ORLANDO, Fla. — The Wheel at ICON Park has reopened to the public for the first time since a power failure on New Year’s Eve shut down the attraction.
What You Need To Know
- The Wheel has reopened at ICON Park
- The attraction shut down on New Year's Eve after a power failure
- Crews have spent weeks making repairs and inspecting components
- RELATED: ICON Park reveals details about new game coming to The Wheel
For the last few weeks, technicians and crews have been conducting repairs on the International Drive attraction—replacing parts and inspecting various components.
“We’d like to thank the technical team and our outside engineering partners who have worked hundreds of additional hours to help complete repairs and the meticulous inspections required by our internal safety protocols,” ICON Park president Chris Jaskiewicz said in a statement. “We especially appreciate the community’s support as we have through this process, and we are pleased that Orlando’s most visible ‘welcome to the world’ is open.”
The 400-foot-tall observation wheel lost power on Dec. 31, and firefighters were called to rescue more than 60 stranded riders. No injuries were reported.
The park hasn’t said what caused the attraction to lose power. But, in a news release Friday, ICON Park said it worked with ride manufacturer Intamin Amusement Rides and industry engineers to add safeguards to prevent a power failure from happening again.
ICON Park is planning to add a new interactive game on the The Wheel called, “The Great Florida Road Trip.” The park said it used the closure to prepare for the launch of the new experience. A debut date has not yet been announced.
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