Tim Barry
23-09-2004, 11:32
Hi All
The open is getting closer just alittle set back because of the Hurricanes though.
Cypress Gardens To Feature Retooled Water Show
While famous for the botanical gardens, Cypress Gardens was well-known for one other activity -- water-skiing. And come Nov. 18, tentatively, there will be water-skiing at the park once again.
That's the day the attraction is expected to reopen, and water-skiing will be an important part of the experience at the Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, but it won't be the same old show.
The new owner, Kent Buescher, has hired Water Ski Shows Inc., of Sevierville, Tenn., to put on the park's ski shows.
'We're going to put in some special effects that weren't there before,' said Gary Thompson, WSSI president and owner. 'It's going to be a show specific to Cypress Gardens.'
After an ambitious plan to reopen the park this summer proved impossible because of the amount of work that needed to be done, Buescher announced an October opening. Then Hurricane Charley came in August, causing extensive damage to the botanical gardens and several structures at the park, forcing Buescher to delay opening until November.
Cypress Gardens is one of Florida's oldest attractions, but attendance had waned for several years before it closed April 13, 2003. Respect for water-skiing in Polk County hasn't suffered too much, Thompson said.
'With the gardens leading the way, that can all be recaptured,' he said. 'There's no place in the world with the history of water-skiing like Cypress Gardens.'
Skiers will begin rehearsing for the first show in a few weeks.
Because the show will be operated out of only one of the park's waterfront theaters, it will be tighter and closer to the audience, said Voisard, who lives in Eagle Lake.
'The new shows probably won't be as big, but they will be just as exciting,' Voisard said. 'It's going to be action-packed.'
Besides the United States, Thompson's company has produced ski shows in Asia and Europe, including a year-round show at Germany's Holiday Park.
While Hurricane Charley has delayed the opening, work has continued the last two months.
Many of the park's 36 amusement rides, including four roller coasters, are nearing completion.
'We may be ready to test the wooden roller coaster this week,' she said. 'The Island in the Sky was working last week. We're calling it the Sunshine Sky Adventure now.'
Most work to restore the botanical gardens and its draping tree canopies was complete when the storm struck.
All the effort will no doubt be worth it when the visitors return
Tim
The open is getting closer just alittle set back because of the Hurricanes though.
Cypress Gardens To Feature Retooled Water Show
While famous for the botanical gardens, Cypress Gardens was well-known for one other activity -- water-skiing. And come Nov. 18, tentatively, there will be water-skiing at the park once again.
That's the day the attraction is expected to reopen, and water-skiing will be an important part of the experience at the Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, but it won't be the same old show.
The new owner, Kent Buescher, has hired Water Ski Shows Inc., of Sevierville, Tenn., to put on the park's ski shows.
'We're going to put in some special effects that weren't there before,' said Gary Thompson, WSSI president and owner. 'It's going to be a show specific to Cypress Gardens.'
After an ambitious plan to reopen the park this summer proved impossible because of the amount of work that needed to be done, Buescher announced an October opening. Then Hurricane Charley came in August, causing extensive damage to the botanical gardens and several structures at the park, forcing Buescher to delay opening until November.
Cypress Gardens is one of Florida's oldest attractions, but attendance had waned for several years before it closed April 13, 2003. Respect for water-skiing in Polk County hasn't suffered too much, Thompson said.
'With the gardens leading the way, that can all be recaptured,' he said. 'There's no place in the world with the history of water-skiing like Cypress Gardens.'
Skiers will begin rehearsing for the first show in a few weeks.
Because the show will be operated out of only one of the park's waterfront theaters, it will be tighter and closer to the audience, said Voisard, who lives in Eagle Lake.
'The new shows probably won't be as big, but they will be just as exciting,' Voisard said. 'It's going to be action-packed.'
Besides the United States, Thompson's company has produced ski shows in Asia and Europe, including a year-round show at Germany's Holiday Park.
While Hurricane Charley has delayed the opening, work has continued the last two months.
Many of the park's 36 amusement rides, including four roller coasters, are nearing completion.
'We may be ready to test the wooden roller coaster this week,' she said. 'The Island in the Sky was working last week. We're calling it the Sunshine Sky Adventure now.'
Most work to restore the botanical gardens and its draping tree canopies was complete when the storm struck.
All the effort will no doubt be worth it when the visitors return
Tim