Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can I get a cabin for just two of us?
During COVID social distancing mandates, every group that arrives together will get their own cabin and will not be paired with strangers.
Q I bought a picture in-person, how do I redeem my digital download?
Go to Pier57.MyFunMoments.com. You can access your digital download by filling out the required information and then enter either the 5-digit code on your photo booth paper receipt, OR or by entering the 10-digit code found above the QR bar code on the photo ticket you were handed after you took your picture(s). When your image(s) pop up, move the cursor over the picture and click on the download icon. You can also browse our product catalog if you'd like to imprint your picture on other fun items, like magnets, mementos, mugs, etc. Additional costs apply. Images are archived for two weeks from date of visit, then automatically purged. The free digital download is available only for the picture you purchased in person. For additional questions please email: greatwheel@pier57seattle.com
Q I did not buy a picture in-person … How can I preview my image(s) and make a purchase now?
Go to Pier57.MyFunMoments.com. Fill out the required information and then enter the 10-digit ode found above the QR bar code on the photo ticket you were handed after you took your picture(s). Any image(s) associated with that code will pop up. Click on an image to make a purchase. Our product catalog will show you what we have to offer including digital downloads, fun gifts, keepsakes, and mementos. Images are archived for two weeks from date of visit, then automatically purged. Without the 10-digit QR code, a search for your image(s) is not available.
Q Where can I buy tickets?
You can purchase tickets at our ticket booth on site, or right here on our website! Tickets are the same price in person and online. To purchase tickets online, click on the Buy Tickets button below the type of ticket you wish to purchase. You will need to print the tickets at home and bring them to the ticket holder line. If you do not print the tickets ahead of time, you will need to wait in the ticketing line for a cashier to issue the tickets in person. Tickets are general admission valid for any date or time that the wheel is open (excluding the by reservation only New Year's Eve Midnight Ride) and do not expire until used.
Q How long is the ride?
Ride time varies based on how large the crowd is and how many gondolas we are loading for each ride. During Summer operations with larger crowds, we typically have ride times between 12-20 minutes. During Winter operations with smaller crowds, we typically have ride times between 10-15 minutes. But as always, every ride is three full revolutions of the wheel.
Q Can I get a private cabin that is not the VIP cabin?
Maybe. If we are not too busy, we will not group people up to have a minimum number of people per cabin. If we are very busy, we may require a minimum of 4 or 6 persons per cabin so that the line is not extraordinarily long. During times that we are grouping, you will not be able to get your own cabin and we suggest visiting us another time. Your other option would be to take advantage of the VIP cabin which is guaranteed private AND comes with front of the line service, t-shirts, photo's and a cocktail while you ride!
Q Can I upgrade my regular ticket to the VIP ticket?
Yes! If you purchase a regular ticket online or at the pier and decide later that you want the VIP experience, you can pay the difference in price to upgrade your ticket at the ticket booth on the pier.
Q Do I have to choose what day and time I want to ride when purchasing tickets online?
All of our tickets are general admission and are not day or time specific. Tickets are valid one year from the purchase date
Q Do you offer special rates for groups?
We do not offer a group rate or discounts. All prices are as listed on the website.
Q How many people can fit in a gondola at one time?
The 41 regular white gondolas can each hold up to eight riders. Parties of 6 or less may be grouped with others if the crowds are very large and the lines are long. We ask that you please respect the capacity policy as we have everyone's safety to consider when we are loading and balancing the Ferris Wheel. If you purchase the VIP ticket, the cabin will be private for just your party, and each person in the VIP cabin must purchase a ticket.
Q Is the Seattle Great Wheel wheelchair accessible?
Yes! We have a lift and ramp that allow wheelchairs to roll directly into the gondolas. Please note that the door width is 30"
Q Can pregnant women ride? What about babies?
The Seattle Great Wheel offers a slow, smooth ride that is appropriate for people of all ages and conditions, including pregnant women and babies. Children age 2 and under ride for free, but they still require a ticket. This ticket can be obtained at the will call window of the ticket booth without waiting in line.
Q What is the weight limit on the Seattle Great Wheel?
We do not have a per-person weight limit, but each gondola can hold up to 1300 lbs or 8 riders. We cannot put more than 8 riders per cabin even if you are under the 1300lb weight capacity. We ask that you please respect the capacity policy as we have everyone's safety to consider when we are loading and balancing the Ferris Wheel.
Q Do you allow pets?
While we love all animals, we only allow service animals on board. Please notify the ticket booth if you have a service animal, and be prepared to answer service animal questions as allowed by Federal and State law. This helps us provide the best accommodations to those with service animals.
Q What is your refund policy?
We're sorry, but the Seattle Great Wheel does not offer refunds or exchanges. Tickets are valid any day and any time!
