Cypress Gardens, FL October 2005

Walking to the front of the park, the flying island started to peek over the trees at us.

2009-02-21T22:19:00Z

George Burnash
Walking to the front of the park, the flying island started to peek over the trees at us.

A picnic area outside in the parking lot.

2009-07-18T13:00:34Z

George Burnash
A picnic area outside in the parking lot.

The front enty of the park- past the flag poles and manicured gardens. This is what you first see of the park.

2009-07-18T12:52:46Z

George Burnash
The front enty of the park- past the flag poles and manicured gardens. This is what you first see of the park.

A sign for Phobia on the way in.

2009-07-18T12:23:15Z

George Burnash
A sign for Phobia on the way in.

A couple of youngsters admiring the potted plants on the way in.

2009-07-18T12:26:27Z

George Burnash
A couple of youngsters admiring the potted plants on the way in.

The Cypress Dome! This actually covers the ticket booths and the entry to the gates.

2009-07-18T12:48:55Z

George Burnash
The Cypress Dome! This actually covers the ticket booths and the entry to the gates.

Hanging up inside of the dome

2009-07-18T12:43:22Z

George Burnash
Hanging up inside of the dome

Tickets! Get your tickets here! Special today- 2 days for the price of one.

2009-07-18T12:25:49Z

George Burnash
Tickets! Get your tickets here! Special today- 2 days for the price of one.

And walking from the ticket booths to the entry gates. Yes, it's as pretty as it looks.

2009-07-18T12:36:30Z

George Burnash
And walking from the ticket booths to the entry gates. Yes, it's as pretty as it looks.

More of the signage out front.

2009-07-18T13:10:38Z

George Burnash
More of the signage out front.

Another look at the Flying Island, the oldest ride in the park, and the only one up near the front of the park.

2009-06-04T22:12:15Z

George Burnash
Another look at the Flying Island, the oldest ride in the park, and the only one up near the front of the park.

A look at some of the shops in Craftsman's Village. Quaint, and with a nice variety of things to look at in addition to the normal souvenier stuff.

2009-07-18T13:03:52Z

George Burnash
A look at some of the shops in Craftsman's Village. Quaint, and with a nice variety of things to look at in addition to the normal souvenier stuff.

The Mercantile- the main souvenier shop for all of that park related stuff.

2009-07-18T12:13:47Z

George Burnash
The Mercantile- the main souvenier shop for all of that park related stuff.

A look further into the shops and buildings. It got a bit busier than this later on, but not a lot.

2009-07-18T12:38:56Z

George Burnash
A look further into the shops and buildings. It got a bit busier than this later on, but not a lot.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- in addition to the aforementioned for sale, it has a large toy train set up inside.

2009-07-18T12:31:16Z

George Burnash
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- in addition to the aforementioned for sale, it has a large toy train set up inside.

BBQ!! One of several eateries in the park.

2009-07-18T12:12:38Z

George Burnash
BBQ!! One of several eateries in the park.

More shops and places to spend your money. Shore is pretty, ain't it?

2009-07-18T12:51:11Z

George Burnash
More shops and places to spend your money. Shore is pretty, ain't it?

The concession stand outside of the concert arena. And my wife unhappy I got her in the picture, while just begining to realize how much she likes the park.

2009-07-18T12:40:06Z

George Burnash
The concession stand outside of the concert arena. And my wife unhappy I got her in the picture, while just begining to realize how much she likes the park.

Our first look at the rides area of the park, including one of their show stages and a Phobia maze.

2009-07-18T12:58:10Z

George Burnash
Our first look at the rides area of the park, including one of their show stages and a Phobia maze.

Yes, you're seeing that right. A park that actually remembers the kids at Halloween and builds a maze just for them! Kid friendly, very nice to see in the midst of the big scare stuff that ...

2009-06-04T21:54:55Z

George Burnash
Yes, you're seeing that right. A park that actually remembers the kids at Halloween and builds a maze just for them! Kid friendly, very nice to see in the midst of the big scare stuff that ...

We didn't get to see this show, but it looks to be entertaining. Now I'm just wondering if this is going to be a permanent show site, or just temporary for the first year or two.

2009-07-18T12:45:54Z

George Burnash
We didn't get to see this show, but it looks to be entertaining. Now I'm just wondering if this is going to be a permanent show site, or just temporary for the first year or two.

The Okeechobee Rampage- a Vekoma Rollerskater with a pretty standard layout.

2009-07-18T12:15:03Z

George Burnash
The Okeechobee Rampage- a Vekoma Rollerskater with a pretty standard layout.

This is typical of many of the rides- a standard ride set down permanently. Not a lot spent on it, but nicely done.

2009-07-18T13:09:51Z

George Burnash
This is typical of many of the rides- a standard ride set down permanently. Not a lot spent on it, but nicely done.

A look at the Triple Hurricane from the boarding area on Okeechobee

2009-07-18T12:58:53Z

George Burnash
A look at the Triple Hurricane from the boarding area on Okeechobee

First time I've seen these kinds of open seats on a roller skater. I liked them as they had a bit more of a "classic" feel to them then these coasters usually do.

2009-07-18T12:31:53Z

George Burnash
First time I've seen these kinds of open seats on a roller skater. I liked them as they had a bit more of a "classic" feel to them then these coasters usually do.

Another look at the Triple Hurricane.

2009-07-18T12:36:13Z

George Burnash
Another look at the Triple Hurricane.

The YoYo- first time I've been on one that they run flat out. It makes it quite a fun ride.

2009-07-18T12:45:55Z

George Burnash
The YoYo- first time I've been on one that they run flat out. It makes it quite a fun ride.

