TR: Cypress Gardens 'Soft' Opening ---------->
J.Walker
again open.
And I have had the honor of visiting the attraction on both unofficial opening
"premiere" weekends.The Park officially opens this Thursday with a smallish
doin's at 11 AM.
I have post the official story that appeared in today's Orlando Sentinel paper
which better tells you about the whose and what's.
But -for those of you with small children -this park is a hum-dinger for them.
I have never seen so many rides for the 3 through 11 set in my life. There must
be at least 215 geared to the little ones. And the Adults AND Teenagers have
not been forgotten either. 4 Roller coasters and a forth really big one is
under construction for mid spring next year. Five Stage shows including the
famous water ski show that everyone will enjoy for all kinds of reasons.
The best part - reasonable prices. And the place is almost all brand spankin'
new. Wide concrete walkways, excellent restroom facilities, and lots of shade.
Food is just a little over-priced but I think that will be corrected in time.
50 cents off everything eatable would place it in the acceptable class.
The old park of the park has also been preserved and it even looks totally new.
Not it isn't Universal or Disney - but as I keep hearing people in the park say
- "this is affordable". Less crowds, more space, and more things for the kids
to do.
Give it a look the next time you are in the area for a week or so.
Almost show time
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park prepares for its grand opening.
December 7, 2004
WINTER HAVEN -- Kent Buescher says he is ready.
After two "soft" open weekends, Buescher's Winter Haven venture -- Cypress
Gardens Adventure Park -- makes its grand debut Thursday.
A frenzy of activity buzzed around the park in recent days as crews working
almost around-the-clock made some major touch-ups, including landscaping,
painting and construction.
A team of about 20 carpenters, seamstresses and decorators came down from
Georgia to finish up Christmas decorations on Monday.
A state official inspects the last four rides today, but much of the
last-minute work craze has slowed.
"The last couple weeks is when you go from a construction site to being able to
occupy it," Buescher said at the park Monday.
He's confident the last four of the park's 38 rides will pass inspection today,
with nearly everything ready Thursday.
Only the animal area, a pirate comedy show, one sit-down restaurant and the
arcade will be lacking for the grand opening.
"We're really in pretty good shape," Buescher said.
Thanks to the "soft" openings, most kinks have been smoothed, such as fixing
spots people could trip on and finishing up a few cosmetic items such as
decorative fencing.
Buescher hopes to have the park running smoothly by Christmas, including the
opening of the arcade, animal area and Aunt Julie's Country Kitchen.
More than 25,000 annual passes have been sold.
"All the comments from guests have been great," he said of the soft openings.
"I've been real surprised."
Buescher, who also owns another theme park in Valdosta, Ga., spent millions to
purchase and restore Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, which closed in April 2003
after 67 years of operation.
Much of his money was spent on landscaping, including the restoration of the
gardens the park is famous for.
"I think [the gardens] are better than ever. They are stunning," Buescher said.
"Everything is like it was when it was built."
While the gardens may bear a similarity to the old Cypress Gardens, Buescher
has made major changes, most notably the several dozen rides.
Alyson Gernert, who grew up visiting Cypress Gardens and is now public
relations manager of the park, said she is grateful its history is preserved.
"I love how everything has been updated and the historical aspect of the park,"
she said.
But Gernert admitted the rides are her favorite addition.
"The ride area is my favorite just because for the past two weeks I've seen the
kids and how excited they are."
There are now four roller coasters, including a wooden one appropriately named
"Triple Hurricane."
Prior to hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, the coaster didn't have a
name.
But after the three storms swept through Polk County, Cypress Gardens officials
knew for sure.
Another major difference includes a change in entertainment, which once catered
primarily to senior citizens.
The entertainment lineup now includes country groups like Rascal Flatts and
Lonestar, and pop and rock acts such as Aaron Carter and Switchfoot.
"In some aspects the park is altogether different," Buescher said. "The biggest
difference is that it didn't have families coming to it -- it was all seniors."
Buescher said it's the combination of the new rides, entertainment and future
water park that makes the new Cypress Gardens Adventure Park stand out.
"It's a very different product . . . It's a whole different pace," he said.
But in the end, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is still about nature, which is
evident by the encompassing landscaping and trees.
"Nature is our theme. You don't find that anywhere else," Buescher said. "Our
mix is so complete. To find a nature park with the most famous botanical
gardens coupled with an amusement park, water park and entertainment . . . it
doesn't exist anymore."
jon
Southern Indiana &
Crescent Lakes, Kissimmee, Florida