The Orlando Eye is open for business.
The 400-foot-tall observation wheel is the centerpiece of Orlando's newest entertainment complex along International Drive.
The wheel has everyone looking toward the sky.
If you have driven anywhere near the area over the last few months, you've seen the Orlando Eye go vertical — one gondola at a time.
There was a flurry of last-minute preparations as crews readied the attraction for the official grand opening, which happened at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
The first public gondola ride happened around 10 a.m.
A few riders were able to head high into the sky at the soft opening that happened over the weekend. The observation wheel features 30 air-conditioned gondolas and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
Merlin Entertainment, the company that brought LEGOLAND to Central Florida, is the driving force behind the I-Drive 360 complex.
Last week, daredevil Nik Wallenda walked the length of four gondolas on top of the Orlando Eye, setting a Guinness World Record.
Eye on I-Drive
See the latest news on the Orlando Eye and other coming attractions on International Drive.
Don't miss our exclusive special, Eye on I-Drive: The Evolution of Orlando's International Drive:
- Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m.
Guests can see for miles from atop the Orlando Eye. From 400 feet in the air, there are breathtaking views of lakes and lush landscape throughout Central Florida in all directions.
To the north is downtown Orlando's skyline. To the southwest are the theme parks — guests can see the nearby Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, as well as Walt Disney World in the distance. And, on a clear day, guests can even take in views of Cape Canaveral and NASA's massive Vehicle Assembly Building.
But in the heart of International Drive, guests can look down upon all of the latest attractions on I-Drive 360.
Guests traveled far and wide to line up Monday morning, ready to take their first ride aboard one of the Orlando Eye's capsules, opening the latest chapter in the Orlando entertainment history books.
"Because it opened today and it's something no one has ever done before," said Helen Llyod, who's family traveled from Scotland. "We're going to post it on Facebook and make everyone jealous."
A total of 30 gondolas adorn on the wheel, which rotates at a speed of around 1 mph. The entire experience lasts about 20 minutes.
When it comes to purchasing a ticket, there are many options for guests. All tickets will include admission to the 4-D Cinema Experience, but you could also ante-up for a VIP experience and that would give you priority boarding and a glass of champagne.
A few tips for capturing the perfect picture aboard the Eye:
- Be sure to press your camera or smartphone up to the glass to avoid any reflections or smudges, and turn off the flash.
- Officials said one of the best angles is from the corner, so you can get the larger than life structure and an amazing view.
The Orlando Eye isn't the only attraction that opened on Monday.
Madame Tussauds, the world-renowned attraction that features life-like wax figures of celebrities, also opened Monday.
The wax museum features sculptures of Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez and Dan Marino, just to name a few.
Sea Life Aquarium Orlando also takes people under the waters of the world in an interactive aquarium that features a 360-degree ocean tunnel and more than 5,000 creatures that are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.