Pixar Pal-A-Round
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| Mickey's Fun Wheel | |
|---|---|
| File:Mickey wheel.jpg Mickey's Fun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure. | |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Ferris Wheel |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering, Intamin AG |
| Theme | Boardwalk; Victorian; Disney |
| Vehicle type | Gondola |
| Duration | 9 |
| Former | Sun Wheel |
 Must transfer from wheelchair | |
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'.
Description
Mickey's Fun Wheel differs from conventional Ferris wheels in that 16 of its 24 gondolas ride on interior rails so that they slide inward and outward as the wheel rotates. This results in a more intense experience, and motion sickness bags are provided in each gondola due to the disorienting nature of the ride. The other eight gondolas are fixed to the rim of the wheel and do not slide on rails. Guests may choose to ride in sliding or fixed gondolas, each of which can carry six people.
Former attraction and renovation
Disney's California Adventure is currently undergoing a $1.1 billion (US) renovation. One of the subprojects was to retheme the former Sun Wheel as the new Mickey's Fun Wheel. The ride experience has not been significantly changed, but the sun face has been replaced by a giant Mickey Mouse head, and each gondola now has a picture of a smiling Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, or Goofy to be consistent with the introduction of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 now illuminate the attraction, and some Victorian theming echoes the elaborate architecture of the nearby Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction.