AIN DUBAI (DUBAI EYE): WORLD’S LARGEST OBSERVATION WHEEL
Dubai is home to many superlatives and the latest addition to the record books is soon to make its debut. Ain Dubai, the world’s largest and highest observation wheel is set to open to the public on October 21st, 2021. Centred on Bluewaters Island, it stands nearly twice as tall as the London Eye and will elevate spectators to a height of 250 meters, from which they will be able to take in a magnificent view of Dubai’s picturesque skyline.
The observation wheel captures the combination of the elegant island life along with the energy of the metropolitan lifestyle to make this experience one of a kind.
ABOUT DUBAI EYE
‘Ain Dubai’ which means Dubai Eye in Arabic, is an incredible engineering achievement, with each leg of the wheel towering 126 meters tall and long enough to house 15 London buses – and the combined hub and spindle weighing the same as four A380 planes. The pieces of the wheel were too large to transport through land hence they were transported to the Bluewaters Island through a barge once they had assembled the parts in the UAE. They are said to weigh approximately 9000 tonnes making the wheel 25% greater than the Eiffel Tower.
The project was announced in February 2013 and the construction began in May of 2015. Undertaken by Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Starneth Engineering, construction was expected to be completed by early or mid-2019 for the grand opening. It was postponed to open along with Expo 2020 which in itself was postponed until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ain Dubai will officially open to the public on October 21, 2021, alongside the launch of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Ain Dubai offers guests a spectacular view of the Dubai Marina and other famous landmarks; Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa from a staggering height of 250 meters. But that is not all, it also provides dining and personalized experiences in private cabins that can hold up to 48 people each.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Set to open in October 2021, visitors riding the Dubai Eye can witness the sight of skyscrapers glowing in the sun and the city below that gradually settles into the night as the sun sets.
When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a modern white reception area with massive columns that draw your attention to the ceiling. There’s an eye-catching feature up there that is a transparent part of the ceiling through which the structure and the revolving cabins can be seen by the passengers. You will then be guided to a staircase leading to a platform that acts as an entrance to the cabins. The wheel will not stop rotating, for the most part, therefore passengers will be jumping into and out of the cabins while it is still slowly moving.
Upon entering your capsule, get comfortable, stand back and admire the 360-degree view. Since the cabins are made of glass walls, it’s safe to walk around to take in the view from a different perspective. The best view, unsurprisingly, is from the top of the wheel where you can clearly see the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa. The experience could be influenced by the time of the day you choose to ride.
At the end of a rotation, after hopping out of the cabin, you are led down through the staircase to a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs for your loved ones or just yourself.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE DUBAI EYE
Home to Dubai Eye and other iconic attractions, Bluewaters Island is also a shopper’s paradise, housing unique retail and dining concepts. The wheel is therefore surrounded by luxurious residences, retail shopping, dining and entertainment centres, making it stand out from other places to the millions of visitors and residents in Dubai.
The giant wheel sits across the Jumeirah Beach Residences beachfront providing a panoramic view of the city’s skyline at 360 degrees and has a total of 48 air-conditioned capsules. This allows it to carry approximately 30-40 passengers in each capsule with a total of almost 1750 visitors for one rotation. Passengers are offered three different cabin options to choose from:
- Observation cabins which is the standard option,
- Social cabins, also known as the ‘VIP’ cabins with a bar at the centre of the pod, and
- Private cabins, which can be booked for special occasions with the option of a three-course dinner with two rotations of the wheel.
Visitors are even able to access private cabins that are fully exclusive with unique celebration packages be it for a birthday or an engagement surprise making your moment one to remember through the ages to come.
The largest observation wheel offers a beautiful vantage point of the city along with one of a kind entertainment options, dining and customisable private cabins. The wheel’s base acts as an entertainment zone with a large LED screen mounted on it screening information about famous Dubai spots you are able to see and advertisements.
FACTS AND FIGURES
WHERE IS THE DUBAI EYE LOCATED?
Dubai Eye is located on Bluewaters Island, across Jumeirah Beach Residences. The island is accessible from the mainland by a bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road, and it is almost impossible to miss from any vantage point in Dubai.
HOW TALL IS THE DUBAI EYE?
The Dubai Eye reaches the height of 250 meters, making it the largest and the tallest standing observation wheel in the world.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN THE DUBAI EYE ACCOMMODATE?
The wheel with 48 capsules is able to carry between 30-40 passengers in one capsule. Therefore it is able to accommodate approximately a number of 1750 passengers for one rotation.
CAN ANYONE RIDE THE DUBAI EYE WHEEL?
Anyone can enjoy the ride on the Dubai Eye but those of age 16 and below must be accompanied by an adult older than 21 years of age.
WHEN WILL DUBAI EYE OPEN?
It is set to open to the public along with Expo 2020, on the 21st of October 2021. The Dubai Eye will operate daily from noon to 10 pm, with each rotation lasting up to 38 minutes.
TO CONCLUDE
Ain Dubai has been one of the most highly anticipated launches of the year. With tickets finally being on sale, it’s a must-visit for tourists and residents who want to see Dubai from a new vantage point.
At Mary in Dubai, we ensure that you have the best travel experience. If you are planning a trip to Dubai and would like to visit Ain Dubai, get in touch with our team to book your next adventure.
— Mary