Welcome to the Weekend Update for November 29, 2008!
This is officially Turkey Recovery Weekend but some of you will try to shake off your tryptophan-induced stupor and enjoy the holiday festivities at a Disney park. For all of the rest of us, we have coverage of the parks on both U.S. coasts this week. Denise nbodyhome Preskitt and SummerInFL share great WDW updates, MickeyMaxx contributes a photo essay about the Universal parks in Orlando and sir clinksalot shows us some Disneyland photos. Andy Castro has a great Dateline Disneyland this week. If you haven't seen it yet, I have a link later in the Update. I am a great paper ephemera fan and I'm pleased to present some more vintage postcard images courtesy of darkfairycthulu.
First up we have news of a new tourist attraction in Florida. The Great Orlando Wheel Corporation is planning to build a 400 foot high observation wheel in the heart of Orlando, adjacent to the Orange County (FL) Convention Center.
Great Wheel Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Quote:
The Great Orlando Wheel represents a breathtaking new vision for North America. Rising 400 feet above the earth, this iconic structure will offer ever-changing views above one of the country’s top tourism destinations. It is scheduled to open in 2010.
A 25-mile panoramic view will showcase world-class Central Florida attractions like SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, as well as firework displays and rocket launches from NASA Kennedy Space Center. With integrated commercial and retail facilities, The Great Orlando Wheel will provide a grand welcome to this vibrant destination and an ideal gathering place for visitors to shop, enjoy and play.
Ideally situated in the heart of Orlando, Florida, the Wheel is conveniently located to nearby attractions including, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World Resort and bustling Downtown Orlando. Additionally, the Orlando-Orange County Convention Center and International Drive, Central Florida’s main tourist corridor, are adjacent to the site.
A 25-mile panoramic view will showcase world-class Central Florida attractions like SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, as well as firework displays and rocket launches from NASA Kennedy Space Center. With integrated commercial and retail facilities, The Great Orlando Wheel will provide a grand welcome to this vibrant destination and an ideal gathering place for visitors to shop, enjoy and play.
Ideally situated in the heart of Orlando, Florida, the Wheel is conveniently located to nearby attractions including, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World Resort and bustling Downtown Orlando. Additionally, the Orlando-Orange County Convention Center and International Drive, Central Florida’s main tourist corridor, are adjacent to the site.
From the official press release:
Take a panoramic ride atop the Great Orlando Wheel. This new international icon will tower 400 feet, treating passengers to spectacular views that stretch 25 miles in all directions.
“The Great Orlando Wheel will transform the skyline and tourism for Central Florida,” says Florian Bollen, Chairman of the Great Wheel Corporation, the project’s developer and operator. “Passengers will witness breathtaking views of the region’s dynamic cityscape, homes, roads and thriving tourism corridor.”
“This iconic attraction will cast a stately silhouette,” Bollen continues. “In the future, it will be difficult to imagine a postcard of the Central Florida skyline that does not include the Great Orlando Wheel.”
The experience begins at the giant terminal that draws its design inspiration from the Great Orlando Wheel. Massive arcs will mimic the wheel’s movement, while the dramatic glass and steel construction will add to the overall impact of the design. Visitors will see the wheel and feel its presence wherever they are in the terminal.
“The terminal will showcase every feature of the Wheel, from its enormous legs cutting into the building to the large flight capsules moving gently across a glass background,” explains Jim Ritchie, Project Manager for the Orlando office of Morris Architects who are the international firm responsible for the terminal’s inspired architectural, interior and landscape designs.
“Bringing the Wheel into the terminal will allow spectacular views of its structure, setting the tone for the architecture and design,” Ritchie says.
Spanning 80,848 square feet, the multi-level terminal will include an indoor space of 61,125 square feet plus outdoor covered plazas. The terminals shape will look like a giant infinity sign, with two curved buildings surrounding the Great Orlando Wheel at the center. One structure will be the arrival building, and the other will house the passenger lobby. An arced glass corridor will connect the two buildings, allowing traffic to flow smoothly from arrival to the boarding area.
The terminal’s breakthrough design calls for a Wheel-inspired roofline, convex for the arrival building and concave for the passenger lobby. Soaring ceilings and a giant atrium will engage visitors immediately at the entrance, giving them a view of the Wheel before boarding for their flight. Adding to the impact will be the terminal’s minimalist design, with polished concrete floors, glass walls and a few massive columns dispersed in clean, open spaces. The terminal will invite visitors to walk around and explore, putting them within inches of the giant revolving wheel, separated only by panes of glass.
Sweeping walkways and glass corridors will bring guests from the arrival building to the passenger lounge. Tilting gently outward, the glass walls will draw attention upward, allowing views of the Wheel from all angles. Walkways will build visual momentum and then open onto a grandiose space with 40-foot ceilings in the passenger lounge. There will be no waiting in long lines for this 360-degree flight. The passenger lounge will house unique restaurants, cafes, a bar and boutique shops.
