A-Z Blogging - Adventure Parks - F is for Ferris Wheels

In the year 1893, a gentleman named George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. designed and built an attraction for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.  The ride was a large rotating structure that carried passengers up and around the 264-foot edifice, was a hit, and today stands as one of the most common and popular rides around.

George Ferris' original wheel

wikipedia

The original Ferris wheel had 36 cars, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs and able to accommodate up to 60 people, giving a total capacity of 2,160.  The ride carried about 38,000 passengers daily and it took 20 minutes to complete two revolutions, one with stops allowing for a change in passengers and then one complete revolution.  Pretty cool, huh?

I will say here and now that I am NOT a big fan of Ferris wheels.  In fact, they kind of scare me.  I know, I know, you might be saying, "How can someone who loves roller coasters so much be afraid of a Ferris wheel?"  Well, I am.  I think it's just knowing that the removal of one or two bolts means curtains for riders. At least on a roller coaster, there's a track beneath you (well, on most!).  

Ferris wheels do fascinate me, though.  In recent years there have been some pretty big ones built across the globe, and they've all got their own unique beauty.  There's the beautiful London Eye...

wikipedia

And the Star of Nanchang in China...

tripadvisor

Even now, it seems that the coaster wars have been supplanted by the Ferris wheel wars, and the sites for these giant wheels are not limited to amusement parks.  Cities across the world are adding Ferris wheels to their landscapes, adding them as centerpieces to tourism with newer technologies, higher heights and unique spins.  Check out this one, still under construction, in the city of Changzhou, China.  It's spokeless...

Englishcz  

When this one opens, it will break a record previously set by this monster in Tokyo, Japan.  Check out Big O in Tokyo Dome City (and that's the city's longest roller coaster running right through it!)...

msnnews

Of course, New York City is getting in on the Ferris wheel game, as well, hoping to revamp the northern end of its southernmost borough Staten Island.  With a target opening date of September 2016, the New York Wheel will come in at a whopping 630 feet in height and add yet another landmark to this city of landmarks...

huffingtonpost

If you'd like to check out some other giant wheels from around the globe, National Geographic has a pretty cool collection of them right here.  Other than that, there is one more wheel I'd like to talk about, and that's Deno's Wonder Wheel in Coney Island, New York.  This iconic spin on a Ferris wheel is anything but ordinary.  Built in 1920 and in continuous operation ever since, swinging or stationery, this cool ride is both thrilling and fun!   Check it out...

Um, terrifying, no?  Not for the faint-hearted!

latimes

"F" Coaster of the Day - Firechaser Express - 

Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN

 Today's coaster is the newest at Dollywood, which I'll be visiting for the first time this summer.  It looks a little tame, but I'm sure it's still fun!

Well, that's it for "F" day on the A-Z Challenge.  Stay tuned for more on Adventure Parks in the days coming up and check out my past posts if you haven't already:

A is for Alton Towers

B is for Busch Gardens Pipe Dreams

C is for the Coasters of China

D is for The Derby Racer

E is for EPCOT Center