World's tallest Ferris wheel The High Roller opens in Las Vegas | Daily Mail Online comments Riders are getting their first turns on a skyline-changing Las Vegas Strip observation wheel that's opening as the world's tallest. A ceremony Monday at 11:30 a.m. local time marked the completion of the 550-foot High Roller — built by Caesars Entertainment Corp. as part of its $550 million LINQ development at the heart of the glittery Strip resort corridor. Standing more than 100-feet taller than the London Eye, the High Roller is the tallest observation wheel in the world. Ready to roll: A general view of the Las Vegas High Roller at The LINQ in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 550-foot-tall attraction is the highest observation wheel in the world and features 28 spherical cabins that can hold up to 40 people each Iconic: The highly anticipated High Roller has dramatically changed the Vegas Skyline It's wheely here: It's not the first time someone in Vegas has tried to build an observation wheel.

The partially constructed Skyvue is still visible on the south end of the Strip, far short of the 500 feet it was supposed to reach The Ferris-style wheel has 28 glass-enclosed and air-conditioned gondolas that can each hold up to 40 people. A full revolution takes 30 minutes. Tickets are $24.95 in the daytime and $34.95 at night. RELATED ARTICLES Share The height tops the 443-foot London Eye and the 541-foot Singapore Flyer. Riders can take in unparalleled view of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding valley during the 30 minutes that the wheel takes to complete one full rotation. Lights out: The Las Vegas High Roller at The LINQ is dark for Earth Hour to raise awareness for climate change on March 29 Look at the view: There is an expansive view of the entire Strip. From the Wynn, LVH to the north, and down to Mandalay Bay on the south Round and round: Each cabin has 300 square feet of glass, so you're guaranteed a great view. There are orange benches on each end.

But mostly, people stand The Ferris wheel is located across from Caesars Palace, adjacent to Flamingo Las Vegas and The Quad Resort & Casino. Caesars also said each pod is equipped with air conditioning which should provide relief for summertime riders. Caesars expects between 4 million and 5 million riders within the first year of operation. The new attraction also will serve as the towering centerpiece of Caesar Entertainment’s LINQ project, the combination retail, restaurant and entertainment complex that first broke ground in 2011. Flanked by the Flamingo and Quad resort casinos, the half-billion-dollar complex is arguably the biggest development to hit the Strip since CityCenter opened in 2009. The ride also includes a dynamic video and music show that fades away seamlessly as the wheel ascends to showcase the most impressive views of the Las Vegas valley. The High Roller is the latest in a string of family-friendly attractions to open in Las Vegas in recent years. Circus Circus debuted its new roller coaster "El Loco" last month. The Rio is preparing to open a new zipline, and the Slotzilla zipline downtown is also nearing completion.

This summer, families will have two water parks to choose from: Wet ‘n' Wild, which opened last year, and Cowabunga Bay, which is scheduled to open in the coming weeks. UPPING THE STAKES - HIGH ROLLER FACTS The High Roller tops out at 550 feet making it the largest observation wheel in the world. In addition to its great height, the High Roller will offer an immersive pre-ride experience for its passengers on their journey from ticketing through the wheel house complete with a lounge, to the wheel ride which features unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip. The wheel structure boasts 7.2 million pounds of steel and 112 cables. Each cable measures approximately 225 feet, for a combined total of 25,256 feet. The High Roller features 28 spherical cabins that will each hold 40 guests. Each cabin weighs approximately 44,000 pounds and includes 300 square feet of glass. The cabin windows are doubly curved and fabricated from four sheets of laminated glass. The cabins will also feature dynamic video and music shows that will fade away seamlessly to show the most impressive views of the Las Vegas valley.

Construction of the wheel began in late 2011 and took place in several locations across the globe including China, Japan, France, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Colorado, California and Las Vegas. The High Roller will travel at one foot per second and take roughly 30 minutes to make one full revolution. The wheel will be lit with more than 2,000 LED lights to create a customizable and visually stunning display Ferris Wheel History Ferris Wheel History Ferris Wheel History: Past, Present, and Future PAST: The Birth of the Ferris Wheel In 1893, the world turned its attention to the American city of Chicago, where that year’s World Fair was being held. Besides being only the third city in the United States to host the exposition, after the 1876 fair in Philadelphia and the 1884 fain in New Orleans, it also marked an important anniversary for the New World. In honor of Christopher Columbus’s landing in the Americas four hundred years earlier, the 1893 Fair was officially known as the World’s Fair: Columbian Exposition.

