Orlando Eye
| Orlando Eye | |
|---|---|
| File:Orlando Eye Logo.png | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Under construction |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | 8401 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, US |
| Height | 400 ft (122 m) |
| Website | |
| https://www.officialorlandoeye.com/ | |
The Orlando Eye is a giant Ferris wheel nearing completion in Orlando, Florida, US.
Design and construction
Jointly developed by Merlin Entertainments, Unicorp National Developments, and Circle Entertainment,[1] it is described by Merlin as an observation wheel, because "with a Ferris wheel, it's a free swing gondola. This 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."[2] 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'.[3]
The wheel was reported to be in the early stages of planning in March 2011,[4] with completion due in the summer of 2014,[5] and was approved by county commissioners in September 2012.[6]
It was initially reported to be both 425 ft (130 m)[4] and 450 ft (137 m)[6] tall, however this was subsequently revised to approximately 400 ft (122 m).[2]
In January 2013 it was reported that the expected opening date had been pushed back to "by Thanksgiving [November] 2014".[7] Erection of the main support structure began in December 2013.[8] In April 2014 it was reported that completion had been further delayed until Spring 2015.[2]
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.[9]
References
- ^ Orlando to Get Giant 'Eye' Ferris Wheel
- ^ 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.
