The dense undergrowth and crowded tree trunks rising out of the unpolluted waters of a wilderness swamp with its lush green foliage and distinctive Cypress Knees root systems emerging from the shallow marsh
Every year, thousands of Floridians, as well as people from all over the world, flock to Florida for its various theme-parks. Few can match the history of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, founded in 1936, by Iowa residents Dick and Julie Pope. Cypress Gardens enjoyed its heydays back in the 1950's and 60's, hosting world famous water-skiing shows, complete with women forming a pyramid on skis. Under the tutelage of Pope, Cypress Gardens boasted beautiful botanical gardens, peaceful boat rides and provided a backdrop for various movies and advertising campaigns over the years.
Many well-known Hollywood celebrities enjoyed the gardens as well, such as, Bette Davis, Elvis, Johnny Carson and Esther Williams. By 1941, Cypress Gardens, was considered the Water Ski Capitol of the world and hailed as the birthplace of performance water skiing. By 1962, the reigns of Cypress Gardens passed from father to son, as Dick Pope. Jr. assumed the helm.
With the opening of other, larger, more modern parks in the 1970's, Cypress Gardens found itself struggling to stay afloat. In 1985, Cypress Gardens was bought out by HBJ/SW and in 1989, the Busch Entertainment Corporation, bought the park and continued operations until it was sold in 1995. With the tragic events of September 11, 2001, came a big blow to the travel and tourism industries. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park was forced to close its doors in 2003, after being in operation for 67 years. Park employees and residents in the area ,mourned the loss of its historical attraction.
In 2004, Kent Beuscher, an Atlanta resident and theme-park owner, brought renewed hope for Cypress Gardens when he promised to purchase the park. Polk County, agreed to throw in a couple more million dollars in assistance as well. Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne blasted through the area and proceeded to batter the area to the tune of $50 million in estimated damages, this delayed the planned reopening. Six months of time, devotion and preparation were wiped away by the hurricanes and investors were right back at square one.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park officially reopened November of 2004. Guests were now free to enjoy thrilling rides, Splash Island water park, spectacular entertainment, restored historical gardens, animals, the Southern Bells, and Jubilee Junction, which is an old-fashioned village stocked with shopping and marvelous cuisine. In 2005, Cypress Gardens had one of the largest attendance counts as 1.4 million guests enjoyed the grand reopening of the park, the trend has continued steadily ever since.
