Glass Slide…Who Needs An Amusement Park?

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Glass Slide…Who Needs An Amusement Park?

A new attraction opens in Los Angeles and people are already either lining up to go on it or to stay away. For those of us with a huge fear of heights, we are the ones staying away. It is the Sky Slide and it costs $8 per person to go down the slide. That is after paying up to $25 just to go to the 70th floor where you can get on the ride. That isn’t even the scariest part…that would be to actually slide down.

There Is Nothing To See

As you can see, the slide is made up entirely of 3-ply, 1 1/4 inch see-through glass. Even though the ride only goes from the 70th floor down to the 69th, you are suspended almost a thousand feet above the streets of Los Angeles. If you don’t believe me, there are several videos on Youtube with brave souls taking the plunge. I know, because I have seen everyone of them with my eyes closed. Here’s just one to wet your whistle…or make you vomit.

Nowhere To Hide

The slide is mounted on the outside of the US Bank Tower. The floor it is connected to at the top of the ride is known as the OUE Skyspace. It is an open-air observation deck that gives you a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire Los Angeles area. The view will stretch from the San Fernando Valley to Catalina Island. The OUE Skyspace renovation that brings you the observation deck and the suspended slide was budgeted at $50 million.

Observation Deck

The destination of the short, one-floor jaunt is the 69th floor. Also known as the observation deck. It is billed as California’s tallest and largest, at 2800 square feet. Looking at the picture, it doesn’t appear wide enough. If I hug the building, it looks like I can still see how high up I am. The last thing I would want to do on this observation deck is to actually observe.

OUE Skyspace

The 70th floor, from which you illogically leave the safety of in order to take this plunge, is known as the OUE Skyspace. From here you can look over a digital topography map of the LA area which you can find various landmarks among other things. There is an infinity mirror that reflects your image back and forth to create the illusion of infinity. The Silhouette Wall uses pixels to create a shadowy image that moves. Beware, your shadow may not be under your control.

One Small Slide For Mankind…

A lot of planning went into this slide to make it very secure. The slide is reported to be able to carry a school bus load of people. It is designed to withstand hurricane winds up to 110 miles per hour. The owners also claims to be able to hang two blue whales from the slide without it even budging. I would like to see that. Not that I don’t believe them. I just like the visual.

One Giant Leap For…Who’s Next?

There you have it. In order to take the plunge, all you have to do is close your eyes, make sure your insurance is paid for and tell your family that you love them. One 45-foot scream later, you have arrived safely on concrete again. Very nice opaque concrete I might add. If you find you need some extra courage, there is a bar open on the Skyspace deck to help.

 


Would you go on this?  Would you take my place?


 

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