Myrtle Beach SkyWheel facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids General information |
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| Status | Complete and operational |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | Myrtle Beach, SC Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade |
| Coordinates | 33°41′31″N 78°52′46″W / 33.692035°N 78.87954°W |
| Construction started | 2011 |
| Completed | 2011 |
| Inaugurated | May 20, 2011 |
| Cost | $12 million |
| Height | 187 feet (57 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ronald Bussink Professional Rides |
| Engineer | Chance Morgan |
The SkyWheel is a giant observation wheel located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It stands about 187-foot tall (57.0 m). This makes it a very noticeable landmark along the city's famous boardwalk.
When it first opened on May 20, 2011, the SkyWheel was one of the tallest Ferris wheels in North America. It was the second tallest after the Texas Star in Dallas. It was also the tallest wheel east of the Mississippi River in the United States. Today, it is the sixth-tallest Ferris wheel in the United States.
In January 2021, the SkyWheel closed for a short time. It underwent a big makeover. This included updating the inside and outside of its special passenger cars. A new lighting system was also added. The SkyWheel reopened in the spring of 2021, just in time for its 10th birthday!
Contents
Design and Features of the SkyWheel
The SkyWheel is a special R60 Giant Wheel. It was designed by Ronald Bussink Professional Rides. The company Chance Morgan built it. It looks similar to other big wheels like the Niagara SkyWheel in Canada. It also looks like the Seattle Great Wheel. Both of those wheels are about 175 feet (53.3 m) tall.
The SkyWheel has 42 special passenger cars called gondolas. These gondolas are enclosed in glass. They are also temperature-controlled. This means they stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Each gondola can hold up to six people.
Safety on the SkyWheel
The SkyWheel operates all year long. It is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Safety is very important for this ride.
- If strong winds are expected, the gondolas must be removed. This process takes about eight to ten hours.
- Each gondola has an air conditioner. It also has windows that can open for fresh air.
- There is a red "Emergency" button inside each gondola. This button alerts the ride operator if there is a problem.
- Groups of people who do not know each other are not required to sit together.
- Children riding without a parent or guardian must be tall enough to reach the emergency button. If they are not, a staff member can ride with them. Or, they can ride with another adult customer if everyone agrees.
Where is the SkyWheel Located?
Developers were looking for a good spot for a giant Ferris wheel. They chose Myrtle Beach because of its new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. The SkyWheel is located near the northern end of the boardwalk. It is right next to Plyler Park.
The area around the SkyWheel was specially designed. It includes a 5,400-square-foot (500 m2) building. This building has a restaurant, a gift shop, and the ticket booth. An old motel was taken down to make room for the SkyWheel. An alleyway was also moved.
The construction of the SkyWheel was a big project. The steel frame was built outside of St. Louis. The gondolas were made in Switzerland. The wheel itself sits on a deck 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level. This helps protect it from possible hurricane storm surges. Construction of the main building began in December. The wheel's frame started going up in February.
A restaurant called Land Shark Bar & Grill opened the same day as the SkyWheel. This restaurant is connected to singer Jimmy Buffett. It was the third restaurant in Myrtle Beach linked to him. The others are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, the SkyWheel received a special honor. Officialbestof.com named it the "Best Scenic Experience in South Carolina." This award recognized the amazing views people get from the top of the wheel.
