The Tallest Ferris Wheel in the United States Is So Big It Takes 30 Minutes to Rotate

May 28, 2023

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The mere thought of being on a Ferris wheel is enough to spur excitement in every adventurer. Oh, the joy of experiencing the world from above, enjoying scenic views, and possibly, not wanting the ride to end. You love heights, but you’ve not been on a Ferris wheel? You have this summer to redeem yourself since riding on a Ferris wheel is classic summertime fun. You might as well start at the top on the tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S.

Who do we have to thank for this thrilling invention? A Pennsylvanian structural engineer named George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. proposed his idea of a giant metal wheel to Daniel Burnham, the Director of Works for the 1892–93 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Burnham wanted a distinctive monument that could compete with the 1,063-foot (324 meters) Eiffel Tower, which stole the show at the 1889 Paris Exposition. The Ferris wheel required more than 100,000 parts, including an 89,320-pound axle that had to be lifted 140 feet up two towers. Ferris had employed more engineers, sought investors, and spent personal $25,000 on safety research.

In the end, 2,160 passengers could fit onto Ferris’ massive vertical construction, which had 36 gondolas, each with a capacity to accommodate 60 people.

The Chicago wheel, also known as the original Ferris wheel, was the tallest attraction at the June 1893 fair, standing 80.4 meters (264 feet) tall. Interested fairgoers rode on it; they could see Lake Michigan from above and catch fresh city views.

Over the following 19 weeks, over 1.4 million people paid 50 cents each for a 20-minute ride that gave them access to a rare aerial view. Once the fair ended, Ferris was entangled in a web of legal disputes involving wheels, debts the fair owed him, and those he owed his suppliers.

He passed away at 37 in 1896, broke and sick with typhoid. The wheel was disassembled and kept for a year after the fair. Then, it was reconstructed on Chicago's North Side, close to the affluent neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

At the time, William D. Boyce, a local citizen, unsuccessfully sued the wheel's owners in Circuit Court to have it taken down. But, it was used there from October 1895 to 1903, when it was demolished again. After that, it was railroaded to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair and eventually dynamited on May 11, 1906.

Moreover, Ferris was one of many to conceptualize such a wheel. The first "pleasure wheels," on which people rode in chairs hanging from enormous wooden rings rotated by strong humans, were said to have originated in Bulgaria in the 17th century.

In the following centuries, identical concepts were recorded in other countries, such as England, France, and India.

In fact, a carpenter, William Somers, sued Ferris for violating a patent in 1893. Somers had, in the previous year, constructed 3 wooden 50-feet wheels at Coney Island, New York, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City, both in New Jersey. However, the action was dropped after Ferris and his attorneys convincingly claimed that the technology of the Ferris Wheel and Somers’ wheel was very different.

It's been over a century since the Ferris wheel was constructed, but many countries have continued to erect massive Ferris wheels as though there's an unspoken contest to create the tallest. However, these new Ferris wheels are typically called observation wheels, and they are bigger, more advanced versions. They move slowly, allowing you to bask in the euphoria and enjoy the stunning view.

Observation wheels can operate all year round because their capsules are often enclosed and air-conditioned. In addition, passengers can board and exit the cabins in the lower segment of the wheel while it is rotating because the wheel spins continuously at a reasonably slow speed. The original Ferris wheel must be jealous.

The High Roller is the tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S. and North America. With its 550-foot height (167.6 meters), you already know it adds to the glitz and glamor of its location, the Las Vegas Strip across from Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. If the life of the party was a place, it would definitely be Las Vegas. The High Roller, which overlooks the Las Vegas Valley, is just one of the numerous spectacular attractions in the city.

The giant structure made its public debut in March 2014 as the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, replacing the 541-foot Singapore Flyer in downtown Singapore, which held the title for six years. The same firm, Arup Engineering, consulted for Singapore Flyer and the High Roller.

A later revision moved the completion date from late 2013 to early 2014. Initially, construction was slated to start in September 2011 and end in late 2013. The wheel's exterior rim was, however, finished in September 2013.

The delivery and installation of the first passenger cabin was in November 2013, while the final cabin was erected the following month. The lighting system for the High Roller was activated on February 28, 2014, following preliminary testing ahead of the grand opening on March 31.

In October 2021, the awe-inspiring 820-foot Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye) clinched the record from High Roller and is now the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. At 443 feet (135 meters), the renowned London Eye is 107 feet shorter than the High Roller.

©Veronique De Suerte/Shutterstock.com

A total of 1,120 people can be accommodated in the 28 air-conditioned cabins linked to the wheel. Each cabin has a maximum capacity of 40 passengers and is furnished with eight flat-screen televisions. The 28 passenger cabins on the wheel's outboard rim are rotated separately by electric motors, ensuring the floors are horizontal during the spin. Drinks are available for sale at the High Roller's bar at the base of the wheel.

