Mickey’s Fun Wheel

I would not recommend this ride. Especially not the swinging gondolas. There are two lines. One has cars that are fixed and another with cars that rock around on a smaller circular track as the wheel goes around. You just rock around a lot as you go around the Ferris wheel and it stops frequently to let people on at the bottom.
You will leave motion sick with very little reward for your trouble. It’s not a particularly exciting ride and it leaves you feeling unwell. You have been warned.

I hate farris wheels, but did this because I wanted my Carl to do the Hollywood Tower. So it was okay to start out with. They lull you into a false sense of security and then the swinging starts! And thankfully it’s soon over.
Our first time and as pretty as the wheel is, I think I’ll just satisfy myself with looking at it from now on.

This is a human trap of evil, set by a mouse.
So I was about to head home after a day of fun in California Adventures, and I decided to go on this ride with my dad. We made the (terrible) decision to go on the swinging car. The line was not as long as a lot of people are saying it is, even though we went at the same time as the youtube convention in the middle of the summer. So we get in the car with 2 other complete strangers, and then we’re off. In the first couple seconds the car slid along the track (which is a lot like a looped roller coaster track) and swung upward toward the sky. And that was when I started freaking out. I was doing some kind of compilation between crying, screaming and hyperventilation while grabbing the metal netting. Luckily it didn’t swing much at the very top, but when it did swing I was a hot mess. And the other people in the car were obviously torn between amusement and annoyance at my reaction. And I’m not usually really squeamish. I like rides that are scary, like splash and space mountain and other roller coaster type rides. There is just something more terrifying about this ride that is different from all the other ones.

Our group wanted to go into one of the swinging gondolas, but we accidentally ended up in line for the non-​swinging ones. I alerted one of the staff members, and they let my group switch to the swinging gondola! That was very nice of them. I think it was also because by the time we got in line, they had to close off the ride to everyone because they had to shut down by 8:00 to prepare for the World of Color show. We were lucky to be among the last ones to make it in line.
While not as thrilling as roller coasters, it’s a bit unnerving to be in a swinging gondola at first, especially since you’re going back and forth, and you get glorious views of the park from the sky. You either feel serene because you get to take in such beautiful views, or you’re scared brainless because of the realization of how high you are. The ferris wheels also makes several stops to let rides on and off, so there will be times when you’re just sitting there, in the gondola, waiting for the wheel to move again.
You go on the ferris wheel in two rounds, and get the hang of being in a swinging gondola. We had a lot of fun on this! A nice ride to go onto when you’re a bit tired of the faster rides, but don’t want something too slow.

Disneyland is always fun. I come here whenever I get invited because it’s FREE! haha. It’s more fun when its FREE, don’t chu agree? So do come at this time of the year because you get to see all kinds of parades and fire works before the HOLIDAYS! YAY! Just go and stop reading boring reviews!

Part I (last year):
I do love this ride (I love ferris wheels!), and I want to go on the moving one sometime (hubby’s got motion sickness and a heights thing, but I don’t). Last year, we took our little man on it, and he’s so fearless, it’s a trip! He really liked it. Beautiful views of the park. Anyway, we rode with another couple (no child) and got to talking with them, they had the 5 day hopper, so they were chill (to spend more than one day would be really nice, ok, yes, I was a little jealous, I admit it). (See, last year, our son was younger, and could not understand that we were leaving a ride to go to another ride, and was crying every time.)
Part II (this year)
This year, this part of the park was closing early due to the World Of Color (like the water show at the Bellagio casino/​hotel, but Disney-​themed), so we didn’t get to go on it. Sad face. Maybe next time. But not in October, it’s too darn hot (complete with humidity). At least, our nearly-​three-​year-​old understood about the rides this year (no crying, but lots of pointing vigorously at the gate entrance of each ride we stood in line).

