Cypress Gardens Adventure Park

Today we decided to head down to Winter Haven to experience Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.

Cypress Gardens, which originally opened in 1936, closed in early 2003. It seemed to be a victim of 9/11, which triggered a drastic decline in tourism. However, a new owner stepped up to the plate and reopened it as Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in late 2004 after the park underwent some changes.

Thrill rides were added to the park to increase its younger-crowd appeal. The Botanical Gardens and zoo area (Nature's Way) remained, albeit in a smaller format. In addition, the legendary Ski Show Spectacular and Ice Skating Show also remain, apparently in a scaled-down version according to internet sources.

Well, changes or not, we enjoyed the park and what it had to offer. We met up with Frank and family on a Sunday morning.

Doug, Joyce and Frank get ready for the first drop on Cypress Gardens' newest coaster, the relocated Starliner Coaster. The Starliner debuted in 1963 in Panama City Beach, Florida at Miracle Strip Amusement Park. The park closed in 2004 and the ride was moved to Cypress Gardens where it recently debuted.

Frank came down the Fun Slide so fast he was the first one up and ready to go.

Aron did a little race car driving in the arcade.

This is a view of the Sunshine Sky Adventure from the stands at the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show. We did not get to ride the Sunshine Sky Adventure today but we will soon.

Cypress Gardens is considered to be "The Water Ski Capitol of the World". The Water Ski Show, which originated in 1943, features hang-gliding and traditional skiing, as well as stunt skiing.

Here are the current Aquamaids at Cypress Gardens.

The world famous Water Skiing Pyramid was one of the highlights of the show.

This beautiful waterfall was located near the topiary gardens.

Here's a sample of the topiary in the park.

This model-train display can be found in the Trains, Planes & Automobiles store in the Jubilee Junction section of the park.

Marlon and Frank are awed by the tiny locomotives.

This scene reminded us of Colorado.

This butterfly reminded us that it does not snow here in Florida. We found him (or her) at the Wings of Wonder butterfly garden.

The characters at Cypress Gardens reside in the children's section called "Bugville". Here's one the characters now.

There was another character present at Cypress Gardens today though who could be found at the Star Haven Amphitheatre. That character was 75 year young Mel Tillis.

Here's another young one acting as engineer on the Rio Grande Train.

Marlon put together a video! Here it is.

For more pictures of our visit today to Cypress Gardens, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/january/cypressgardensjanua/ .

Watch for our next visit when we will visit the Botanical Gardens and the Nature's Way area of the park.

To be continued...

Christmas in Sebring, Florida

We spent Christmas Day with Frank, Joyce, Laura, Aron & Austin in Sebring, Florida.

One of the unwrapped presents greeted us at the door.

Here was the Christmas tree stuffed with presents.

Austin takes in the sight of his new Spiderman bicycle.

Ooo look...clothes.

Laura shows off her new Elvis spread.

Aron got some magic cards to prepare for his next magic show.

Frank had his camera out to catch all the unwrapping action.

We're sure Joyce will enjoy her new Power Ranger toys.

Austin prepares to try out his new remote control Camaro.

Then Marlon and Austin had a little Nerf target practice.

Here we are after Joyce stuffed us full of breakfast, lunch AND Christmas dinner.

Marlon was ready for a nap.

For more pictures go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2007/december/christmas-with-fran/ .

To be continued...

Christmas Lights at Theme World RV Park

Happy Holidays from Theme World RV Park in Davenport, Florida!

Many residents, both long-term and snowbirds alike, decorated for the holidays. Several used a Disney theme.

While there was no White Christmas here in Florida this year, it was not for a lack of Christmas spirit.

There was at least one snowman...

and a Christmas palm tree.

And of course Mouse Ear lights.

For more pictures of the Christmas decorations at the park, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2007/december/christmas-at-theme-/ .

To be continued...

Christmas at The Magic Kingdom

Tonight we decided to go to The Magic Kingdom to see the nighttime Spectro Magic Parade and Cinderella's Castle decorated for Christmas.

Here's The Castle seconds after being lit for the night.

Along the way we ran into Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland.

Scrooge McDuck was busy conducting an autograph session.

Here's Marlon on the top deck of the steam-driven Liberty Belle Riverboat as we take the 17 minute tour of the Rivers of America.

Later, we headed back for another glimpse of Cinderella's Castle.

Marlon stands on Main Street waiting for the Spectro Magic Parade to begin.

He has a brief visit with Walt and Minnie.

Crowds are roped off in anticipation of the start of the parade.

Here's the lighting ceremony of Cinderella's Castle and the Spectro Magic Parade as filmed by Marlon.
For more pictures of this visit to The Magic Kingdom, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2007/december/magic-kingdom-christmas/ .

To be continued...

Green Meadows Petting Farm

Today we headed out to visit Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee.

Here was the Proverb of the Day.

Green Meadows conducts group tours of the farm and animal pens. It is a unique and fun hands-on experience for everyone.

Here's Marlon milking the cow.

There's something wrong with this picture and it has nothing to do the 1 week old baby chicks.

There's nothing wrong with this picture of Doug and a baby duckling.

Marlon tells the pig to look up and smile.

This baby goat is ready to be fed. This is the first petting place we have been to where the babies can climb completely through the fence and not have to compete with all the adults for food.

In this pen, we played (yes!) Catch a Duck.

I'm not sure this duck looks to pleased with the game.

Time to go on a hayride.

This chicken does not have bird flu or male pattern baldness. This type of chicken does not grow feathers on his neck.

This is a Polish chicken, although a lady from Poland was on our tour and said she had never seen such a chicken in Poland.

Marlon has gotten so much bigger since RVing that he can no longer fit in the outhouse.

Here is cool video of our visit to Green Meadows-No animals were harmed in the making of this film.
For more pictures of Green Meadows, including water buffalo, zorse (zebra-horse), sheep, geese, turkeys and more, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2007/december/green-meadows-petti/ .

To be continued...