To open a PDF in QuickTime Player, you have to use the File -> Open command to open the file rather than dragging it onto the QT Player application. To go between pages, use the arrow keys. One disadvantage is that you can't go to a specific page like you can in Preview. But for resizing and viewing speed, it is superior.
[robg adds: I had no idea this would work. You can skip the File -> Open step if you just hold down Command and Option and drag the PDF to the QT Player's icon in the dock.]

