Orlando Eye

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Orlando Eye
Orlando Eye Logo.png
This aerial image was taken on September 11, 2015 when the Orlando Eye was displaying patriotic colors.
General information
Status Complete
Type Ferris wheel
Location 8401 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, US
Opening  • 1st passenger: April 29, 2015
 • Official: May 4, 2015
Owner  • Structure: Circle Entertainment[1][2]
 • 'Eye' brand: Merlin Entertainments (tenant & operator)[3]
Height 400 ft (122 m)
Website
https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/

The Orlando Eye is a giant Ferris wheel in Orlando, Florida, US. It carried its first passenger on April 29, 2015.[4]

Design and construction[edit]

The Orlando Eye is described by its operator Merlin Entertainments[5] as an observation wheel, because "[t]his is a stabilized-driven (capsule) that gives you a really smooth experience on the way around, so it doesn't feel like when you're at 400-feet, that you're swinging around in mid-air."[6] According to its official website, the Orlando Eye is the first wheel ever to use such a system in combination with a suspended 'ski lift capsule design'.[7]

The wheel was reported to be in the early stages of planning in March 2011,[8] with completion due in the summer of 2014,[9] and was approved by county commissioners in September 2012.[10]

It was initially reported to be both 425 ft (130 m)[8] and 450 ft (137 m)[10] tall, however this was subsequently revised to approximately 400 ft (122 m).[6]

In January 2013, it was reported that the expected opening date had been pushed back to "by Thanksgiving [November] 2014".[11] Erection of the main support structure began in December 2013.[12] In April 2014 it was reported that completion had been further delayed until Spring 2015.[6]

Installation of the 30 air-conditioned passenger capsules, each of which can carry up to 15 persons, began in mid-January 2015, and the last capsule was installed on February 5, 2015.[13]

In mid-February, it was announced that the soft opening was scheduled for May 1, followed by a grand opening ceremony on May 4.[14]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 28°26′36″N 81°28′06″W / 28.443198°N 81.468296°W / 28.443198; -81.468296