Cypress Gardens to make big splash with next move
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park plans to break ground today on a $10 million water park
By Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 22, 2005
WINTER HAVEN -- Water skiers are usually the only ones who get wet at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.
But later this year, visitors will also have the opportunity to get soaked.
Cypress Gardens owner Kent Buescher plans to break ground today on a $10 million water park that will include several speed slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a children's water play area.
Splash Island is one more addition that Buescher hopes will attract young visitors and families to the park in Polk County.
"Water parks have strong appeal to families," Buescher said. "We think it will really help balance out our year-round business."
Buescher, who also owns Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., has said his goal for Cypress Gardens is to bring young families back to the park, which appealed mostly to senior citizens in recent years.
He spent more than $50 million to purchase, renovate and build more than 30 new rides at the attraction, which closed in April 2003 after 67 years of operation.
Since its rebirth and grand opening in December, more than 80,000 annual passes have been sold. The park has also sold more than 250,000 single-day tickets. Buescher said daily attendance is about four to five times what the park averaged prior to his ownership when on peak days there would be about 3,000 visitors.
"We're just ecstatic with the attendance and support we've had from our guests," Buescher said. "It's been a significant surprise. It's been well above our expectations."
With the quick success, park officials recalculated their yearly projections and now estimate more than 1.2 million guests will visit this year.
The park is quickly becoming a gathering place for students on weekends and weekdays after school, said Cypress Gardens Adventure Park spokeswoman Alyson Gernert.
An arcade complete with interactive games and a DJ will open in a few weeks, which will further appeal to teens.
"The biggest problem the Gardens faced when it was open before and declining was the fact that 89 percent of the visitors were senior citizens," said Bob Gernert, executive director of the Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce and the father of Alyson Gernert. "Kent will be the first one to tell you he needs their support too. But there was no reason for a child over the age of 8 to go there.
"The neat thing that Kent seems to understand very well is the fact that children and the families he's targeting are thrilled with those roller coasters and rides."
Hospitality businesses in Polk County have experienced increased business since the park reopened, and the tax collections based on tourism are 40 percent higher than a year ago, Bob Gernert said.
Designs for Splash Island, which is slated to open this summer, include a Polynesian theme with lush landscaping, continuing the original theme of Cypress Gardens -- its gardens.
________ Pope Jr., whose parents founded Cypress Gardens in 1936, said he's pleased with what Buescher has done to the park.
"It's just beautiful," Pope said. "It's going in the right direction."
Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.comor 863-422-3395.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park plans to break ground today on a $10 million water park
By Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 22, 2005
WINTER HAVEN -- Water skiers are usually the only ones who get wet at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.
But later this year, visitors will also have the opportunity to get soaked.
Cypress Gardens owner Kent Buescher plans to break ground today on a $10 million water park that will include several speed slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a children's water play area.
Splash Island is one more addition that Buescher hopes will attract young visitors and families to the park in Polk County.
"Water parks have strong appeal to families," Buescher said. "We think it will really help balance out our year-round business."
Buescher, who also owns Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., has said his goal for Cypress Gardens is to bring young families back to the park, which appealed mostly to senior citizens in recent years.
He spent more than $50 million to purchase, renovate and build more than 30 new rides at the attraction, which closed in April 2003 after 67 years of operation.
Since its rebirth and grand opening in December, more than 80,000 annual passes have been sold. The park has also sold more than 250,000 single-day tickets. Buescher said daily attendance is about four to five times what the park averaged prior to his ownership when on peak days there would be about 3,000 visitors.
"We're just ecstatic with the attendance and support we've had from our guests," Buescher said. "It's been a significant surprise. It's been well above our expectations."
With the quick success, park officials recalculated their yearly projections and now estimate more than 1.2 million guests will visit this year.
The park is quickly becoming a gathering place for students on weekends and weekdays after school, said Cypress Gardens Adventure Park spokeswoman Alyson Gernert.
An arcade complete with interactive games and a DJ will open in a few weeks, which will further appeal to teens.
"The biggest problem the Gardens faced when it was open before and declining was the fact that 89 percent of the visitors were senior citizens," said Bob Gernert, executive director of the Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce and the father of Alyson Gernert. "Kent will be the first one to tell you he needs their support too. But there was no reason for a child over the age of 8 to go there.
"The neat thing that Kent seems to understand very well is the fact that children and the families he's targeting are thrilled with those roller coasters and rides."
Hospitality businesses in Polk County have experienced increased business since the park reopened, and the tax collections based on tourism are 40 percent higher than a year ago, Bob Gernert said.
Designs for Splash Island, which is slated to open this summer, include a Polynesian theme with lush landscaping, continuing the original theme of Cypress Gardens -- its gardens.
________ Pope Jr., whose parents founded Cypress Gardens in 1936, said he's pleased with what Buescher has done to the park.
"It's just beautiful," Pope said. "It's going in the right direction."
Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.comor 863-422-3395.
