Winter Haven Travel Guide
Tags: Theme Parks / Amusement Parks / Theme Park Travel / Nostalgia / Cypress Gardens / Weeki Wachee Springs / → All Tags
Cypress Gardens is Closed Once Again
Troubled old Florida theme park Cypress Gardens has been shuttered once again, with the owners declaring that it's no longer financially viable to keep it open. They're seeking a buyer, but it remains to be seen whether and when it might reopen, and what it might look like if it does. As the AP reports, Cypress Gardens has been closed several times over the past decade as it struggled with sagging attendance and a fierce local rival whose name rhymes with Schmisney Schmorld.
Tags: Theme Parks / Meltdownomics / Amusement Parks / Botanical Gardens / → All Tags
Cypress Gardens Another Victim Of End Times
One of the country’s oldest theme parks, Cypress Gardens, is closing yet again. Park owners say they want to refocus on the things that initially made the park popular, like water ski shows. As of now, it's scheduled to reopen in March.
The last time the park rebooted they added a zoo, roller coasters and other amusement rides. They’re now no more. The botanical gardens within the park will operate along side the water-skiers--the same entertainment that kept the park functional and successful for years.
Sitting between Orlando and Tampa the park was definitely hit hard by the economic slump, as well as high gas prices. More than 200 workers at the park will be let go until the reopening; no word if they’ll be guaranteed a new job when things get rolling again in 2009.
Related Stories:
· Cypress Gardens Closing Again [Orlando Sentinel]
· Cypress Gardens [Official Site]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo of better times: Jim Moore]
