Premier Rides to design world's tallest indoor coaster
By amusementtoday | January 17, 2012
Premier Rides has been selected to design and manufacture a signature high-thrill roller coaster for what will be the largest mixed-use development project in the world, the Great Mall of China. The Premier attraction, commissioned by the Berjaya Great Mall of China Co. Ltd., will be the tallest indoor roller coaster in the world. The ride will be designed and built in the United States and exported to China.
The yet-to-be-named super launch coaster integrates many exciting and unique elements, including Premier’s advanced magnetic drive technologies. The dramatic layout will be enclosed in one of the largest free-span buildings in Asia. For competitive reasons, additional ride specifications will be released by the Berjaya Great Mall of China Co. Ltd. later in 2012.
Located only 25km from Beijing International Airport in Yanjiao City, Heibei Province, People’s Republic of China, the 76-acre project will consist of various modern recreational facilities that integrate amusement and leisure into the commercial landscape. Retail shops, entertainment venues, an indoor theme park, and a water park will make the 15 million square foot Great Mall of China a landmark in the region. The project is slated to open in 2013.
“We’re excited to bring this caliber of ride to the Great Mall of China,” said Berjaya Great Mall of China’s Kevin Tan. “We believe that Premier Rides’ new attraction will satisfy even the most fearless thrill-seekers, and then some. As a signature attraction of the Great Mall of China, it will certainly set the bar high not only for this project but for the whole Asia region.”
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 attraction for the Berjaya Great Mall of China group. The minds behind the Great Mall of China certainly wanted to make a statement with their thrilling new project and we are honored to be part of their formula for success.”
Seay recently accompanied Governor Martin O’Malley on a trade mission to China, executed by the State of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development. Meetings during the trade mission facilitated Premier Rides in securing the agreement with Berjaya Great Mall of China Co. Ltd. “Maryland’s determined efforts to increase exports to places like China are an important element of Premier’s success,” said Seay. “Premier Rides is very appreciative of the State’s resourceful programs in this area.”