Cypress Gardens

[marlasmom]

Took the grandkids ages 1 and 2. My first time in this park in about 3 years. It was amazing. They have added a ton of stuff. Lots more rides - thrill rides and lots and lots of stuff for little ones. Some outstanding boat rides. The park is immaculate and beautiful. The gardens are wonderful - lots of shows - including water ski, pirate show and several others as well as concerts - some by big stars. The little ones loved the aviary and the butterfly house. The cost is very low - $45.00 for adults for 2 days and it will take 2 days to see the whole park, but season passes for $65 which includes free parking. The "cms" are mostly retirees who are very pleasant and seem to genuinely enjoy children. The crowd is very different from a Disney crowd. Lots of older people; nobody is in a big hurry. There were no lines of any kind although I hope that changes a little as more people discover the park. It's a long way from Disney - an entirely different experience and I recommend it highly.

 

[Poohnatic]

Good to know, as I want to head over there to see Weird Al in May. Figured paying that money AND getting to see a concert would be worth it. Now I know.

Suzanne

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I love that park. My kids couldn't believe how many rides there were. We have been 3 times in the last few months and my kids keep begging me for more!

 

[KristinBelle]

We all love Cypress Gardens it's a great park.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I never been. Sounds fun and worth the visit.

 

[Poohnatic]

Marla's mom, a question.

Did the 65 for an annual pass go for calendar year (a la the 'fun passes' that BG/Sea world do) or does the year start the day you buy the pass?

Suzanne
(Busch/Sea World Gold passports and Lowry Park Zoo annual membership here)

 

[Acklander]

We love the park also - everything is pretty much a walk on since not many people go there. We got the annual pass as well and went to the "Hippiefest" concert. The nice thing about that was since we had the annual pass, we could purchase the additional tickets for the VIP section (I think, $15.00 each) and got seats right down front. It was fantastic and I felt it was money well spent.

 

[marlasmom]

Suzanne - I don't know for sure but I THINK the pass is good for one year from the day you buy it.

 

[suzimar57]

wow - i went to cypress gardens back in 1980 - thought the park had closed for bankruptcy or something - glad to hear it's open and updated

suzanne - how cool! getting to see weird al at cypress gardens! he's playing in upstate new york somewhere by us - not nearly as fun as where you'll be seeing him!

 

[sammi]

Thanks so much for posting this as DH and I are thinking of going the last week in March. We haven't been in quite a few years but I do remember the beautiful Christmas lights during the season! I think we'll give it a try!

 

[hercamore]

What's the drivetime from Orlando, please.


herc.

 

[sammi]

If I remember right it was only about a half hour to 45 minutes.

 

[marlasmom]

We clocked it yesterday. It was exactly 25 miles from my house in Winter Haven to Grand Floridian.

 

[juligrl]

Good to know! Cypress Gardens is much closer to my IL's winter trailer park in Frostproof than Disney is. We'll have to check that out next time we're there.

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I went in January '06, we did the 2-day thing and the first day the holiday decorations were still up so that was nice.

Loved the butterfly house, and the shows, the boat ride, the roller coasters, all the topiaries (not sure I spelled that right). Oh, and the ice skating show, was very nice for such a small surface.

Wouldn't hesitate to go there again if we had the chance, we loved it.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

We went last Easter and the kids loved it especially the water show. We had front row for that.

 

[cybrkitn]

I haven't been there since 1993 prior to the updates being done.

I absolutely loved the gardens and the women dressed as Southern Bells (hence the reason why my wedding dress had to have the ruffles to it). My parents had taken two pictures of the waterfalls and had each one blown up to poster size. One is hanging up in the living room and the other is hanging up in the guest room.

 

[tippisangel]

The passes are only good through 12/31, but as the year progresses, the price or the pass drops. It also includes Splash Island. You can also get into Wild Adventures near Valdosta, GA with the passes. We live 45 minutes from Wild Adventures and go at least 1 time every 6 weeks or so. We are going to Cypress Gardens during Spring Break. You can take folding chairs and set up for the concerts at both parks. We have had annual passes to Wild Adventures for the last 5 years. My DD who just turned 6 loves both parks. The last time we went to Cypress Gardens we did the Junior Belle program, and we are doing it again this Spring Break. We have some beautiful pictures of her dressed in a Southern Belle dress.