Cypress Gardens

If you are looking for a change from Walt Disney World and the other Orlando attractions you may well enjoy a day out at Cypress Gardens.

Located at Winter Haven (4 miles along SR540 after leaving US27) around 45 minutes south of Orlando, Cypress Gardens offers good value (around $30) family entertainment in a more sedate setting than the major theme parks without compromising on quality.

We suggest you start your day with the “Sunshine Sky Adventure” which rises above the treetops and revolves through 360 degrees offering a magnificent view of Cypress Gardens and what looks like the whole of Florida. The on board guide provides an informative commentary on the surrounding area throughout the ride and is happy to answer any questions.

The gardens themselves are home to a variety of exotic plants and a number of trails are open to the public. Don’t miss the huge Banyan tree, planted from a seedling in 1939. The “Topiary Trail” features an array of animals such as a rabbit, swan and serpent, all expertly cut and manicured. The “Plantation Gardens” include an aromatic herb garden, some wonderfully fragrant roses and the butterfly garden next to the “Wings of Wonder” (Butterfly House). The Southern Belles are now back in the gardens and provide the visitor with some great photo opportunities.

For rides the park offers a selection of children’s favorites, together with some heart-popping thrill rides, including four roller coasters and the world’s tallest spinning rapids ride…. where you will get very wet! !

If you’re looking for a real adrenaline rush here are a couple of recommendations.

“Inverter” is around five stories high, where you are strapped in and swung to and fro, gaining height all the time until you finally stop and hang suspended upside down high above the ground for a few tense seconds before being flipped several times through a full 360 degrees.

“Thunderbolt” lifts passengers in a slow, deliberate ascent up its awesome tower to a height that affords a superb panorama of the park. At the top of the tower you stop and hang for what seems like forever. Suddenly, you drop, hurtling 120 feet to the ground in a stomach churning high-speed
free fall.

As a break from the rides and gardens the park offers a variety of live shows, including water skiers, who take to the lake in an explosive show that will leave guests gasping in wonder at their gravity defying feats. Also not to be missed is the ice show at the Royal Palm Theatre.

Although not as imposing as its big brothers’ up the road in Orlando, Cypress Gardens offers a very different day out, and one with which you may be pleasantly surprised.