Disney Sun Wheel: A Ferris Wheel with a Slide
Written: Apr 26 '04 (Updated Jun 21 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sliding cars make this ride thrilling and fun, the whole family can ride together
Cons: Very slow moving line, parking lot including in views from top
The Bottom Line: A fun ride for the whole family but be careful of the long waits in the slow-moving line.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Sun Wheel - California Adventure |
You can see the Sun Wheel from almost any part of Disney's California Adventure park. We love this ride and go on it as often as we can. However, due to the slow moving line, we try to schedule it as our first stop before the park fills up with guests.
THE RIDE
At its most basic, the Sun Wheel is a Ferris Wheel. However, Disney has added a unique twist with sliding cars. For those that like the old-fashioned Ferris Wheel ride, one third of the cars on the Sun Wheel are traditional ferris wheel cars where you simply move around with the circle. There appears to be some swinging action but it looks very gentle. The other 2/3 of the cars are on tracks that let the cars move back and forth as well as go around with the circle. We always choose the moving cars. Even with this more thrilling choice, the Sun Wheel is rather tame except for one quick motion across the track where the car swung quite a bit.
The view from the top of the Sun Wheel is great and it takes in most of the park. However, it also takes in the views of the parking lots. Still, it is always fun to be up so high.
Each car seats 6 people so if the line is long and you have less than 6 people in your party, you will probably share a car with other people. If the line is short, I have seen them load cars with only two people inside.
One strange thing I noticed is that there are no seatbelts on the ride. Disney usually has seatbelts on everything including rides that barely move. The Sun Wheel does rock quite a bit at times. There is also nothing to hold on to except the wire mesh of the car around you. I am surprised there is no handlebar in the middle of the car.
The ride iteslf is longer than most Disney rides. You get one trip around starting and stopping while other cars load and unload. Then you get a faster trip around without the starts and stops. This second trip will make the cars slide faster since the wheel is moving faster. The whole experience lasts several minutes.
LOCATION
The Sun Wheel is located in Paradise Pier. I found this area to be the most disappointing experience of all Disney parks. Paradise Pier is supposed to be themed like an old-fashioned amusement park and that is just what it looks like: an old, boring, uninspired collection of basic rides. The worst part is that most of it is on concrete that heats up and there is little shelter from the sun.
THE WAIT
This is the awful part. The line for this Ferris Wheel must be one of the slowest moving in the entire Disney empire. We waited almost 45 minutes on a crowded day and 15 minutes on a very slow day. The waiting area has no theming and no place to sit. The floor of the waiting area is concrete and, although it is covered by a canopy, it can get very hot.
The other thing to know is that there are two lines. One entrance is for the stationary cars and the other is for the sliding cars. Since there are more sliding cars, that line can move faster. However, since most people want the sliding cars, the line is also usually longer.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
We really like the Sun Wheel and it appeals to our whole family. The kids like the anticipation of guessing when the car will slide. The grown-ups like the quick, fast motion too but also appreciate the view and the fact that most of the ride is pretty gentle. I would give this ride 5 stars except for the long waits so I have to bring it down to 4 stars.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
Marriott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
Goofy’s Kitchen
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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modernmarvel
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