Overlooking the terminal atrium the mezzanine will feature an expansive terrace located directly beneath the enormous, revolving Wheel. Guests will sip drinks and dine al fresco, while taking in spectacular views of the Wheel before stepping onto the boarding platform for liftoff.
The Great Orlando Wheel will turn slowly, enabling passengers to board without the Wheel stopping. They will take this journey of discovery from the comfort of fully enclosed, glass flight capsules. Twenty-four of these climate-controlled, rotating capsules will be affixed to the Wheel’s outer rim to provide unobstructed views.
Measuring 38 by 16 feet, each capsule will be larger than many living rooms and will accommodate up to 40 people. Capsules will be reserved for individuals as well as for business meetings, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions. For passenger entertainment, each capsule will have its own audio and video system.
Traveling at a leisurely nine inches per second, the wheel will take 30 minutes to make a full rotation. Each capsule will turn 360 degrees in one direction, while the rim will rotate a full revolution in the other to keep the floors horizontal. Passengers will move freely about the glass cabins or relax in a central seating area. Either way, they will enjoy unsurpassed views of the ever-changing landscape.
“To travel on such a wheel is a wonderful experience because you’re very slowly being moved out of your daily life,” Bollen explains. “You have constantly changing perspectives until you finally reach the top of the world. That is the kind of feeling you will get when you’re standing in this capsule and have an uninterrupted, 360-degree overview of the city.”
Passengers will take in all of Central Florida, from its sparkling lakes, labyrinth of roads and bustling downtown business district to luxury resorts, attractions and world-leading theme parks. The Great Orlando Wheel will provide unique vantage points for watching launches from NASA Kennedy Space Center. During evening flights, subtle changes in the wheel’s lighting will create an ever-changing ambience. Guests will enjoy unrivalled views of bright city lights and firework displays lighting up the sky.
Providing the feeling of being on top of the world, the Great Orlando Wheel will reach out to locals and travelers far and wide and showcase one of the world’s premier tourist destinations from a completely new perspective.
All images copyright GWC Holdings Pte. Ltd and used with permission. All rights reserved.
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt is back after a brief absence and brings us some photos from Walt Disney World. More of Denise's photos (including over 1000 photos of Super Soap Weekend) can be viewed at her website, mousesteps.com.
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
The Treehouses at Saratoga Springs:
At the World of Disney:
The Contemporary Resort:
The Pinocchio Gingerbread sculpture:
The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House:
The sunset was really beautiful:
And Super Soap Weekend from two weeks ago (I have 1000 photos up of it!):
Tyler Christopher:
Eden Riegel:
John-Paul Lavoisier:
Brandon Barash:
Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan:
Laura Wright:
Bree Williamson:
Michael Easton:
SummerInFL takes us to Pixie Hollow as well as other destinations in the World.
Pixie Hollow:
Look! It's a fairy!
Time to shrink!
Some random photos of the hotels and area around Magic Kingdom.
Wilderness Lodge
Look! It's a fairy!
Time to shrink!
Some random photos of the hotels and area around Magic Kingdom.
Wilderness Lodge
Disneyland
Anaheim, California
sir clinksalot shows us around the pre-show area of Disneyland's The First 50 Magical Years.
For a monster Disneyland update, be sure to visit this week's Dateline Disneyland.
MickeyMaxx treats us to a photo essay on the the signs of Universal Studios in Orlando.
Universal Studios Resort
Orlando, Florida
Nearly every visit we've made to Orlando has included not only all the Disney parks but the Universal parks, too. Over the years we've come to appreciate their attention to detail that rivals Disney's in so many instances. One of my favorite things is the creativity that goes into the signs in these two parks. Always beautifully executed and completely unique, each one does an excellent job of doing what a sign should do. They catch your eye, they tell you what you need to know, and often they entice you to enter the establishment or attraction.
The sign experience begins while you are on the moving sidewalks that take you from your parking space to the parks. They continue through the CityWalk shopping area.
Once inside Islands of Adventure, there is no question that much of the theming is set through the use of signs and architecture.
Shops are signed for maximum sales to a hungry public. Note the sign outside this candy shop.
Witness intended result. "Candy, candy, and more candy."
Next door at the Studios park, there is some wonderful atmosphere created in the different themed neighborhoods. I'm especially fond of the New York section which has some signs which for some reason I'm attracted to.
And, in what was one of the most delightful surprises to explore, a detailed alley exists . . . just because. No shops, no pitch to buy, just a place for guests to take in the talents of the Universal creative folks.
We have some more vintage postcard images this week from MiceChatter darkfairycthulu. You can read the blog at postcardjunkie.blogspot.com.
And that brings us to the end of another week. Our photographers have just enough time to reload their cameras before we see you all again next weekend. Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and as always, a huge thank you to our amazing team of global photographers, spies, and gossips:
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom
TDLFAN
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt
SummerInFl
PhotoMatt
Fishbulb
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
A very special thank you to guest contributor darkfairycthulu for sharing the postcards with us.
Your Editor - Rixter
Where have YOU been recently? We invite you to share your photos of theme parks or any other destination that may be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to contact me via MiceChat Private Message (screen name Rixter)
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.
