Part of the thrill of carnival rides is in the fact that they are put together by hand, tightened with a simple wrench, by high school drop outs, and you are just not sure how safe the cage you just climbed into really is. Well the Sunwheel is Disney's answer to carny rides.
As someone posted previously, the inner cars give you the feeling that they have somehow disconnected from the frame of the wheel and you are beginning to slide your way off the ride and to your death. Again, there are no restraints or handles and the feeling of safe and secure has completely vanished. Add in a fear of heights and it's not thrilling or exhilirating like a Space Mountain or California Screamin', it's down right freaky!
While you are up there sliding to and fro there is a sort of erie calm feeling entangled with the fear and excitement. You really do feel detached from the world, which only adds to that "about to die" feeling. It almost forces you to face your fears of heights, death, loneliness, etc.
I will say that as adults both my wife (not afraid of heights) and I (afraid of heights) were shaken up by the experience. Our kids on the other hand thought it was a great time and were practically bouncing off the walls of the cage with excitement. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they have not had time to develop the fears and concerns we adults have? I don't know.
I do know I hated the ride. But, I'm glad I experienced it the once. I will however never do it again.