Cypress Gardens due to reduce hours
Cypress Gardens known for it's Southern Belle and enchanted botanical gardens was originally owned by Dick & Julie Pope in 1936. Unfortunately, park attendance began to fall off in 2003 leading to a bankruptcy causing the park to close. It was then sold to Land South Holding LLC. for $16.9 million dollars.
In order to combat the changing economy, Steven Baker of Leisure Baker Group have decided to scale back the hours of operation. Most parks begin to slow down around September and change their hours to remain profitable. With only 200 people in the park at any one time, does not provide the atmospher with the excitement and thrills park goers are looking for.
Because of the rising cost of gasoline and other factors, Baker has decided to limit the park opening to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until further notice. One of the biggest problems is that the airlines at Orlando International Airport scaled back their seats by 6,900 seats and there is a drastic reduction in international tourism. Cypress Gardens also will open for big group events during the limited hours of opereation.
Scaling back park hours is probably in line with other attractions including Weeki Wachee Springs, and Silver Springs who will also reduce park hours to three days. Cypress Gardens employs about 200 people to operate it's park and the low attendance does not justify keeping it open for 7 days a week.
In order to combat the changing economy, Steven Baker of Leisure Baker Group have decided to scale back the hours of operation. Most parks begin to slow down around September and change their hours to remain profitable. With only 200 people in the park at any one time, does not provide the atmospher with the excitement and thrills park goers are looking for.
Because of the rising cost of gasoline and other factors, Baker has decided to limit the park opening to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until further notice. One of the biggest problems is that the airlines at Orlando International Airport scaled back their seats by 6,900 seats and there is a drastic reduction in international tourism. Cypress Gardens also will open for big group events during the limited hours of opereation.
Scaling back park hours is probably in line with other attractions including Weeki Wachee Springs, and Silver Springs who will also reduce park hours to three days. Cypress Gardens employs about 200 people to operate it's park and the low attendance does not justify keeping it open for 7 days a week.
posted by michael at
2:17 PM
