Orlando Theme Park News is reporting that Screamscape (a theme park industry blog) suspects Cypress Gardens may have been sold:
“(1/15/10) The big shocking news of the day is that Merlin Entertainment may actually have purchased Cypress Gardens. Check out the Polk County website and do a search for “land south adventures” and you’ll find three documents at the bottom dated 1/12/2010. The first two detailing how property ownership is being transferred from Land South Adventures to “Merlin Entertainments Group Florida” while the third involves the matter of unpaid tax Land South owed, but has now suddenly been paid and the lein from the Florida Department of Revenue has been released.”
You can visit the Screamscape report here. The blog was the first to report some months ago that the Gardens was one of three locations being considered as a potential location for a Legoland Florida.
We have no local confirmation at this point but will report further information as it develops. Merlin Entertainments is the second largest provider of entertainment in the world following Disney. Should these reports prove true, this could be a very positive development for Polk tourism and especially Winter Haven. Stay tuned.
Great news. It appears to be true that a deed was filed!! This should really be another great boost for the area!
The doc stamps paid on the deed reflect that the purchase price may have been in the neighborhood of $22,000,000. We can pretty safely assume that the total purchase price was at least that.
If the information stated herein is factual, at this point in time a better solution for Cypress Gardens and its future could not be found. The individuals working upon this project representing Polk County and Winter Haven have earned our appreciation and gratitude. Thank you.
From Miami Herald article:
Merlin Entertainments Group spokeswoman Julie Estrada said that the company purchased the land lease and development rights to the theme park and it took over operations from Land South Adventures on Jan. 7.
She said Merlin has been working with Polk County and city officials about future plans for the park. A news conference is scheduled for Thursday to announce those plans. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1427617.html
This is the news we’ve been waiting for!
Polk County is very optimistic that this will be a successful venture for the property.
In this economy it is VERY good news for the Winter Haven area!