To ensure the City of Chicago shined in the world’s eyes, the city recruited the best American designers, artists, architects, engineers and scientists to put on a show that was full of innovation and splendor. For those wanting to ensure they were able to get the best view possible of the elaborate attractions, it was necessary to summon the bravery to travel 264 feet above the fairgrounds. Fortunately they were able to do this in comfort and relative safety, thanks to what was perhaps the jewel of the Columbian Exposition, the Chicago Wheel. Modern fair goers might be more familiar with the attraction’s other name, the Ferris Wheel. One of the engineers who travelled to Chicago to help design the Expo was a thirty-two year old bridge builder for the railroad named George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. Ferris received word of the challenge issued by the Fair organizers to design an attraction that would dwarf the splendor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, a city that had already hosted four previous World’s Fairs, including the most recent event in 1889, which is the year the Eiffel Tower was completed.

Though the concept Ferris had in mind would pale in comparison to the Tower’s 915 foot high viewing platform, it would have a distinct advantage. The Chicago Wheel would rotate in a circle adding a new dimension and a greater thrill to the act of aerial observation. The problems George faced are the same many observation wheel designers face today: how to build a wheel larger than any previously built, how to get permission to build at a desired location, how to finance such a gigantic undertaking, etc. George actually wanted to build a 300 foot wheel but it was decided 300 feet would not be much better than 250 so the plans were scaled down. Once complete, the Chicago Ferris wheel would be a marvel of modern engineering and steel forging. It rotated around a seventy ton axle manufactured by the famed Bethlehem Steel Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and could accommodate 2,160 passengers at one time. The passengers enjoyed each 20 minute ride in the comfort of one of the wheel’s forty hanging chairs, each of which held sixty passengers. For this short ride and spectacular view, each passenger paid $.50, which at the time must have seemed rather expensive.

After the 1893 Fair, the wheel was relocated to another area of Chicago, where it remained until it was once again disassembled and shipped to St. Louis, MO so it could thrill visitors to the 1904 World’s Fair. Once this ended, the wheel was scrapped, but not before the device could form a lasting legacy in the realm of fairs, carnivals and city attractions. In 1895, the Chicago Wheel’s 264 feet height was surpassed by the newly constructed 308 feet tall Great Wheel in London, England, which itself was soon dwarfed by the 328 foot Grande Roue in Paris. The race for Ferris Wheel supremacy was on! PRESENT: A Modern Marvel Though the Ferris Wheel has maintained a prominent place in its country of origin, in more recent years it has been European and Asian cities that have taken the lead in creating bigger and more spectacular observation wheels. Currently, the world’s two largest wheels are the 525 foot tall Star of Nanchang in Nanchang, China, and the 541 feet tall Singapore Flyer in Singapore.

However, perhaps the most spectacular observation wheel currently in operation is the 443 feet tall London Eye, which sits on the banks of the River Thames in the city of London, England. Though not everyone is overly thrilled with the presence of the London Eye amidst the classic, subdued architecture of old London town, the wheel attracts more than 3.5 million visitors annually and is the most popular premium tourist attraction in all of the United Kingdom. Thanks to the popularity of the original Chicago Wheel, carnivals and other travelling shows were quick to take advantage of smaller wheels that could be quickly disassembled and transported on trailers. These have been a staple of local fairs and carnivals around the world for over a century and will likely continue to hold a place for many years to come. However, they are no longer the mini versions of observation wheels they used to be. The current record for a transportable Ferris Wheel is 217 Ronald Bussink wheel. Over the years, the classic Ferris Wheel with its single-wheel, round design with hanging baskets has been joined by more innovative designs. Among the most spectacular are the eccentric wheels.

These wheels act like a combination roller coaster/Ferris Wheel as the individual passenger baskets slide along the rails of the wheel for a more dynamic ride. FUTURE: Looking Forward to Tomorrow As we continue into the 21st Century, we can expect to see the classic Ferris or observation wheel maintain its place in fairs and amusement parks around the world. But we will likely see more innovative and grander designs erected in cities around the world. New York City, Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada are all planning spectacular rides hoping to restore the grandeur of the Ferris Wheel to its home nation. But the competition is still as cities such as Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Kolkata, India and Shanghai, China have their own projects in the works. What the future holds for the humble observation wheel no one can say for sure, but one must speculate that somewhere in the world today, there is someone dreaming of the first observation wheel on the Moon, or perhaps on Mars. Notable Dates in Observation Wheel History 1620- Ferris wheels are observed in the Middle East 1893 – William Somers issues patent for 16 seat roundabout.

