Scottsdale is about to put a literal spin on the Valley skyline, with an 80-foot Ferris wheel set to become what is billed as metro Phoenix's first permanent, year-round ride of its kind. The new Boardwalk SkyWheel at Arizona Boardwalk will feature air-conditioned, fully enclosed gondolas and broad desert and mountain views rather than the usual pop-up fairground backdrop.
According to a news release from Arizona Boardwalk, the SkyWheel rises 80 feet, carries 18 climate-controlled gondolas that each seat up to six adults, and completes a loop in roughly five to eight minutes while playing onboard music. The release lists pricing at $9 for the first rider and $6 for each additional guest in the same gondola, with packages that bundle attractions for up to 40% savings. “It creates a memory that lasts long after the ride ends,” Arizona Boardwalk CEO Amram Knishinsky said in the announcement.
When It Will Open
When those gondolas will actually start turning is still a bit of a mystery. Phoenix New Times reports that Arizona Boardwalk had previously targeted a mid-to-late April opening, but an official launch date has not been announced, and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for an updated timeline.
Where To Ride And Tickets
The SkyWheel is tucked behind Butterfly Wonderland at Arizona Boardwalk, easily spotted from the Loop 101, and is designed to offer 360-degree views of the McDowell, Black, Mummy, Four Peaks, and Camelback mountain ranges. Arizona Boardwalk lists ticket packages and an online ticket hub for visitors planning a trip, with an emphasis on bundled discounts for those pairing the SkyWheel with aquarium and museum admissions. Each gondola seats up to six adults, and the release again pegs pricing at $9 for the first rider and $6 for every additional guest sharing the cabin.
Why It Matters
The SkyWheel gives Arizona Boardwalk a vertical calling card that could keep visitors on site longer and serve as an all-season draw for families and tourists. Local outlet ABC15 highlighted the ride's climate-controlled cabins and nighttime LED lighting, features clearly aimed at making the experience workable in the summer heat and eye-catching after dark. Whether it turns into a nightly landmark or just a pleasant new family spin will hinge on when the Boardwalk locks in that opening date and how Valley crowds respond once the wheel finally starts moving.
