Move over, London, your “Eye” is getting competition…
For more than 20 years London’s 443 foot tall London Eye ferris wheel has towered over the Thames River. I mean, who’s counting but as the Europe’s “tallest cantilevered observation wheel” it’s become the most popular tourist attraction in Jolly Ol’ with more than 3 million visitors annually.
So naturally, Kansas City wants to get even a small piece of that action. Who wouldn’t?
Just one problem, instead of being located along a famous river between a pair of historic bridges, KC’s Eye is located in a sunken area east of the Southwest Trafficway in a half abandoned section of real estate near the West Bottoms.
At 150 tall, finding it won’t be a problem, getting there might.
But first let’s clear up one thing about the vernacular…
While oldsters may call it a ferris wheel, the proper term is – apparently – “observation wheel.”
Whatever.
Fact is it will open next month with 36 enclosed climate-controlled, wheelchair accessible gondola cars (anybody else channeling Clay Chastain here?), each of which will hold six riders at a cost estimated to be around $17 for adults and $12 for children. That compares to tickets to the St. Louis Arch of $15 to $19 for adults and $13 to $15 for kids 3 to 15.
By the way, that’s for a 630 feet trip to the top of “the tallest monument in the United States.” Uh, which, is not buried in a heretofore lifeless part of the St. Louis.
Ah, but let’s not dally; what are folks saying about KC’s new eyesore?
Aside of course from Fox 4’s headline that it will be “available for gender reveals.”
“It’s just a tired idea with a comical location- below ground level,” says one local mover-and-shaker. “On the way up, you see the underside of the highway, then you get to see the top, and see the IRS building on one side and SW Blvd. on the other. Romantic nostalgia?
“It’s small and weak and Kansas City is better than that. Remember the Goodfellas scene about not shining shoes anymore? We want to be a world class city, not a country fair level city.
“They said it was going to be as big as St. Louis, but it’s a lot smaller. And why are we following St. Louis lead on anything anyway?”
$17 for a less than a 500′ ride. Heard some say that the gondola cars will make for nice target practice while their buddies break into your car or it will be a ride where you can view your car being broken into.
I doubt I will waste my money on that ride and for many it will be a one and done affair.
Super, Super, Super…
Can I get a cup-half-full take?
I always wanted to see I-35 from 100 feet up. I am getting calls from my out of town relatives wanting to visit
Hey, just because it’s kinda sorta lame, doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out!
It has one black car.
Is that racism, diversity, or just an indication for the minimum wage operators to tell them when it’s full and completed a revolution?
Not that it will ever be “full.”
Just wait for the next flood.
Forgive me, but I’m waiting for you to flood me with columns!
Well…?