Cypress Gardens Makes Big Announcement

A press conference was held at 10:00 a.m. this morning at Cypress Gardens and a new management team and changes were announced for the attraction.

Cypress Gardens has announced that the world famous Florida attraction will resume operations on Saturday, March 28. The opening of the renowned Botanical and Topiary Gardens and the wildly popular Splash Island Waterpark will coincide with the local Spring Break. Entertainment industry veteran Bill Sims will lead the new management team. Mr. Sims is President of CG MGMT, LLC, which has been retained to oversee the attraction’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens for park founder Dick Pope, Sr., from 1970 to 1985, serving as the Park’s Executive Vice President for many of those years. Mr. Sims has also headed management teams at Silver Springs in Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill.

Here are some highlights of the announcement that was made:

• Entertainment industry veteran Bill Sims will lead the new management team. Mr. Sims is President of CG MGMT, LLC, which has been retained to oversee the attraction’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens for park founder Dick Pope, Sr., from 1970 to 1985, serving as the Park’s Executive Vice President for many of those years. Mr. Sims has also headed management teams at Silver Springs in Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill. “I cut my teeth in the entertainment industry at Cypress Gardens and learned from the best in the business, Dick Pope, Sr.”, Mr. Sims said, “I am thrilled to be returning.”
• The re-born Cypress Gardens will focus on the iconic Botanical and Topiary Gardens along with the Splash Island Waterpark. The famous water ski shows and the electric boat tours will also resume operation. A number of special events, including flower festivals and concerts, are being scheduled and will be announced in the near future.
• All carnival and adventure rides installed in 2004 are being sold and removed from the Park.
• The Gardens and the Waterpark will have separate admission gates and sell separate tickets. Ticket prices will be reduced by up to 40% off the 2008 prices.
• Season Pass expiration dates will be extended by 4 months to offset the period of time the park was closed. New Season Passes will be available separately for the Gardens and the Waterpark at lower prices than past years. Season Passes will go on sale on March 1.
• Many past employees of Cypress Gardens will be contacted over the next weeks regarding resumption of their duties at the attraction.