George Ferris invents the first Ferris wheel 1895 – The Great Wheel in London becomes the world’s tallest Ferris wheel at 308 feet 1896 – Big wheel at Blackpool opens. George Ferris dies. 1897 – Wiener Riesenrad is erected in Austria 1900 – The Grande Roue de Paris becomes the tallest Ferris wheel with a height of 328 feet 1920 – New York’s Wonder Wheel is the world’s first eccentric Ferris wheel 1968 – Six Flags Astroworld opens the world’s first double Ferris wheel ride manufactured by Intamin 1989 – Japan’s Cosmo Clock 21 becomes the tallest Ferris wheel yet, topping out at 353 feet (later increased to 369 feet). The Ferris wheel at Asbury Park is taken down ( it was the oldest operating Ferris wheel in United States at the time).

1997 – Tempozan Ferris Wheel opened with a new record of 369 feet 1999 – Daikanransha takes tallest record with a height of 377 feet 2000 – The London Eye smashes the current record holder with a total height of 443 feet 2006 – The Star of Nanching in China becomes the first Ferris wheel over 500 feet tall, with an official height of 525 feet 2008 – The Singapore Flyer in Singapore is becomes the world’s tallest open and operating Ferris wheel with a height of 541 feet. 2014 – The High Roller in Las Vegas takes the height record. See the current list of the world’s largest observation wheels. Last revised: 5-30-14 Sign-up to receive news, updates, and insider information on the world's biggest Ferris wheels!

Name: Top 10 Ferris Wheels - Listverse Top 10 Ferris Wheels Magoo Paintrock July 12, 2011 In the summer of 1893, mankind’s first Ferris wheel was unveiled (not literally) at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in commemoration of four hundred years since the European discovery of the Americas. The legendary structure was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., a Pittsburgh steel engineer, and was a direct response to the showstopper of the 1889 Exposition in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Mr. Ferris’s wheel was over 260 feet (80 m) tall, capable of carrying about 2,000 people on it at one time, and its main axel alone weighed more than 71 tons. A 20 minute ride cost 50 cents. Since that time hundreds of Ferris Wheels, or “observation wheels” as the most colossal ones are also known, have been built around the world. This list ranks the ten best that are currently in operation.

Evaluations were based not only on size (only three of the world’s twelve tallest make the cut, and two of the top five) but also on beauty, uniqueness and other historical noteworthiness. Also, the environmental context in which the wheels are found plays an important role, and consideration was made to represent a fair variety of global locales. This list, in that regard, is intended to serve as a master checklist for enthusiasts of Ferris Wheels and of the complete Ferris Wheel experience. 10 Navy Pier in Chicago For obvious reasons, Navy Pier on Chicago’s Lake Michigan coast (which once harbored fresh-water submarines and WWII carriers) is a great place to begin our countdown. There, close to the site of the first Ferris Wheel, and surrounded by a variety of museums and theatres, proudly stands a majestic white Ferris wheel that represents everything a classic Ferris Wheel ought to be, providing breathtaking views of the city—from the wheel—and vice versa.

Although not a true replica of the original (it carries 4 additional gondolas, but is about 100 feet shorter with a much lower capacity), its design was inspired by 1893’s Expo, and as a tribute to that era it is a striking statement, indeed. The original hasn’t existed since 1906. The price is $6 for a ride that lasts about 7 minutes. 9 Singapore Flyer On February 11, 2008, the 541 ft. (165 m) Singapore Flyer began to rotate and officially commenced its reign as the world’s tallest ever Ferris Wheel, only the ninth wheel to hold that title, and its current holder. The modern marvel boasts 28 air-conditioned capsules, accommodating 28 passengers each, with full handicap accessibility, including restrooms, ramps and champagne and cocktail service. The public was first admitted at a ticket price (in Singapore dollars) of $8,888 – a lucky Asian number. Later that year, at the urgent behest of feng shui experts, the direction of the wheel’s rotation was reversed and it now spins clockwise facing the marina.

