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Sun Wheel)
"Sun Wheel" redirects here. For the Neolithic symbol, see
Sun cross.
Mickey's Fun Wheel is a 160-foot-wide (or 48.8 meters) Ferris wheel at Disney's California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel, the attraction features swinging and stationary gondolas and features a large replica of Mickey Mouse's face in the center. The attraction was formerly known as the Sun Wheel (February 8, 2001 - October 14, 2008). Mickey's Fun Wheel was expected to open April 24, 2009, but due to delays the attraction opened May 4, 2009. This renovation is a part of the new Paradise Pier placemaking including the Silly Symphony Swings, Disney's World of Color, Goofy's Sky School, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Adventure, Games of the Boardwalk retheming, the removal of Maliboomer, and enhancements on California Screamin'.
[edit] Description
Mickey's Fun Wheel differs from a conventional Ferris wheel in that its 16 gondolas ride on interior rails so that they slide inward and outward as the wheel rotates. This results a more intense experience than this type of ride normally provides. Motion sickness bags are even provided in each of the gondolas due to the disorienting nature of the ride. There are, however, eight separate gondolas on the outside of the wheel that do not slide on rails. Guests may choose to ride either the swinging gondolas or the stationary ones upon entering the queue.
[edit] Former Attraction and Renovation
The former Sun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure Park
Disney's California Adventure is currently undergoing a $1.1 billion (US) renovation. One of the sub-projects is to retheme the former Sun Wheel as the new Mickey's Fun Wheel. The ride experience will not be significantly changed, but the sun face will be replaced by a giant Mickey Mouse head, and each gondola will have a picture of a smiling Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, or Goofy to be consistent with the introduction of classic Disney characters into Paradise Pier, the area where the attraction is located. In addition, new LED lighting effects will illuminate the attraction, and some Victorian theming will echo the elaborate architecture of the nearby Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction.
| Month |
Renovation that occurred |
| November 2008 |
Gondolas of the Sun Wheel were removed |
| December 2008 |
Repainting of the wheel began (Wheel:red & black/Sun Rays: bright yellow) |
| January 2009 |
The removal of the sun face; Wheel turned constantly during repainting process |
| March 2009 |
The repainting was completed and the gondolas were re-installed |
| April 2009 |
Mickey's face was completed and put in place; Construction platforms began to come down |
| May 2009 |
Mickey's Fun Wheel opens |
Over the February 1st weekend, they began removing the right ear from Mickey Mouse's head on the loop for California Screamin'. It has been rumored that due to the Mickey's Fun Wheel, and not wanting two Mickey heads so close together, they want to put a sun for the loop with a nice Paradise Pier text going around it. The sun burst icon was being painted inside the former head in April 2009.
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