ORLANDO, Fla. – Hundreds turned out to see the Orlando Eye turn on Thursday night. It was the culmination of years of planning and weeks of lighting.
[MORE: Orlando Eye lighting system tested | Local 6 Theme World blog]
"We're really excited," said Robin Goodchild, general manager for the Orlando Eye. "Tonight we're turning on the lights for the first time."
Glow sticks were handed out by Merlin Entertainment employees as they walked into the courtyard for the lightning ceremony.
"We've been waiting for this for years," one employee said. "I can't believe it's finally going to happen."
Zach Miller, a young man battling a life-threatening lung disease, was the honorary guest to flip the switch and light up the 64,000 LED lights on the wheel.
"I'm so excited," Miller said.
"I couldn't believe they are giving him the opportunity to do this," Miller's dad said. "He's very excited."
A 10-second countdown later, Miller flipped the switch, but nothing seemed to come on.
"I thought I broke it," Miller said.
To his relief, he hadn't. The Eye began rotating slowly and as it did, the lights lit up on the wheel at the same speed, taking nearly 20 minutes to completely illuminate.
"It built up the anticipation," one Merlin employee said. "One little piece at a time, didn't expect that."
The Eye stayed lit up until late in the evening. Then as slowly as they turned on, they turned back off. Eye officials said they will light up once again as May nears and the Eye opens to the public.