Possible contenders to the Flyer’s title as world’s tallest are projects proposed for Beijing, Berlin, Dubai and Bangkok, and to a lesser extent Las Vegas and Baghdad, although at the moment none of these prospects appear to be ready to move forward. 8 Santa Monica Pier Located at the west end of Highway 10 in Los Angeles, at the unofficial finish-line of Route 66 in California, the Santa Monica Pier has been the home of two great Ferris Wheels, beginning in 1996. The original “Pacific Wheel” featured 5,392 light bulbs (2,392 white, 1,500 red and 1,500 blue) and appeared in at least 71 television commercials, 28 films and 13 music videos during it’s 12-year run. The wheel was then sold on eBay for $132,400 with half of the winning bid being donated to the Special Olympics, with an additional donation of $1 per rider on it’s last day (4 May, 2008) being given to the Los Angeles chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

It’s replacement, an almost identical wheel, carries spacious, covered, open-air octagonal gondolas and is the world’s first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel. It’s 160,000 energy-efficient LED lights, however, can dazzle the beach horizon as well as its predecessor. Standing nearly 90 feet above the pier and 130 feet above the ocean waves, the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel is more breathtaking than California’s two other beachfront Ferris Wheels (which can be found on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula and at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on Monterey Bay), but it is the shortest wheel on our list. 7 Big-O The Big-O Ferris Wheel is part of Tokyo Dome City, a massive, state-of-the-art entertainment and shopping complex in Tokyo, Japan. It is special among world Ferris Wheels for having no center axel, no spokes, and no internal support structure at all. Instead, the wheel is held up by two arrow-shaped side supports that honestly look like pairs of chopsticks. To emphasize this hublessness, a roller coaster track (the Thunder Dolphin, Japan’s tallest and fastest) runs directly through the middle of its open 200 ft. rim.

If you happen to be in Tokyo, or are planning a trip there, you can easily find Tokyo Dome City and the Big-O Wheel by taking any JR line to the Suidobashi Station, located in Bunkyo ward. 6 Texas Star The Texas Star in Dallas, Texas, is North America’s tallest Ferris Wheel and has been the centerpiece of the Texas State Fair since 1985, when it was built for Texas’s sesquicentennial. The 21-stories-high wheel contains 44 gondolas, capable of carrying six each, and requires a operation staff of 18. Prior to 2008, the wheel was illuminated by 16,000 incandescent lights, but like the wheel at Santa Monica, the Texas Star underwent an energy-efficient upgrade and now implements an LED system. Although it is difficult to count exactly, it is estimated that the 3-week-long Fair attracts 3 million visitors annually and contributes more than $300 million to the Dallas economy.

Attractions at the fair include concerts, auctions, an auto show and an assortment of unique culinary items such as deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried butter, deep-fried banana splits, deep-fried beer and deep-fried Coke. And from what better view to take in all in than the top of the Star? 5 Wonder Wheel An eccentric wheel (really, it was built by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company), this type of Ferris Wheel is different in that not all the passenger cars are permanently attached to the outer frame of wheel, but some, instead, slide on tracks within the wheel’s frame as the wheel rotates. Built in 1920, the Wonder Wheel was the first Ferris Wheel of this kind and is located on Coney Island, in Brooklyn, in New York City. Alongside the Cyclone roller coaster and Nathan’s hot dog shop, it is one of Coney Island’s most iconic and popular attractions. It is 150 ft. (46 m) tall, with 24 passenger cars (16 of which move positions and 8 which remain stationary on the wheel) and a total rider capacity of 144.

The other notable Ferris Wheel of this variety, a carbon copy essentially, is Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, built in 2001. But the Wonder Wheel was the original. 4 Riesenrad At the Wurstelprater amusement park in Vienna, Austria, stands a 100-plus-year-old Ferris wheel (one of the first, in fact) that held the title of world’s tallest for over sixty of those years. It is called the Wiener Riesenrad (literally, “Viennese Big Wheel”) and was built for the 1897 Golden Jubilee of Franz Josef I of Austria, in celebration for his fifty years as Emperor of the Austrian realm. It seems as though one enduringly majestic figure deserved another. In war-stricken 1916, the year of the emperor’s death, the wheel managed to survive a demolition order that was never executed because of a lack of funds. It was, however, seriously damaged during World War II, and after being restored it now only carries 15 passenger boxes, half of its original 30.

