[Songbird42]

I heard on the news tonight that Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven will be closing till March 2009, laying off 200 people temporarily, they are not sure if all will be getting their jobs back. They are closing to renovate the park, when the park reopens it will be a expanded water park, there will be NO rides or animal attractions. The park has been open on weekends for the fall and the average attendance has been 50 to 200 people. They said that this was necessary in order to keep the park open indefinately.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by Songbird42

I heard on the news tonight that Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven will be closing till March 2009, laying off 200 people temporarily, they are not sure if all will be getting their jobs back. They are closing to renovate the park, when the park reopens it will be a expanded water park, there will be NO rides or animal attractions. The park has been open on weekends for the fall and the average attendance has been 50 to 200 people. They said that this was necessary in order to keep the park open indefinately.

Oh no!!! Are you serious? I loved that place with all the beautiful things sculpted out of the flower beds and their neat show with dolphins, etc. I'm surprised they want to renovate it because they were closed for a while after they got hit by a cane in 2004 and when they re-opened, they had done so much work to it. Sad.

[floridasandy]

since the company that bought cypress gardens has a history of buying and flipping land in business deals it will be interesting to see what they are planning on doing with it. cypress gardens was really "old florida elegance" and it will be a shame to see it disappear, not to mention the job loss for the people who are losing their jobs.

[gypsychic]

Here is an article in today's Ledger that talks about this:

Businesses Fret Over Gardens' Closing | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL

[mikenbacismama]

What a shame! We went for the first time back in August, and had a great time. The rides are old-school, but that added to the charm instead of waiting for the "fantasy" rides at WDW & Universal.

We were hoping to buy season passes for 2009, but won't do so for just the water park since it's approx. 80 miles away from us. I do understand if they're eliminating the rides & what-not if they're not profitable, though.

[doom1001]

This is a cost cutting measure,no more maintaining the rides or the need hire people to operate them.They want to expand and renovate the waterpark but I've seen that waterpark,they would have to spend tons and tons of money to make it a worthwhile option versus the other 5 waterparks in the area,Aquatica,Wetnwild,Adventure Island in Tampa and the two Disney parks.I visited this park about 2 years ago and thought it was a neat little park,they even had a concert stage with a lot of acts coming down to perform,but apparently visitors still didn't come.Where it's located it's still too far for tourists in Orlando to decide to take a day from their trip to visit the park and locals are too close to the Orlando parks to opt for Cypress Gardens instead of Disney or Universal.

[corptech_2000]

Well, to all those posting, we have been season ticket holders for many years through all the changing of hands and so on. The park really went down the drain in 2007 when the new owners took it over. They started with scaling back to 3 days a week instead of the 7 we had originally paid for, of which I don't think I'll see a refund for that expense. Mostly now it will be only a good place for the older folk and really young kids to enjoy the water park and a few flowers because that is all that's going to be left and we certainly won't be buying new passes for 2009 and we'll never go there again or even recommend the park to any of our visiting snowbirds or family. This park will not be worth the time to even drive there any longer.

[wed110197]

We just purchased annual passes about three months ago. They made no mention of this closing. Then, now as pass-holders we are left completely in the dark! I certainly want my money back. Not only because of the change to the park, but because of the HORRIBLE PR performed by CG. In 2006 CG was the place to go, but in 2007 they could no longer offer Wild Adventures and the maintenance of the park plumitted. This year they added that old coaster and I wouldn't even take my daughter on it. The thing was in ruins. The animal section which was fairly new looked sad, and smelled. I seriously want my money back and I intend to get it back.

[Nomadicus]

Cypress Gardens is not the Cypress Gardens of old and has not been in a long time. Big business ruined it. My wife and I dated there in the early 60's. I think big business ownership lost a sense of direction going after the big bucks and pricing the little people who make it what it was out of the market.

[exit82]

I would love to visit a (well maintained) botanical garden but have no interest in a water park or rides- animals are ok- I guess- they should stick to what they do best- how original.