The wheel is supported by two specially made spherical roller bearings weighing 19,400 lb (8,800 kg). The dimensions of each bearing are as follows: 2.07 feet (0.63 meters) in width, 5.25 feet (1.60 meters) in inner bore, and 7.55 feet (2.30 meters) in outer diameter.

The outer rim has 28 parts, measuring 56 feet (17 meters). During construction, a pair of 275 feet (84 meters) radial struts were used to hold each section momentarily until four cables permanently fastened them in place.

The tallest Ferris wheel in the United States is so big that a rotation lasts 30 minutes. Thus, a spin on the High Roller signs you up for the alluring vistas in the City of Light. It gets better when the sun is down because you can ride at night when the lit streets of Las Vegas are mesmerizing (High Roller closes at midnight). However, boarding the cabins can take about an hour of queuing.

A 2,000-LED system lights up the wheel at night. It shows many colors around the rim, a single solid color, distinct colored parts, and customized presentations for holidays and special events.

Is it even Las Vegas if an extra touch isn't involved? There's a family-friendly S.T. E.M. field trip as a chance for families to learn more about the High Roller, tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S. In addition, a self-guided curriculum sheet is available for download on the website.

The curriculum features a 30-40 minute plan that can inspire conversations about topics including geography, science, math, and architectural design. If this sounds like your family's jam, you should try it; it adds more fun to the 30-minute rotation.

The kids will have a good time at the interactive Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N or taking pictures with wax figures of famous people at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum on Las Vegas Strip and the first Madame Tussauds location to operate in the United States.

You can also spend the day exploring other outdoor fun activities on the Las Vegas Strip, including the Gondola Rides at the Venetian.

In usual Strip fashion, there's a shopping destination nearby for the retail therapy you deserve. The Sky Shop is a gift shop inside the vast LINQ Hotel + Experience, only a short distance from the High Roller's entrance. From clothing to toys, the Sky Shop has practically every item to serve as a memento of your trip. There are items such as fridge magnets, key holders, mugs, and snow glasses with an image of the High Roller; the shop also sells High Roller-themed t-shirts and hoodies.

You can rent out a cabin on the High Roller to host a wedding function. Even better, you can request additional elements to suit your taste, such as music, flowers, and an Elvis-themed wedding minister. Corporate events are included.

Happy Half Hour cabins have an open bar and a bartender for the duration of a complete rotation. However, they’re only accessible to about 25 adults (21 years and above).

The ticketing structure is based on the time of the day and the age(s) of the person(s) involved. Reservations are available for the tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S. but are not necessary. For instance, young children aged 4-12 pay $8.50 for a daytime ticket (from 2:00 pm-5:59 pm) while the anytime ticket costs $17.50 for the same age range.

Admission into the Happy Half Hour cabin for adults aged 21 and over costs $60. Anytime tickets are available daily at 6:00 pm, and adults are billed $34.75 per ticket. Daytime tickets are relatively cheaper and stand at $23.50.

Riding on the High Roller Observation Wheel is free for kids 3 years and under.

Many people are often concerned about the best time to ride a Ferris wheel. It's a valid concern because you don't get to ride a giant wheel every day; everyone deserves a memorable experience whenever they get the chance.

The best answer is to follow your preference. For example, riding on a nice clear day (emphasis on clear because heavy fog or rain reduces visibility.) unlocks picturesque views of the city's natural beauty. On the other hand, it's easier to see the landscape, valley, and Nevada mountains beyond The Strip.

It's equally magical at night. You can see the city in light and colors. If you’re lucky, you may catch the beautiful sunset when the lights are coming up. Another highlight is timing your ride to when the Bellagio Fountain Show is scheduled to start. Again, you may be lucky enough to see parts of the show or watch the fountains go off.

No matter what time you choose, you’ll appreciate the High Roller, tallest Ferris wheel in the U.S., because both experiences are inherently unique.

Now, wild animals are different from what you expect to find around an observation wheel. But maybe wildlife isn't so out of place in a wild city (pun intended). Get your camera ready and explore the best-kept secret in Las Vegas, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. It's nestled close to the Linq Promenade, which houses the High Roller.

It offers some peace and quiet away from the bustling Strip and is also home to fish species, exotic birds, and greenery. You’ll find duck species, including common shoveler, merganser, whistling duck, Japanese Koi fish, turtles, yellow catfish, rescued pelicans, and pink Chilean flamingos.

The green space has walking pathways to easily tour and enjoy a good time alone or with your family. In addition, it features waterfalls, palm trees, brooks, streams, and grasslands for the ultimate paradise effect.

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