The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando
The Orlando Eye in December 25, 2016
General information
Type	Ferris wheel
Location	8401 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, US
Construction started	2012
Completed	2015
Opened	• 1st passenger: April 29, 2015 • Official: May 4, 2015
Owner	• Structure: Circle Entertainment • 'ICON' brand: IDL Wheel Wheel Tenant LLC (tenant & operator)
Height	400 ft (122 m)
Dimensions
Diameter	390 feet (119 m)

The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando is a huge observation wheel located in Orlando, Florida, United States. It stands about 400 feet (122 meters) tall. This amazing wheel first opened on April 29, 2015. When it first opened, it was known as the Orlando Eye.

Over the years, the wheel has had a few different names. In 2015, it became the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye. Then, in 2018, it was renamed ICON Orlando. Finally, in 2019, it got its current name: The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando. This last change was part of a bigger plan to rename the entire area to ICON Park.

How The Wheel Was Built
- Planning and Construction Timeline
Past Names and Rebranding
Images for kids

How The Wheel Was Built

The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando is special. It's called an "observation wheel" because of its unique design. Unlike some Ferris wheels, its passenger capsules are very stable. This means you get a super smooth ride, even when you are 400 feet up in the air! You won't feel like you're swinging around.

The official website for The Wheel says it's the first wheel ever to use this kind of system. It combines a stable ride with a "ski lift" style capsule design.

Planning and Construction Timeline

Planning for The Wheel started way back in March 2011. At first, people thought it would be finished by mid-2014. County officials gave their approval for the project in September 2012.

In January 2013, the expected opening date was moved to November 2014. Workers began building the main support structure in December 2013. By April 2014, the completion date was pushed back again to early 2015.

The Wheel has 30 passenger capsules. Each capsule has air conditioning and can hold up to 15 people. Workers started putting these capsules on the wheel in mid-January 2015. The very last capsule was added on February 5, 2015.

The first passengers rode The Wheel on April 29, 2015. The official grand opening ceremony happened a few days later, on May 4.

Past Names and Rebranding

The Wheel has changed its name several times since it first opened.

Coca-Cola Orlando Eye

On July 28, 2016, The Wheel got a new sponsor: Coca-Cola. It was then renamed the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye. As part of this deal, there were even special "Surprise and Delight" capsules. These capsules had a cooler full of soda and selfie sticks for riders to use!

ICON Orlando

On March 11, 2018, the wheel was rebranded again. This time, it became known as ICON Orlando.