Cypress Gardens-Opening Pushed Back

[FLGirl-UKNow]

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The new owner of Cypress Gardens has pushed back the reopening of the historic Florida attraction from July to October because the park was in worse condition than expected.

Cent Buescher said Tuesday that the purchase of the 68-year-old park, rechristened Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, took longer than he would have liked and that the buildings were in worse repair than expected.

In addition, workers discovered that maps of buried utility lines were incomplete while working on the foundations of roller coasters and an international shortage has made purchasing sufficient amounts of cement difficult.

Buescher also owns Wild Adventure in Valdosta, Ga. Bypassing the summer season, when children are out of school, will cost the new owner some money, but Buescher said "the impact will not be long term."

Buescher also plans to add a water park next spring.

[bengunn]

I knew that they had saved some of the gardens but did not know that they were adding coasters.

Oh well it can only be an improvement on the horrendous mini-zoo that they had when we went in 2002.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Here is a bit more info on the coasters if you'd like to take a look.

Cypress Gardens (http://www.rcdb.com/metric/locationdetail1061.htm)

also found...

Kent Buescher, the new owner of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park (nee Cypress Gardens) has revealed the plans for the park including the addition of 36 thrill rides. The master plans have Cypress Gardens Adventure Park being like two parks in one. After entering through the Main Gates there will be two separate pathways to take guests on two totally different adventures.

The western pathway will take guests through a craftsmen's village, such as the one's at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, then on past the water-ski stadiums and finally leading into the beautiful botanical gardens that were a crowd pleaser for the past 67 years.

The eastern path will take guests past the new Star Haven amphitheater, which will have a maximum capacity of 12,000, and on into the area of the park that will be home to the 36 new rides. Of the new rides there will be four roller coasters, two water rides and a drop tower that will simulate a 120-foot free fall. Ultimately the final destination on this pathway will be a water park that is set to open in the Spring of 2005.

The park opening goal date is July 1, 2004 but if more problems arise the opening date could be pushed back to as late as October 1, 2004

Description (Jan. 2004):

Cypress Gardens has been sold to Kent Buescher, the owner of Wild Adventures in Valdosta GA, and will reportedly be re-opening sometime this summer (now October) under the new name Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. The new owner is fixing up the park and will be adding 36 new attractions and rides, including several coasters, over the next 18 months. From recent reports they will definitely be adding one wood coaster, two steel coasters, a kid coaster, a tower-drop ride, and an 80-foot ferris wheel.

Kent Buescher, the new owner of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park (nee Cypress Gardens) has revealed the plans for the park including the addition of 36 thrill rides. The master plans have Cypress Gardens Adventure Park being like two parks in one. After entering through the Main Gates there will be two separate pathways to take guests on two totally different adventures.

The western pathway will take guests through a craftsmen's village, such as the one's at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, then on past the water-ski stadiums and finally leading into the beautiful botanical gardens that were a crowd pleaser for the past 67 years.

The eastern path will take guests past the new Star Haven amphitheater, which will have a maximum capacity of 12,000, and on into the area of the park that will be home to the 36 new rides. Of the new rides there will be four roller coasters, two water rides and a drop tower that will simulate a 120-foot free fall. Ultimately the final destination on this pathway will be a water park that is set to open in the Spring of 2005.

[bengunn]

Thanks FLGirl-UKNow,

I had found most of that but, until you original post, had no idea that any of it was going on. It will be interesting to see what happens.