The first theme park in Florida, Cypress Gardens is well known for its botanical gardens, beautiful southern belles, world-famous water ski show and plenty of southern charm. While the historic botanical gardens are still the main attractions, Cypress Gardens has expanded adding 40 amusement rides and attractions, live entertainment and Splash Island water park.

The park's collection of rides are located in Adventure Grove and Bugsville. Here you'll find a large variety of children's rides and several larger, more thrilling rides for adults and teens. Cypress Gardens' collection of six roller coasters includes the Starliner, the oldest roller coaster in Florida dating back to 1963 and Triple Hurricane, a family wooden coaster introduced in 2004.

Not to be missed is Cypress Gardens' world-famous water ski show that has earned the park the distinction of being the "Water Ski Capital of the World". The show features barefoot skiing, tandem jumps and the world-famous water ski pyramid.

For dining and shopping, the park's Jubilee Junction is an old-fashioned village with many options. Sample a southern buffet at Aunt Julie's Country Kitchen or try the BBQ ribs and smoked chicken at Backwater Bill's.

Included with admission to Cypress Gardens is Splash Island water park. Open seasonally, the water park offers a 20,000 square-foot wave pool - Kowabunga Bay, relaxing lazy river, and more than a 1,000 feet of exciting water slides. For daredevils, Voodoo Plunge is two high-speed body slides that descend from a six-story platform.

Cypress Gardens also hosts a variety of concerts and special events throughout the year.

Park History

The original Cypress Gardens was founded by Dick and Julie Pope and opened in 1936. After 67 years Central Florida's first tourist attraction closed on April 13, 2004 due to a severe decline in attendance. Park owners blamed the park's financial problems on the events of September 11, 2001. The park had also been in a slow decline due to increased competition from the growing number of attractions in Orlando.

In February 2004, the land and the historic gardens were placed on a conservation easement by the local government preventing their redevelopment and were purchased by Kent Buescher, then owner of Wild Adventures park in Valdosta, GA. Plans were made to reopen the park, retaining the famous gardens, while making room for the addition of rides and attractions for families and a water park. The park finally reopened in November 2004, several months later than planned due to damage sustained during a major hurricane.

Approximately 1.4 million guests visited the newly refurbished park in 2005, one of the highest attendance counts in Cypress Gardens history and the trend continued into 2006.

In October 2007, Cypress Gardens was purchased and is now operated by Land South Adventures, LLC of Mulberry, FL.