Orlando Eye lights up the night sky

The Orlando Eye, the 400-foot observation wheel on International Drive, officially lit up for the first time Thursday night with the flip of a giant switch. The new attraction, which will open May 4 in the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex, will be lit with about 64,000 LED bulbs, said a spokeswoman for Merlin Entertainments Group, the wheel’s operator. The attraction has been lighting up for the last several nights as construction workers finish the light installation, a process that took four weeks. While Thursday’s display appeared lit with a purple tint, the wheel’s lights range in color, including pink, red, blue and green among the mix. Merlin officials said the wheel can be lit for various holidays or other celebrations. The Orlando Eye terminal building also includes Madame Tussauds wax museum, Sea Life Aquarium and a food court. The complex, developed by Orlando-based Unicorp, also includes restaurants and retail shops.