You know how sometimes people tend to come up with a list of the top ten things to do before they die... Well, this isn't really my top ten things to do list... but I certainly hope to be able to visit these top ten world's largest observation wheels/ferris wheels.
I've always loved going on Ferris wheel rides since I was small. When my Dad used to take me to carnivals, that's the first place I'd go to.
Here are the top ten Ferris wheels and Observation wheels in the world so far. Construction of these wheels seems to be of good business lately, which could also boost tourism in these areas, all the wheels on the list seem to have been constructed around the 1990s-2008 period, and have no sign of stopping their operation anytime soon.
Actually, the sixth (6th) wheel was suppose to be The Southern Star in Melbourne, Australia. After operating for only a month since it's opening in 20 December 2008, the wheel is now indefinitely out of operation, due to pending major repairs.
10. Daikanransha Ferris Wheel - Palette Town, Odaiba, Japan
Height: 115m
Diameter: 100m
Rotation Speed: 16 minutes/ revolution
Open to public: Since 1999
More Info:
The Giant Sky Wheel is Palette Town's most conspicuous attraction. With a diameter of 100 meters, this is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. The wheel is painted in bright red and white stripes and its cars cycle through the colors of the rainbow -- appropriate since this is part of the larger Palette Town complex. Just as impressive as the size is the wheel's beautiful night-time light performance, when it presents 120 kaleidoscopic variations on sixteen basic patterns. The Giant Sky Wheel is Tokyo's most colorful landmark.
9. Daiya (Diamond) & Hana (Flower) Ferris Wheel - Kasai Rinkai Park, Tokyo, JAPAN
Height: 117m
Diameter: 111m
No. of capsules and capacity: 68 capsules, carrying 6 passenger each
Rotation Speed: 17 minutes/ revolution
Open to public: Since 2001
More Info:
Rising to 117 meters, the "Diamond and Flowers" Ferris wheel offers spectacular views to Tokyo Disney Resort and Odaiba, beyond to the high rises of Shinjuku and Yokohama, and on a clear day you can even see Mt. Fuji. At night the wheel lights up in the brilliant patterns that give it its nickname.
8. Sky Dream Fukuoka - Fukuoka, Japan
Height: 120m
Diameter: 112m
Open to public: Since 2002
More Info:
Sky Dream Fukuoka is a Ferris wheel of 112 meters diameter and 120 meters height. This giant wheel is located near to a comparatively large Japanese mall named Evergreen Marinoa. The giant wheel of Sky Dream rules the Fukuoka harbor and also Japan’s skyline to the west. The decoration of Sky Dream at night makes it look all the more gorgeous.
7. Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel - Zhengzhou, China
Height: 120m
Open to public: Since 2003
More Info:
The most beautiful facility in the park is the Ferris wheel, claimed to be the largest in Asia in 2004. It is also the land mark of zheng zhou city. Visitors can broaden their horizon to see the beauty of whole zheng zhou city.
6. Changsa Ferris Wheel - Changsa, China
Height: 120m
Diameter: 99m
Open to public: Since 2004
More Info:
5. Tianjin Eye - Tianjin, China
Height: 120m
Diameter: 110m
No. of capsules and capacity: 48 capsules with a capacity of 8 passangers
Rotation Speed : 30 minutes / revolution
Open to public: Since April 2008
More Info:
It is claimed to be the only such wheel to have been constructed over a bridge.
4. London Eye - London, Great Britain
Height: 135m
No. of capsule and capacity: 32 capsules carrying 25 passengers
Rotation Speed: 30 minutes/ revolution
Open to public: Since 1999
More Info:
The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel. At the time of building, it was the biggest in the world. The London Eye has become the most popular paid visitor attraction in the UK, visited by over 3.5 million people a year.
It was opened by British Prime Minister Tony Blair at 20:00 GMT on December 31, 1999, although it was not opened to the public until March 2000 because of technical problems. Since its opening, the Eye, operated by Merlin Entertainments but sponsored by British Airways, has become a major landmark and tourist attraction.
By July 2002, roughly 8.5 million people had ridden the Eye. It had planning permission only for five years, but at that time Lambeth Council agreed to plans to make the attraction permanent.
3. The Star of Nanchang - Nanchang, China
Height: 160m
No. of capsule and capacity: 60 capsules carrying 8 passengers
Rotation Speed: 30 minutes/ revolution
Open to public: Since May 2006
More Info:
The wheel is a full 82 feet taller than the London Eye. The ride is lit up with fluorescent red and blue lights. A full rotation of the wheel takes about 30 minutes.
2. The Singapore Flyer - Singapore, Singapore
Height: 165m
Diameter: 150m
No. of capsule and capacity: 28 capsules carrying 30 passengers
Rotation Speed: 37 minutes/ revolution
Open to public: Since April 2008
More Info:
Located in Singapore, on the southeast tip of the Marina Centre reclaimed land, it comprises a 150 m (492 ft) diameter wheel, built over a three-story terminal building which houses shops, bars and restaurants, and offers broad views of the city centre and beyond to about 45 km (28 mi), including the Indonesian islands of Batam andBintan, as well as Johor, Malaysia.
The wheel features 28 air-conditioned capsules which, like those of the London Eye, are exo-capsules attached outward of the wheel structure. These offer the advantage of a continuously unobstructed view when the capsule is at the peak, unlike the more common endo-capsule design of most wheels (e.g. Star of Nanchang).
...And the world's largest Observation Wheel/ Ferris Wheel right now... Well... It's still under construction... Which started around 2007...
1. Beijing Great Wheel - Beijing, China
Height: 208m
Diameter: 198m
No. of capsule and capacity: 48 capsules carrying 40 passenger
Rotation Speed: 20 minutes/ revolution
Open to Public: Under construction - scheduled opening this year, 2010
More Info:
China is building a 208m-high Ferris wheel — more than 50% taller than the 135m-high London Eye. The Great Beijing Wheel, which due to start spinning in time for next year's Olympic Games, is being designed by the same multinational team which developed the London wheel.
The 198m-diameter Beijing wheel will rotate three times an hour, with each of its 48 capsules carrying 40 passengers. Like the London attraction, the 2,800-tonne wheel will be turned by 32 tyres running along its rim, powered by an almost maintenance-free hydraulic power system.
Unlike the London wheel, passengers will be able to board from both sides of the Beijing attraction. They will climb aboard from platforms moving at the same speed as the turning wheel.
The company building the Beijing Wheel, the Great Wheel Corporation, is looking at around 20 similar projects around the world.
Since my hubby Matth's off-day was yesterday, he decided to cook something for me. I asked him to make something soup-y. I'm not feeling well, so something with soup would really help. 
