Soaring a full 200 feet over Pier Park and Panama City Beach, the SkyWheel offers a breathtaking journey. Enjoy remarkable views of the city from the comfort of a fully enclosed glass gondola. The spectacle boasts thirty gondolas capable of seating up to six adults each. Rides are available all year long, with the attraction opening promptly at 11 a.m. every day.
The process is smooth and simple from the moment you arrive at the attraction. A step-free entrance ensures easy access for all. The operators are notoriously friendly. Their chatter will help you feel right at home, particularly if you’re nervous about the SkyWheel’s height. Operators check in throughout the ride to ensure that you and your loved ones feel at ease the entire time.
The SkyWheel in Panama City Beach is climate-controlled, so don’t worry about feeling hot or sticky during the summer months. The ride rotates smoothly; motion-sickness is rarely a concern. As a standard rider, you’ll take the trip around four times. Long enough to gain a full perspective of the views that surround you, but not so long that you feel restless. A typical ride lasts anywhere between ten and fifteen minutes.
In addition to dozens of standard gondolas, the attraction offers a VIP area, complete with first-class service. As a VIP rider, you’ll skip the usual wait and enjoy double the standard time in the SkyWheel. You’ll also receive a commemorative lanyard and a photo of your group. More importantly, your VIP gondola features leather seating and a glass-bottom floor that grants you an even better view of Panama City Beach.
Whether you opt for a VIP or a standard gondola, you’ll appreciate the scenery visible from your comfortable seat. During the day, you’ll gaze down at the pristine sand and water of Panama City Beach. At night, you can take in a spectacular show of lights.
The SkyWheel’s proximity to Dave & Buster’s, The Back Porch, and several other Pier Park attractions is minimal. This makes it the perfect addition to a day of fun at one of PCB’s best entertainment areas. Although the PCB SkyWheel is worth visiting on its own, make sure to set aside plenty of time to explore the area’s other offerings.
Insider Tips:
-Keep an eye on the official SkyWheel Instagram and Facebook pages, where you’ll find regular updates about deals, closings, and holiday hours.
-The attraction held a special event with exclusive packages for New Year’s Eve. Additional special events are expected for future holidays.
-Some visitors underestimate the extent to which they might be bothered by heights. Those who ride the SkyWheel have been known to get off after just one rotation. If you struggle at all with heights, this is not the attraction for you. Especially since there are no refunds offered to those who exit mid-ride.
-While the views from the SkyWheel in PCB are remarkable all day long, sunset rides are by far the most scenic.