When George W. Ferris built the world's first Ferris wheel for the World Columbia Exposition in Chicago in 1893, he set in motion the process of popularizing such an unusual and interesting attraction. The height of the novelty was 75 meters, and two steam engines were responsible for its rotation.
This "Ferris wheel" was completely dismantled in 1904, but over the years thousands of similar attractions have been installed in different countries of the world.
Ferris wheels come in a variety of sizes and can be found in many places, including amusement parks and tourist attractions. Below is the top 10 tallest Ferris wheels in the world... The data on where the largest Ferris wheel is located is relevant for 2018.
10. Tempozan - 112.5 meters
The rating is opened by the Japanese Ferris wheel, built in 1997 and installed near the Tempozan Market shopping center in Osaka.
This building is decorated with illumination that notifies about the weather for the coming days. Orange lighting means that the day will be sunny, green lights are a sign that there are many clouds in the sky, and if blue light is on, it means it will rain.
9. Clock Cosmo 21 - 112.5 meters
Built in 1989 in the Japanese city of Yokohama, this Ferris wheel has long lost its title as the tallest attraction on Earth, but still remains the world's largest clock. The number "21" in the title means "21st century".
The current time is shown on a huge display located in the center of the wheel. The ride takes 15 minutes.
The wheel can carry 480 people in 60 cabins, with each cabin accommodating up to eight passengers. On a clear day, you can see the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, the Boso Peninsula and even Mount Fuji from the wheel.
8. Melbourne Star and 5 other attractions - 120 meters
The spokes of this massive Ferris wheel form a seven-pointed star in homage to the Australian flag. A ride on the Star of Melbourne will give you 30-minute views of the Docklands and surrounding areas such as Port Phillip and the CBD.
There are several other 120 meter high Ferris wheels:
- "Fukuoka Heavenly Dream" - this "skyscraper" opened in 2002 in Fukuoka, Japan.
- Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel, opened in 2003 at an amusement park in Henan, China.
- Changsha Ferris Wheel, opened in 2004 in Changsha, China.
- Tianjin Eye - The attraction opened in 2008 in Tianjin, China.
- Suzhou Ferris Wheel, opened in 2009 in Suzhou, China.
7. Eye of Orlando - 122 meters
The tallest attraction on the East Coast opened in 2015. It provides breathtaking views of the city's theme parks, including the nearby Seaworld Orlando and Universal Orlando.
One wheel revolution takes 23 minutes. Before getting into the booth, visitors will be shown a mini-film about the construction of the wheel. And when leaving the wheel, riders are offered a can of Coca-Cola for free.
6. Red horse - 123 meters
Ferris Wheel - the tallest Ferris wheel in Japan was opened in 2016. It rises to a height comparable to that of a 40-storey residential building. For comparison: highest point the tallest Ferris wheel in Russia is 83 meters (or 28 floors).
All 72 passenger cabins have transparent (and very durable) floors. And in 18 minutes, while the wheel makes a full revolution, its visitors can admire the impressive views of the city both from the side windows and from below, if, of course, they dare to look at their feet.
5. Eye of London - 135 meters
The first five tallest attractions of 2018 are opened by one of the most recognizable attractions in England.
The tallest attraction in Europe was built in 2000 and was originally called the Millennium Wheel. Each of its 32 capsules can carry 25 passengers, and the entire journey takes about 30 minutes.
More people visit the Eye of London each year than the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids of Giza.
4. Star of Nanchang - 160 meters
One of the tallest wheels in the world is just 5 meters behind its Singaporean competitor. But it opened earlier, in 2006.
Each of the 60 climate-controlled cabins can accommodate up to 8 passengers. The attraction is equipped with very beautiful illumination, so in the evening it pleases visitors with fantastic illumination.
A ticket to the "Star of Nanchang" will cost only 6 yuan (about 60 rubles). The wheel works around the clock.
3. "Soaring Singapore" - 165 meters
The giant Ferris wheel, opened in 2008 on the shores of the Singapore Gulf, provides stunning views of nearby Malaysia and Indonesia. Each of the 28 capsules is the size of a minibus and can accommodate 28 passengers. One wheel revolution takes half an hour. And to make the trip more fun, you can order champagne and lunch for two in the booth.
2. High Roller - 168 meters
The attraction, located in the Linq shopping and entertainment district in the famous Las Vegas, opened in 2014. Each air-conditioned glass cabin can carry up to 40 passengers. Since this is Vegas, drinks are sold right at the base of the wheel and food can be taken into the cockpit. However, there are no slot machines in the capsules, or at least not yet.
High Roller night tickets are more expensive than day tickets, and this is understandable: after all, Las Vegas is flooded with lights at night and looks much more beautiful.
1.New York Ferris wheel - 191 meters
The largest Ferris wheel in the world is located on the shores of Staten Island... It offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, the port of New York and, of course, Manhattan. The construction of the giant cost $ 230 million (of which $ 7 million was spent on a lighting kit) and 1,440 passengers can ride on the wheel in one trip. The trip will take about 38 minutes.
When creating the highest Ferris wheel, American designers were inspired by the London project, but set themselves the task of catching up and overtaking the British. If the London Wheel has 32 capsules, each of which can accommodate 25 people, then the New York Wheel has 36 capsules with a capacity of up to 40 passengers each. Well, the height of the American "Ferris wheel" is much higher. However, as early as 2018, it may concede the title of "tallest Ferris wheel in the world" to the new king of attractions.
Preparing to open: Eye of Dubai - 210 meters
The United Arab Emirates already has tallest building in the world... The tallest Ferris wheel in the world will soon be in Dubai. The exact date of the opening is still unknown, but construction has already begun, and the "Eye of Dubai" may begin to rotate as early as this year.
The attraction will be located on an artificial island, which will also include hotel and entertainment areas, a market and a quarter with buildings of various storeys. The construction of the island with all the infrastructure will cost $ 1.6 billion, and the Ferris wheel itself will cost $ 272 million. But what is money if you need to prove to the whole world that everything is the greatest in the UAE?