The manufacturers plate on the train, showing that it's from Chance Morgan. It seems they went to 4 companies when they bought rides- Chance, Vekoma for a couple of coasters, Zamperla for a ...

2009-07-18T12:17:53Z

George Burnash
The manufacturers plate on the train, showing that it's from Chance Morgan. It seems they went to 4 companies when they bought rides- Chance, Vekoma for a couple of coasters, Zamperla for a ...

the Okeechobee going on a rampage!

2009-07-18T12:57:00Z

George Burnash
the Okeechobee going on a rampage!

A good look at their nice looking little engine.

2009-07-18T12:47:55Z

George Burnash
A good look at their nice looking little engine.

From the front passenger seat on the train- wheelchair seating and the back of engine.

2009-07-18T12:39:58Z

George Burnash
From the front passenger seat on the train- wheelchair seating and the back of engine.

The crossover in the figure eight layout of Triple Hurricane

2009-07-18T12:15:48Z

George Burnash
The crossover in the figure eight layout of Triple Hurricane

A good look at Rampage's cars as the train goes up the lift.

2009-07-18T12:51:58Z

George Burnash
A good look at Rampage's cars as the train goes up the lift.

the first drop into the first helix.

2009-07-18T12:13:08Z

George Burnash
the first drop into the first helix.

Parts to something off on the side. There's a lot of places around the park where work seems to be ongoing.

2009-06-04T18:13:26Z

George Burnash
Parts to something off on the side. There's a lot of places around the park where work seems to be ongoing.

A look from the train towards some of the other rides

2009-07-18T13:05:49Z

George Burnash
A look from the train towards some of the other rides

Kiddie rides galore over by the Hurricane.

2009-07-18T12:53:16Z

George Burnash
Kiddie rides galore over by the Hurricane.

A kiddie version of the hangglider ride.

2009-07-18T12:59:53Z

George Burnash
A kiddie version of the hangglider ride.

Anyone want to fly a plane?

2009-07-18T12:11:28Z

George Burnash
Anyone want to fly a plane?

Fire!! Fire!!

2009-07-18T12:16:15Z

George Burnash
Fire!! Fire!!

Isn't it cute? it's actually a nice selection of rides for the really little ones.

2009-07-18T12:56:26Z

George Burnash
Isn't it cute? it's actually a nice selection of rides for the really little ones.

A look at Hurricane's station as we go by

2009-07-18T12:26:52Z

George Burnash
A look at Hurricane's station as we go by

Look, another train! Only that one doesn't really seem to go anywhere.

2009-07-18T12:45:54Z

George Burnash
Look, another train! Only that one doesn't really seem to go anywhere.

There be more rides over there. Aarrrrrrr.

2009-07-18T13:01:43Z

George Burnash
There be more rides over there. Aarrrrrrr.

A nice look at the giant wheel and some of the other rides around it.

2009-07-18T12:44:20Z

George Burnash
A nice look at the giant wheel and some of the other rides around it.

A look at their flying skooters. Unfortunately they're to big and heavy to really fly at all, and barely move. But then again, maybe they wanted it that way.

2009-02-21T22:22:43Z

George Burnash
A look at their flying skooters. Unfortunately they're to big and heavy to really fly at all, and barely move. But then again, maybe they wanted it that way.

Disk'O!! Yeah baby! :)

2009-07-07T06:00:14Z

George Burnash
Disk'O!! Yeah baby! :)

Not quite sure why they had this pond drained, but you can see that it's a nice layout. More shade needed but I'm sure that'll come in time.

2009-07-18T12:23:37Z

George Burnash
Not quite sure why they had this pond drained, but you can see that it's a nice layout. More shade needed but I'm sure that'll come in time.

Their drop ride by ARM. It's a bit different compared to many of the ones I've been on.

2009-07-18T12:56:50Z

George Burnash
Their drop ride by ARM. It's a bit different compared to many of the ones I've been on.

Swamp Thing up on the hillside.

2009-07-18T12:45:07Z

George Burnash
Swamp Thing up on the hillside.

yep, it's a Vekoma hang and bang. And boy does it bang you. I liked the one at Wild Adventures, but this one rides a lot rougher.

2009-07-18T12:42:00Z

George Burnash
yep, it's a Vekoma hang and bang. And boy does it bang you. I liked the one at Wild Adventures, but this one rides a lot rougher.

Amber's favorite ride, the mighty power surge. We got a great ride on it too- even though we were the only ones on it.

2009-07-18T12:25:33Z

George Burnash
Amber's favorite ride, the mighty power surge. We got a great ride on it too- even though we were the only ones on it.

Some of their sets for Phobia.

2009-07-18T12:13:50Z

George Burnash
Some of their sets for Phobia.

Another inflatable front for Phobia.

2009-07-18T12:19:42Z

George Burnash
Another inflatable front for Phobia.

Looking down the hill to the bumper cars.

2009-06-04T21:37:42Z

George Burnash
Looking down the hill to the bumper cars.

Another look at the Disk'O. This is apparently one of their more popular rides according to the ride ops.

2009-07-18T12:29:09Z

George Burnash
Another look at the Disk'O. This is apparently one of their more popular rides according to the ride ops.

A couple who make up a good portion of the visitors to the park. But unlike in the past, they aren't the only ones able to have a good time here now.

2009-07-18T12:51:57Z

George Burnash
A couple who make up a good portion of the visitors to the park. But unlike in the past, they aren't the only ones able to have a good time here now.

The ride here is made by ARM. It's, umm, interesting. Margaret loved it, while my back wondered a bit about the chiropractic job it received.

2009-06-04T21:05:06Z

George Burnash
The ride here is made by ARM. It's, umm, interesting. Margaret loved it, while my back wondered a bit about the chiropractic job it received.