Orlando to get Great Wheel!

[kevinkagy]

I think this is interesting, but there's definitely more to see in Miami. By the Port of Miami, you've got a lot to see. South Beach, Downtown, Midtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, islands, Coral Gables, port, and beyond.

For Orlando however, even though that area gets a ton of tourists, there really isn't much to see. I don't see how it'd succeed in the long run. It'd definitely be popular at first, but how many times can you go up and see nothing interesting?

[DrT]

I would pay to go up on something like this.

[karim aboussir]

me too !!

[Hisma]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

I think this is interesting, but there's definitely more to see in Miami. By the Port of Miami, you've got a lot to see. South Beach, Downtown, Midtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, islands, Coral Gables, port, and beyond.

For Orlando however, even though that area gets a ton of tourists, there really isn't much to see. I don't see how it'd succeed in the long run. It'd definitely be popular at first, but how many times can you go up and see nothing interesting?

I agree 100%. But it's going to rely on a steady stream of tourists. How does disney stay popular, when you've been once or twice you have no real desire to go again. Yet people keep coming. Same will be for the wheel.

[karim aboussir]

anyway since I live here in orlando area I will be one of the first to go check it out any idea when it will be operational ?? my guess is end of 2009 or sometimes in 2010 let me know if anyone knows thanks

[DrT]

More info on various proposals around the world is at:
www.greatwheel.com

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

I think this is interesting, but there's definitely more to see in Miami. By the Port of Miami, you've got a lot to see. South Beach, Downtown, Midtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, islands, Coral Gables, port, and beyond.

For Orlando however, even though that area gets a ton of tourists, there really isn't much to see. I don't see how it'd succeed in the long run. It'd definitely be popular at first, but how many times can you go up and see nothing interesting?

There's nothing to see in Coconut Grove nor in Coral Gables other than the Biltmore. You can't see South Beach from the Port (or Ocean Dr.); you can't even see it from the new Icon at Alden & Rickenbacher. What's in Midtown other that perhaps two 20+ story mixed use towers and a huge site clearing?

So, you're left with the Port, Downtown, Brickell, islands, and the coast.

In Orlando, you would have the OCCC and the hotels/resorts, Seaworld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Big Sand Lake, Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake Rd. strip, the rest of I-Drive & Universal closer in. And farther out, downtown and WDW-- and-- fireworks shows every night from at least 6 different spots in that area.

Whether there's more to see in Miami isn't the issue. Great Wheel Corp. in announcing the project officially this week with more details.

Miami's deal is merely a proposal from a county commissioner for Dade to fund it for $150M in a public-private venture to lure more tourists there.

[MNiemann]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

There's nothing to see in Coconut Grove nor in Coral Gables other than the Biltmore. You can't see South Beach from the Port (or Ocean Dr.); you can't even see it from the new Icon at Alden & Rickenbacher. What's in Midtown other that perhaps two 20+ story mixed use towers and a huge site clearing?

So, you're left with the Port, Downtown, Brickell, islands, and the coast.

In Orlando, you would have the OCCC and the hotels/resorts, Seaworld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Big Sand Lake, Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake Rd. strip, the rest of I-Drive & Universal closer in. And farther out, downtown and WDW-- and-- fireworks shows every night from at least 6 different spots in that area.

Wow you took the words right out of my mouth.

[DrT]

More from The Orlando Sentinel:

Developer to roll out plans for Great Orlando Wheel attraction
Sara K. Clarke
Sentinel Staff Writer
June 25, 2008

The Great Orlando Wheel: It will weigh 4,200 tons, tower 400 feet over Orlando's main tourist district, and cost an estimated $200 million. Developers of Orlando's newest proposed tourist attraction are scheduled to detail their plans for the giant observation wheel this afternoon in an International Drive hotel. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:

Observation wheels are next-generation Ferris wheels. Riders travel in large, glass capsules attached to the wheel's rim, which creates a "top of the world" feel. The Orlando wheel will travel nine inches a second, slow enough that riders will be able to get on and off without stopping the wheel's rotation.

