found update on cypress gardens!

[LiesaAnna]

found this on orlando sentinal website thought some may be interested?

[msnwink]

WINTER HAVEN -- Almost seven months after its grand reopening, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park continues to grow.

Today, dozens of animals will officially be unveiled in Nature's Way, the park's redesigned and refurbished animal exhibit.

Stars of Nature's Way include a jaguar named Sheba, a pair of Nile crocodiles, and a 75-year-old alligator that was in the Tarzan movies.

Nature's Way is just a slice of Kent Buescher's $50 million-plus improvement plan for the park he purchased, renovated and reopened in December.

'It's turned out unbelievably beautiful,' Buescher said.

Also in the works is Splash Island, a $10 million water park that will include slides, a wave pool, lazy river and children's play area.

Nature's Way, Splash Island and more than two dozen rides Buescher built are designed to bring families and young visitors back to the state's oldest theme park that closed in 2003.

But even without Nature's Way and Splash Island, Buescher has brought that audience back to the park. Attendance goals for this year have exceeded expectations.

Officials hoped 750,000 guests would visit Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in its first year, said park spokeswoman Alyson Gernert. So far, more than 800,000 guests have visited.

Concerts, which are included in the admission price, and affordable park tickets are proving to be an attendance booster, Gernert said.

Acts such as John Michael Montgomery have drawn large crowds, and future concerts feature stars such as Vince Gill and Hootie & the Blowfish.

An annual pass at the park, which will also include Splash Island, is $64.95. In comparison, an annual pass at Walt Disney World is almost $400.

'Anytime the price is that low for a quality attraction, it's going to attract people,' said Kris Keprios, marketing coordinator for Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.

Splash Island, which is located adjacent to the rides area, will be completed this summer.

It too, will be a big draw for families, said Eric Gieszl, editor of UltimateRollercoaster.com.

'Do I think Cypress Gardens' new water park will be successful? Absolutely, and probably more so than anticipated,' Gieszl said.

Even after Splash Island is completed, Buescher will make more additions to his park.

The Starliner, a 42-year-old wooden roller coaster that has been a Panama City Beach landmark, will be moved to Cypress Gardens. It's too early to tell when the coaster will open at Cypress Gardens -- officials aren't even sure where it's going to fit yet.

Also planned for the park is a dinner cruise, which will open this summer, and a pontoon boat ride along the shore of Lake Eloise that should be ready in a few weeks.


[msnwink]
must tell hubby about that wooden rollercoaster ride!! he likes them[msnoo]

[Newhomebuyer]

I used to enjoy Cypress gardens before it closed. We took a visit at Christmas and although it was obviously 'early days'we enjoyed it and will return.
It is good to hear that all is still going well there. I feel sad when parks close. I was really sorry when Splendid China closed for good.
There is so much to do in and around the whole area I guess that some will fall by the wayside.
Angela

[Ray&Sarah]

Ray is keen on the Wooden Roller Coasters too Liesa, he will probably want to go and give this a try when we are next in Florida.[msnsmile2]

[Cruella DeVilla]

We thoroughly enjoyed it when we were there last month. I have written an article about it but yet to publish it, that thing called work keeps getting in the way!

[DisneyDreamer]

CDV, can't wait to read it I am sooooo looking forward to a new trip report. I must say work can be so inconvenient at times!!!