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World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel Resumes Operations on December 26, 2024, on the Coast of Dubai, Accommodating Up to 1,750 Passengers in 48 Panoramic Cabins, After a Hiatus That Started in March 2022 and an Indefinite Closure Announced in April 2023 Without Detailed Official Explanations to the International Public
Ain Dubai, presented on October 21, 2021, as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, will resume operations at Bluewaters Island on December 26, 2024, bringing back into activity the 250-meter-tall structure, 48 cabins, and a capacity for 1,750 passengers per 38-minute ride over the Dubai coastline. Integrated into the master plan of the artificial island inaugurated in November 2018, the attraction returns to the center of the local skyline, offering views of Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Al Arab hotel.
After an initial closure in March 2022 for alleged periodic upgrades, the operator announced in April 2023 that Ain Dubai would remain closed indefinitely, while the wheel’s axles were surrounded by scaffolding and the German association TÜV revoked the safety certification of the roughly 11,200-ton steel structure, a volume greater than that of the Eiffel Tower. The reopening in December 2024 ends a two-year and nine-month interval of uncertainty about the future of the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.
Timeline of Ain Dubai and Reopening in 2024
The plans for Ain Dubai were announced in February 2013, with the explicit proposal to create the world’s tallest Ferris wheel as a new tourist icon on the emirate’s coast.
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Construction began in May 2015 and experienced successive delays until its completion in 2021, with the official inauguration on October 21 of that year at Bluewaters Island, developed by Dubai Holding.
Five months after opening to the public, in March 2022, operations were halted for what management described as “periodic upgrades.”
In April 2023, the same operator announced that Ain Dubai would remain closed indefinitely, without detailing the necessary interventions, while the structure appeared surrounded by scaffolding and lacked an active TÜV certification.
The reopening on December 26, 2024, after two years and nine months without commercial rides, brings back into operation an investment estimated at 1 billion UAE dirhams, around 270 million dollars.
The return of the world’s tallest Ferris wheel is accompanied by expectations of a resurgence in tourist flow to Bluewaters Island and the Jumeirah Beach Residences hotel strip.
Dimensions, Capacity, and Global Position of the World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel
At 250 meters tall, Ain Dubai comfortably surpasses other structures in the segment and solidifies its title as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in the ranking of the ten largest operating Ferris wheels.
The structure houses 48 enclosed cabins, equipped with climate control and panoramic views, designed to accommodate up to 1,750 people simultaneously in a complete cycle of approximately 38 minutes.
During the ride, the cabins offer a wide view of some of the city’s main landmarks.
From the highest points, it is possible to see Dubai Marina, the public beach of Jumeirah Beach Residences, the seven-star hotel Burj Al Arab, the artificial island Palm Jumeirah, as well as the new luxury hotels located along the shore and on Bluewaters Island itself.
In the comparative panel presented at the boarding area, Ain Dubai ranks first among the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, followed by the High Roller in Las Vegas, inaugurated in 2014, at 168 meters tall, with a capacity for 1,120 passengers and 28 cabins, and the Singapore Flyer in Singapore, at 165 meters and 784 passengers distributed among 28 cabins.
This chart reinforces Ain Dubai’s positioning as a large-scale engineering project in the global urban entertainment market.
Operations, Tickets, and Onboard Experience at Ain Dubai
Access to the world’s tallest Ferris wheel is via Bluewaters Island, connected to the JBR area by a pedestrian bridge and routes that allow arrival by foot, metro, bus, water bus, or car.
Boarding occurs at the THE WHARF complex, which functions as a shopping center with restaurants, cafes, and stores.
Inside the terminal, there are baggage inspections, free lockers with good availability, and signage separating general ticket passengers from those with Premium tickets.
This ticket, which is priced at 265 dirhams (about 72 dollars) according to the visit report, includes priority check-in, access to a lounge, drinks, and boarding in specially designated cabins with an internal bar and specific service.
The reported operating hours indicate operation from 1 PM to 8 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 9 PM on weekends, with ticket sales available online by scheduling a date and time or directly at the physical counter.
According to local observation, night hours tend to be more popular due to the illuminated city view.
