The Orlando Eye Lights Up International Drive

The Orlando Eye reaches a luminous construction milestone with the installation of special lighting. The giant observation wheel will officially light up for the very first time on the evening of Thursday, April 16 at a special event for Merlin Entertainments. Almost 64,000 LEDs were installed over a four-week process. The LED lights will use 92.7% less energy than traditional light bulbs. The Eye will offer a variety of lighting options to celebrate special occasions.

A Make-A-Wish family has been chosen to have the honor of flipping the switch to power on more than 64,000 LED bulbs which will illuminate the structure in bright white. Here you are some fun facts:

• The Orlando Eye has 2,652 individual fittings, which in turn each fit 24 LEDs;
• The lighting system uses an RGB system to provide for a large variety of color options;
• In the future, The Orlando Eye, which has a white exterior, will have a rainbow of color effects to choose from with the newly installed LEDs. More information will be shared at a later time.

Located in the heart of International Drive, the 400-foot Orlando Eye is the tallest observation wheel on the U.S. eastern coast, offering a new way to experience the breathtaking views of Central Florida.

Poised to become a top visitor attraction for the tourism capital of the U.S., the Orlando Eye, part of the I-Drive 360 entertainment and dining complex, will showcase 360-degree views of Central Florida, including nearby theme parks and attractions, downtown Orlando and Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast, all within the comfort of 30 air-conditioned glass capsules. Each capsule has room for up to 15 guests to enjoy a serene 20-minute journey above the scenic landscape.

The Orlando Eye will officially open May 4, 2015. Visit OfficialOrlandoEye.com for more information.