I feel like you either hate this ride or you love it.
There is no in between here.
You either love the feel of the butterflies you get deep in your stomach when the wheel starts to drop you up and down or you want to throw up.
I am in love with this ride! I love the thrill, and I love the views from the top of this Ferris wheel! Its the best views of the entire park!
If you are someone who has a sensitive stomach or you get motion sickness easily this may not be the ride for you. Without fail every time we go on here it makes my fiancé sick to his stomach and he doesn’t even have a weak stomach.
If you have small children I would suggest the stationary side the ones that don’t move, every time I’m seated with a child under five they cry the while time.

Ferris Wheels give me the heebie jeebies! Being stuck up there at the top, with kids in the bucket, just thinking of the million things that could go wrong sends me into a tail spin. But my kids love it, so I take one for the team periodically. Always on the non-​swinging side though! I’ve gone swinging once and it wasn’t scary, just nausea inducing to the max.
The line is always longer than the posted wait time. And there is basically no shade in the non-​swinging side, so be prepared to bake.
If you can stop your brain from thinking while on the ride, it is enjoyable enough. I mean you get a breeze up there and there are good views of the entire park. You get two revolutions per ride, so the duration of the ride is pretty decent.

Should be called «Mickey’s Wheel of Terror» for the moving gondolas.
I wish I could say I fought the good fight and dealt with the moving and sliding gondola like a champ. I wish I could say that I even rode the moving gondola, but I didn’t. My child and my fiancé didn’t want to ride it and instead wanted to ride the non-​moving gondola — but I confess, I was glad.
I like certain rides, but after sitting across the pier and watching these gondolas, I was afraid the lunch I ate hours before would make it’s way back out, so I decided to take the easy ride up on this Ferris wheel.
It goes up pretty high and is a great view all around. You could see all the larger rides in Disneyland (like the Matterhorn, Space Mountain… etc) and get a general view of the entire parks and a few blocks around the park as well. It’s a smooth ride and worth a trip.
While you are in your non-​moving, peaceful, relaxing still gondola, you will hear the screams of horror coming those who are in the sliding gondolas around you. It’s almost like you’re in some horror moving waiting room with a great view listening to the screams of torturous terror coming from all around you. The only thing you can do is laugh at their horror and screams.
Maybe next time I’ll garner up the courage (and not eat at least 3 hours before) and take the sliding gondola.
Anyway, large wheel that reaches a great height. Placed beautifully next to the coaster and makes a great picture both during the day and at night. If you’re in California Adventure, you must go on this at least once.

I’m a rolly-​coaster kind of girl. The taller, faster, dippier, looptier, droppier they are, the more I love them. I like the speed, I like the thrill. I’ve never met a rolly coaster I didn’t like.
And yet, this wheel had me in tears in just under a minute.
Let me go back. My husband decided we should go on this «ride» while we were at DCA. It was something we hadn’t done in a while, so while I was initially hesitant (our last trip was a little unsettling, from what I remembered), I was game. I mean — it’s a Ferris Wheel, for crying out loud. I can stand going around in a slow circle for five minutes!
Famous last words. We stood in the «swinging» line for about twenty minutes, and when we got to the front, the operator asked me if I wanted a car to ourselves. I was thrilled by the question (the kids behind us were obnoxious and loud), so I immediately replied with, «Yes, please.» She nodded and got us settled in the car, with my husband sitting down next to me on one side.
Now, before the wheel even started to move, I got up and moved to other side, so that we were facing each other. My husband was offended, apparently, and got up to follow me.
Bad. Idea.
Once the wheel started to move, the car started to swing. And once it started to swing, my anxiety level skyrocketed.
Now look — logically, I *knew* that the car wasn’t going to flip over. Logically. Emotionally, however, my mind was telling me that I was in danger, and that the car would be my coffin. It didn’t help that we were off-​balance, because my damn husband insisted on being next to me, instead of across from me, as I had asked.
I started to pray. Loudly. Okay, «pray» might be too nice a term for the things that were coming out of my mouth. I cursed. And then I started to cry. And this whole time, my jerk of a husband is laughing at me. I was in tears, I was starting to hyperventilate, and he’s sitting there chortling over my distress.
It was as we were coming to the top of our first circuit that he stopped laughing at me to really look, and realized, hey — my wife’s not joking.
He beat a hasty retreat over to the opposite bench — asking the whole time if that’s what I wanted (not like I could reply with my stomach and my heart battling out for space in my throat) — while also asking me if I was okay. I think he thought I was going to pass out. He wasn’t far off.
Once he got his ass over on the bench opposite, the swinging lessened dramatically. It took a while for my mind and my body to make the connection — hubs is on the other side, car isn’t swinging in loops — but eventually I started to calm down a bit.
We made it through the second circuit with only a few hiccups of fear from me, but let me tell ya — I could NOT get out of that car fast enough, once our ride ended.
I apologize for not having pictures. I was too busy trying to force my fingers from their death grip on the car’s grates to worry about scenery and photo opportunities. I’d be surprised if I didn’t leave a permanent mark in the grates, super-​hero style.
It’s a great distraction, and you do get some wonderful views up top. But honestly, I wouldn’t do the swinging car again, even if my husband acquiesces and sits opposite me. I didn’t like that feeling one bit! And thank GOD we were alone in that car! I can’t even imagine what the people behind me would have thought about my antics that day!

