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 Islands |
Land South Holdings buys Cypress Gardens |
Lead | |
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Posts: 417 (09/25/07 13:30:37) |
Well, the first bidder wound up being the only bidder. Land South gets it for $16.8 million.
The Ledger's story is here. Well, at least it stays local. And open! |
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Islands |
Re: Land South Holdings buys Cypress Gardens | ||
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Posts: 417 (09/25/07 17:47:08) |
I posted the news item to eCypress.com's News page.
So here's the millioin dollar question -- or is that $16.8 million question -- for you all: If you are Land South, what do you to turn Cypress Gardens into a growing, profitable company? No idea is too outlandish. I'll post some of my own suggestions later. |
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Gregory DG |
Ideas | ||
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Posts: 4 (10/07/07 14:16:01) |
I'd like to see a larger coaster running over the sinkhole. Ditch some of those smaller kiddie rides, or move them.
It's the CONCERTS that really bring in people. They need to keep that up with bigger acts. Also, they could make a lot of money if they had a couple of more concessions inside the concert area. Currently the only thing I know of is that little wagon just outside of Bugsville. Keeping the rides closed during the slow months is a good move, IMO. Maybe do that for a couple of months each year (this year it's been Sept. and 1/2 of Oct.) I know this isn't a huge money maker idea, but I wish there was a ferry from the parking lot to Splash Island. That walk is just murder and I think visitors would really appreciate it. I know I would. |
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Islands |
Re: Ideas | ||
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Posts: 417 (10/09/07 14:16:46) |
The concerts are huge draws. Adding more concessions makes sense, though the hesitation may be standing concession areas that would only be used on Saturday nights.
I too would love to see a bigger coaster -- the kind that will get folks to WANT to come all the way from the jaded thrills of Orlando -- but I'm guessing that the new group will play it safe for now. If the park was down to opening the rides on just SOME of the days, I can't imagine a multi-million dollar investment on a new coaster. It's a shame, though, because I'd love to see it. |
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monroe62 |
Re: Land South Holdings buys Cypress Gardens | ||
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Posts: 2 (10/12/07 05:04:51) |
As a native Polk Countian that remembers visiting CG as a small child for a Saturday treat (now 46), they need to get rid of the "Valdosta" feeling that permeates the Park except when you walk through the gardens.
Bring back some of the history of CG. Have some sort of museum devoted to Pope similar to Disney's on Main Street. Aside from early Florida Tourism, CG played a part in several Hollywood Films and the promotion of waterskiing as a professional and pleasure sport. Have Southern Belles doing exactly what they used to do. Stand there and look pretty. Not just from 1 to 4, but all day. They were the ambassadors to the park. Bring back the small tour boats that ran through the waterways. Reopen Magnolia Mansion. Fix the ceiling in the miniature railroad exhibit and clean it up. Keep the original buildings, but restore them. also Get rid of the Christmas Shop and Old Radio Exhibit (tourists love nothing more than looking at old radios that have nothing to do with Florida.) Kill the Barnyard Bozos Show. Ditto for the ice show. Improve the quality of food and the service. Require proper attire beyond the Water Park. Require a little more appearance attention to the staffs dress, make-up, cleanliness and attitude. Expand the concerts to include more than country and do-wop. Big band, older artists that play smaller venues, etc. And most importantly, remember that we are NOT Valdosta, nor get the same demographic of visitor. Our elderly population is greater in the Winter and CG needs to cater to them - both visitor and resident. Sorry to not just a couple of lines, but just recently discovered this forum and with busy schedule, just had time to answer this question. |
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skimmer7080 |
Re: Land South Holdings buys Cypress Gardens | ||
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Posts: 2 (10/12/07 22:11:22) |
I think its great that Wild Adventures is finally free from the dismall money pit that is Cypress Gardens. But maybe its a blessing in disguise, now that the Herschend group owns Wild Adventures it can finally grow again without all the negative managment that consumed it. And that "Valdosta feeling" will never go away as long as Kent is managing it. But since I live in Valdosta, that "feeling" is fine with me!! Cypress has a bright future, I just hope the old mindset died with APG.
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monroe62 |
We aren't Valdosta | ||
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Posts: 2 (10/13/07 03:24:05) |
Please don't take offense in regards to that "Valdosta feeling". My mom's family is from Thomasville and Cairo as well as Sumner so the state is very near and dear to me. None were intended, and I apologize if it seemed as a slight, but we aren't southern Georgia.
But if they want the park to become profitable, they will have to cater to the Snow Birds, and old people like more sedintary activities than thrill rides, fast food every ten feet and souvenir shopping can get very boring within fifteen minutes. Seniors from above the MasonDixon want to look at palm trees, lush foliage and flowers, pretty girls on waterskis and in hoopskirts - things you don't see up north. And those of us who live here want to see what we remember growing up and to share with our kids and grandkids. As for being a "money pit", having also lived through the three hurricanes that came through and decimated not only CG, but much of the county, it's almost like the new owner was cursed before he started. Let's just hope that both parks prosper and grow from this transaction. Can y'all come get Kent and take him to Dollywood for us? |
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skimmer7080 |
Re: We aren't Valdosta | ||
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Posts: 2 (10/13/07 07:41:06) |
To be honest this just might be the best thing for Kent. I worked under Kents management for just shy of 7 years. And before he bought Cypress, Wild Adventures was really thriving big time. When he bought Cypress it just seemed like the focus was drawn away, but thats understandable to a point. But it was so severe that the park (Wild Adventures) began to be neglected. Then the Hurricanes came. And that was just a huge blow to both parks. Basically what im saying in a nut shell is that maybe its good that he just manage one park right now and just focus all his energy on that. Kent is a great business man and entrepreneur. Cypress is in good hands. I know there will big changes there. And when Herschend is settled down up here you all should consider visiting us at Wild Adventures. Big big changes. Bring your kids! or grand kids!
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