 February 2001 – October 2008
LOCATION
Paradise Pier – The Sun Wheel was pretty difficult to miss; the massive Ferris wheel overlooked Paradise Bay. The wheel still stands today, but is now Mickey’s Fun Wheel.
BACKGROUND
Every California beach boardwalk needs a Ferris wheel, and Paradise Pier was no exception. Imagineers designed a massive wheel to anchor the bay, with the bonus feature of tamer vs. more adventurous experiences. The Sun Wheel debuted on Opening Day in 2001, and though the wheel still stands today, the original theming came to an end in 2008.
EXPERIENCE
Just like the Ferris wheel today, visitors chose between swinging or stationary cars. The more adventurous swinging cars slide back and forth on tracks as the wheel rotated, while the stationary cars sat above the tracks and offered even higher views of the park. Both experiences provided riders amazing views of old California Adventure (Paradise Pier, Golden State, and the Hollywood Pictures Backlot).
CLOSURE
In the mid 2000s, Disney announced a major expansion and refurbishment of California Adventure, with the main goal of incorporating more Disney characters and theming into the park. As part of this transformation, many existing attractions didn’t close, but rather adopted new theming and styling more in line with typical Disney parks attractions. The Sun Wheel officially closed in 2008, later reopening as Mickey’s Fun Wheel.
TRIVIA
The Sun Wheel was the first Ferris wheel with swinging cars since Wonder Wheel on Coney Island, opened in 1927.
The attraction’s sun façade drew inspiration from Mexican folk art.
After sunset, lighting at the center of the wheel made the sun’s rays glow in the dark.
 
tbh the sun face always creeped me out lol