Wild Adventures owner negotiating for Cypress Gardens

"Those bids were rejected late last month, including one purportedly from a Pennsylvania company that suggested creating an indoor snow-skiing facility at the site, Chelius said. "It was hard to take seriously," he said."

Anyone else think this sounds like the same yahoos proposing the "Only in America" themepark outside of Pittsburgh?

"Indoor snow-skiing facility."

"It was hard to take seriously."

Sure sounds like it could be the same folks to me.

Anyway, I would like to see Cypress Gardens preserved. It is one of the last remaining Florida roadside attractions that has fought to stay alive in the shadow of the Mouse.

I think this could work if the new owners do not lose sight of the original appeal of Cypress Gardens. If they bring back the ski show, they will be the only park in the area that has one now that Sea World no longer does. And adding new rides, especially coasters, will hopefully draw more people to the park.

For example: when Disney or Universal adds a coaster, it had better cost a lot and be one of kind to compete with the precedent they have set for themselves ie. Space Mountain, the Hulk. However, the new Cypress Gardens, like Wild Adventures, can add several stock coasters (Vekoma SLR, Boomerang (though I hate Boomerangs) or Wild Mouses/Mice) and still appeal to the average park goer.

Best of luck to the new potential owner!

This is very likely the last chance for Cypress Gardens...luckily for Silver Springs, the waterpark next door came in to save the day, or it would possibly be history too. Apparently, they (SS/WW) also do well with concerts, although listing the acts would probably put all of us to sleep...;)

With ideas like OrlandoCoaster's, and good marketing efforts, they could probably do well with something along the lines of Celebration City....:)

edit: wahoo, I've seen firsthand what Kent Buescher has done with Wild Adventures....this is NOT the same kind of "folks" as in Pittsburgh, or those in charge of the on-again, off-again, LeSourdsville Lake...

Making inroads that close to Orlando WOULD be tough, but Kissimmee's Old Town seems to have a viable concern, and *differentiation* is obviously key to their success....

*** This post was edited by rollergator 12/22/2003 1:09:59 AM ***

good to hear, this place is beautiful . I have been there many of times and to see it defunct would be a crime. .The history alone in this place is very deep. Im glad to hear of this proposal and wish the idea very good luck.................. SO did any one see the OC poll on top 15 Amusement parks?????????? DIsney and Univeral And Busch took the top honors .Cedar Point Came in 15 th.. and Knotts came in 14th. Looks like this pool is for the big wheels only . got to have 4 million or more to be in this one.