's vertical loop, LOL). They (Premier) showed their willingness to "fix it, LEARN from it, and move on"....the new restraints are less confining than any OTSRs (although I haven't been on SR/Ka, I have been on CA Screamin'), and are *Z-specific*...;)

Talk about a bright future....where's my shades? :)

*** Edited 6/18/2005 6:49:05 PM UTC by rollergator***

I guess people wanted to block out the bad Premier memories of the old FoF with OTSRs.... ;)

I, personally, am actually shocked that Premier *doesnt* get much luv from the enthusiast crowd. The way I see, this is the company that is carrying own the Schwartzkopf tradition: intense, compact, lapbars. Sure the head-banging mess that was the spaghetti bowls is a black eye on the company, but ever since the retrofits, I cant see what complaints one could have. I think their rides are great!

lata, jeremy

--Have an ICE ride (Mr. Freeze)

I've always liked Premier. I think they do some great work. I've only ridden Chiller, but I think their coasters are super intense and smooth as glass. (lapbars only of course :P ) I also think that the barrel roll on The Chiller is one of, if not THE ballsiest element ever created.

I think the problem with Premier is that they pretty much only do LIM coasters. That crazy is over now for the most part. And while LIM technology may be a bit more reliable than Rockets, LIM's are much more expensive to use and maintain. (I'm not even sure I'd say LIM's are more reliable than Rockets - including TTD and KK)

It's good that they are looking for a new niche in the coaster industry by building intense, highly themed FAMILY coasters. There's not much competition in that market. B&M obviously has the looper market cornered and a share of the hyper market with Intamin. Intamin has the launch coaster market pretty locked up at the moment along with their great hypers. There really was no room for Premier until they came up with some new stuff. And they did.

Personally, I would like to see a few more Spaghetti Bowls. Maybe if they came up with 1 or 2 more layouts for that people would buy some.

*** Edited 6/18/2005 9:11:05 PM UTC by MrX***

I think Premier doesn't get much credit these days because they are building coasters for companies like Universal and Paramount, who have a nasty habit of taking all the credit for building the ride and not acknowledging the manufacturer.

Just like Vekoma not getting any props for the decent coasters they've built for Disney.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Not only did they have the OTSR mess, but they also had three of their coasters not open fully the year they were supposed to. That had to hurt. I'm not sure who fronted the cost for the lapbar redesign. As I've pointed out before, besides the lapbars, the seats and seatbacks were completely changed as well. That's a whole lot of money. There was also the problem with the first train to arrive after modification for Six Flags Fiesta Texas--the first train out of the Six Flags mods. I seem to remember it was too low and they had to send it back due to a Kingda Ka-like problem.

So all in all, I'd say they've made a nice recovery and I hope the "hometeam" continues to deliver. I know I always try to ride Joker's Jinx. It's a shame they never sold any of the Flying Circus extreme flats stateside, since they were a rep for them, but after watching a video over at amusementrides.de, it looks like a one and done kind of ride. Talk about motion sickness. I really enjoyed their one coaster that doesn't involve LIMs--Runaway Mountain at SFOT. Hopefully, someone else will get a clone of that someday. *** Edited 6/19/2005 1:12:46 AM UTC by Intamin Fan***

I just rode Speed over and over and over yesterday. The Premier love is definately pumping through my veins! :)

*** Edited 6/19/2005 3:30:35 AM UTC by GoliathKills***

Speed, even with the OTSRs rocks!

The thing about Premier is that when they have problems with ride reliability and/or discomfort, they seem to go back and fix the problem, and instate that into future designs. They seem to get better all the time.

I love Premier, I can say it is my second fav. company.