It is readers like you who make MiceChat such a special place.
Don't miss a single one of MiceChat's Featured Blogs (including the Weekend Update). Add our feed to your favorite feed software or site:
MiceChat: Featured Disney Blogs
MiceChat: Featured Disney Blogs
*Some factual information sourced from wikipedia.com.
Total Comments 14
Comments
-
WONDERFUL update this weekend everyone. Thank you!
I had no idea about the Orlando Great Wheel. It looks a lot like the wheel in London.Posted 11-29-2008 at 12:59 AM by Dustysage
-
I think the publicity and video for the Orlando Wheel are a little bit over the top! We have had the London Eye for over 8 years, it is also taller and to be fair has a far more interesting view than the one being built in Orlando.
I'm sure it will be great, but it is not as ground breaking as they make out!Posted 11-29-2008 at 01:52 AM by Ian P -
Thanks for the great update! The pictures are all fantastic.
The Orlando Wheel looks like it's gonna be cool! Though I agree that they kind of make it sound like it's this great new unheard of thing. Regardless, I'm looking forward to it!Posted 11-29-2008 at 07:02 AM by Lady Stardust -
Great update!! Thanks for sharing.
In regards to the Ferris wheel.. yes, it is supposed to be similar to the London Eye.. however, I think the location they chose for the Orlando version is.. horrible. Yup! I-4 looks wonderful from up there... and all that traffic!!Posted 11-29-2008 at 08:47 AM by TDLFAN - Anywhere they put that wheel it's going to be bad, unless it was near downtown, where there's at least a little bit of elevation (skyscrapers) to look at. Like going on Sheikra at Busch Gardens, once you get that high all you notice is just flat land everywhere.Posted 11-29-2008 at 10:02 AM by ChrisFL
-
Great update! Intresting wheel in Flordia!Posted 11-29-2008 at 10:20 AM by WheresMickey - It's also not as groundbreaking for North America as they make it sound. Merlin Entertainments, which operates the London Eye, is already putting a wheel, called the Pepsi Globe, in New Jersey overlooking the Manhattan skyline.Posted 11-29-2008 at 10:44 AM by LLCMC
- It seems to me that these large ferris wheels may be the Space Needle type structures of this generation. Someone mentioned the one being planned for New Jersey, there is/was talk of a similar project being planned for the Vegas strip, the London eye (of course) and now the Orlando one. As long as it is well done, I hope they build one is San Diego.Quote:Bollen continues. “In the future, it will be difficult to imagine a postcard of the Central Florida skyline that does not include the Great Orlando Wheel.”Posted 11-29-2008 at 12:08 PM by toemblem
- I just went back and watched the movie, it seems like at bit of a stretch to compare the Orlando wheel to some of the landmarks featured in the film strip.Posted 11-29-2008 at 12:12 PM by toemblem
Updated 11-29-2008 at 12:22 PM by toemblem -
Nogales. I've been there so many times. I-19 is signed entirely in metric.Posted 11-29-2008 at 12:41 PM by Koutesu -
I've been on the London eye, and I can't imagine that it would be any fun in Orlando. London's got some beautiful and famous architecture and landmarks to spot, but me and my family were done with the view about about 10 or 15 minutes. It's not a terribly thrilling experience (we just chatted up the other people in our bubble for the rest for the ride); I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'd ride in in Orlando. Vegas, maybe, but not Orlando.
I love the gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian! It's gorgey.
I've always wondered why all the meet and greets in Florida are indoors. They're in a tent in Mickey's Toontown Faire, right? Is it because it's often stormy and rainy in FL? I would think that the warm air down there would be condusive to outdoor meet and greets, even if they had to be covered from rain.Posted 11-29-2008 at 02:01 PM by twobluestripes - I went on the London eye and thought it was nice for London - but would never do it anywhere else. Later on that week I was in Ireland - and saw that they had one of these ferris wheels in Belfast. We didn't go on it. When I saw this ferris wheel coming to Orlando I could hardly believe it, because it would be hard to understand why anybody would want to pay ALL that money (it's not cheap) to sit in a large room, revolving at such a slow pace over a bunch of Florida swampland. Believe me, the view of Walt Disney World will not be great. The only thing you'll see at SeaWorld is all the pumps, garbage dumps and warehouses behind the park... boring.Posted 11-29-2008 at 05:02 PM by epcot77
-
I might be completely wrong as I'm definitely not a FL local, but when I went to WDW in the summer it was not just warm, but extremely humid and muggy. I'd think it'd be really bad conditions for the talking characters (with hair/makeup), let alone the poor costumed characters.Quote:I've always wondered why all the meet and greets in Florida are indoors. They're in a tent in Mickey's Toontown Faire, right? Is it because it's often stormy and rainy in FL? I would think that the warm air down there would be condusive to outdoor meet and greets, even if they had to be covered from rain.Posted 11-30-2008 at 06:13 PM by TwilitWings -
how much would it cost to go to on the orlando wheel? I know in London it costs like $20!Posted 12-01-2008 at 10:09 PM by Orcatime
