Cypress Gardens Nipped in the Bud
In a stunning development, the new owner of Cypress Gardens announced that it will be closing the park on November 17 and reopening it next March--without its coasters, other rides, or animals. The botanical gardens, which are the heart and soul of the park, will continue, as will the famous water ski show. Cypress Gardens plans to expand its water park as well. There was no word whether the park's popular concert series would continue.
Dating back to 1936, Cypress Gardens is the oldest theme park in Florida. Disney and other next-generation parks rendered Cypress Gardens a bit too quaint, and by 2003, it closed after years of dwindling attendance. Kent Buescher, then the owner of Georgia's Wild Adventures, came to the rescue and reopened the park in 2005 with a water park, concert series, coasters, and other amusement park staples. By late 2007, however, mounting debt forced Buescher to sell both Wild Adventures and Cypress Gardens.
The new owners, Land South Adventures, recently cut the park's schedule back to weekends only. When Cypress Gardens closes in a few days, the park will build a new parking lot, move its entrance gate, and begin removing the rides and animals. Most of the rides are off-the-shelf numbers, and some are of the traveling carnival variety. The Triple Hurricane wood coaster, however, was custom designed for the park. And the classic Starliner wood coaster, which was relocated from Florida's shuttered Miracle Strip Amusement Park, opened to rave reviews in 2007. Land South Adventures hasn't indicated its plans for either coaster.
- Cypress Gardens Photo Gallery
- Splash Island Water Park at Cypress Gardens
Comments
In Oct this year I purchased annual tickets, for my self and My wife ELBA which would expire IN DEC 31,2008. I don’t understand why if you knew about this remodel why didn’t they tell me this before I purchased this tickets. I was going for one day and the sale person clerk said why don’t you pay an additional 10 dollars for the rest of the year for the two of us. My question is what is going to happen with that addition money I payed and what is going to happen with the rest of your clients who purchased annual pass.
Alfredo-
it’s a reasonable question that should be directed to the folks at Cypress Gardens. It would seem only fair to refund the $10 extra you paid for the annual pass. Good luck!
-Arthur
Our family of 5 bought annual passes this past autumn for Cypress Gardens. We have emailed them and tried calling the numbers listed, but we cannot get ahold of anyone. Does anyone know another route we can take to contact someone regarding some type of refund?
Sue-
This is the number I have. Not sure if it’s correct or whether anybody would be there to answer:
(863) 324-2111
Best of luck.
-Arthur