There are so many amazing things to do in Orlando, Florida. When people come to Orlando they are up for an adventure, at least until you tell them the adventure happens 40 stories above Orlando.
The Orlando Eye opened in July of 2015. It is near International Drive and all the nightlife of Orlando. It is hard to miss it when you look at the skyline of Orlando from the Interstate as you head into town.
The first thing you notice when you pull into the parking lot for the eye is it high up 40 stories is.
We climbed to the top of the six-story parking garage looking at the eye realizing the garage is barely as high as the deck you get in the eye, even those who aren’t afraid of heights starts to get a little nervous.
You have to walk through this open-air mall that is filled with bars and restaurants. There were even live musicians the evening we went. The eye is open all day but we wanted to see Orlando at night so we went arrived at eleven pm (Saturday it's open until midnight). It was a very late night but the ride was worth the lost hours of sleep.
The ticket booth for the eye shares space with Madan Tusoud’s wax museum and Sea life. Like most tourist places they take your pictures to sell the to you at the end.
I don’t usually buy the shots but I couldn’t resist this one. (Just FYI if you think you will want these pictures, don't wear green. You stand in front of a green screen and they photoshop the eye in if you are wearing green like the young lady on the right then your shirt will become part of the background. )
They make you sit through a cheesy 4d movie. After the short film you are directed out to the dock where you get in your parties very own enclosed, air-conditioned compartment.
There is glass on all sides with seats in the middle. They play mellow music mostly to calm people I would assume. We went on a Saturday at nearly midnight so the normal mellow top 40 was replaced with jazzy love songs.
The ride lasts about thirty minutes. It slowly moves around allowing you to appreciate the views.
At the top, you are now 400 feet above ground level. In the cabins have displays that point out to you what you are seeing on the horizon.
From the top of the eye, the busy roads bellow looks a lot like it is inhabited by ants running around not people out having some fun.
The top of that six-story garage seems so far away.
You are slowly brought back down to terra firma and walked into a room where try and sell you pictures and then through a gift shop. It is Orlando.
If you are looking for a one of a kind adventure take the chance to soar 400 feet off the ground and take a ride on the Orlando Eye.
