Over the last few weeks we have been keeping an “eye” on construction of the new giant observation wheel on International Drive. Known as “The Orlando Eye”, construction progress is now clearly visible from Interstate 4 and approximately half of the wheel is now complete.
The 400 foot-tall cantilevered observation wheel is the “little sister icon to London’s world-famous landmark” and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015. The Orlando Eye will be operated by Merlin Entertainments PLC, which also owns LEGOLAND Florida.
The property is located at the site of the old Mercado shopping center and occupies roughly the size of 25 football fields. It’s part of the “I-Drive 360” project, complete with free parking, regular shuttles to Legoland, new restaurants, shops, a Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Sea Life Aquarium.