Attraction Big Wheel

[GAcoaster]

As opening day of Great Adventure’s 50th Anniversary season approaches, today we look at one of the parks most iconic attractions from opening day, the Giant Wheel (now the Big Wheel).

At the time it was the tallest in the world at 150 feet, and it served as the centerpiece of the Holland Tulip Festival before making its way across the Atlantic to Great Adventure. This Schwarzkopf Ferris Wheel was designed to be portable, and the large planers at the base are what anchors it to the ground.











The Big Wheel is undergoing a complete refurbishment for 2024 as it celebrates 50 years at the park. Click here for the full Big Wheel spotlight:

The Giant Wheel At Six Flags Great Adventure

 

[Great Adventurer]

Love the video in this spotlight - it's a really fun reminder of what the park's skyline used to look like. Those night photos of the wheel are impressive and I hope the refurbishment can bring some of that extra brightness back.

I forgot about the King Kong Encounter spotlight being linked in there too! Bonus!

The Giant/Big Wheel can be an easy ride to take for granted since it's been such a mainstay. I'm happy to see it getting the care and attention it deserves for the 50th.

 

[Thriller]

Does this one operate like the one at Cedar point? They balance that one and only use about 1/4 to 1/3 of the gondolas. What should be a very high capacity ride isn’t

 

[GAcoaster]

Does this one operate like the one at Cedar point? They balance that one and only use about 1/4 to 1/3 of the gondolas. What should be a very high capacity ride isn’t

Unfortunately yes, it has been only partially loading. I always thought it was interesting that both GA and CP had so many of the exact same rides.

 

[b.mac]

Man I remember the one year they were running this thing with one working drive motor. If it was unbalanced even slightly it'd slide like 5 or 6 gondolas off of where it was meant to park.