International influence

The Great Orlando Wheel was inspired by the London Eye, which opened in March 2000. Great Wheel Corp., the Singapore-based company behind the local project, already operates the Singapore Flyer and is planning similar attractions in Beijing and Berlin.

Tourism hub

The company's chairman, Florian Bollen, describes the wheel as a hub for local tourism promotion. Once visitors get a panoramic view of the area, they can head into the wheel's terminal building and get information about surrounding attractions. "The way we see it is really a window into the city," Bollen said. "It's a perfect first attraction to go to."


960 riders

With 24 capsules each capable of holding as many as 40 people, the wheel is a high-occupancy attraction. A 38-by-16-foot capsule can accommodate a wedding, a corporate gathering or other event. "It's really a venue in the sky, which is much more than just a viewing platform," Bollen said.


Estimated attendance: 2.7M

In choosing Orlando as the site of the company's first observation wheel in North America, Great Wheel Corp. hopes to tap both the local and tourist markets. Central Florida's flat landscape is considered a plus, offering good views in all directions and ensuring the wheel itself will be visible for miles around.


Local employment

About 100 people will work directly with the wheel. The 80,848-square-foot terminal will also hold shops and restaurants. Great Wheel Corp. has a policy of seeking local building partners; companies participating in this project include Orlando-based Morris Architects Entertainment Studio and BE&K Building Group Inc., which has an office in Maitland.


Icon potential

With its size and visibility, the wheel has the potential to become a prominent fixture on the Central Florida skyline. "I think it's really another jewel in Orlando's crown of being the No. 1 tourist destination in the world," Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty said. "It's iconic. You can see it from miles away." Bollen said engineers have taken into account the fact the structure will have to face strong winds in hurricane-prone Florida.


Wanna ride?

One round on the wheel will take 30 minutes and offer views of as far as 25 miles. It's scheduled to open in mid- to late 2010, Bollen said, and the company aims to price the attraction as a little more costly than a movie ticket, or in the $15-to-$20 range.

[jzquince69]

Here's a link to the Sentinel article with renderings.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...tory?track=rss

even at 400' tall, look how small it is compared to the 1/2 mile long OCCC West Bldg. behind it in the first rendering...

[DrT]

Good video posted on The Sentinel about the Great Orlando Wheel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trave...,7762114.story

[jzquince69]

This attraction, I think, will add a new dimension to the convention industry in Orlando; it will be a great neighboring attraction for conventioneers.

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

Here's a link to the Sentinel article with renderings.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...tory?track=rss

even at 400' tall, look how small it is compared to the 1/2 mile long OCCC West Bldg. behind it in the first rendering...

Compare Pic 1 with Pic 7 and 8, what one would you rather ride for $20 to see?

Also, you get more of a view from a helicopter at the price of $20. I'd rather do a helicopter tour than ride a ferris wheel.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Im excited they're gonna build this in Orlando, but I also think its beyond strange. Why would they pick Orlando as their first site in the US?! There are far more scenic places with enough tourist. All thats gonna be visible are probaly hotel roofs and probaly roller coasters and trees and then some more trees. But you can bet I'll take I ride next time im in town, its something really cool and just one more thing to do.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Because Orlando gets 52 million tourists a year. That's why.

[brickell]

But this IS Orlando. I hope they have a huge parking lot. The dynamics driving people to the London Eye is completely different. I honestly don't think this will be enough to lure people from Disney or the 192 area. It'll be another I-Drive tourist trap for people already in the area in my opinion.

[jzquince69]

I'd never waste money on small time helicopters versus a high tech observation platform.


What's there to see in Chicago or NYC or even Toronto with those observatories? rooftops of shorter structures and the rest of the city as it stretches towards the horizon.

Granted, I would rather be in the Sears tower looking down at the Loop, or in the JHC eating in the restaurant up there looking up LSD, or in Toronto looking down at the dome thru the glass floor. But, this is Orlando and there are a lot of points of interest that will be visible from the top, or halfway up it.


