We’ve ridden the Singapore Flyer, bigger even than the London Eye, and quite liked it. It was the world’s biggest until the one in Vegas opened.
I’ve been on it three times, paid once, the rest comped.
It has a nice view, especially at night, once you get over half way up. My wife loves it as she is a photographer and she always gets some interesting shots.
However, it is a look at the purty lights thing and take some pictures kinda thing. If that isn’t your thing you probably won’t like it.
Slee
I’ve been on Vegas’ High Roller twice, both times at night, and enjoyed it, although it is not exactly an adrenaline-soaked experience. My aged (80+) parents liked it.
I was a little concerned about the slightly tipsy people we were sharing our cabin with, although in the end they weren’t any trouble. But I could easily imagine the experience becoming quite unpleasant if the capsule were too crowded or if someone got rowdy or obnoxious.
I also wondered what they would do if there were a medical or other emergency: I found out from a friend with contacts there that they can communicate with all the cabins and can turn the thing faster than 30 minutes per revolution if they have to. Although I still wonder how quickly they could reach someone having a heart attack while at the top of the wheel. Even at double speed, it would take 7.5 minutes.
In short, it’s not as exciting as a lot of other things in Vegas, and it’s a bit pricey if you don’t get a discount, but it’s enjoyable, particularly at night.
Unlike Vegas, the National Harbor is miles and miles from anything worth looking at (unless you’re a big fan of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge), and its wheel is less than one-third as tall as the High Roller (180 vs. 550 feet).
Well here in the Northwest the Seattle ferris wheel (a 175 tall thing that’s already becoming a city icon) is $13 for adults and no charge for under-3s.
The Orlando Eye was closed recently for very unspecific reasons.
If it continues to develop a reputation for not being reliably open, it’s really going to be hurting. Even Nik Wallenda isn’t going to save it.