Gardens Will Reopen March 28

Posted by Bob Gernert on February 24, 2009 at 10:53 am

mrsimsCypress Gardens new management team will be led by Bill Sims (pictured at left) who announced today that both the Botanical Gardens and Splash Island water park will reopen March 28 to coincide with Spring Break. Sims was introduced to assembled news media by former State Senator Rick Dantzler who has served on a consulting basis with park owners since November 2008. Dantzler’s wife is the granddaughter of park founders Dick and Julie Pope.

“Those who hold current annual passes will see those extended by four months to compensate for the four months the park has been closed. New annual passes will go on sale March 1,” Sims stated. Under the new structure the Gardens and the Waterpark will have separate admission gates and sell separate tickets. Ticket prices will be reduced up to 40% off 2008 prices. 

Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens from 1970 to 1985 ultimately serving as Executive Vice President working with Dick Pope Sr., and his son, Dick Pope, Jr. He has also headed management teams at Silver Springs in Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill.

“I cut my teeth in the entertaiment industry at Cypress Gardes and learned from the best in the business, Dick Pope, Sr.” Sims said, “I’m thrilled to be returning.”

The reborn Cypress Gardens will focus on the iconic Botanical and Topiary Gardens along with the Splash Island Water Park. The famous water ski shows and 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.

Sims announced many past employees of Cypress Gardens will be contacted in the coming weeks regarding resumption of their duties at the attraction.

Chamber President Seretha Tinsley noted that Cypress Gardens plays an important role in our community and the entire county. A successful business model for the Gardens will help our restaurants, hotels and other businesses be more successful in the long term.

Welcome Mr. Sims … we wish you and the Gardens great success.

Platinum Bank

See other entries filed in: City of Winter Haven, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, General Announcements, Tourism

REMARKS   14 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • February 24th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
    Bonnie Parker

    This is great news for all of Polk County.

  • February 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
    Donna Hager

    Cypress Gardens has shown that they are a great gift to our community. Congratulations on the reopening. Sounds like a great plan including the seperate pricing for the two different park focuses. We need to support the park by taking our visitors to see this wonderful attraction. Good luck Mr. Sims.

  • February 24th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
    Michael & Dee Norris

    This is exciting news and a boost for our community…
    Good Luck Cypress Gardens… We wish you the greatest success.

  • February 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
    Michele Shough

    Congratulations on the reopening. It is wonderful to hear such exciting news for our community! We look forward to many lazy summer afternoons at the waterpark.

  • February 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
    BK

    This is terrific news! The separate admission charges makes perfect fiscal sense–we only pay for the part of the park we want to see/use. Bringing back the electric boats and ski show is a BIG step towards restoring the grandeur of this wonderful oasis! Mr. Sims, welcome home to Winter Haven!

  • February 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
    Howard Wallace

    Great! I am just planning a trip to Fla in May. We were going down the east coast but now plan to swing from Jax to Winter Haven and then on to Key West. We plan to visit the park in May.
    Howard Wallace, Winston Salem, N.C.

  • February 24th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
    bill Lewis

    Congratulations Bill- Those of us who have known you a lifetime respect you and your team’s ability to bring Cypress Gardens back to Winter Haven- We support you 100%-

  • February 25th, 2009 at 7:50 am
    Jean Reed

    Congratulations and Best Wishes. This is wonderful news.
    I, for one, can’t wait to get back to beautiful Cypress Gardens!

  • February 25th, 2009 at 9:54 am
    Nancy Sanders

    What wonderful news! We moved to Winter Haven four years ago “because of Cypress Gardens,” so I am thrilled to know the park is reopening. My grandparents introduced me to the Gardens in the early fifties, I brought my children to the park when they were small and now enjoy taking my grand-daughter when she visits. As our community approaches its 100th Anniversary in 2011, please let the community know what we can do to help incorporate the Gardens into that celebration. Nancy Sanders

  • February 25th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
    Robert Hebda

    Has any one started to look at the impact on businesses not only from the short closing of Cypress gardens and the loss of the Indians ??? I would bet that this will have a substantial effect on the community. Just do not see all those Ohio license plates everywhere and all the money these people spent in town.

  • February 26th, 2009 at 11:23 am
    Andi Brannon

    Such wonderful news! The community is thrilled to have you return to Cypress Gardens Bill Sims.

  • February 28th, 2009 at 8:59 am
    Barbara Stock

    I am so glad the gardens will be re-opening, and am hoping that the country music concerts will be scheduled very soon. We were season ticket holders, and are snowbirds, so we hope to be able to enjoy a little of it before our return to Iowa in April. We have missed it very much.

  • March 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 am
    Debbie (Lasseter) Cherok

    SO happy to hear this great news! I am a past employee, having worked for my great-aunt, Mimi Pope, in the Main Gift Shop for many years. My parents were water skiers back in the 50’s, and every family member was employed here at some point in their lives. I have many wonderful memories of CG, and can’t wait to visit again this year.

  • March 13th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
    Ron Hemke

    I am a former employee, having worked in every single department for over 5 years while I was in college back in the 80’s and 90’s. I worked mostly in operations, but also in human resources, accounting, maintenance, horticulture, merchandise, custodial, entertainment, public relations, and assisted in design and engineering and even security and special events!!! I have many fond memories and even was interviewed by many members of the media when the park had closed back in 2003. I have worked in many capacities at Sea World, Universal, Disney, and currently travel all over the country producing entertainment and educational shows for kids. Even after having worked as an actor in LA and NYC, I miss Winter Haven and Cypress Gardens. My mother was so proud of me the day I started working at Cypress Gardens. My favorite role at the park was as a VIP tour guide through the botanical gardens and handling all sorts of VIP’s through the entire park. I have so many great memories. I am on the road until mid-May, but I plan on getting an annual pass when I return to my home in the Orlando area! This is very exciting, best of success to Mr. Sims, who was just finishing up his tenure at Cypress Gardens when I started as a teenager. Great!!!

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