DerekRx Posted June 8, 2005 Posted June 8, 2005 It was about time for me to get back to Florida. I hadn’t lived there since early October during the three hurricanes, and of course, as soon as I leave, Florida gets like 5 new coaster credits. Originally I was going to go with Robb and Elissa over Memorial Day, but with too much to do and not enough time to do it with my schedule and lack of vacation, I decided to go another time. After talking with fellow Coaster Team member Greg “Gluttenfree” Legowski, who seemed interested in whoring up the parks, we decided to go the weekend after Memorial Day. We lucked out in that Sheikra would open a few weeks before our trip. The flights went well. ABE to PIT was on time unlike the flights going to PHL. Greg got there about 10 minutes before our boarding time, and we were soon off to Tampa, First Class of course, thanks to Greg and his Silver status. A few drinks on the way down while we watched my bootlegged version of Episode III on my laptop and before we knew it, we were in Tampa. Finding the hotel wasn't too hard for me, seeing how I lived down there for a few years. As I anticipated, we arrived at the hotel and were asleep by midnight. Saturday morning it was drizzling a bit, but I wasn't too worried (Coaster Team has had good luck with rain this season so far). It stopped raining right before we got off I-4 which was good. We got to Cypress Gardens shortly after they opened and were there with only about 15 other cars. We wanted to get all the credits in before the overcast skies turned back into rain, and managed to have all coasters ridden within 30 minutes. They're all similar to coasters other parks have with the exception of Triple Hurricane, the M&V junior woodie. It was very smooth and enjoyable. The roller skater was also a little more thrilling, with the open front trains and individual lapbars. Other notable rides were the drop tower, the same model as Atmosfear at Morey's, and the spinning raft ride, much like the ones AstroWorld and SFA have. It spun like a crazy mo-fo and didn’t get us too wet, though a rouge wave did me. We rode the flying skooters and laughed at how bad they are, you just can't get a snap at all, the tubs are too heavy. After a brief walk through the old gardens, we were ready to continue our adventure. I was glad the park was saved, and a lot of the old Cypress remains in tack, though they seemed to be doing some work to the boat cruise. The gardens still look just as good as they did on closing day 2 years ago, the ski show was going on, and the southern belles were still present. The "statue show" was awesome, and I highly recommend watching it if you get the chance when you go. The rides fit in nicely in the old parking lot area, all now grassed over. No visual work on site prep for the new crazy mouse yet, and both Disk-o and Rockin' tug were down. (Shame on you, Coaster Team member Rosenkrantz!) We could have hung around a bit longer to take in some other sites, shows, and reride a few things, but we were only in town for the weekend and had many other places to go. And so we were off to Orlando! This girl had no idea we were standing next to her, as is evident by the fact that she was smiling The life statue fountain thing. Its actually pretty cool, and they make her look like she's a real statue Oh yeah, this park now has rides. Here's the junior wood coaster. Its the 2nd best operating wood coaster in Florida (because Gwazi probably hasn't dispatched yet this month) The old Banyan tree still stands, even after the hurricanes The waterskiers do their thing in the lake. Sadly, the Go-go's weren't there singing "Vacation" ...Or this Catepillar, who tried to put Greg out of his wheat-free misery The old part of the new Cypress Gardens, filled with shrubs looking like animals, like this one...
SharkTums Posted June 8, 2005 Posted June 8, 2005 Nice TR! Stupid Zamperla rides! The only people who like Gwazi are dentists since it shakes your fillings out and then they make more money! The woodie was kind of cute and a surprise...the biggest surprise was that chick smiling with you guys! Eh, with Gay day only 30 miles away she probably figured you guys were pretty harmless! Elissa "booo to spinning raft rides" Alvey
Sir Clinksalot Posted June 8, 2005 Posted June 8, 2005 ^ Spinning Raft rides ROCK!!! Nice TR, I don't think we will hit Cypress Gardens on our trip in November but it looks like a nice little park. Like the new hair!!!
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