Cypress Gardens

Central Florida's First Theme Park and Longest Running Tourist Attraction
Part 4

by Anthony Scaggs
Golf Clubs, Golf Resorts, Golf Courses

"Today people want to be challenged and have more interactive experiences. They want to strut their stuff."

according to Brian Voisard, production manager. Therefore, "Extreme Experience" was designed for those guests, who want more than a passive vacation or theme park adventure. This includes picture, a personalized backstage tour, water ski training and after their training, they can strut their stuff while skiing around the Cypress Garden's show circle. Voisard added, "We want everyone to have a good time and be able to say that they skied in the Water Ski Capital of the World's show circle.

One of the most unique ways to see Cypress Gardens is with the birds. Get abird's eye view of Cypress Gardens from the Island in the Sky. It raises 153 ft above Cypress Gardens. It overlooks Lake Eloise, which is 28 feet deep, 2.5 miles across and 7 miles in circumference. While the Island in the Sky was the first installed at Cypress Gardens, there are now 5 Islands in the Sky worldwide.

Victorian Garden Party is an artistic topiary displaying life-size figures of a horse and carriage, arousel, bandstand with musicians, people in Victorian costumes, birds and a moving ladybug, epitomizing a stroll thorough

"a peaceful and beautiful world"

Horticulturist, Mike Wallace, added, "Our guests are impressed by the variety of bananas, palms and other exotic plants; but even more so by the wondrous flowers all around them." Then we had a quiz. "Did you know where the word "impatiens" comes from and why?

It comes from the word "impatient" because the plant's ripe seedpods literally explode. Its other common name is "touch-me-not."