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Renewed Cypress Gardens Focuses On Strengths

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By JENNIFER LEIGH

jleigh@wfla.com

Published: March 29, 2009

WINTER HAVEN - Cypress Gardens, the state's first big theme park, reopens today with some big changes.

Gone are the carnival rides and animal attractions.

"It's very difficult to compete with $80 million roller coasters that are less than 40 minutes from the Gardens," General Manager Bill Sims said. Instead, Cypress Gardens is focusing on its world-famous plants and topiaries, and its brand-new water park.

"With what we have planned with the product, the gardens, the water park, it'll appeal to two totally different markets," Sims said. "We'll grow the water park by adding new features and new rides next year, and we will continue to take and improve and embellish the gardens."

More than 40,000 annuals have been replanted. The famous water ski show is running, with the electric boat tours resuming operation in the near future. The iconic Southern Belles are back and a number of special events, including flower festivals and concerts, are being scheduled.

Sims, an entertainment industry veteran, leads the new management team. Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens for park founder Dick Pope Sr., from 1970 to 1985, serving as the park's executive vice president for many of those years.

More than 90 past employees of Cypress Gardens have been hired. Ultimately more than 150 full- and part-time employees will be employed during the peak season.

Current season's pass holders will get an extended expiration date to offset the period of time the park was closed, according to a news release. Annual passes for Cypress Gardens are $39.95 for ages 3 and older, and Splash Island Water Park season passes at $49.95 for ages 3 and older. An annual pass that includes the 2009 water park season and 12-month admission to the gardens is available for $69.95 for ages 3 and older.

Daily tickets for Splash Island Water Park are $23.95 for ages 10-59, and $17.95 for children ages 3-9 and seniors 60 and older. Daily Cypress Gardens tickets are $12.95 for ages 10-59, and $9.95 for young children and seniors.

Hours for the water park are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends. Hours will be extended during the summer.
Cypress Gardens is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends.

Highlands Today contributed to this report.

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