The iconic Ferris wheel ride dates back to 1893 when George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. introduced and patented the attraction at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Since that time, the ride has become a fixture in theme parks all across the globe. While the general concept remains the same, the world’s best Ferris wheels all boast unique elements aside from just height that make them stand apart from each other.

The latest trend is all about size: bigger seems to be better, as cities race to create the tallest wheels in the world. The wheels have also become less about sharing a romantic moment with your main squeeze and more about seeing as much of the city and countryside as you can with a few dozen other tourists.

Bigger also tends to mean slower: what will all the loading and unloading involved in these higher-capacity wheels, it can sometimes take half an hour just to make it once around the wheel. Ah, but it’s all about those views.

Here are five of the biggest Ferris wheels around the world to consider putting on your travel check list.

ICON Orlando

As the theme park mecca of the world, Orlando, Florida also feature ones of the world’s most unusual Ferris wheels. Located at ICON Park, the at ICON Wheel offers up sweeping views of all of the theme parks in the Magic City. The wheel carries the honor of being the tallest Ferris wheel along the East Coast of the United States, standing tall at 400 feet — which is taller than the Statue of Liberty!

The attraction features 30 separate viewing pods with a capacity of 15 people each. In addition to the views of the area theme parks, you’ll enjoy checking out Downtown Orlando as you inch higher into the sky. You’ll even be able to connect to Wi-Fi and book a private party capsule for special events. The attraction was also recently upgraded with the latest technology to offer greater stabilization as the capsules rotate.

Dubai Eye

If you’re looking for the world’s largest observation wheel, you’ll find it in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Standing at 820 feet, the Dubai Eye, aka the Ain Dubai, joins the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, along the city’s burgeoning skyline. The wheel opened in October of 2021, has 48 cabins, and can hold up to 1,750 passengers at one time. Guests can even book a private capsule that’s capable of holding 40 passengers complete with a bar and food. It takes 38 minutes to complete one full rotation.

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Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer opened in 2008 on the shores of Marina Bay. Rising 541 feet into the sky, the Flyer is one of the biggest Ferris wheels around the world, offering stunning views of both Indonesia and Malaysia. The 28 air-conditioned capsules can accommodate up to 28 people each. Shortly after the wheel opened, the engineers working on the project decided to shift the direction of the wheel to rotate toward Singapore’s financial district. This decision was made in consultation with feng shui masters who advised that this Ferris wheel would bring good fortune to the area.

Melbourne Star

The Melbourne Star is located at the Docklands in Melbourne, Australia and was launched in 2008. While the ride was first called the Southern Star, the name eventually changed to reflect its location in Melbourne. The observation wheel is distinguished as being the largest solid steel construction on Earth. In addition to soaring above the coast of Australia, riders can also choose to listen to audio recordings that teach them about the grand Australian city. The Melbourne Star is also known for its array of LED lights that deliver more than 15 million unique light combinations that light up the sky.

London Eye

The London Eye opened in 2000 on the banks of the River Thames in London. It was originally called the Millennium Wheel to commemorate the beginning of a new century. The London Eye features 32 capsules capable of transporting 25 passengers each. However, the capsules are numbered from one to 33 because the designers decided not to include a capsule number 13. One rotation of the 443-foot wheel lasts about 30 minutes, providing views of the center of London and beyond.

Although the attraction was originally going to be a temporary addition to the London skyline, it proved to be so popular that it’s remained a permanent fixture. The London Eye is the most visited paid attraction in all of the United Kingdom, attracting about 3.75 million visitors each year.

Have you ridden any of these enormous Ferris wheels? Tell us in the comments section below!