When is a ferris wheel different then other ferris wheels? When half of the gondolas swing back and forth… and there’s a barf bag inside (that I almost had to use).
Mickey’s Fun Wheel is one of the big landmarks of Disney California Adventure; it also plays a part during the World of Color show at night when video images are broadcast on the side of the wheel. Also, if you have a smartphone, there’s a little game you can play prior to the show where if you win, you can actually control the lights on the wheel for 30 seconds (good luck finding a strong wi-​fi signal, though)!
Anyway, it was my girlfriend’s birthday, and she REALLY wanted to go on one of the swinging gondolas; we were paired with a grandfather taking his granddaughters up for the ride. When they saw me trying not to look down, one of the girls asked me, «Mister, are you afraid of heights?» A bit embarrassed, I said, «Yes. Yes, I am.» (To be fair, the granddad said, «See, this is what men do for their women.»)
And yes, you do go up pretty far and get great views of the park… but once the gondola starts swinging on the full ferris wheel rotation, prepare for some screams and your stomach leaping into your throat. Even Kathy was a bit freaked out — she didn’t expect the gondola to swing back that high!
Mickey’s Fun Wheel is definitely to be experienced… but I think next time we’ll ride on the non-​swinging gondolas, thankyouverymuch!

Mickey’s Fun Wheel is the iconic landmark in DCA. I’m not personally a fan of ferris wheels, but when in Disney… There are two separate lines: one for swinging gondolas and the other for stationary gondolas. As this is a popular ride you only get two full circle rides, but I feel it’s worth it! You get great views of the park and city. Also at night the ferris wheel is lit up and it is absolutely gorgeous.
Pro-​tip: There are barf bags in the carriage if necessary.

There are separate lines for the swinging and non-​swinging gondolas. Pick your poison. That said, the five and six year olds in our party weathered the swinging cars with no problem. The shorter non-​swinging lines are enticing, but you won’t really be experiencing the ride unless you go ahead and swing. It’s pretty tame by modern amusement standards in any case. The ride can also be quite variable, with lots of swinging on some rotations and not much on others. So don’t be lulled into complacency. It might be too scary for some young kids, but if you put on a brave face and have fun, I suspect your little ones will follow in enjoyment.

