Each metropolis or nation has its distinctive traits. Within the case of Dubai, probably the most populous metropolis within the United Arab Emirates, one of many key phrases is “bombastic”: every part there’s extra outstanding, luxurious, and prestigious. Dubai’s well-known Ferris wheel, Ain Dubai, takes it a number of steps additional. The tallest statement wheel on the planet was opened with loud fanfare a number of years in the past, acquired closed for security causes that appear nearly apocalyptic – For instance, the worry of subsidence that might collapse the ability – however it lately reopened after fixing the defects.
After now we have already reviewed Ferris wheels which might be thought of very central to the panorama of varied cities all over the world, comparable to the historic Ferris wheel in Vienna or the London Eye, the extra trendy wheel in London, it’s time to evaluate the Ferris wheel that proves that in amenities of this kind, measurement does matter. These are causes for ingenuity, superior engineering, dealing with pure circumstances, and the need to stop an actual disaster.
What Is Ain Dubai?
Ain Dubai (for Arabic: “Eye of Dubai”) is a big Ferris wheel situated on the substitute island of BlueWaters Island, close to the Dubai Marina. The primary announcement of the development of the Dubai Ferris wheel was again in February 2013, then nonetheless beneath the title “Dubai Eye” (this time in English), and later merely “Dubai.”
The unique plan was to start out development a number of months later and end it in 2015, however there was a big delay for varied causes. Development solely started in Could 2015, and the fundamental help construction was accomplished in 2016.
The official opening was scheduled for October 2020, a number of months after putting in the primary capsule (passenger cabin). The objective was to open the ability in honor of the World Expo, however COVID-19 got here into play and precipitated one other delay as a result of festive occasions of this kind weren’t an possibility in these months. In the long run, the ability solely opened in October 2021.
How Tall Is Ain Dubai? (Spoiler: Tremendous Tall!)
The Dubai Ferris Wheel is likely one of the most formidable amenities ever constructed. The venture’s estimated price is about $270 million, which can also be excessive as a result of it’s a actual “monster.” The Dubai Eye rises to a peak of 250 meters (about 80 flooring), which provides it the title of the tallest Ferris wheel on the planet – and by a substantial margin.
To place it into perspective, the world’s second tall Ferris wheel – the Excessive Curler in Las Vegas, United States – is “solely” 167.5 meters tall, that means it’s 82 meters shorter than the Dubai Eye. The London Eye, about 135 meters tall, is sort of half the peak of the enormous Ferris wheel in Dubai.
And by the best way, in Dubai itself, you will see that taller buildings. On the prime of them (actually) stands the Burj Khalifa, the skyscraper and tallest constructing on the planet, reaching 828.8 meters. One other instance is the Burj Al Arab, a luxurious lodge that rises to about 321 meters.
The Traits Of Ain Dubai Cabins
The Ferris wheel in Dubai has 48 cabins. All cabins are air-conditioned as a result of we’re nonetheless speaking about Dubai right here, which has insufferable temperatures in the summertime months. The cabins even have Wi-Fi, so you possibly can put up the excellent panoramic photographs you’ll most likely take to Social Media instantly.
Ain Dubai can carry a complete of 1,750 passengers at a time. Every cabin accommodates between 40 and 60 guests.
How Lengthy Does It Take To Full One Full Rotation On The Ain Dubai?
One rotation of Ain Dubai takes about 38 minutes. The comparatively gradual velocity of about 0.22 kilometers per hour permits guests to take pleasure in a peaceful and stress-free expertise of viewing the views, which embrace the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, the panoramic Jumeirah shoreline, the well-known Dubai Marina, and extra.
The gradual tempo of the wheel makes the ascent and descent comparatively calm – a minimum of so long as you aren’t conscious of what has been taking place beneath the floor for years. In fact, should you worry Ferris wheels, this attraction could also be difficult, primarily since you ought to attain an unimaginable peak. As talked about, the experience itself is gradual and comparatively secure.
A Metalic Monster: What Is Ain Dubai Made Of?
To grasp the complexity of the Dubai Eye and its security hazards, it’s important to pause for a second and take a look at its technical information – and no, it’s not simply measurement that issues. Based on stories, constructing the ability required about 11,000 tons of metal for development, which suggests there’s extra metallic right here than within the Eiffel Tower, for instance, with a spot of about 33%, in keeping with some calculations. Every wheel’s legs are about 126 meters lengthy, and the spokes include tons of of wires which might be 9 mm thick every. If we have been to attach all of them, we’d attain a size of about 2,400 kilometers.
