Orlando, Fla.- The Orlando Eye reached a luminous construction milestone with the installation of the observation wheel's special lighting. The Orlando Eye officially lit up for the first time on the evening of Thursday, April 16 at a special event for employees, friends and family for Merlin Entertainments, the attraction operator.

Almost 64,000 LEDs were installed over a four-week process. The LED lights will use 92.7% less energy than traditional light bulbs. The Eye will offer a variety of lighting options to celebrate holidays and other special occasions. 

Fun Facts:

The Orlando Eye has LEDs which uses 92.7% less energy that traditional light bulbs

The Orlando Eye has 2,652 individual fittings, which in turn each fit 24 LEDs, giving a total number of 64,000 LED on the wheel

The lighting system uses an RGB system to provide for a large variety of color options to fit any special occasion or holiday

In the future, The Eye, which has a white exterior, will have a rainbow of color effects to choose from with the newly installed LEDs.

For more information, or to sign up for the e-newsletter, go to OfficialOrlandoEye.com.

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The Orlando Eye

Located in the heart of International Drive, the 400-foot Orlando Eye is the tallest observation wheel on the U.S. eastern coast, offering a new way to experience the breathtaking views of Central Florida.

Poised to become a top visitor attraction for the tourism capital of the U.S., the Orlando Eye, part of the I-Drive 360 entertainment and dining complex, will showcase 360-degree views of Central Florida, including nearby theme parks and attractions, downtown Orlando and Kennedy Space Center on Florida's east coast, all within the comfort of 30 air-conditioned glass capsules. Each capsule has room for up to 15 guests to enjoy a serene 20-minute journey above the scenic landscape.

Included in the Orlando Eye journey is access to the pre-flight 4D cinema experience, taking guests on a full 3D aerial journey of Florida, with the added dimension of sensory experiences, including lighting, wind, spray and scent effects.

The Orlando Eye opens May 4, 2015. Visit OfficialOrlandoEye.com for more information.

About Merlin Entertainments

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 106 attractions, 11 hotels/3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and approximately 26,000 employees (peak season).  

Merlin has twenty four attractions and one hotel in North America  - including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its theme park, Water Park, (new Hotel opening May 15, 2015); and LEGOLAND California with its theme park, Water Park, SEA LIFE Aquarium and themed Hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York City, Washington D.C., Las Vegas; Hollywood; and San Francisco with Orlando opening in May 2014; LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City, Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston; Westchester, New York; Toronto, Canada; a Dungeon in San Francisco; and SEA LIFE Aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Michigan; Dallas/Fort Worth; the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Charlotte – Concord and Michigan with Orlando opening in May 2015 - underlining the company's position as the world's biggest global aquarium operator.  Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.