By Jamie Zimchek
From the top – that’s two hundred deliciously breezy feet up – the view is expansive. In addition to more run-of-the-mill rooftops, the prize is a sweeping panorama of a brilliantly blue stretch of Gulf that reaches all the way to the horizon during the day, the beach just visible between building breaks and sprinkled with little dots of beach umbrella color. After dark, a line of surf is still visible, but the surrounding area is now a sea – only not of water, but lights, from high-rises up and down the coast to brightly lit Pier Park points of interest. Best of all, no wings, or birds, are needed for this bird’s eye view: just a ticket to ride Panama City Beach’s soaring SkyWheel, one of Pier Park’s newest attractions.
Occupying the site of a former small-scale amusement park, the SkyWheel visually attracts far more attention than anything else in this popular outdoor shopping spot. Its gentle curves offer welcome contrast to the more predictable lines of stores and beachfront condos, and on overcast days, or after dark, the SkyWheel’s ever-changing lights provide bright pops of color giving Pier Park a festive feel year-round. Kayla Evans is the observation wheel’s marketing assistant, and she’s in charge of the daily light show. “It’s all done through a program kind of like PowerPoint,” she explained. “There are options to go in and choose the color and the transitions. It is so much fun.” Although Evans is quick to add that whenever you finally get to step out and see it, it can look entirely different on the wheel than it does on the screen, which has necessitated on occasion a quick return to the drawing board when things turn out unexpectedly.
Though the light show might be at its most spectacular after dark, this isn’t necessarily the preferred time to visit. Many riders prefer sunset, and lines can sometimes get long as the sun starts to slip, which is why it might be worth calling ahead at peak hours to see if a fast pass (a $10 add-on feature per ticket that gets you to the front of the line) is worth it.
There’s even a photo op before boarding with shots available by the time you exit (package prices start at $20). Each gondola is fully enclosed with air conditioning (and heat, in the unlikely event that it’s needed). Parallel bench seating allows everyone a view of the beach, and can fit about six adults per gondola, sometimes with room left for a small child (only members of your party will be seated in your gondola). There’s a small pop-out window for fresh air, but the fixed glass enclosure is what offers the 365-degree views of land and sea. SkyWheel also offers a VIP experience that includes a free drink and photo package, as well as a longer ride and a fast pass to the front of the line on busy days.
Since opening, the SkyWheel attraction has expanded to include two other attractions, a minigolf course and a ropes course. The ropes course includes the SkyTrail, which is an aerial attraction made up of hanging bridges and cargo nets, the SkyRail, a zip line of sorts, and SkyTykes, geared for guests under 48” tall. Currently, the ropes course is only open Saturdays. The minigolf course (which you can scope out first from a SkyWheel gondola) is a full 18 holes and open seven days a week.
As the summer progresses, watch for special themed days, like Tie-dye Tuesdays in July. Employees will all be sporting their finest tie-dye apparel, and guests wearing tie-dye will receive two dollars off their ticket price. Dance party more your speed? “Every Friday in July we’re going to be doing Friday Night Lights, with new light shows for the wheel and upbeat techno music,” said Evans. They’ll also be selling specialty light-up drinks and passing out glow sticks – they’re even working to make glow-in-the-dark minigolf happen.
The feel-good experience doesn’t stop on Friday though – SkyWheel has created a side program called SkyWheel Cares. “We’re responsible for lighting the wheel up for certain awareness colors,” Evans said. They also coordinate with their staff and locals to do regular beach clean-ups. If you’re interested in learning more about how to participate, find more information on SkyWheel’s Facebook page, @skywheelpcb (and while you’re there, be sure to watch Kayla’s “I Spy from the Skywheel” video).
SkyWheel is also hiring for all positions right now, from flight crew to supervisors and maintenance. Applicants must be at least 17, and some positions are only open to those 18 and older.
The SkyWheel is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information on visiting or employment, visit their website at skywheelpcb.com or call (850) 888-0020.