The curler bearings listed below are product of composite materials (and never metal as generally) to be straightforward to test and substitute, sturdy, economical, maintenance-free, and, in fact, 100% secure. The hub and axle of the wheel weigh about 1,800 tons collectively, and should you add the passenger compartments and rims, it reaches about 7,500 tons. To take care of stability even with such weights, they put in 35-meter piles. The objective was to construct a large wheel to resist 1000’s of holiday makers and excessive circumstances, comparable to earthquakes and highly effective winds.
Why Was Ain Dubai Closed?
It seems it’s not so nice to see a large wheel closed, and it occurred abruptly in Dubai. At first, in March 2022, Ain Dubai was closed for “periodic enhancements.” A yr later, the operators introduced the continued closure of the ability for an indefinite interval however didn’t clarify why. The information have been clear, with scaffolding surrounding the Ferris wheel and even the cancellation of the protection certificates given to the construction. It remained awe-inspiring within the Dubai panorama – particularly at night time, when it continued to be breathtakingly illuminated.
So, what occurred there? The matter was unclear for years as a result of we acquired no official announcement. One accepted principle was that the Ferris wheel was too heavy for the bottom on which it rested. Different stories have been of doable floor subsidence, affecting the ability’s stability and might be a transparent hazard to the general public. For those who take heed to a few of the consultants or look at the traits of the venture, you possibly can argue that this isn’t science fiction. The Ferris wheel is situated on a man-made island and is considerably heavier than it.
Some claimed that the sand had precipitated the joints to wear down, that a part of the wheel’s main mechanism had damaged, that there have been acoustic issues within the capsules, and different situations, starting from “minor” defects to an actual worry that the Ferris wheel would someday collapse. It’s possible that the obfuscation relating to the ability aimed to scale back the financial injury ensuing from the ability not working for years, with considerations in regards to the future, however you possibly can’t argue with information, and they’re a large blow for Dubai.
The excellent news is that a number of months in the past, in December 2024, we have been completely satisfied to study that the Dubai Ferris Wheel can be again in operation. Tickets can be found as we speak.
How Can You E book Tickets To Ain Dubai?
You will have a number of choices to go to Ain Dubai, however you need to bear in mind upfront that this expertise (like lots of the sights in Dubai) won’t be low cost for you.
As of the present time, the first Ain Dubai tickets out there are:
🎡 Customary ticket (Ain Dubai Views) – probably the most customary and in style ticket. It permits a 38-minute experience, a 360-degree view of the magnificent views of Dubai, in a shared cabin. The worth contains an interactive show earlier than boarding the ability
🎡 Upgraded ticket (Ain Dubai Views Plus) – offers, along with the experiences from the earlier part, a fast queue and a snack of drinks and snacks in the course of the experience
🎡 VIP ticket – additionally offers a non-public cabin (as much as six individuals), VIP entrance, entry to a lounge with a further statement deck, and eight digital photographs per particular person
🎡 Upgraded VIP ticket (Ain Dubai VIP Plus) – meant for bigger teams (as much as 10 individuals) and appropriate for celebrations and marking varied occasions. Additionally, you will obtain drinks and credit score for meals, mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails), and different treats within the lounge
🎡 Ain Dubai Premium – This ticket will purchase you precedence entry, lounge entry, an expensive cabin, mocktails, and extra.
🎡 Ain Dubai Household Cross, designed for 2 adults and two youngsters, at a reduced value
You may also purchase mixed tickets, together with the Ferris wheel and one other attraction from Dubai’s huge catalog: one of many theme parks and even the Actual Madrid Park in Dubai.
Ain Dubai Opening Occasions
Ain Dubai is open from morning till night time daily of the week. As of 2025, the opening hours are:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 PM-12:00 AM
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 PM-11:00 AM
Test the opening hours earlier than your go to and attempt to get your tickets upfront. Reserving tickets upfront will enable you to guarantee availability.
Please be aware: it’s important to reach on the place a minimum of 30-60 minutes earlier than the scheduled time of the reservation to finish the entry course of and test the tickets, buy snacks, or use the restroom (apparently, there aren’t any restrooms contained in the cabins).
What Is The Greatest Time To Go to Ain Dubai?
Unsurprisingly, the demand for the Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel is excessive, primarily as a result of it was closed for a very long time and solely lately opened.
For those who desire to keep away from crowds, weekdays (i.e., Monday to Friday) are finest for you. The months between November and April are thought of the height months for tourism in Dubai as a result of nice climate (or a minimum of not as sizzling as hell as it’s in the summertime), so demand for the Ferris wheel will be excessive.
Many advocate occurring the Ferris wheel within the night or at sundown because the Dubai skyline is imposing at these occasions.
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