Gyeongju World – TIME RIDER Coaster Wheel

The Time Rider Coaster Wheel is a stand-alone attraction that features 24 suspended cabins, 16 swinging and 8 fixed, with a capacity for over 1,080 passengers per hour. FORREC’s team of concept artists, graphic designers, and architectural designers worked together to create the story, ride and vehicle theming, queue building, and façade for this dynamic new ride. FORREC’s creative concept revolves around the theme of time travel and a unique character named Dr. Chrono, an inventor who is attempting to unravel the mysteries of time, while is on a mission to unite the future with the past.

Passengers enter the queue at ground level and choose their destiny: the line for Time Keepers, the fixed cabins offering a more traditional Ferris wheel experience, or the line for Time Travellers, the swinging cabins which move along an oblong-shaped coaster track, rising and falling with gravity as the wheel turns! After choosing, guests ascend to board the ride at the roof of the queue building. The cabins are embellished with distinct colours and graphics, and dazzling lighting design highlights the moving gears of the giant clock-like wheel.

FORREC’s concept and design package for this project encompassed extensive graphic elements and signage design featuring upbeat but theme-appropriate typography, colour palettes, and custom LED lighting design. FORREC designed the central wheel logo and artwork to strict specifications; weight and wind loads were important technical considerations in ensuring safe operation of the massive wheel. FORREC worked closely with Intamin, the ride manufacturer, to bridge an exciting visual experience and optimum ride performance.

This coaster wheel project is among many in FORREC’s strong relationship with Gyeongju World and Intamin. FORREC has completed nearly a dozen projects with Gyeongju World over the past 20+ years, starting in 2002 with a long-term master plan and revitalization study for the park, followed by multiple theme park expansion and ride design projects, a new front gate design, park branding, and wayfinding signage.

The first in Korea, and the world’s tallest Coaster Wheel at 51 m, Time Rider welcomed guests on board for the first time in July 2025 to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Gyeongju World amusement park.