BTW, there isn't that much undeveloped land in that area. Just look at Google map and you'll see. In fact, there is probably a higher density of development in the I-Drive corridor than in most cities (other than the largest, of course). just look at google map.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

I'd never waste money on small time helicopters versus a high tech observation platform.

Really?

What's there to see in Chicago or NYC or even Toronto with those observatories? rooftops of shorter structures and the rest of the city as it stretches towards the horizon.

Thats like asking whats there to see in London where its already extremely popular. The iconic skylines, iconic buildings, depending on possible locations you can see rivers, iconic/historic bridges or in Chicago beautiful iconic lakefront. Orlandos attractions are theme parks, and from that distance all you will probaly see are Roller coasters and trees, im not saying thats bad but it doesnt compare with stuff that would have been visible in cities like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, heck cities like Seattle or Miami seem more ideal.

But, this is Orlando and there are a lot of points of interest that will be visible from the top, or halfway up it.

From that height and distance from alot of the parks the atrraction won't be much to look at. Disney will proably not be visible. Probaly roller coasters in Islands or in Sea World. Theres no iconic structures besides Cinderella castle which I doubt you'll be able to see. You can probaly look for the hotel you might be staying at or at the convention centers roof. Again im not saying it'll be a total failure, alot of people will do it just out of curiosity but its just not the most practical place besides the ton of tourist it would have made more sense in cities Ive already mentioned which already have more than enough tourist.

[jzquince69]

I'm from Chicago. Every major bldg there is either an SOM product or has history out the wazzoo like the Wrigley, Tribune, Board of Trade, or Merchandise Mart, all within 1.5 miles of Sears. But you can't see anything noteworthy of the Board of Trade from 1,353' and 2 blocks away other than the roof, for example. And at JHC, you can't see Playboy b/c it's too close, nor much of the other talls across the street b/c of the same reasons.

Yay, I can see McCormick place 3 miles away and it's real small too. And Meigs Field which is farther. And Gary, IN at the SE horizon. And to the west, nothing but block after monotonous city block.

The only thing iconic in Miami from the Port is the BOA, Wachovia, ESP, and Four Seasons. The rest are all condos or average office bldgs. Ten Mus. Park is hidden behind Marina Blue. And from 400', what's there to see? A Great Wheel in Miami would be best served on the beach to showcase the shoreline. One Miami is over 450' tall, so you're left with the Port and cruise ships and the islands, which would be dramatic. Otherwise, residential bldgs are a dime a dozen.

London: The London Eye is fantastic. The only noteworthy structure visible in Parliament and the River Thames. Downtown and Canary Wharf are too far away.

Orlando: a great wheel would show more at, say EPCOT or Universal-- that I agree with. But I also think that non-Orlandoans don't particularly like to acknowledge that there's noteworthy things to see outside of the major parks. Great Wheel Corp. seems to think so.


Yes, really, regarding the helicopter tour. Why would anyone choose a cramped little helicopter ride over a spacious 30' by 15' high tech observation capsule? That's simply my preference on that issue.


I already gave a list regarding points of interest, but, what the hec:

OCCC & Hotels to the north and northeast. Dr. Phillips and the lakes to the northwest & I-4 corridor. Seaworld's 3 parks to the southeast and south. I-4 corridor to the southwest.

Farther out: Universal to the north, WDW to the southwest. And, fireworks shows from half a dozen locations at 8:30 or 9pm every night.

That's my analysis, for whatever it's worth. Great Wheel Corp. already chose the location, which will succeed. There are thousands of hotel rooms in that corridor. Granted, Parliament beats out any Orlando hotel by a mile, but it's the collective grouping of everything that's the attraction I think.

[Dale]

Originally Posted by brickell

But this IS Orlando. I hope they have a huge parking lot. The dynamics driving people to the London Eye is completely different. I honestly don't think this will be enough to lure people from Disney or the 192 area. It'll be another I-Drive tourist trap for people already in the area in my opinion.

What's wrong with a tourist trap in Orlando ? Or, put another way, if you want to trap tourists, what better location than Orlando ?