NEWS: Navy Pier Ferris Wheel Moving to Branson

ytterbiumanalyst · January 30, 2016

http://www.explorebranson.com/news/branson-ferris-wheel

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Craig Wescott

President and CEO, The Track Family Fun Parks

Phone: (417) 334-1612, ext. 13

Email: craig@bransontracks.com

Website: http://www.bransontracks.com

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Branson, Mo. – The iconic 15-story Ferris wheel formerly featured at Chicago’s Navy Pier will be the newest attraction to Branson’s Highway 76 at The Track Family Fun Parks in 2016. “Branson will be a great new location for this amazing Ferris wheel,” said Brian Murphy, COO of Navy Pier. “It was a landmark here for many years, and we are happy to know that it will continue to attract thousands of visitors each year to such a family-friendly destination.”

During its 20-year history in Chicago, the Ferris wheel helped make Navy Pier a top tourist destination. The Track Family Fun Parks anticipates the Ferris wheel will continue to draw both repeat and new visitors to the Branson community. It is anticipated to begin operating in the summer of 2016.

“We are very excited to be the new home to this iconic Ferris wheel,” said Craig Wescott, President and CEO of The Track Family Fun Parks. “Our hope is that adding this unique attraction, which is enjoyed by people of all ages, will enhance our guests’ experience during the time they spend in Branson.”

This Ferris wheel, which was modeled after the first Ferris wheel built for the 1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition, stands 150 feet tall and can hold 240 passengers in its 40 gondolas. At night, the Ferris wheel shines with 16,000 lights, making it a beautiful addition to the evening skyline.

Guests of The Track Family Fun Parks will be enjoying the iconic Ferris wheel, a $2.5 million investment, as part of the company’s 35th anniversary. For more information about the Ferris wheel moving to Branson, please visit http://www.explorebranson.com/news/branson-ferris-wheel. For more information about The Track Family Fun Parks, please visit their website at http://www.bransontracks.com or call (417) 334-1612.

About The Track Family Fun Parks

The Track Family Fun Parks started entertaining local and visiting families in 1981. The four Branson, Missouri locations offer high-rise and classic go-kart tracks for all ages, laser tag, bumper boats/cars, mini golf, batting cages, kids' rides, arcades, and more with no gate admission charge. http://www.bransontracks.com

historyfreak92 · February 1, 2016

But why take something out that belongs to Chicago for?

Myntiepwny · February 1, 2016

It's okay, they are getting a new wheel. https://navypier.com/navy-pier-park/

historyfreak92 · February 1, 2016

oh okay didnt see it though, but i hope that the old navy pier ferris wheel will do well at branson!

gerstlaueringvar · April 4, 2016

I was in Chicago during the weekend, the new Ferris Wheel looks really good!

ytterbiumanalyst · April 5, 2016

Cool! Is the new wheel in the same spot as the old one?

PhantomPoster32 · May 2, 2016

The old Navy Pier Ferris Wheel is taking shape in Branson

ytterbiumanalyst · May 2, 2016

^ Wow! They literally did half that wheel in one day. We were just there yesterday around 7 PM and they didn't have any of the wheel done at all. just the supports.

cal1br3tto · May 2, 2016

Neat photo; don't believe I've ever seen half of a Ferris wheel before!

PhantomPoster32 · May 3, 2016

The final spokes will be installed today.

ytterbiumanalyst · June 30, 2016

The Branson Ferris Wheel officially opened Thursday 6/23, and we went out this past weekend to check it out. We had previously ridden this Ferris wheel at the Navy Pier, but we wanted to see it in its new environment, so we trekked out to Track 4 on 76 in Branson.

The Track parks have been around in Branson forever (fun fact: my dad’s first job was working at the bumper boats back in the 1970s). They specialize in all the rides that Silver Dollar City doesn’t have and won’t build: go karts, laser tag, skycoaster, mini golf, video game arcade, etc. It’s a fun time.

We took advantage of the season pass offer they have going on right now. One pass is good for the whole family. It costs $130, and you get $170 in credits, plus a free pizza buffet and free frozen custard. It’s a great deal, plus the credits never expire, so you can ride as much or as little as you like; no rush.

We spent some time on the go karts and in the video game arcade to start out the day. It has been a while since I’ve been here, so the Heavy Metal Highrise, built in 2011, was new to me. It’s a four-story upward helix, followed by a steep downward hill. The karts get going very fast, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

The Ferris wheel itself is just as I remember. The crew were very good, and it was hard to believe the attraction had only been open for 3 days. They knew exactly what they were doing, and it was very professional. The view from the top was amazing. Branson really is pretty much just built along 76, so up high like that you could see a long way.

Our ride was just before a storm came in, so the car was rocking a bit more than we would have liked. Still it was a very fun experience, and highly recommended for Branson visitors. The Track is a great place to unwind in the evenings, very casual. The pizza buffet is excellent, and the arcade, though a bit dated, does have some fun games. I’m glad to see a new top-tier attraction in Branson, and most especially since this is the first of 3 big new attractions scheduled to open this year.