Spectacular, but too expensive

Photo le Journal de Montréal, Chantal Poirier
The top of the ferris Wheel, of Montreal, the panorama of the quebec metropolis offers visitors 28 miles.

Catherine Montambeault

Friday, 1 September 2017 23:42

UPDATE
Saturday, September 2, 2017 00:44

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The 250 lucky ones who were able to get free of charge on board the Great Wheel of Montreal, Friday, have obviously enjoyed the experience, even if many have then shared that they would be reluctant to pay the $ 25 required to raise it again to 60 feet in the air.

“We found it fantastic. The view is absolutely beautiful from up there. And the cabins are air conditioned and really comfortable. In the evening, it must be very beautiful, ” commented Véronique Wilmart, came from Quebec with his spouse.

After months of delay, the Great Wheel of the Old Port has, therefore, welcomed its first visitors on Friday afternoon.

Journal de Montréal, Chantal Poirier

Inside the cabins, a screen allows you to control the room temperature. Informative videos on the city will also be disseminated. A turn lasts fifteen minutes.

An hour before the opening, an impressive crowd lined the already small body of water surrounding the Great Wheel. Frances Moscato and Vicky Tarisella, two friends from Montreal, were put in line as early as 12: 30 a.m. and be certain to get one of the 250 places being offered free of charge to mark the official opening.

“After all, it’s been at least three months as it was expected, so it’s worth the money,” said Ms Moscato.

To 16: 30, the public has finally begun to climb in the 42 cabins capable of holding up to eight people each. Their output, the visitors seemed satisfied.

In the year

“It is nice to be able to see the whole city like that, but I would never have paid $ 25. It is too expensive for what it is. I took the opportunity because it was free, ” said Malivane Guezille, a woman from Montreal who had joined the queue for nearly an hour.

The draft $ 28 million that was initially expected to be completed in June has been delayed due to bad weather in fall and spring of the strike of construction workers in may. In spite of everything, the chairman of the Grand Wheel, Jeff Jorgensen, has assured Friday that he was “not concerned” about having missed the tourist season.

“We’re going to be there 365 days a year. And during the winter, it was 20 % of the tourists who are here in Montreal, he argued. Then people will want to come here to have a breathtaking view of the city. “

Alcohol on board

For the moment, alcohol is not allowed in the cabins, but that could soon change, said Mr Jorgensen. “We are following the steps for this to be possible. Then it is a matter of time, ” he said.

In addition, a food court consisting of a café, a bistro, a bar and an outdoor terrace should open at the foot of the attraction in a few weeks.

A turn of the ferris Wheel lasts about fifteen minutes and costs $ 25 per adult and 77,50 $ for a family of four before taxes.

A VIP cabin with leather seats and glass floor, is also offered at a price of $ 280 for four people. According to Jeff Jorgensen, these prices are quite reasonable.

“If we compare it with other observation infrastructures in Canada and around the world, it’s pretty affordable,” he said.

Tourists

Several people that have climbed aboard the ferris Wheel were, however, not agree with this statement.

“Almost $ 80 for a family, it is too expensive. In addition, it is especially important for children as it comes to a tower. […] It should be $ 25 per family and $ 10 per person, ” suggested Marysol Burns, who was on site with her husband and their three young daughters.

On the contrary, other visitors considered the prices to be acceptable. “As it is the tallest ferris wheel in Canada, I think it’s going to bring a lot of people in Montreal, and the tourists will be willing to pay it,” said the French Florien Dullo.