November 10, 2008
(from orlandosentinel.com / Scott Powers)

Struggling Cypress Gardens is to close again -- next week -- though officials are promising to reopen the 72-year-old park next spring after a major overhaul that will include the elimination of the zoo and the roller coasters and other non-water rides.

The Winter Haven park, founded in 1936, has undergone several changes in ownership and themes, and a couple previous closures, over the past few years as it has tried to find a tourism business niche in an era of mega-theme parks developed in nearby Orlando and Tampa. Owners have invested in recent years in new rides and new shows, adding the water park, greatly expanding the thrill rides area, and expanding conference business. This fall the park cut hours and discounted tickets, but ultimately it wasn't enough.

This morning Land South Holdings LLC, the company that owns the park, announced Cypress Gardens would close after this Sunday for major renovation, with a reopening scheduled for March 2009. Plans call for a renewed focus on three areas -- the ski show that was the park's original draw, the botanical gardens that made it famous for generations, and the water park that opened a few years ago. A zoo area, which specializes in exotic animals, and the rides 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," Cypress Gardens co-owner Rob Harper said in a news release. "It is obvious the park cannot successfully function as four parks in one."