Gargantuan Ferris Wheel: Vegas High Roller Nears Completion

A gargantuan ferris wheel will soon be open to Las Vegas tourists. The High Roller ride is expected to become a Vegas icon.

When complete, the ferris wheel will be the largest and tallest in the world. The ride will be 100 feet taller than the London Eye. It will be nine feet taller than the Singapore Flyer, which currently holds the world record.

As reported by ABC News, the 55 story ride will feature 28 enclosed capsule cars. The cars are composed largely of glass, giving riders an amazing view of the city.

Unlike traditional ferris wheels, the cars are fixed in place and will not rock back and forth. Each capsule will hold 40 passengers.

The gargantuan ferris wheel ride will last at least 30 minutes. Entertainment, in the form of an “audio-visual” show, will be provided in each car.

In true Vegas style, the wheel will be adorned with more than 1,500 LED lights.

As reported by Newsday, construction of the wheel began in 2011. It is expected to be complete and ready ride this winter.

The outer wheel will be added to the ride today.

Tickets are expected to cost around $30 per passenger, which is usual for large ferris wheels.

Two other gargantuan ferris wheels are planned for the Vegas strip. The 500-foot SkyVue is planned for the south end of the Strip near Mandalay Bay. The SkyVue is expected to open in 2015.

A third wheel, The London Thrill, is planned for the center of the Strip.

The High Roller is located near Caesars Palace. It is part of a $550 million project, which includes a new plaza. The plaza is being built to appeal to a younger generations of Las Vegas tourists.

Las Vegas offers a wide variety of activities for tourists of all ages. The gargantuan ferris wheel will offer guests another new and exciting option.

[Image via Wikimedia]