After months of exhaustive analysis by park officials and owners, Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens, will temporarily close on Monday, November 17th, for a major renovation. With a reopening scheduled for March of 2009, the plans include expanding the wildly popular water park, while preserving the history and nostalgia of the original park, with a focus on the original botanical gardens and their worldwide notoriety. The ski show shall continue as part of the original park experience. The existing animal area and the ride area will be permanently closed. “The operating expense of running 38 amusement rides, a zoo, the botanical gardens, a ski show, and a water park are considerable,” said Cypress Gardens co-owner Rob Harper. “It is obvious the park cannot successfully function as four parks in one. We have some exciting new plans that everyone will be thrilled to see come March,” Harper added.
The last day at the park, as it is now, will be Sunday, Nov. 16. No word yet on the fate of remaining rides at the park. Thoughts?
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Two enhancements I would add: A little train that picks up and drops off guests around the gardens (just like the gardens in Sydney, Australia). Secondly, in time, build a beautiful glass greenhouse and fill with exotic plants. Can't wait to visit the park when it opens.
Oops. Now I know how my friends who were going to check out Hard Rock Park in October felt.
That might sound like good news for coaster fans in other markets, but if that leads to fewer orders for coaster manufacturers in a down economy, that could eventually lead to bad news for coaster fans everywhere.
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