Comments on: Another Chapter for Our Gardens …

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:15:21 +0000

Bob, are passes on sale yet? TBO.com had reported in an aticle on Feb 25th that new annual passes would go on sale Sunday, which would have been March 1st, but it appears that the Cypress Gardens website has not been updated since December.

TBO.com article: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/25/sp-states-1st-big-theme-park-plans-spring-reawaken/

By: joey

joey — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:50:52 +0000

Does anyone know how the renovations are coming with the water park expansion and are they still on track to reopen in March?

By: JESSE

JESSE — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:43:57 +0000

I’m sad to see the park close. I was an annual pass holder, and I know what the problem was. Every time you sale or say that you are going to close the park you put distrust in the people that want to come. I did not buy passes this year because I saw things drop off. I felt if thoe something was going on and I was right. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY if every time you come to the park to ride rides they are not running or there is no one to operate them they feel as thoe they have wasted money, and yet the price doesn’t change on passes that you can only use on the weekends that you use to be able to use all week. This is bad business and this is what has hurt Cypress Gardens. GLAD I DIDN’T BUY THE PASS and I feel for those that did.
In my gut I don’t believe they will open back up, hope I’m wrong

By: Robert Hebda

Robert Hebda — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:13:14 +0000

This is very unfortunate to hear. As a Winter haven snow bird, I really enjoyed the park and the concerts. Maybe now, Winter Haven will make a serious bid to attract another baseball team for spring training. With both Cypress gardens closing and the Indians leaving for Arizona, the town is going to hurt tremendously for tourist dollars for the hotels and the restaurants. I can foresee many restaurants and hotels going under also. The Baltimore Orioles are looking for a new home. It is my hope that the powers to be take this advise and go after a team. If not, Winter haven will become a ghost town.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:54:26 +0000

I hate to see anyone lose their job, but I feel this is the change Cypress needed. In my opinion the rides really weren’t that thrilling with the exception of Starliner. Does anyone know if the new waterpark will be heated for year round swimming? I know my family would buy annual passes if it meant we could swim in the winter months.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:52:50 +0000

This is a shame. The rides were the main reason I went. Oh well, luckily we have Orlando parks to go to.

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:57:31 +0000

My family really enjoyed Cypress Gardens. It was clean, pretty, not overly crowded even when it was full, fun and friendly! The rides were perfect for my 8 and 10 year old sons and me. There were rides here that we’d never seen anywhere else, like Disco. The coasters were fun. We are sad to see the rides and animals go. The garden are cool – the Florida shaped pond, the topiaries, the banyan. The waterski show never gets old. The water park was the first I had ever been to, and that was only because it was so clean and inviting. We are season pass holders even though it is an hour and a half drive. We chose it over all the Orlando parks because we liked it better and it was perfect for our kids. Good luck with the transformation. We hope to come again in the spring.

By: Beth Koon

Beth Koon — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:30:44 +0000

Although I am sad to see so many losing their jobs at this tough time of year, I agree with the plans presented by the Gardens’ owners. If the owners really want to build upon the Gardens’ history, it is hoped they will:
1. Upgrade the gardens and provide more information regarding each piece of flora or fauna.
2. Include information by the Florida pool. It was built in 1951 for Esther Williams’ film “Easy to Love”. Many Havenites posed for photos in that pool. (Any old White Dolphins out there?)
3. Restore the canals so the electric boat rides can resume.
4. Bring retail vendors that fit the Gardens’ image. In the 1970′s, Cypress Gardens was the ONLY place to purchase skis and bathing suits.

I’m sad for those employees who are losing their jobs. It is my hope the Gardens’ return will provide better, sounder jobs and business for our community.

By: Bob Gernert

Bob Gernert — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:15:44 +0000

As we have noted, the owners plan to unveil a master plan for the future possibly in December. At present that is all the information available.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:50:24 +0000

Are there plans for the land where the parking lot and the animals are now?