We are all grateful that it still stands, as it is such a beautiful symbol for Vienna, and one of the greatest Ferris wheels the world has ever seen, measuring 65 meters in height (about a foot taller than the Texas Star). 3 Cosmo Clock 21 Cosmo Clock 21 is an enormous Ferris Wheel clock in Yokohama, Japan, that, at 353 ft. (107 m), was the world’s tallest Ferris Wheel for eight years, from it’s construction in 1989 (for the ‘89 Yokohama Exposition) to 1997, and has been the world’s largest clock from 1989 to the present. The wheel, or clock, is the crowning jewel of Minato Mirai 21 (literally, “Future Harbor 21”), the downtown seaside district of Yokohama. The area is also home to several other important and modern works including Landmark Tower (Japan’s tallest building), Yokohama Marine Tower (the world’s tallest lighthouse), as well as a symphony hall, a convention center, an art museum and several of Japan’s largest hotels and residential towers.

In 1999 the wheel was disassembled and then raised again onto a taller base, increasing it’s height by 16 ft. It contains 60 passenger boxes, each with a capacity of 8, and requires about fifteen minutes for one rotation. 2 London Eye Presently the third tallest Ferris Wheel in the world, at 443 ft. (135 m), and the largest in the western hemisphere, is the renowned London Eye on the Thames, which is a masterpiece for several reasons. From an architectural standpoint, the wheel is technically a cantilever and is supported on only one of its two sides. This provides passengers with a continuously unobstructed view of the North Bank towards Westminster Palace and other landmarks. Also, the capsules are attached to the outside of the rim structure by rotating circular mountings (as opposed to merely being suspended – the Southern Star in Melbourne also has this feature), ensuring a full 360-degree panoramic view from the top. To open the new millennium, it was formally dedicated as the world’s tallest in a ceremony conducted by Tony Blair, on New Year’s Eve, 1999.

To this day it is the focal point for New Year celebrations in London, when fireworks are launched from the wheel itself. The wheel moves slowly, at about 0.6 mph; slow enough for passengers to board and disembark at ground level without the wheel stopping. One full rotation takes about 30 minutes, with about 8,000 rotations being made in one year, carrying more than 10,000 passengers a day, and more than 3 million annually. One adult ticket costs £14.50. 1 Tianjin Eye The Tianjin Eye is a 390 ft. (120 m) tall Ferris Wheel built on a bridge that crosses the Hai River in Tianjin, China. Constructed in 2007, the Tianjin Eye is the only Ferris Wheel in the world, and in history, to stand on a bridge. Six of the ten tallest Ferris Wheels in the world are in China, including three equally towering wheels in Changsha, Suzhou and Zhengzhou, plus the even more gigantic Star of Nanchang, which is second only to the Singapore Flyer.

So it is appropriate for a Chinese wheel to be given top honors on our list, and the Tianjin Eye especially, for its distinctively arresting beauty, not next to the river, but above it. Instantly recognizable, it is supported by huge upside-down “Y” buttresses and at night is gloriously bathed in fluorescent two-tone colors (gold and pink, for example, or turquoise and lime), the reflection of which is even prettier. Elegant and yet, accommodating up to 770 passengers per hour in 48 capsules, she belongs to the same heavyweight class as London Eye and Cosmo Clock. Creating something so dizzyingly enormous, and at the same time so attractive, is a feat worthy of much admiration. It is the best Ferris Wheel in the world. + Sky Whirl I include the Sky Whirl as a bonus item because, first, it no longer exists, and second, because it may not have classified as a true Ferris Wheel. But, without a doubt, it must be mentioned. It was a “Triple Wheel”: three rotating Ferris Wheels held up by a three-armed structure atop a single tower.

There were two Sky Whirls, and by those who rode and remember these rides, they are sorely missed. One operated at Marriot’s Great America Park in Santa Clara, California (now called Califonia’s Great America) from 1976 to 1997, and one at the Marriot’s Great America (now Six Flags Great America) from 1976 to 2001, outside of Chicago, Illinois. Thus, like so many things in life, we have come full circle, again. I hope you enjoyed the ride. More Great Lists 10 Most Awesome Ferris wheels - 10 Most Today 10 Most Awesome Ferris wheels 1 Comment A Ferris wheel, observation wheel or big wheel is a structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright. The original Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. as a landmark for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The current tallest Ferris Wheel record holder is the 165-metre (541 ft) Singapore Flyer, which opened to the public in March 2008. 1. Singapore Flyer, Singapore – Constructed between 2005 and 2008, the Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest Ferris Wheel. It reaches 42 stories high, with a total height of 165 m (541 ft) Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Singapore Flyer 2. Star of Nanchang, China – The second tallest Ferris Wheel in the world with a height of 160 meters (525 ft). It is located in the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang. The Star of Nanchang opened in May 2006 as the world’s tallest operating Ferris wheel until the openning of the Singapore Flyer. The Star of Nanchang has 60 gondolas, each carrying up to 8 passengers. A single rotation takes approximately 30 minutes Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Star of Nanchang, China 3.

