On Halloween, the Orlando Eye celebrated a major construction milestone with the completion of the spoke installation of the inner wheel. This accomplishment cleared the way for work to begin on the outer wheel, eventually bringing the massive structure to a height and width of 400 feet. When completed, it will be the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast of the United States. Currently, the Eye can be seen from miles around, and it shouldn’t take too much longer for the wheel to be complete.

You can’t always believe your eyes, However, as the outer wheel still needs to be constructed (there has been quite a bit of progress since this photo was taken), then workers can begin the installation process of the glass capsules, and finally, work can begin on the electrical and A/V components of the Eye. “This is a really exciting moment for The Orlando Eye. From this point forward, construction will showcase the true height of the Eye at 400 feet,” said James Paulding, head of new openings for North America for Merlin Entertainments. “Work is progressing quickly, and we are on track for our grand opening next spring.”

Poised to become a top visitor attraction for the tourism capital of the U.S., the Orlando Eye, part of the I-Drive 360 entertainment and dining complex, will showcase 360-degree views of Central Florida, including nearby theme parks and attractions, downtown Orlando and Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast, all within the comfort of 30 air-conditioned glass capsules. Each capsule has room for up to 12 guests to enjoy a serene 20-minute journey above the scenic landscape.

Included in the Orlando Eye journey is access to the pre-flight 4D cinema experience, taking guests on a full 3D aerial journey of Florida, with the added dimension of sensory experiences, including lighting, wind, spray and scent effects. The outer wheel of the Eye is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

To follow along with news and updates, visit www.officialorlandoeye.com. The Orlando Eye is scheduled to open in spring 2015. Although the Orlando Eye will be the focal point of  I-Drive 360, it is but one of the many attractions that will call the entertainment complex home. In fact, one of the facility’s new residents just moved in. Madame Tussauds Orlando has rolled out the red carpet for Selena Gomez, making the pop singer and actress the first celebrity wax figure to arrive ahead of the attraction’s spring 2015 grand opening. Selena took advantage of the beautiful fall weather to explore the city’s entertainment and shopping scenes, including the future home of Madame Tussauds Orlando on International Drive, as well as making stops in downtown Orlando and the convention center.

, Orlando has its Eye on you
 “Selena Gomez” takes a hardhat tour of the future site of Madame Tussauds Orlando at I-Drive 360, also the future home of the 400-foot Orlando Eye observation wheel (Courtesy of Madame Tussauds)

Soon, she will be joined by other celebrities, including pop international icon Ricky Martin who has just unveiled his likeness in Las Vegas.

“I cannot wait to see my wax figure. It will be so very surreal! It was a wonderful experience to sit for the amazing artists who create these wax figures,” said Ricky Martin. “I feel honored to be inducted into Madame Tussauds, and even more so, that I will be featured in Madame Tussauds Orlando, as Florida has a special place in my heart.”

, Orlando has its Eye on you
Ricky Martin meets Madame Tussauds sculptors as they take more than 500 measurements; select hair and eye color and discuss fashion choices for his new figure, which is set to launch in Las Vegas ahead of the 2014 Latin Grammys. (Courtesy of Madame Tussauds)

Madame Tussauds is world-renowned for the creation of detailed and lifelike wax figures that pay homage to A-list celebrities from film and television, sports icons, musicians from all genres, and notable figures from history and pop culture. Each figure is truly a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research and take more than 500 measurements to recreate world-famous icons, to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has been at the heart of the 250-year Madame Tussauds legacy. Guests at Madame Tussauds Orlando will experience the essence of America with this brand new, immersive and interactive wax experience, bursting with family fun and world-class entertainment, as they move through themed areas meeting all of their favorite stars from award-winning film actors, to historical and modern world leaders, sports stars, music legends as well as figures important to Florida. Visitors can shake hands with president, get on stage with rock stars and pop princesses, or get up close and personal with a Hollywood heartthrob and take the ultimate selfie!

For more information, visit www.madametussauds.com/orlando.   Their parent company, Merlin Entertainments, has twenty three attractions and one hotel in North America – including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its theme park, water park, and LEGOLAND California theme park with water park, SEA LIFE aquarium and themed hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas; Hollywood; and San Francisco LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston; Westchester, New York; Toronto, Canada; a Dungeon in San Francisco; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth; the Mall of America in Minneapolis and Charlotte – Concord – underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator. Once the I-Drive 360 complex is completed, the company will have a foothold in the vacation capital of the world, and combined with LEGOLAND Florida, will truly be a multi-day destination for visitors to Central Florida.

Adam Sinclair
Adam is a lover of travel, and has always been interested in finding and exploring new and exciting places. In these tough economic times, travel can help provide an escape from the stresses of everyday life. He plans on sharing his favorite getaways with the readers of MiceChat.com, and hopes to visit some of the best area attractions with the world with his audience at his side. Follow him on twitter (@faborplumbs) as he searches for his next amazing destination, and check out some of his other favorite places at Faborplumbs Funtastic Finds as well as the Local Getaways section of Examiner.com!