Riding high on "The London Eye" - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

When you visit London, you are faced with a challenge. How do you see everything? In a city this big, wouldn't it be great to get above it all. You can by riding the London Eye.

"Each day when I see this, it's amazing. There's not many cities in the world that can claim this," said London Eye spokeswoman Sahrette Saayman. "It's completely in the middle of London. It's hanging over the river Thames, which is a magnificent design and right opposite the House of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace. It's really bringing the old and new of London together."

The London Eye is considered an observation wheel, not a ferris wheel.

"Our design is quite different than that of a Ferris Wheel. This is the first time that a wheel has been designed with the capsules being motorized on the outside," said Saayman. "Whereas a traditional ferris wheel where the gondolas hang by gravity and staying upright by gravity. Where we are completely motorized and fully enclosed."

The London Eye has 32 enclosed capsules. One rotation takes half an hour, allowing you to soak in a breathtaking 360-degree view.

"If you're at the top, the apex, it's 135 meters above London. About 450 feet. It's certainly one of the best places to see how London fits together. All the streets and how everything fits together in London," said Saayman.

It is spectacular during the day. When it's clear, you can see 25 miles. The ride becomes even more dramatic at night. Since opening in 2000, the "Eye" becomes a focal point during London's New Year's celebration. The London Eye has also become incredibly popular for those in love.

"We get hundreds of proposals each year and many of those guests come back to get married at the London Eye. And if you've seen one of the weddings, it's absolutely beautiful. You get to say your 'I do's' at the very top, 135 meters above this amazing capital," said Saayman who says she rides the London Eye 40-50 times a year.

"It doesn't matter how many times you do it. I still find something exciting. Whether it's something to look at or it feels different. It doesn't even matter what the weather is like, it's always a great experience," said Saayman. "Every morning of my life, I walk over Westminster Bridge. How fortunate am I to see Big Ben and the clock, House of Parliament. Right behind it, the great building - Westminster Abbey. Here we are on one of the modern symbols of London. You can just see everything around you."

More than 3.7 million people have taken the ride. Celebrities flock to the London Eye. Actress Jessica Alba has ridden 31 times. Supermodel Kate Moss - 25 times. But her majesty won't ride.

"The Queen, I've been told, cannot be in an closed, confined space. So she can't be evacuated from. So, we would love to welcome her on the London Eye, but we've been fortunate to have some of her children on the London Eye," said Saayman.

In a city filled with historic buildings and the famous river Thames, it is a relatively new kid on the block spinning into a "must" for visitors and becoming a focal point of the brilliant London skyline.

http://www.londoneye.com/