Politics
184 witches ride Orlando Eye for a Halloween ‘record’
The thing about Orlando is that sometimes something whimsical can happen on a random weeknight in the theme park capital of the world.
Exactly 184 people dressed up as witches and rode the Orlando Eye from 6 to 7 p.m. as commuters headed home, parents made dinner and schoolchildren did their homework.
The Orlando Eye — that giant lit-up Ferris wheel viewable from Interstate 4 — sought to set a world record for the most people dressed as witches on an observation wheel, so the call was put out. Grab your broom. Put on your black hat. Paging all Hermiones and Elphabas.
“It was just a sea of witch hats,” Merlin Entertainments spokeswoman Brittany Williams said.
Norah White from the International Drive Business Improvement District counted the passengers with a clicker in hand.
The witches all boarded the wheel on Oct. 21, and it took them up 400 feet in the air with a view of the area’s roller coasters and downtown Orlando in the distance. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Kennedy Space Center.
“We were admiring each other’s outfits and wondering what the heck we’re doing. We’re going flying!” said Niki Loheit, a Lego content creator who lives in Clermont. “The view was perfect. We literally watched the sunset as it went down. It was gorgeous.”
Families wore matching costumes. Babies got bewitched. Kids got excited to see cameos from Peppa Pig and a Lego character, both of whom showed up from the Winter Haven theme parks to hang out with the crowd.
Witches waiting in line cheered as each group came down. Employees even lent extra witch hats in case other ICON Park visitors without costumes wanted to spontaneously join.
This witchy wheel ride would not be an achievement immortalized in Guinness World Records, Williams said. It was just for fun and bragging rights. (Take that, London Eye.)
Did it matter that no official record was set?
The 184 people got a free ride on the Orlando Eye for participating, which seems like a good deal.
The Orlando Eye has a long history of creative stunts.
Nik Wallenda, the famous circus performer from Sarasota, once walked on top of the Orlando Eye as it slowly turned.
“The never-before-attempted feat was Wallenda’s most dangerous stunt yet,” Spectrum News 13 reported in 2015, days before the Orlando Eye opened to the public. “He used his arms for balance. Cables and poles were in the way, and so Wallenda couldn’t use a balancing pole, which is something he typically uses during his stunts. He also couldn’t choose his own pace.”
Will the Orlando Eye ever do another silly costumed ride like this?
Maybe tourists dressed as turkeys for Thanksgiving?
How many Santa Clauses can get stuffed on the Orlando Eye for Christmastime?
“Now that we’ve done this, where else do you go?” Williams said, laughing at a reporter’s suggestions.
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On Halloween, the Orlando Eye will be lit up in orange, green and purple. Through Nov. 18, an Orlando Eye ticket also includes admission to either SEA LIFE Orlando or Madame Tussauds Orlando at no additional cost. Guests can also purchase a three-attraction ticket starting at $39.
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