CoasterJunkie Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Found this today on the local newspaper site... http://www.theledger.com/article/20080102/BREAKING/74189326/1039 Cypress Gardens Getting New Management TeamLedger Staff Report The new owners of Cypress Gardens anounced this afternoon that management of the attraction is being turned over from former owner Kent Buescher to Baker Leisure Group of Orlando. An announcement from the park described Baker Leisure Group as one of the premiere consulting and management specialists in the themed attractions industry. The announcement by owners Rob Harper and Brian Philpot was made during a 2 p.m. news conference held at Cypress Gardens. "The change does not affect the attraction’s operating staff, but replaces the contractor that had been managing Cypress Gardens on interim basis," the two said in a press release. The announcement is coming on the park's 72nd anniversary. The state's first theme park was opened on Jan. 2, 1936. The new owners purchased it in October. “We are fortunate to have Baker Leisure Group at Cypress Gardens. They are one of the premier management companies in the world and based in Central Florida. Cypress Gardens needs a strong community presence, an element the Baker group understands,” said Harper and Philpot. Baker Leisure Group has handled assignments ranging from the popular Coca- Cola Olympic City at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games to planning, opening and managing Al Shallal, Saudi Arabia one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East. The firm was founded in 1988 by 40-year theme park and attractions management specialist Steve Baker. "Visitors to Cypress Gardens will notice a more lively, interactive, engaging atmosphere as we move forward," said Steve Baker, whose company has assumed operational control of the attraction. "We provide the best overall guest experience possible," he said. " The changes will range from cosmetic to cultural. Cypress Gardens enthusiasts will recognize and applaud the changes and potential guests, particularly families living in the fast-growing Polk County metropolitan area, will have plenty of reasons to want to visit the attraction for the first time or make a return visit." Baker said operational changes will address intangibles such as more extensive staff training, revised internal operating procedures such as queue line management and more accessible food and beverage service, as well as more visible changes. Cypress Gardens, which became Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in 2004, has been in trouble since the attraction was devastated by the trio of hurricanes that hit Polk County in August and September of 2004. Kent Buescher bought the park for $7 million before the hurricanes hit. He was seen as the savior of the historic attraction that had trouble attracting enough customers to pay the bills. Buescher had plans to improve the park and broaden its customer base, but the hurricanes hit before he could reopen the park. It was a blow that he never recovered from. By 2007 he was about $135 million in debt for both Cypress Gardens and a second amusement park he owns, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. Buescher sold both Cypress Gardens and Wild Adventures after filling for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Philpot and Harper, who own Land South Holdings in Mulberry, bought Cypress Gardens in October for $16.8 million. The company has a reputation for flipping property for a quick profit, which fueled speculation that Cypress Gardens could become condominiums or a commercial development - or both. That can't be the case because the state has placed restrictions on the land that prohibits development other than for a park. The new owners have insisted they're in Cypress Garden for the long haul. They say the business plan for Cypress Gardens was a good one, but impossible to execute because of the mountain of debt. That debt no longer exists. In an unusual move, Philpot and Harper kept Buescher on as the chief executive officer of Cypress Gardens. I know attendance at the park has been steady over the holiday. It will be interesting to see where this goes.
palmerleeberry Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Well, I don't know much about Baker Leisure Group of Orlando and what their short and long term plans are, but since I won't be returning to Florida until either 2009 or 2010 (When Harry Potter's land opens up at IOA), I'll just keep a close watch on them and their developments. Their first task to get the Starliner up and running so they can get good #'s attending their park. Then their second task is to get that park OUT OF THE RED & BACK IN BLACK!!!. When that happens, this will happen: (maybe steal some of Disney's attendees, perhaps?)
piers Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 (maybe steal some of Disney's attendees, perhaps?) Doubtful!
milst1 Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 We did SeaWorld, Cypress Gardens, and Busch Gardens over a weekend about 3 weeks ago and I have to say that I liked Cypress Gardens the best of the three overall. I liked the slower pace, the friendliness of the staff, and the genuine landscaping (as opposed to the "vinyl leaves" feel). The rides aren't anything spectacular (that Vekoma family inverted "Swamp Thing" is a disaster), but the two woodies are fun and it was my first spinning mouse ride. And where else can you ride an Intamin Flying Island? I also got the feeling that it was more of a local park than an international destination, which I enjoyed but which can't be good for the coffers. Ride ops weren't that great and the souvenir offerings were definitely paltry. I guess the new owners want things jazzed up a bit. -Martin Intamin Flying Island at Cypress Gardens, December 2007
Jew Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 The concept of Cypress Gardens is a good one: a "local" park in a market filled with all the big boys. But that's also the problem. Cypress Gardens isn't even close to the level of the big boys in terms of quality (it's basically a permanent carnival), so locals just ignore it. We'll see what these guys do, but unless there is a HUGE commitment to making the park a real park and not a glorified carnival, they're done for.
UniversalGSHo22 Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 I remember as a kid how much I loved CG becuase of the atmosphere of the place. THe girls with the big poofy dresses and parisols and the lace gloves, very Southern Belle was SO amazing to me. They had great water shows with Jet Skis and fast boats. I really don't remember any of the rides since I was 5 or 6 the last time I was there. I just remember thinking how pretty the place was. I would love to see them bring back the old feel of the place but I jsut dont see that happening. They have had a few owners try and do that in the past and nothing has happened. They do need some big fast fun stuff to compete with the rest of Central Florida and they just dont seem to realize that is what is going to bring the numbers. When we are figuring out what to do on a weekend we usually head to Sea World ( free beer DUH:-) ) because it is slow paced BUT has the fun factors. IF CG would get on that bandwagon then they might catch up!!!
milst1 Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 It can't be helping that their upcharge boat ride cruises are not sailing due to the low lake level.
CoasterJunkie Posted January 9, 2008 Author Posted January 9, 2008 From more info I have been hearing about the changes to the park, they are looking to increase the staff, fix some buildings, fix the ride area, and give everything a spruce up. They also want to reach out to the local business more and increase advertising. They also plan to work on staff loyalty and happiness. They feel happy staff will spread the word of mouth about the park. As for the park being done for...I just do not see that. In the winter when the kids are in school, the senior who live in the area come to the park, and in the summer, all the local kids flock to the waterpark, dragging along the parents. I think it will work out well for the park, but only time will tell.
sam06pr Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 I think the concept of CG being a local park is good...but that did not mean adding cheap looking flats and horrible vekomas. I think it would of been better if they just added a nice flume, the two woodies they have already, 4 or 6 nice looking flats and a good family steel coaster. Not too many rides and with room to expand. Now they got too many rides that mostly suck and the feel around that area just makes me disgusted. They need to improve their animal habitats. However, their gardens are amazing and beautiful
socalMAN123 Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 maybe steal some of Disney's attendees, perhaps? Hahahahahahahahahaha, that would be something I would LOVE to see. Disney is never gonna loose their attendance to Cypress Gardens, it just won't happen. Maybe to Universal, but not Cycpress Gardens. Oh, and I've always wanted to go to this park. Not sure why, but it looked really nice and not busy like all the other parks in Orlando. ---Brent
freestylenut Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 Universal? Why Universal's attendance? They're currently offering an annual pass for $79.95. I'd bite if it included parking...and a guarantee the park won't CLOSE from one week to the next. Something that stuck out last time I visited (Dec 06) was the bathrooms. The MAIN bathroom (near the front entrance) looked like a public park bathroom.
CoasterJunkie Posted January 9, 2008 Author Posted January 9, 2008 CG does have an AP that includes parking now. and the park has not closed at all since it has re-opened..so why would it close again?
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