Is the Ain Dubai Open? (A Fall 2024 Update)
Ain Dubai – the world’s tallest Ferris wheel – stands proud as one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks. And if you’re planning a visit to the UAE’s most famous city, chances are you’re currently compiling your travel bucket list, which probably has a ride on the Ain Dubai somewhere toward the top.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the best news for you. Dubai’s larger-than-life Ferris wheel hasn’t been running for over two years at this point. But I’m happy to report that there are new signs that this could be changing. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ain Dubai closure!
For a bit of context, Ain Dubai made its debut on October 21, 2021. Standing proud at 250 meters, it’s the tallest and largest observation wheel on the planet. By comparison, the High Roller in Las Vegas is 167.6 meters tall and the London Eye is “only” 126 meters in height!
The opening of Ain Dubai was a huge deal here, with locals and tourists alike lining up to take the 38-minute ride, which offers unreal views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf. But the excitement didn’t last long.
When I moved to Dubai in March 2022, riding the Ain Dubai was at the top of my to-do list. I was super bummed when my friend who’d lived here for a few years said it had recently closed for repairs. Since then, there have been a few rumors that the Ferris wheel was slated to reopen, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Since the Ain Dubai closure, the structure has still dazzled with its impressive LED light display, which comes to life on Bluewaters Island every evening. Seeing the Ain Dubai all lit up at night is still one of my favorite things to do in JBR. And because I live nearby, I take in those magical views of the Ain Dubai most evenings.
Because I visit Bluewaters Island often, I also noticed a flurry of activity around Ain Dubai starting in the summer of 2024. In the past few months, I’ve spotted workers tinkering around at the base of the Ferris wheel, dangling from the wheel’s sky-high spokes, and testing lights and screens in the Ain Dubai’s 48 cabins.
But the real excitement came when I saw the Ain Dubai rotating again! This is something I’d never witnessed before and it made me wonder: could it be possible that a reopening is imminent?
Honestly, no one really knows. According to the official website:
“Ain Dubai remains closed until further notice as we continue to rigorously work on completing the enhancement works that have been taking place over the past months. Once a reopening date is set, a further announcement will be made.”
So, is Ain Dubai open? Sadly, the answer is still no. But as someone who’s been eagerly awaiting the reopening of Ain Dubai for over two years, it’s exciting to see that the world’s tallest Ferris wheel is showing signs of new life!
