If you have driven around Orlando, you may have noticed this lit up structure from a distance. The Wheel at Icon Park is visible from the California Grill, Sea World, Universal Studios, and various spots throughout the Orlando area. Standing 400 feet above the ground, it towers over everything nearby with the exception of it’s sister attraction, the Orlando StarFlyer. We have been on a mission to explore more in Orlando and decided this was a great attraction to check out. Read on to learn more about taking a spin on The Wheel…
About ICON Park
ICON Park is a small entertainment district located right on popular International Drive (I-Drive for those that are a little more familiar with the area). The area includes numerous attractions, restaurants, bars, and shopping. ICON Park is situated halfway between Seaworld to the south and Universal Studios to the north, each less than a 10 minute car ride. From Disney Springs, it is about a 25 minute drive. There is free on-site parking but it can fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights. If you get lost, the 450 foot tall StarFlyer will guide you to ICON Park.
ICON Park has many fun things to offer.
Ready for our date night at ICON Park.
About The Wheel
The Wheel is not a “ferris wheel,” but considered an “observation wheel,” featuring enclosed, climate controlled cabs holding up to 15 people each. During the approximately 20 minute rotation a narrator points out interesting landmarks and provides some history of the Orlando area. During a trip (per the official website) you will see quite a few sites including:
All of Walt Disney World
Universal Orlando: Hogwarts, the Incredible Hulk coaster, Volcano Bay and the location for the all new Epic Universe theme park coming in 2024
Central Florida Landmarks: Downtown Orlando including the renowned Amway Center, the entirety of International Drive, Kennedy Space Center, Legoland, and many more.
Our tickets to ride The Wheel.
A digital screen provides location information.
A view of inside the cabin.
The loading area.
Our Experience
While visiting the Wyndham Orlando Resort next door to ICON Park we were provided two complimentary tickets to try The Wheel. We timed it just right and rode during sunset and enjoyed the smooth slow pace, allowing us to take it all in. While the cab can fit multiple people it was quite romantic to be just the two of us. Inside the cap there is some seating with a holder for drinks, rails around the cab, and digital screens to identify landmarks.
The large windows all around allowed views in all directions (especially from the very top. It was a somewhat hazy evening and the furthest landmark we could make out was a power plant just northeast of the Orlando International Airport (roughly 19 miles away). Looking West into the sunset made it tough to see much in that direction so pick your ride time based on what you really want to see.
We did find the narration was quite lengthy and quite loud. It was neat to learn about some things, but honestly it was more annoying than anything else. One quick tip: we found out after our spin around the wheel that you can ask to turn off the narration before departing. We think a quiet trip and instead using the signs in the cabs would be a more peaceful journey.
A view from when our cab was positioned at the top.
A selfie from the top!
A view of the sunset in the distance.
The Bar
It is good to note before entering the loading zone there is a chance to get some beverages for the ride. There was quite a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages as well as popcorn for purchase too. We noticed there seemed to be a few bar specials while we were there such as “Get a 2nd Rotation Free with A Bottle of Wine of 5 for $25 beer.” We ended up taking advantage of a 2-for-1 Mimosa deal to enjoy during our trip. Some of the drink options available included:
Craft & Domestic Beer
Wines and Champagne
Standard Cocktails & Specialty Cocktails
Shots
Soda, Powerade, and Water
The standard bar menu.
Cheers to 2-for-1 beverages!
Ticket Prices
There are quite a few price options depending on where you are live and if you want to “enhance” your experience with other activities. Kids under 3 ride for free with a paying adult and all below prices are for one rotation unless otherwise noted. The basic rate is $27.99 for adults, $22.99 for kids 3-12.
Florida Resident Deals
The Florida Resident rate is $21.99 for adults, $16.99 for kids 3-12. Residents can save $2 if they purchase tickets online ahead of time. The FL Resident VIP Packages available include:
The VIP Wheel Experience runs $24.99 for adults and $19.49 for kids 3-12. The experience includes:
One rotation on The Wheel at ICON Park
Full access to your digital photos
50% off your printed photo products
10% off at The Wheelhouse retail store
10% off at The Wheelhouse Market F&B outlets
10% off at ICON Park operated bars
Attraction Combos
ICON Park offers different Attraction Combos for admission to most of the major attractions. If you plan on visiting more than one of these during your visit, you will save money by purchasing a Combo ticket to combine a ride on The Wheel with activities such as Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, and the Museum of Illusions
ICON Park is perfect for date night!
Final Thoughts
While it was neat to see Orlando from up above, it wasn’t neat enough that we would be itching to go again and is probably a one and done activity for us. The price for a 20 minute attraction is a little on the high side, but does become more reasonable if pairing with some of the combo ticket deals. Sunset timing was both good and bad. It felt romantic but was also tough to see West. If you do decide to ride The Wheel, we suggest to go on a great weather day. If the visibility is low whether it be clouds, rain, or haze, it is definitely not worth the money because you won’t see as much. Having said that, ICON Park is still a great place to visit to walk around, do some shopping, and get a bite to eat. We will certainly be back to explore more of this entertainment district soon, and maybe even get up the courage to try the StarFlyer one day. Maybe.
Disclaimer: This post was written in partnership with Wyndham Orlando Resort and Icon Park. We were provided a complimentary trip on The Wheel. All thoughts are our own.