London Eye, England – The London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. The entire structure is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). It is the third tallest Ferris Wheel in the world and the tallest in Europe. It is visited by over 3.5 million people annually and considered one of the best attractions in London Most Awesome Ferris wheels: London Eye, England Westminster Palace from the London Eye, England 4. Daikanransha, Japan – A 115-metre (377 ft) tall Ferris wheel in Tokyo. When it opened in 1999, it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. It has the same 100-metre (328 ft) diameter as its world record predecessor, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, at Osaka, but its overall height is 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) greater. It is the third tallest Ferris wheel ever constructed in Japan Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Daikanransha, Japan 5.

Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Japan – Located in Osaka, next to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. The wheel has a height of 112.5 metres (369 ft) and diameter of 100 metres (330 ft). It opened to the public on July 12, 1997. During its 17 minutes ride, it offers a view of Osaka Bay and surrounding areas. The wheel has colored lights that provide a weather forecast for the next day. Orange lights indicate a sunny day, green lights a cloudy day and blue lights indicate rain Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Japan 6. Cosmo Clock 21, Japan – A giant Ferris wheel located at Yokohama Cosmo World in Yokohama, Japan. It is also the world’s largest clock. When it first opened, it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, until the completion of the 112.5-metre (369 ft) Tempozan Ferris Wheel in Osaka in 1997 Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Cosmo Clock 21, Japan 7.

Melbourne Star, Australia – Also known as the Southern Star, it is currently a nonoperational Ferris wheel in Melbourne, Australia. It is 120 m (394 ft) tall and has seven spokes, reflecting the seven-pointed star of the Australian flag. It opened two years behind schedule in December 2008, but then closed 40 days later due to structural defects, and was subsequently dismantled for major repairs. Reconstruction began in January 2011 and was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of that year, but this and several subsequent completion date estimates were missed. In January 2013, the wheel’s owner, ING, advised that it will not re-open until the second half of 2013 Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Melbourne Star, Australia 8. Sky Dream Fukuoka, Japan – It was a Ferris wheel in Fukuoka, Japan, from 2001 until September 2009. It stood 120 metres (390 ft) tall, making it the tallest Ferris wheel in Japan during its years of operation, and the tallest Ferris wheel ever built in Japan.

The Sky Dream Fukuoka closed on 26 September 2009 Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Sky Dream Fukuoka, Japan 9. Suzhou Ferris Wheel, China – A 120-metre (394 ft) tall Ferris wheel on the east bank of Jinji Lake in Suzhou. It has 60 passenger cabins, a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete each revolution. It was completed and opened to the public in 2009 Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Suzhou Ferris Wheel, China 10. Eurowheel, Italy – A 90-metre (300 ft) tall Ferris wheel at the Mirabilandia amusement park in Emilia–Romagna, Italy. It is famous for its spectacular views over Ravenna and nearby beaches and its 50,000 light bulbs are said to make it the brightest Ferris wheel in the world.

Eurowheel is now Europe’s second tallest extant Ferris wheel, after the London Eye Most Awesome Ferris wheels: Eurowheel, Italy (source: wiki) World's top 10 tallest Ferris wheels - Travelers United Travelers United World’s top 10 tallest Ferris wheels April 1, 2009 Filed Under: Today By Charlie Leocha 7 Comments “These wheels have almost replaced the skyscraper as icons,” says Dennis Speigel, president of the consulting firm International Theme Park Services. You’d expect him to say that, since his company is busy building tall, very tall Ferris wheels. Here is a list and photos of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world. The original Ferris wheel was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., as a landmark for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The term Ferris wheel later came to be used generically for all such rides. This is the current list. Two bigger Ferris wheels are planned for Dubai and for Shanghai, however both construction projects are on hold during the economic downturn.

