The world's biggest Ferris wheel shut down for six hours Tuesday night, trapping 173 passengers in capsules high above the ground after an electrical fire cut power to the attraction. Ten of the trapped managed to rappel out of their bus-sized pods, while the rest waited for the Singapore Flyer to restart to escape by foot.

While the wheel has lost power three times before, it's never been for as long as six hours. Officials were able to restore some AC and the intercom system after a time to help comfort the trapped tourists. Still, one said that wasn't enough to convince her to make a repeat visit:

I love Singapore but I don't think I'll come to the Flyer again.

As when Whistler's gondola broke down, we were really only curious about one thing: Tourists on the Singapore Flyer had to resort to using plastic bags because while the capsules can hold up to 28 people, they don't have bathrooms.

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· Tourists Safe After Drama at World's Biggest Ferris Wheel [AFP, via Google]
· Singapore Flyer Opens Again and Again [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-12-24T08:02:49-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/29/1104/58972

We've been getting excited about the Singapore Flyer for years now, and after this month's soft opening, it'll officially open tomorrow, March 1. But the the good Ferris wheel people of Singapore won't rest then, because they'll be preparing for the really proper Grand Official Singapore Flyer Launch, scheduled for April 15.

If you can't make any of the opening ceremonies, you can check on things by pulling up the Singapore Flyer webcam: When we checked, the wheel wasn't moving, and the weather suggested you wouldn't be able to see to Malaysia or Indonesia as promised.

Everyone wants a piece of the Singapore Flyer at the moment, with ASEAN politicians taking a ride this week, but the Singapore Flyer wants a piece of us too. They're promoting a What Wheel It Be? contest, where creative uses of a picture of the Singapore Flyer in any kind of work of art could win you some audio equipment. We're just hoping for an invite to the Grand Official Finally-It's-The-Last-Opening launch in April.

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· Giant Ferris Wheels Are the New Final Frontier [Jaunted]
· Singapore's Big Wheel [Jaunted]
· Flyin' the Singapore Flyer [Jaunted]]]> amandak 2008-02-29T09:15:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/20/10591/0795

Earlier this month, we told you about the Singapore Flyer, the super Ferris wheel that's now the world's biggest. But height alone doesn't make an awesome ride, or at least that's what they're hoping at Pacific Park in Santa Monica.

Starting May 8, workers will put in a new, high-tech wheel with all sorts of wild lighting effects. (Think LED hearts for V-Day, an American flag for Independence Day, a wreath for Christmas.) The new 90-foot ride should be ready in time for the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day.

Given how hot the Ferris wheel competition is getting worldwide, we figured we better map out your best options. If your top trips are all about getting high, here's where to go.

Related Stories:
· New Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier [LAT Deal Blog]
· Pacific Park [Official Site]
· Ferris Wheels of the World Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: vgm8383]]]> pbb 2008-02-20T11:19:09-05:00 34.010073 -118.49653 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/12/144452/184

Earlier this week Singapore opened Singapore Flyer, a new 165-meter-tall observation wheel, expected to draw 2.5 million visitors in its first year of operation.

The Singapore Flyer tops London's Eye by some 30 meters, but while the London wheel may be the most famous, it's actually the Star of Nanchang in China's Jiangxi province that was the highest wheelie ride until this week.

Singapore already has Berlin and Beijing breathing down its neck; both cities are set to release even taller wheels. Orlando, Qingdao and Dubai are all planning massive circular structures in the coming years too.

Looks like the halcyon days of "build a giant wheel and they will come" are a thing of the past. For now, Singapore is ready, offering adults 30 minute rides at $29.50 and throwing in gorgeous vistas of one of the cleanest countries in the world. Your move China.

Google map after the jump, though the Google Blimp needs to take a new photo of Singapore's Marina Bay, as the flyer does not appear to show up as of yet.

[Photo: stephen_au]]]> markj 2008-02-12T16:36:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/2/7/24746/10666

If you're looking for the best bird's-eye view of Singapore, wait a year. It's not, as we first thought, to be found on the exhilarating cable car to Sentosa Island. In fact, the best views in the future will be found on the still-under-construction Singapore Flyer, a giant ferris wheel whose developers don't like calling it a ferris wheel.

It's much more, of course. Not only can you see parts of Malaysia and Indonesia (we presume this will be weather-dependent), if you want you can do this in a "love nest" capsule with cocktails or champagne and roses thrown in. Corporate groups will be able to book an entire capsule (London-Eye-esque) for $1000, and normal rides of 37 minutes will cost an individual S$29.50 (US$20).

If you want a ride in this "observation wheel" (that's what they like to call it), they're already taking booking enquiries. And they promise this $20 ride is much, much better than the $7 ride on the giant ferris wheel Eye on Malaysia available just down the road in Kuala Lumpur.

[Photo: khairilfz]

Related Stories:
· Singapore Flyer Takes Bookings For 2008 [Channel News Asia]
· Thrill, Anticipation and Exhilaration in Singapore [Jaunted]]]> amandak 2007-02-07T11:02:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2005/9/14/153448/887 Singapore is going the route of London and building a giant tourist monstrosity in its Marina Bay area. Officials, in an attempt to lure more visitors, plan on building a 587-foot high ferris wheel called the 'Singapore Flyer'.

The Flyer will feature 28 seat capsules and treat viewers to a 37 minute long ride where they will be able to see views up to 28-miles away.

London has the London Eye, beside the Thames. The Flyer will cost $143 million and be completed by 2008. We think people can probably see the view just fine from the waterfront without a ridiculously large ferris wheel to help them. Hmph.

Related Stories:
·   Singapore bets on 'big wheel' lure [CNN]
·   Monster ferris wheel mooted for Singapore [IOL]
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