The wheel size just keeps getting bigger and bigger with our list of the 11 biggest Ferris wheels in the world. Early in history, these types of amusement rides where called pleasure wheels. These large machines were made for entertainment. Passengers would ride them and strong men would operate and allow the wheel to turn. The recent term of the Ferris wheel was due to the original inventor and presenter George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. who introduced the current skeleton and model of the Ferris wheel in a science fair just a few years before the 1900s.
Though we may not be aware of it, there are many Ferris wheels in the world. Each has its own uniqueness despite the similarity of the models. One of the indicators of the difference and popularity of these entertainment vessels are the size, specifically how big the wheel is and how tall they are. The higher the wheel turns, the farther and higher you can see from. Ferris wheels have been known to be a place of entertainment and romance. If you’re also looking for another list sporting the size requirements, check out our list of the 11 Biggest Music Festivals in the World.
Ferris wheels are significantly scattered, and you’ll find that in some popular cities they sport at least one similar attraction. Let’s get the wheel turning on the first of this list of 11.
11. Chicago Wheel
Height – 80.4 meters
Also known as the original Ferris wheel (the one Ferris Jr. created). The Chicago wheel was the biggest attraction of the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1983. The hope for the wheel was to rival that of the famous and recently built Eiffel Tower. The wheel carried 36,000 passengers daily and the charge to ride was 50 cents on 2 revolutions in the span of 20 minutes.
10. Technostar (formerly Technocosmos)
Height – 85 meters
Originally built in Tsukuba, Japan, the Technostar would become the tallest operating Ferris wheel around 1985. The last Ferris wheel that operated before the Technostar was demolished around the 1920s. The machine was equipped with solar panels to power air-conditioning in the cars. Eventually, the Technostar would be moved to its current location at Osaka Prefecture before its closing last 2009.
9. Great Wheel
Height – 94 meters
Opened at 1985 in London, this was the first Ferris wheel to be modeled after the original design from the exposition in Chicago. It carried around 2.5 million passengers during its tenure and was eventually dismantled in 1907.
8. Grande Roue de Paris
Height – 100 meters
Built during the 1900s, the Grande Roue de Paris held the title of the tallest Ferris wheel for 90 years. The passenger cars were so large that it fit families during the first World War, and even now remains of these passenger cars can be found at the Swiss Village.
7. Cosmo Clock 21
Height – 112.5 meters
The successor to both the Technostar and the Grande Roue de Paris in terms of size, the Cosmo Clock as its name denotes is also the largest clock in the world.
6. Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Height – 112.5 meters
Built in Osaka, Japan on 1997, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel was built alongside a number of significant structures and technologies like one of the world’s largest aquariums. The Ferris wheel itself had colored lights that would forecast the next day’s weather.
Let’s keep the wheels turning as we move on to the remainder of this list of the 11 biggest Ferris wheels in the world.
5. Daikanransha
Height – 115 meters
Inheriting the title of biggest from the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, the Daikanransha can be seen in the metropolis of Tokyo. The view from the top can allow one to see the Haneda airport and Tokyo tower. It can even provide a view of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
4. London Eye
Height – 135 meters
Originally meant to open on 1999, the London Eye started operation during the year 2000 because of some technical issues. It is also known as the Millennium Wheel and carries the title of the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe.
3. Star of Nanchang
Height – 160 meters
Located and named after the eastern China city of Nanchang, the Star of Nanchang has 60 enclosed and air-conditioned passenger cars. A full rotation of this big wheel takes about 30 minutes. Because of the slow rotation, passengers may embark and disembark from the cars without the wheel actually stopping movement.
2. Singapore Flyer
Height – 165 meters
The previous biggest Ferris wheel in the world was just dethroned last 2014. The big Ferris wheel from Singapore is also equipped with air-conditioned capsules and was termed as an observation wheel from its opening last 2008.
1. High Roller
Height 167.6 meters
Joining the Las Vegas strip last 2014, the High Roller takes the mantle of the biggest Ferris wheel in the world.
There you have the biggest Ferris wheels in the world. If you manage to encounter any of these Ferris wheels that are still operational, be sure to try it out.