Singapore Flyer (above and left) with a height of 165 meters (541 feet) is the tallest wheel in the world. It was built in 2008. The Star of Nanchang, , in China, standing at 160 meters (525 feet) and consturcted in 2006, was the tallest in the world only for about two years. London Eye is built in the middle of London, constructed in 1999, was the tallest until it was surpassed by the Star of Nanchang. It is 135 meters high (443 feet) and is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel. Suzhou Ferris Wheel, was built in 2009 in China and measures 120 meters high (394 feet). The Southern Star, towering above Melbourne in southern Australia stands the same 120 meters (394 feet) high. It was constructed in 2008 and is currently our of action for repairs. The next five tallest Ferris Wheels are: 6.

Tianjin Eye is another 120-meter-high (394-foot) Ferris wheel built in 2008 in China. It is built over a bridge. 7. Changsha Ferris Wheel in China is 120 meters high (394-foot). 8. Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel in China is also 120 meters high (394-foot). 9. Sky Dream Fukuoka, the tallest in Japan, is also 120 meters high (394-foot). 10. Diamonds and Flowers Wheel, at 117 meters (384 feet) built in 2001 at the Kasai Rinkai Park in Tokyo is ranked as the 10th highest in the world. World's 10 Tallest Observation Wheels - Updated for 2016 11 Tallest Observation Wheels in the World Updated for 2016 By Arthur Levine Updated August 22, 2016. When George W. Ferris constructed the world's first Ferris wheel for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, he started a trend.

At a height of 264 feet, it was an imposing sight at the world's fair and attracted lots of attention and passengers. The original Ferris wheel was destroyed in 1906, but thousands of similar wheels have been erected through the years. One of the most iconic, durable, and unique examples of the ride is the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island . Introduced in 1920 at a height of 150 feet, it is still taking passengers for a wild ride in its swinging cars (as well as stationary ones) along Brooklyn's famous boardwalk. Wheels come in various sizes and can be found at many locations, including traveling carnivals, amusement parks, and tourist destinations such as the 175-foot Niagara SkyWheel at Niagara Falls . When the London Eye broke the 400-foot threshold in 2000, it kicked off a race to build ever taller models. The enormous rides, which include enclosed cabins and rotate slowly, are now generally referred to as "observation wheels," whereas smaller versions, including portable models, are still called "Ferris wheels." The following are the 11 tallest observation wheels.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel There are a number of wheels that stand 394 feet tall: Sky Dream Fukuoka opened in 2002 in Fukuoka, Japan Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel opened in 2003 at Century Amusement Park in Henan, China Changsha Ferris Wheel opened in 2004 in Changsha, China Tianjin Eye opened in 2008 at Yongle Bridge in Tianjin, China Melbourne Star opened in 2008 at Docklands in Melbourne, Australia Suzhou Ferris Wheel opened in 2009 in Suzhou, China continue reading below our video Best Ride Sharing Apps of 2015 Merlin Entertainments Number 5: Orlando Eye - 400 ft. (122 m) The Orlando Eye, opened in 2015, provides spectacular views of the area's theme parks, including nearby SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando . It is one of the tallest rides in Florida (although, remarkably, not the tallest). The Orlando Eye is among a number of cool rides and attractions along the city's International Drive. More » London Eye. Number 4: London Eye - 443 ft.

(135 m) Opened in 2000 along the River Thames in London, the attraction was originally known as the Millennium Wheel. Each of its 32 capsules can carry 25 passengers, and the single-rotation experience lasts about 30 minutes. Operated by Merlin Entertainments, combo tickets are available to visit other London attractions, including Madame Tussauds, the SeaLife Aquarium, and the The London Dungeon. More » Nanchang Amusement Park Number 3: Star of Nanchang - 525 ft. (160 m) Located at the Nanchang Star Amusement Park in Nanchang, China, the Star wheel opened in 2006. Each of its 60 climate-controlled cabins can accommodate up to 8 passengers. The wheel has a number of lighting displays and puts on an amazing show at night. Straco Leisure Pte Ltd. Opened in 2008 along Marina Bay in Singapore, the enormous wheel provides views of nearby Malaysia and Indonesia. Each of the 28 capsules capsules is about the size of a mini-bus and can hold 28 riders.

