View Full Version : Cypress Gardens - Is it worth It
ccarcher
21-02-2007, 15:37
In all my years going to Florida never visited Cypress Gardens
always used to think of it as a large very nice garden centre with some mermaid show, and a viewing tower
but from something I read yesterday it appears an awful lot of changes took place around 2004/2005
Sounds as though its now a great kind of more tradditional and relaxed, old Florida style park, with some great rides of a more gentle type for younger kids
My two are 4 & 5 when we visit in July for 4 weeks
would people recomend including it in our schedule
Paula D-S
21-02-2007, 15:49
We visited here for the first time last summer and found it to be a perfect parks for my daughter then aged 4 and 10. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it especially with the age of your children.
I did write a review which you can find here.
http://www.uscarhire.co.uk/florida-trips/cypress-gardens-2.aspx
Don't forget to take your swimwear if you do go as there is a small water park too which not at all on the same level as the Disney water parks it's fun and cooling.
I don't know whether you have little boys or girls but you can hire Southern Belle costumes too.
Here are a few pics of my daughters all dressed up.
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_32661.asp
Cruella DeVilla
21-02-2007, 15:54
Yes, it's perfect for younger kids.
ccarcher
21-02-2007, 16:23
Hi yes found your article and I think it will be certainly on our schedule
sounds kind of ideal for my son 5 and daughter 4, and good introduction and chance to aclimatise, to the parks of Florida for them, and for us as parents
And the water park will definately be on our trip
do you know if entrance is covered on any of the other park ticket such as flex ticket etc
Paula D-S
21-02-2007, 16:30
I don't think any other park tickets cover the admission for this.
It's around $45 per adult and $40 per child. When we went they were giving a free day pass for each one you bought so we went twice within the week.
christhear
21-02-2007, 16:48
We went in February, pirced were $44.95 for adults and $39.95 for children (plus tax of course. Plenty of rides - we didn't queue for any and stayed on some several times. this price goves you a 2nd day free if you upgrade at Guests services and you have 6 days to use the free day in.
We acyually upgraded to Passposrts, good for the whole of 2007. Only $25 dollars extra and you get free parking included. We did this as we are back for 3 weeks in the summer and thought we would try the water park out.
Some fo the rides are also still very thrilling so if you want thrill rides you can still get them, and if you hunt around there are loads of rides for the younger children.
Don't forget to vist the animals, at the shows the children get a chance to stroke some of the unusaul animals. One thing that made me laugh though was one of the wallabies had just had a baby and it was an albino, the press were making a big thing of this. If I go to my local Safari Park (woburn) there are loads of these. Just unusual in America I think.
dolphinv
21-02-2007, 16:50
We went in October with my mother, she thought the gardens and butterflys were fantasic. :D
We enjoyed the the coasters as there is something for all ages! If you have little girls have a look at the southern belle where they can dress up in wonderful dresses etc. ;) Then for the boys or men in the family there is a fantastic model railway set up at the back of one of the shops. [msnsmile2] I think i have some photos at home I will try post later!
It is well worth the trip, and is a far more relaxing day out. They even have dodgem cars which my boys love.
Paula D-S
11-03-2007, 13:53
Yes it is worth going. [msnsmile2]
alanandjude
11-03-2007, 19:56
We went last December and our little boy, Barney (5) loved it. It was very quiet when we were there and he was able to stay on the kid's rides as long as he wanted!
He also stroked a baby alligator (with his jaws strapped up!) and a bearded dragon lizard.
Due to the time of year, the water park was closed.
I would say 4 and 5 is the ideal age for Cypress Gardens. We have gota soft spot for it as we got married there in 2001!
Jude
sundowner
12-03-2007, 22:29
Lovely place. We had our first trip there this year and would go again.
Mary
baberesq
01-04-2007, 10:08
Don't Miss it. About a 20 min drive right off Route 27 south from exit 55 off I 4. about 45 rides no lines GREAT water park, including a lazy river, wave pool, Kiddie water park, with large dump bucket and kiddie water slides, also a few LARGE water slides for the big kids and adults. DO IT!![clap][clap]
We will be making our third visit when we go out in 17 days time![clap][clap]
Haven't tried the water park yet, so will definitely give that a go.
Went today, doubt if there was more than 250 people there it was great (my first time).
It does make for a nice change Paul doesn't it. [msnsmile2]
canarypam
23-08-2007, 11:31
It won't be open for much longer if there were only 250 people there though ![msnsad]
LiesaAnna
23-08-2007, 12:45
gonna take a trip down to see for ourselves,[8D]
ccarcher
23-08-2007, 20:14
We loved it on our recent trip, so refreshing not to have to queue, and be able to walk straight on
The gardens are lovely very relaxing, although it also feels kind of sad how empty it is
The waterpark next door (included in the admission) is a great way to cool off mid afternoon before heading back and doing a few more rides before the park closes
berni_richards
24-08-2007, 01:46
is there anything to look at or do for a 1 year old? or is she too young? she is 1 going on 5
Paula D-S
24-08-2007, 01:53
Berni there are beautiful gardens and topiary areas and a butterfly house which our girls loved.
There is also a show area for children which I think is western based, we missed it on both our visits though. The water park area is also great for little ones.
Don't forget the water ski show[msnsmile2]
Parrothead
10-10-2007, 18:46
I am sure I read somewhere, that last week Cypress Gardens has been sold again!! It seems they got into financial difficulty, again!
Such a shame, as this park was the first ever theme park in Florida, if not the USA.
some friends of ours went Mon or Tues this week and were told it is only open now weekends probably not the season for it to be open fully
sue
When we were out in September the gardens were open every day, but the rides/shows/water park were only open at the weekends. That was before it was sold at auction at the end of September.
Hopefully the new owner will get it up and running properly fairly soon!
sharondl
02-11-2007, 01:50
Just been to Cypress Gardens in September, sorry but not impressed at all. Most of staff untidy and unhelpfull. Good side no lines, biggest 6 people but kids not impressed think Flamingo Land and Litewater Valley are better.(know incorrect spelling but bad language filter with correct one) Think its just not on same level as Disney etc so when no magic not interested, got second day free and no one wanted to go back. Not one Women in a pretty frock in sight.
Sharon
cook22uk
18-02-2008, 00:38
We visited with our teenagers last August. As per previous comments it really is a pleasure to walk around as so quiet - the car park was almost empty on arrival - bit spooky and wondered if it was going to be worth the trip! However what really made our day was the nearly new water park. Am going to try and attach some photos as it was brilliant for all ages. As you know it is so hot and humid in August the parks are not an ideal day out, very tiring but this was great. A small wave pool well manned with lifeguards - not as fierce as Typhoon Lagoon so ideal for little ones. the adventure centre and slides were great, I really enjoyed going on them and all you could hear was laughter and see the kids so excited when the various buckets and containers filled with gushing water finally overflowed and soaked everyone lining up. Shops were ok, quaint. Water ski show was ok but nothing special - of course they are talented but there was a very big build up for a short show. We loved the banyan tree (think that's what it was) which is ancient and huge. So peaceful strolling the gardens and the topiary animals were beautiful. All in all a successful day out.
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/cook22uk/2008217203848_03-08-2007-175.jpg