It’s been over a week since The Orlando Eye shut down for what a Merlin rep called “required maintenance,” and there is still no re-opening date.
The 400-foot observation wheel has closed several times since its opening in May for various repairs, but its usually only taken a day or two at most to reopen.
One of the hottest attractions to hit Orlando is The Orlando Eye, and on April 29, I got an media preview of what it’s like to ride inside the observation wheel. Good news is the Orlando Eye opens today, May 4, so you can now ride for yourself!
Once you arrive at the entrance to the Orlando Eye, you reach a scanner station with machines to read your tickets. Just past that is a trio of photo stations, where the staff will take your photo against a green screen. These photos, of course, will be available for you to purchase at the end of the ride.
On Wednesday morning, April 29, CitySurfing Orlando was among a group of journalists and local media who were in attendance to watch Nik Wallenda attempt to walk on top of the Orlando Eye.
The sky was grey and overcast, but the rain held back, and a little after 8am, Wallenda began his ascent towards the top of the wheel within the safety of a passenger capsule.
Daredevil Nik Wallenda held a press conference Monday morning (April 27) to answer questions about his upcoming walk on top of the Orlando Eye.
I was in attendance, and I have to say Wallenda appeared very confident about his death-defying stunt when speaking about it to the media.
Wednesday morning (April 29), Wallenda will board one of the Orlando Eye’s passenger capsules and ride it to the top. The wheel will then stop, and he will climb out and begin walking along the rim as the wheel goes back in motion. The rim is about six inches wide.
Famous daredevil Nik Wallenda announced today that he is going to step off the high-wire for a thrill of a different kind: He’s going to walk the top of The Orlando Eye…while it’s spinning.
His plans are to take a passenger capsule to the top of the structure, where the attraction will stop the wheel. He will then get out and walk the outer rim of the wheel as it starts spinning again. The rim is less than six inches wide.
And he’s doing this all without the safety of a harness or a balancing pole, like he normally uses for his high-wire walks.
He’s not sure how long he will walk, but we are told it takes about 20 minutes for the wheel to make a full spin.
Wallenda, a native of Sarasota and a seventh generation member of The Flying Wallendas, already has nine Guinness World Records for his acrobatic feats. This may bring him his tenth.
Wallenda plans to walk The Orlando Eye on Wednesday, April 29, though no time has been set.
The Orlando Eye opens to the public on May 4.
Outback Steakhouse will be opening its newest Orlando location on International Drive on August 4, and will be donating 50% of all opening day sales to Give Kids the World (GKTW).
The new location is at 8351 International Drive, where the new Orlando Eye complex is being built, and will feature the chain’s new “Modern Australia” design. According to the press release, that means the decor will mirror ” the indigenous flora and fauna, adventure, geography and leisure of modern day Australia.”
Doors open at 11am, and the restaurant will donate 50% of the day’s sales, up to $5,000, to GKTW, which is a non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
For more information, visit outback.com.
Merlin Entertainment has announced the opening of its newly renamed I-Drive 360 will happen in Spring 2015.
Anchoring the new entertainment complex will be The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life Aquarium, and the company has released new concept art for the projects.
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The Orlando Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel that will offer views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules. It is a little sister to the world-famous London Eye.
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The new $200 million development I-Drive Live is stating that everything, including the attractions, will be open by New Year’s Eve 2014.
This includes the Orlando Eye, a 425-ft observation wheel, similar to the one in London. The foundation has already been poured, and building will begin this fall.
Also opening that day will be the Orlando location of Madame Tussauds wax museum, and the 25,000-sq-ft Sea Life Aquarium.
But you won’t have to wait until then to enjoy some of I-Drive Live’s offerings. Kings Bowl Orlando is already open, and several restaurants are expected to open Spring 2014, including Yard House, Seafood Republic, Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback Steakhouse, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
I-Drive Live will be located on International Drive, just south of Sand Lake Rd, on the spot where The Mercado once stood.