Posts filed under 'Tourism'
Posted: July 12, 2007: 3:32 pm
This is the view from the top of the “lift” or first hill on the historic Starliner Roller Coaster set to open to the public as soon as State officials certify the ride.
The classic “out and back” design debuted in 1963 at Panama Beach as Florida’s first wooden coaster. It was designed by John Allen.
Cypress Gardens has completed a $4 million renovation of the Starliner. Riders will reach speeds of 70 mph with plenty of “air” time and stomach flutters as they fly over high hills, bunny hills and camel backs.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Thursday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. We will post the official opening when the certification is received.
Bring your own screams!
| See other posts filed in: Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, Tourism
Posted: June 27, 2007: 4:07 pm
This just in from Cypress Gardens Adventure Park …
Computer components necessary for the operation of the Starliner Roller Coaster have not arrived in time to make the coaster operational for Saturday’s launch. The historic wooden coaster designed by John Allen and opened in 1963 requires modern safety and operational upgrades to past muster with state inspectors. Without the new technology the ride cannot be calibrated and tested in time to be certified by the state for Saturday’s debut.
According to our conversation with park representatives the decision was reached to postpone the June 30 grand opening now — before coaster enthusiasts traveled to the park and arrived disappointed.
But the Starliner WILL DROP and it WILL THRILL in the near future… so hold on to your seat! Park officials will announce the “Scream Machine’s” new grand opening within the week.
This newly-engineered turnaround curve is ready to thrill you but the technology to operate the coaster hasn’t arrived. (It’s probably even more thrilling without brakes … but it’s best not to find out. - Ed.)
Do you plan to ride the Starliner, Florida’s Original Scream Machine when it opens?
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Posted: June 14, 2007: 11:08 am
GARDENS WILL BE HOME TO “EYE ON GARDENING ”
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park has found the perfect match in an ongoing partnership
with the television series “Eye on Gardening.” Gardens owner Kent Buescher and Tim Alan (pictured at right), host of the international gardening show, announced the partnership at the park today.
The partnership will give the show a permanment home at the park with various scenes being produced in the botanical gardens. The Gardens has been featured on many such shows in the past but this is the first since the park reopened in 2004.
“Eye on Gardening” airs coast-to-coast exclusively on the iLife TV digital cable network and worldwide in Europe on Inspiration Network International as well as broadband at www.inspiration.net. Alan also showcases other US destinations as well as abroad including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Hawaii. He refers to Cypress Gardens “the most beautiful place on earth.”
WEDDING
S RETURN:
Back by popular demand, beginning June 2007 bells will ring as weddings take place once more at the Gazebo in the famed botanical gardens. The park will partner with Sunshine Celebrations, a Lakeland-based event planning company. For further information telephone 863.581.1965.
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Posted: May 25, 2007: 1:44 pm
More than 30 Polk County locations will host the Florida Sunshine State Games during the weekends of June 9-10 and 15 - 17. Thousands of Florida’s finest amateur athletes will participate. Area hotels, restaurants and retailers should find themselves busy.
2007 marks the first time the annual Summer Games Olympic-style Sports Festival will be held in Polk County. The hub of activity will be the Lakeland Center however Auburndale and Winter Haven venues will also see action.
Haven area competitions include:
Sunshine State Games Fast Pitch Softball is a qualifier for national tournaments. It will be played at the Auburndale Softball Complex and the Diamondplex in Winter Haven the weekend of June 15-17.
Canoe and Kayak Competition: Roe Park, Lake Shipp on June 16 and 17.
The Winter Haven Stingrays will host the Swimming competition at the Rowdy Gaines Aquatic Center Olympic-size pool June 15 - 17. Hundreds of swimmers will compete over three days at the pool named after the Winter Haven Olympic Swimming Champion.
The Sunshine State Games competitions are free and spectators are encouraged to come out and see Florida’s amateur sports stars. Polk County is hosting the competition through the cooperative efforts of the Florida Sports Foundation and Polk County Sports Marketing.
Complete listing of the competitions here:
The Rowdy Gaines pool will host the swimming competition June 15-17.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Sports, Tourism
Posted: May 23, 2007: 2:10 pm
Smaller children who might not meet the “height requirements ” for the roller coasters and drop tower at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will feel right at home in the attraction’s new “Bugsville” area featuring interactive areas and rides just their size. They’ll find bugs their size (or slightly larger) as “Buzzby” the bee, “LadyB” the ladybug and “Whiff” the stink bug preside over the area.
The new area is one of two projects to be introduced this year. Bigger kids will find the historic “Starliner” roller coaster has a new home when it opens in late June. The Starliner was Florida’s first wooden rollercoaster and its reconstruction is in high gear at the park right now.
We’ll let you know when you can take the first plunge.
Cast of “characters”… Bugsville Mayor (in middle in blue with purple hat) prepares as Winter Haven Mayor Nat Birdsong (l) and Gardens CEO Kent Buescher look on. Park management and chamber representatives help hold the ceremonial ribbon. At far left is “Buzzby” the park’s Bee-mail specialist and on far right is “Whiff” the stink bug.
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