Largest ferris wheel in Latin America will be inaugurated this year in São Paulo

Roda Rico opened ticket sales this Wednesday morning (23) through the Sympla digital platform.

Known as the largest Ferris wheel in Latin America, measuring 91 meters in height, the new attraction in the city of São Paulo will be inaugurated on December 9, at Parque Cândido Portinari, in the Alto de Pinheiros district, in the west zone of São Paulo. The space is next to the Villa-Lobos Park.

Tickets start at R$50, with a half-price option at R$25 on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the full price is R$69 (until 1pm) and R$79 (from 2pm).

According to Interparques, which manages the structure, the space will be pet friendly and will accept small and medium-sized pets. The tour will last 25 to 30 minutes.

The ferris wheel will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 7pm. In addition to the traditional ticket, options for a private cabin are also sold, which can accommodate up to eight people, for prices ranging from R$299 to R$350 (with drinks), on weekdays, and R$350 to R$399, on weekends and holidays. Initial sale includes entries through January 31st.

The structure is set up in the vicinity of the Marginal do Pinheiros, with 91 meters high and 42 cabins, with air conditioning, wi-fi internet, intercom and panoramic view of the city. Tests were done in the last few days. Assembly began in mid-April this year.

At night, the Ferris wheel will have scenic lighting, which may change according to dates and special events. It is in an area of ​​4,500 square meters, next to the Park’s Events Square, which is state owned. On site, there will also be spaces for the sale of drinks, popcorn, ice cream and açaí, as well as photos.

At the time of assembly, the company stated that the structure weighs more than a thousand tons and that the installation involved the largest road crane available in Brazil.

LICENSEE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP FERRIS WHEEL FOR 10 YEARS

The installation of the Ferris wheel is part of a package of interventions launched by the João Doria administration (then in the PSDB) for the surroundings of the Pinheiros River. A public tender was opened in 2020 to select the permit holder, who will be able to maintain the attraction in Parque Cândido Portinari for 10 years.

The company São Paulo Big Wheel (SPBW) made the only offer in the public tender. It will have to pay R$141,000 a month or 10% of gross revenue, whichever is greater, to the State. The notice also requires that the permit holder allocate part of the total income for the low-income population.

In a note at the time, the Secretariat for Infrastructure and Environment of the State of São Paulo emphasized that the installation aims to “attract investments for the maintenance of state urban parks, in addition to promoting environmental education actions and being a leisure option for the entire population.”

The implementation of the Ferris wheel was criticized by the surrounding residents. Initially, the opening forecast was for 2021. This type of attraction has gained space in Brazilian capitals and tourist cities, such as Rio and Balneário Camboriú, inspired by the example of the London Eye, in London, which is 135 meters high.

The structure was named Roda Rico through a partnership with an investment platform, which will hold the naming rights, similar to what happens in soccer stadiums and concert halls. Rico Investimentos also offers its customers a 20% discount on tickets.

SP’S NEW FERRIS WHEEL

Opening date: December 9

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm

Address: Parque Cândido Portinari (Avenida Queiroz Filho, 1365, Alto de Pinheiros district – São Paulo/SP)

Tickets: from R$50 (full ticket) and R$25 (half ticket), with VIP cabin options from R$299

Digital sale: on Sympla

With information from UOL