Wonder Wheel, Ferris wheel in Coney Island, Brooklyn, US
The Wonder Wheel is a steel Ferris wheel in Coney Island featuring 24 passenger cars, with 16 that slide along tracks and 8 that stay fixed during the rotation. The structure offers views of the beach and ocean as it turns slowly around its central axis.
The Ferris wheel was designed by a Romanian engineer and opened in 1920 as a new steel structure at the waterfront. It gained official recognition as a city landmark decades later in 1989.
The ride stands as a symbol of Coney Island's long history as a leisure destination where New Yorkers escape and make memories. Families and visitors return to experience the same spinning motion and view that generations before them enjoyed.
A complete rotation takes about 10 minutes, giving you time to enjoy the views from the top. The ride typically operates from spring through fall, with the busiest days during warm weather.
During a major blackout in 1977, operators manually turned the wheel's mechanism to safely bring all passengers back to ground level. This action demonstrates how the structure can be managed even when power fails.
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