Orlando Eye
| Orlando Eye | |
|---|---|
| File:Orlando Eye Logo.png | |
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | 8401 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, US |
| Opened | • 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
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]
Malfunctions
On July 3, 2015 at around 4:00pm, a few months after operations began, the Eye experienced a technical default with the system that monitors the wheel position, causing the system to automatically shut down, stranding about 66 riders for approximately three hours.[15]
References
- ^ Merlin Entertainments confirms talks with Circle Entertainment
- ^ Merlin Eyes Orlando for Ferris Wheel Project
- ^ Merlin Entertainments PLC - Announcement of Intention to Float
- ^ 13-year-old leukemia patient becomes Orlando Eye's first official rider
- ^ Orlando Eye observation wheel set to open in spring
- ^ a b c I-Drive 360: Construction continues on the Orlando Eye
- ^ Passenger Capsules Begin Installation
- ^ a b What kind of view will the Orlando Eye deliver when it's built?
- ^ "Myrtle Beach's SkyWheel to be eclipsed by bigger East Coast options". The Sun News. 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ^ a b Giant I-Drive wheel approved after owner backs off from huge sign
- ^ Giant observation wheel part of major project on International Drive
- ^ I-Drive Live: The Orlando Eye Goes Vertical!
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Orlando Eye: All 30 capsules now in place". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ Orlando Eye grand opening set for May 4; Harris to Tussauds
- ^ Orlando Eye back open after malfunction left riders stuck
External links
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