This summer, a new attraction opened in Seattle, and it’s one that you’ll definitely want to check out the next time you’re in the area. The Seattle Great Wheel, a Ferris wheel-like structure, will give riders the opportunity to experience a magnificent view of the city skyline and the Puget Sound, as well as Mount Ranier and the Olympic Mountains.
Although the Wheel was built in an astonishingly short time — less than a year – it has been a long time in coming. Owner Hal Griffith has dreamed of a Ferris wheel in the city for thirty years. His dream was delayed for decades by various roadblocks, until finally he and his sons hit on the idea of building it on the pier that the family already owned. Thanks to support from the waterfront business community, that dream has finally become a reality.
The 175-foot wheel is not technically a Ferris wheel, because it does not have open seating for passengers. Instead, the ride has glass-enclosed gondola-like compartments. Visitors can ride the Wheel in comfort in any weather, as the compartments have both heat and air conditioning. The ride also features a VIP gondola that is more expensive than the regular compartments. This luxurious compartment has four leather bucket seats and a glass floor. Like the other compartments, it is not possible to reserve the VIP gondola; it is available only on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, if you purchase a ride on the VIP gondola, you’ll receive a VIP T-shirt, and you’ll be escorted by Wheel personnel to the head of the line and allowed to board immediately. This is a fun way to feel like a celebrity, at least for a little while.
Regular gondola compartments can seat six people, or possibly eight if some of the riders are small children. Smaller parties may be asked to board with another group if the line is particularly long. The price for a ride is $13 for adults and children 12 and up, $8.50 for children aged 4 to 11, $11 for seniors, and $50 for the VIP gondola. Tickets for children under four are free. There is also a discount for military members. A ride is three full revolutions, and lasts for fifteen to twenty minutes. There is no per-person weight limit, but each gondola can hold up to 1300 lbs.
If you are planning to go to Seattle and want to know what to do while you’re there, put this new attraction high on your list. The Great Wheel promises to be a lot of fun and a wonderful addition to the city. This new addition to the city’s skyline is sure to be enjoyed by locals and visitors for a long time to come.