Inside the Premium cabins, there is a small bar, a monitor with information, and a welcome message presented by an artificial intelligence character.
The menu includes non-alcoholic beverages, cocktails, and items such as 24-karat gold cappuccino, along with snacks.
The report notes the offering of up to two complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and the option to purchase photos taken by the crew during the journey.
Panoramic View, Weather, and Perception of the 38-Minute Ride
As the cabin rises, the view initially opens up to the Bluewaters shopping complex and the bridge connecting the island to the JBR beach.
Next, the Dubai Marina skyline, the coastline, the Persian Gulf, and traditional dhows navigating the area come into view.
At the highest point, at 250 meters, it is possible to clearly see the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and the luxury hotels distributed along the coastal strip.
The description of the experience mentions a “sense of accomplishment” at the top of the ride, as well as the possibility of observing neighboring cabins and maritime traffic in the area in detail.
The documented ride occurred in June, under humid conditions and a cloudy sky, which partially reduced the clarity of the landscape, especially over Palm Jumeirah.
The report itself suggests that winter boarding tends to offer better visibility and more favorable temperatures, especially for those looking to capture long-exposure photos or panoramic videos of the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.
Bluewaters Island, Commerce, and Attractions Surrounding Ain Dubai
Bluewaters Island is an artificial island inaugurated in November 2018, surrounded by containment rocks and featuring a mix of residences, hotels, retail, wellness, and entertainment.
Upon disembarking from Ain Dubai, visitors will find a souvenir shop with a wide range of products related to the Ferris wheel, including mugs, scale models, sweatshirts, shirts, cardholders, towels, hats, bags, and other themed items.
On the lower level, there is another cafe and a second boutique with an even wider selection of products.
The outdoor area, known as Ain Dubai Plaza, offers a direct view of the sea and concentrates aquatic activities, jet ski rides, and heavy circulation of dhows.
Nearby, the FIVE LUXE JBR hotel, inaugurated in 2024, can be seen, along with other hotel developments along the beach strip.
Along the Boardwalk, the island’s promenade, various restaurants, retail stores, global brands, izakaya, a Crocs store, perfumeries, sweet shops selling baklava and honey, a bicycle shop, McDonald’s, and Dubai souvenir stands are present.
There is also a Madame Tussauds unit, with life-sized wax figures, as well as a children’s recreation area near the ticket office of Ain Dubai.
The connection to the mainland is reinforced by the Bluewaters Pedestrian Bridge, which is recommended for nighttime strolls in the report.
From this bridge, one can see the illuminated island, the line of JBR buildings, and the very rim of the world’s tallest Ferris wheel reflected over the sea, with letters and graphics projected on the structure during the light show.
Rumors, Structural Safety, and Impact on Dubai Tourism
The prolonged closure between March 2022 and December 2024 fueled unconfirmed rumors about the safety of Ain Dubai.
There was speculation that there were issues with the overall weight of the wheel, the load-bearing capacity of the artificial island, and critical components of the cube and axle, although none of these speculations have been officially detailed by the operator.
The concrete fact registered is the revocation of the safety certification by the German association TÜV during the period when the axles were surrounded by scaffolding.
The lack of detailed technical explanations and the generic communication regarding “periodic upgrades” and “indefinite closure” helped keep the topic open for nearly three years, until the announcement of reopening on December 26, 2024.
From an economic perspective, the resumption of operations is seen in the visit report as a potential factor for increased hotel occupancy in the area, especially for newly opened establishments like Delano and Banyan Tree, both with private beaches facing the Persian Gulf.
The return of the world’s tallest Ferris wheel strengthens the leisure attraction package in the JBR, Bluewaters, and Dubai Marina area, adding to beaches, water sports, restaurants, and shopping centers.
For visitors, the 38-minute ride on Ain Dubai encapsulates three main dimensions of the experience in Dubai: large-scale engineering, tourist consumption, and an urban landscape illuminated by light shows between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
For the emirate, the reopening of a structure that cost 1 billion dirhams reestablishes a branding asset back in operation after a history of uncertainties and construction.
If you were planning a trip to Dubai, would you include the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in your itinerary after such a long period of closure and reopening?
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