I’m not sure why this thing is called «mickeys fun wheel» this thing scared the you know what outta me!!! I don’t enjoy heights, but when you pay an arm and a leg to go to Disneyland, you better believe I’m going on every single attraction to get my monies worth!!! I guess it was a little fun, but as soon as that cart hauls a$$ down the track when you get the top I may have screamed bloody murder. Not to mention we were seated with three ten year old kids (I’m 28) and they thought it would be funny to get out cart rocking! Ugh! Almost had a panic attack! If you don’t like heights or swinging freely, this is NOT for you!

I’m surprised by some of the reviews on here! It really wasn’t THAT scary! It was pretty fun I thought. Really people?
Worth it to stand in line for the swinging gondolas. No there’s no seatbelts. Something about something that Newton laws of physics could explain to me that I don’t know. Yes it’s swingy but it’s fun. Good views too.

Want one of the swinging gondolas? This line. One of the normal gondolas? That line. I made the knowing mistake of thinking it’d be fun to go up in the swinging gondola. WRONG.
Holy eff-​balls, this is a scary mess of a ride. Fun Wheel? More like Scare Wheel. Swinging wildly around in a little mesh gondola, and there’s nothing to stop it. Like rolling around 200 feet in the air for a few minutes? Have at it. After the first revolution, I was OK. Sort of. Get me OFF this g-​d thing.

I ain’t gonna lie but this ferris wheel is hella scary! I got on the swinging gondola and I was screaming and holding on to my dear life! Ferris wheels are seriously not supposed to swing like that!
At first glance, the wheel looks nice and innocent but looks can be deceiving! It’s a possessed ferries wheel!
The wheel at night time is sooooooooo pretty!

I really want to love this attraction. I find the swinging vehicles to be so much fun. (You have the option of swinging and non-​swinging.)
But I just can’t believe how long the queue for this attraction can get, and it feels like forever. Once in the vehicle, it’s like every other ferris wheel where you have to wait as people get on and off.
Once everyone is on, they let you go around once. Then, you wait again for everyone to get off.
I guess… I just don’t have the patience for this attraction all the time, so I’ll just go on it every once in a while. My recommendation? Try it once. I think you should form your own opinion on this attraction. :D

One of my favorite rides here!
I’ve been on both the non-​swinging gondalas and the swinging gondalas. If you’re down for a more relaxed and smooth ride, take the non-​swinging ones. If you’re up to a more hectic and crazy swinging ride, take the swinging ones. The gondalas themselves are pretty secure, and they come with barfbags surprisingly hehe.
The line for this ride is always hectic mid-​day. It’s more fun to come here with a good 3 – 4 people, because they tend to squeeze in more people if you’re only in a group of two or less.
The ride itself is way high! I’m not the biggest fan of heights, but this is the ride you wanna be on if you want a nice view of the pier! The ride has the classic logo of Mickey’s face, and it’s really something when it lights up at night. This ride looks AMAZEBALLS when World of Color comes on!
Breathtaking. You should try it out, at least once in your life, just to say you did :).

This review is for the non-​swinging gondolas. I never sit in the swinging gondolas because not only do I have a fear of heights but combining that with my motion sickness issues could lead to some serious problems!
I’m usually at the park by myself and they typically just let me ride solo. That’s really not an effective way to move the line so I had an opportunity to ride with a nice family and their excited youngster. As we took in the sights from high atop the ferris wheel, I noticed that it really didn’t seem as high as I thought. This illusion is perfect for people that have acrophobia! You can see the parking lot, people squirming and screaming their heads off as they hit that big drop on California Screamin’, and even the Matterhorn!
You are secured within your gondola and it is rather sturdy. Forget about taking unobstructed pictures throughout your journey because the metal webbing that protects your from falling out and dying impedes your ability to capture a great shot of the park. You can still snap your photos but they won’t be as awesome!
The non-​swinging line is always shorter than the swinging gondola line. Therefore, I’m inclined to believe that the swinging gondolas must be a lot more fun to ride! I’ll take everyone’s word on that one!
It’s a nice smooth ride and I’ve never had any issues with this breaking down (knock on wood).