Cypress Gardens expanding
By Kelly Griffith | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 26, 2005, 2:14 PM EDT
WINTER HAVEN -- After a profitable first-year back in operation, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will see millions of dollars in additions and improvements over the coming 14 months as part of its 70th anniversary celebration, announced park owner Kent Buescher today at the attraction's water ski pavillion.
With blue skies overhead and waterski performers showing off before and after announcments during the press conference, Buescher ticked off plans for the coming year including buying the classic Starliner roller coaster; bringing back the park's popular dinner cruise aboard the Cypress Belle; revamping the ski show to reflect the tricks of old like the return of the four-stacked pyramid; offering free ski lessons to 70 children per day; adding to the entertainment lineup to include 49 shows, eight in the month of January, including a "Legends" tour of the Temptations, the Oak Ridge Boys, Frank Sinatra Jr., Percy Sledge, Ronnie Milsap, Don Williams and more.
Park officials estimate they will host 1.6 million visitors in 2006, up from the estimated 1.4 million this year, assuming weather holds out the rest of the year, Buescher said. Original attendance estimates for the first year were 750,000.
By Kelly Griffith | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 26, 2005, 2:14 PM EDT
WINTER HAVEN -- After a profitable first-year back in operation, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will see millions of dollars in additions and improvements over the coming 14 months as part of its 70th anniversary celebration, announced park owner Kent Buescher today at the attraction's water ski pavillion.
With blue skies overhead and waterski performers showing off before and after announcments during the press conference, Buescher ticked off plans for the coming year including buying the classic Starliner roller coaster; bringing back the park's popular dinner cruise aboard the Cypress Belle; revamping the ski show to reflect the tricks of old like the return of the four-stacked pyramid; offering free ski lessons to 70 children per day; adding to the entertainment lineup to include 49 shows, eight in the month of January, including a "Legends" tour of the Temptations, the Oak Ridge Boys, Frank Sinatra Jr., Percy Sledge, Ronnie Milsap, Don Williams and more.
Park officials estimate they will host 1.6 million visitors in 2006, up from the estimated 1.4 million this year, assuming weather holds out the rest of the year, Buescher said. Original attendance estimates for the first year were 750,000.
