History of Cypress Gardens, Florida

Everyone is familiar with Disney and Universal, but there are some lesser known attractions which are worth a visit if you want to experience something a little different. Cypress Gardens was the first theme park to open in Florida, but it was not like the theme parks we know so well today. It had themed areas but none of the roller coasters or wild rides that are the staple attractions at Disney or Universal. It opened way back in 1936 as a botanical garden, planted and designed by Dick and Julie Pope, and boasting many amazing plants which flourished in the wonderful climate of Florida. Here you could see azaleas and camellias as well as spring bulbs, and a massive banyan tree. It became one of the biggest attractions in Florida, and was not only famous for its beautiful and lush gardens, but also for its Southern Belles who roamed the park in their beautiful hooped dresses, holding parasols.

How these Southern Belles came to be part of Cypress Gardens is a fascinating story. It is said that in 1940 the flame vine on the entrance wall died during a particularly cold spell. Many people drove up and seeing the poor dead vine assumed, wrongly, that the whole park had been similarly affected. When she saws people driving away Mrs Pope knew that something had to be done, so she instructed one of the girls to put on an old fashioned dress and stand in front of the dead vine whilst flirting with everyone who came in, so that they did not see the dead plant. It was a successful ploy, and from that time onwards these gracious Southern Belles became a tradition. Cypress Gardens was formed on a cypress swamp, on the former Deal Hall Plantation, and included exotic plants, waterfalls, islands and lakes. Electric boats provided the perfect means of transport along canals to see the beautiful botanical gardens, and a paddle steamer sailed out onto Lake Eloise.

Many attractions were added over the years, including the unusual Island in the Sky giant crane which lifted guests for a panoramic view of the park from the air. Children’s rides were also added, and Cypress Gardens also became known as the ‘Water Ski Capital of the World’ as many water ski world records were broken here. Rather than adding rides, there were shows and exhibits including the walk-in butterfly conservatory, Wings of Wonder. These shows included a Duck Show in which ducks played musical instruments, as well as a Gator Show and a Bird Show. There was an elaborate model train exhibit and even a little zoo. Here you could see capybaras, tamarinds, pygmy marmosets, wallabies and Patagonian cavies (guinea pigs) as well as other creatures. When it was taken over by Anheuser Busch there was free beer tasting too. With water skiing displays, the European Circus Magic Show and Fairy Tales on ice, an ice skating show, there was something for everyone.

Unfortunately, with the opening of Disney in 1971, competition became fierce, and in the early 1980s Dick and Julie Pope retired, leaving the business to their son, Dick Pope Jr. From then onwards it has had a chequered history, as it was bought by the book publisher Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich in the 1980’s. By 1989 it had been sold again to Anheuser-Busch, of Seaworld fame, who operated the park until 1995, when it was bought out by a group of the park’s managers, led by Bill Reynolds. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 tourism declined and, sadly, the park closed in 2003 with the loss of over 500 jobs. It was saved when, in February 2004, it was bought by the Adventure Parks Group, owned by Kent Buescher, who renamed it ‘Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. ’

The re-opening of the park was delayed by the damage wreaked by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, so it was not re-launched until November 2004. It had a new roller coaster, the aptly named ‘Triple Hurricane’ roller coaster, which was named for the very active hurricane season of that year. ‘Splash Park, ’ which was adjacent, was opened in 2005 together with the ‘Galaxy Spin’ roller coaster. Sadly, in September 2006, the Adventure Park Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a result of the damage caused by these same hurricanes.

Eventually, in January 2008, it was taken over by Baker Leisure Group, of Orlando Florida and shut down for renovations in November, with the new opening date set for March 28th, 2009. It will be interesting to see if Cypress Gardens will survive into the next decade.