On our family vacations we try to do something of interest to everyone. This has become a wee bit easier as the young ones are growing older and more understanding. In this case it was fairly easy to get everyone on board as the entrance to the Historic Cypress Gardens is through LEGOLAND!
Cypress Gardens, in Winter Haven FL, was established in 1936 as a theme park. Often labeled as Florida's first theme park it was famous for its fancy water ski shows. The shows went on to break over 50 Guiness book of World Records.
It really grew in popularity in the 1950's and 1960's when a number of movies were filmed here and with many visits from various Miss America's. It was quite a place for Southern Belles to be photographed.
As time moved on the gardens had to compete with other theme parks such as Disney World which is roughly an hour away. This lead to difficult decisions and changes in the park.
It became an amusement park run under a couple of different companies. But now is part of the World's second largest theme park operator and is part of Legoland Florida. These historic gardens are still available for the people to walk through and to enjoy....but for the cost of admission to Legoland.
I was there.... 25... years ago. So, now it's part of Legoland? Hmmm, what an interesting combination. I can see how it would attract all ages that way.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the old Florida theme park gardens. I believe I was probably an original visitor to many of them! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you got to walk through these beautiful gardens and the kids also got to visit Legoland.
ReplyDeleteWow, has that place changed! Lat time I was there was around 45 years ago! Shame you have to pay for legoland if all you want to see is the gardens, but at least, as you say, something for everyone! hugs, Leslie
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