Q Can I buy a gift card?
We don't sell gift cards, but our tickets work very similarly. They can be used on any date or time that the wheel is open (excluding the by reservation only New Year's Eve Midnight Ride) so they make the perfect gift!
Q Do you fulfill donation requests for charities or auctions or other worthy causes?
To request a donation, please email us at: GreatWheel@pier57seattle.com. We will enter you into our weekly drawing for fulfilling donations. You can submit one single request for The Seattle Great Wheel AND Wings Over Washington which will be combined into the same donation request pool. Please submit only one request. Submitting two requests will not increase your chances of being drawn-only one entry is allowed per group. Please do not mail your donation request-we prefer all requests via email.
Q Do you offer any military discounts, disability, AARP, AAA, Prime Card, or web promo codes?
We currently do not have any discounts to offer. We simply break our ticket prices down by age to be fair to everyone. All prices are as listed in the ticket pricing section.
Q Can I reserve a gondola for a specific time?
We do not take reservations during normal operations. Our New Year's Eve Midnight is available for reservations, however we do not take reservations until December. Sign up for our email list to know the exact day and time they are released online.
Q Anything else I need to leave on the ground while I ride?
We do not allow food or drinks on the wheel. Drugs and alcohol are strictly prohibited. We also ask that you leave large bags, suitcases, strollers and car seats in the area near our loading dock while you are on the wheel. An attendant is always standing close by to ensure that your items are safe.
Q When are your light shows?
The wheel is lit up each night with our white gondola lights, but on special occasions we have awesome LED light shows on the wheel. In the fall, these shows will take place at dark on the evening of any University of Washington or Seattle Seahawks home football games. On other special occasions like holidays, we will also display a light show.
Q Where is the best place to park?
There are metered lots directly across the street from us on Alaskan Way. You can also park in paid lots along Western Avenue. A map of public parking lots is available here. Please visit www.downtownseattleparking.com for up to date information on parking.
Q Does the wheel ever shut down because of weather?
The wheel is designed to operate in all weather conditions including rain, snow, hail, sun, fog and anything else Seattle has to offer. We will stop operating if winds reach sustained speeds of 55 MPH or higher, or if there are lightning strikes within 1 mile.
Q Fun facts about the Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel was built in less than a year, but its story goes back much further than that. Seattle businessman Hal Griffith had envisioned a Ferris wheel in the city for nearly 30 years, but it wasn't until he realized he could build one on his own pier that his dream became a reality. The Seattle Great Wheel opened to the public on June 29, 2012. Since then, it has become an icon of the city and a destination for tourists and locals alike. The Seattle Great Wheel is the largest observation wheel on the west coast, standing 60 meters tall. The wheel has 42 fully-enclosed gondolas. 41 white gondolas each seat up to eight adults. Cabin #42, the VIP cabin, has leather bucket seats, a stereo system, glass bottom floor, and can seat up to 4 adults. In total, the wheel can hold over 300 passengers at any given time. The wheel was manufactured in various parts of Europe and the United States, and assembled right at the end of the pier. The wheel extends nearly 40 feet beyond the end of the pier, over Elliott Bay. The Seattle Great Wheel is open year round. With fully-enclosed gondolas and a covered waiting area, the rain can't stop the wheel from spinning! The wheel weighs 280,300 pounds. 550 tons of concrete were poured to create the foundation for the wheel.
Q I bought a photo booth picture in-person … How do I redeem my free digital download?
Click on the link below to access the picture viewer website https://www.myfunmoments.com/miners-landing.
You can access your digital download by entering the 5-digit code on your photo booth paper receipt ; or by enter the 10-digit code found above the QR barcode on the photo ticket you were handed after you took your pictures. When your images appear, move the cursor over the picture and click on the download icon.
You can also browse our product catalog if you'd like to imprint your picture on other fun items, like magnets, mementos, mugs, etc. Additional costs apply.
Keep in mind: Images are archived for two weeks from date of visit, then automatically purged. The free digital download is available ONLY for the picture you purchased in person.
For additional Photo Booth queries, email: GreatWheel@pier57seattle.com
Q I did not buy my photo booth picture in-person. How can I preview my image(s) and make a purchase after my visit?
Click on the link below to access the picture viewer website https://www.myfunmoments.com/miners-landing.
Fill out the required information and then enter the 10-digit ode found above the QR barcode on the photo ticket you were handed after you took your picture(s). Any image(s) associated with that code will pop up. Click on an image to make a purchase. Our product catalog will show you what we have to offer including digital downloads, fun gifts, keepsakes, and mementos.
Keep in mind: Without the 10-digit QR code, a search for your image(s) is not available. Images are archived for two weeks from date of visit, then automatically purged.
For additional Photo Booth queries, email: GreatWheel@pier57seattle.com