More » Caesars Entertainment Number 1: High Roller - 550 ft. (168 m) Located at the LINQ Hotel and Casino along Las Vegas' famed Strip, the High Roller opened in 2014. Each cabin holds up to 40 passengers. Because this is Vegas, drinks are sold at the base of the wheel and can be brought along for the ride. (There are no slot machines in the capsules, however -- at least not yet.) The High Roller currently lays claim to the title of the world's largest observation wheel, although as the following entries indicate, there are some bigger ones in the works. More » The New York Wheel Not ranked: New York Wheel - 625 ft. (191 m) Scheduled to open in 2017, plans call for the New York Wheel to be located on the banks of Staten Island, near the dock of the Staten Island Ferry. It would offer incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. At a cost of $230 million, the wheel would accommodate an impressive 1,440 passengers per ride. The length of the ride would be an estimated 38 minutes.

More » Dubai Eye Not ranked: Dubai Eye - 689 ft. (210 m) The United Arab Emirates city already has the world's tallest building. And it will soon have the world's tallest observation wheel (until the next big one comes along). It's unclear when it might open, but construction has begun, and the Dubai Eye could be spinning by 2018. It will be located on a man-made island. More » Largest Ferris wheel nears completion in Las Vegas Largest Ferris wheel nears completion in Las Vegas HANNAH DREIER Share View photos The High Roller observation wheel is seen halfway completed Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013 above Caesars Entertainments $550 million Linq retail-entertainment-restaurant development. When finished, the High Roller will be the largest observation wheel in the world bigger than the London Eye or Singapore Flyer. (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Brian Jones) More LAS VEGAS (AP) — The madcap carnival on the Las Vegas Strip is getting another over-the-top addition: the world's largest Ferris wheel.

The outer wheel of the 55-story High Roller ride is scheduled to be hoisted into place Tuesday. The gargantuan project is now visible from all over the city, including the airport. Early next year, it will be outfitted with 1,500 LED lights, and start its slow spin. "It's going to be an icon," Project Director David Codiga said. "It's going to be a part of your visit to Las Vegas if you ride it or not. It's more or less impossible not to see it if you come here." Caesars Entertainment Corp., which owns more casinos than any other U.S. gambling company, is building the ride as part of its $550 million Linq development, a new outdoor plaza across the street from Caesars Palace. The walking mall, sandwiched between the Flamingo and Harrah's hotel-casino, is expected to open this winter. It's designed to lure Gen Xers and millennials, demographics Caesars believes will contribute a majority of Sin City tourist dollars by 2015. City after city has jumped to put a new spin on the classic carnival attraction over the past decade.

The High Roller will be 100 feet taller than the London Eye, which opened in 2000, 30 feet taller than China's Star of Nanchang, which opened in 2006, and 9 feet taller than the Singapore Flyer, which opened in 2008. These giant urban Ferris wheels typically transport riders in large, fixed capsules instead of the smaller, teetering baskets most people remember from childhood. High Roller riders will have to take a break from gambling and smoking when they enter one of the 28 glass capsules attached to the gargantuan wheel, Codiga said, but they will be able to take in the marquee-lit panoramic views with a drink in hand. The wheel, which has been under construction since 2011, is taller than the Bellagio hotel-casino but still dwarfed by the Stratosphere observation tower, which rises more than 1,000 feet. It will carry 3.5 million pounds of steel — the equivalent of about 200 Hummers— and will take 30 minutes to make one revolution.

And, because this is Las Vegas where overstimulation is the sales pitch, it will feature audiovisual shows in each 40-person pod designed to complement the views. Codiga, who previously worked for the theme park company Universal Studios, said he doesn't want visitors to get bored as the ride ascends and descends. Tickets will be comparable to the London ride, which costs about $30, according to Caesars spokeswoman Christina Karas. She declined to say to how much it cost to build the ride. The High Roller is not the only big wheel jostling for a place among the volcanoes and dancing fountains of the tourist corridor. A rival company is building SkyVue, a 500-foot observation wheel across from Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip that will feature video screens broadcasting ads. That project is expected to open in mid-2015, according to developer David Gaffin. Last spring, a group of developers revealed plans for a third wheel — the London Thrill — near the CityCenter complex in the middle of the Strip. The High Roller will also likely have to surrender its tallest in the world title before long.

Another monster wheel is looming in New York City, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans last year for a 625-foot ride on Staten Island's waterfront. Other wheels may grow taller, Codiga said, "but the High Roller will allow you to float over Las Vegas." ___ Hannah Dreier can be reached at Reblog

Question: In which country did the world's largest ferris wheel (as at 2008) open for rides in March 2008?
Answer: Singapore