Dawn
April 21st, 2004, 09:20
From the Orlando Sentinel
New owner unveils his master plan
By Christopher Sherman | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 20, 2004
WINTER HAVEN -- When it opens later this year, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park essentially will be two parks in one: one part botanical gardens and water ski shows, the other part roller coasters and water rides.
New owner Kent Buescher is betting that 36 new thrill rides will allow the park to flourish in the shadow of Walt Disney World in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa by bringing back the young families that were conspicuously absent in Cypress Gardens' twilight.
But Buescher walks a tightrope trying to maintain the attractions that made Cypress Gardens a legend for 67 years and avoid alienating the loyal seniors who kept the park afloat for so long.
After working for nearly a year to win Cypress Gardens, Buescher unveiled a master plan Monday that illustrates the vision of someone both awed by the legend of Cypress Gardens' founder, Dick Pope Sr., and confident in his own abilities. Buescher owns the successful Wild Adventures theme park in Valdosta, Ga.
"We were able to combine the best of Wild Adventures with the best of Cypress Gardens," Buescher said.
The layout Buescher revealed includes one entrance but two distinct paths through the park.
The western pathway will lead visitors through a craftsmen's village -- inspired by similar displays at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., and Dollywood in Tennessee -- then by the water-ski stadiums and ultimately to the botanical gardens.
The eastern path will funnel thrill seekers by the new Star Haven amphitheater -- capacity 12,000 -- and into an area that will hold 36 new rides including four roller coasters, two water rides and a drop tower simulating a 120-foot free fall. A water park ready by spring 2005 will be that path's final destination.
An opening date is still not firm, but Buescher hopes to capture the summer season with a July 1 opening. If that's not possible, it will probably be pushed back to Oct. 1, he said.
Buescher plans to open with about 350 employees, most of whom will be hired about 30 days before opening. He currently has positions open for a public-relations director, a receptionist, and managers for operations, revenue operations and human resources.
The new owner fielded dozens of questions from longtime Cypress Gardens fans and former employees Monday in Winter Haven. People wanted to know the fate of their favorite parts of the park and the opportunities to return to their old jobs.
The reaction appeared unanimously positive and hopeful among those who turned out to learn about the rebirth of the park after a year's hiatus.
Billie Morris, 77, former president of the Winter Haven Women's Club, said she was "overly, grossly excited" by what she heard from Buescher.
"I think he's going to do exactly what the park needed," she said.
What the park needed was something to make it relevant to today's families, Buescher said.
Jarrod Snapko agreed wholeheartedly. The 20-year-old former announcer for the water-ski shows could hardly contain the enthusiasm that no doubt helped him land the job he hopes to win back.
"It will be a great place to work," with more people and more going on, he said.
Snapko used to daydream with friends at the park, " 'Man, you could do so much with this place,' " they always said.
After hearing Buescher's plans, Snapko said, "This is exactly what the park needs."
New owner unveils his master plan
By Christopher Sherman | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 20, 2004
WINTER HAVEN -- When it opens later this year, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park essentially will be two parks in one: one part botanical gardens and water ski shows, the other part roller coasters and water rides.
New owner Kent Buescher is betting that 36 new thrill rides will allow the park to flourish in the shadow of Walt Disney World in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa by bringing back the young families that were conspicuously absent in Cypress Gardens' twilight.
But Buescher walks a tightrope trying to maintain the attractions that made Cypress Gardens a legend for 67 years and avoid alienating the loyal seniors who kept the park afloat for so long.
After working for nearly a year to win Cypress Gardens, Buescher unveiled a master plan Monday that illustrates the vision of someone both awed by the legend of Cypress Gardens' founder, Dick Pope Sr., and confident in his own abilities. Buescher owns the successful Wild Adventures theme park in Valdosta, Ga.
"We were able to combine the best of Wild Adventures with the best of Cypress Gardens," Buescher said.
The layout Buescher revealed includes one entrance but two distinct paths through the park.
The western pathway will lead visitors through a craftsmen's village -- inspired by similar displays at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., and Dollywood in Tennessee -- then by the water-ski stadiums and ultimately to the botanical gardens.
The eastern path will funnel thrill seekers by the new Star Haven amphitheater -- capacity 12,000 -- and into an area that will hold 36 new rides including four roller coasters, two water rides and a drop tower simulating a 120-foot free fall. A water park ready by spring 2005 will be that path's final destination.
An opening date is still not firm, but Buescher hopes to capture the summer season with a July 1 opening. If that's not possible, it will probably be pushed back to Oct. 1, he said.
Buescher plans to open with about 350 employees, most of whom will be hired about 30 days before opening. He currently has positions open for a public-relations director, a receptionist, and managers for operations, revenue operations and human resources.
The new owner fielded dozens of questions from longtime Cypress Gardens fans and former employees Monday in Winter Haven. People wanted to know the fate of their favorite parts of the park and the opportunities to return to their old jobs.
The reaction appeared unanimously positive and hopeful among those who turned out to learn about the rebirth of the park after a year's hiatus.
Billie Morris, 77, former president of the Winter Haven Women's Club, said she was "overly, grossly excited" by what she heard from Buescher.
"I think he's going to do exactly what the park needed," she said.
What the park needed was something to make it relevant to today's families, Buescher said.
Jarrod Snapko agreed wholeheartedly. The 20-year-old former announcer for the water-ski shows could hardly contain the enthusiasm that no doubt helped him land the job he hopes to win back.
"It will be a great place to work," with more people and more going on, he said.
Snapko used to daydream with friends at the park, " 'Man, you could do so much with this place,' " they always said.
After hearing Buescher's plans, Snapko said, "This is exactly what the park needs."