Cypress Gardens Construction 2005

Johnny Upsidedown · #1 07-16-2005, 03:58 PM

Hi everybody figured I would start a 2005 tread for Cypress Gardens.
I went by the park today 7-16-05 for some photos of the water park and the new spinner mouse ride. Galaxy Spin the spinning mouse is complete for the most part as it looks like all the track is in place and the cars were located up near the front of the park unfortunatly they were coverd with tarps. I have some photos up on my site of the Galaxy Spin coaster. Also I took some photos of the new water park that should open in the next month or so. Photos of the water park show part of the slide package and what looks like a lazy river around the entrance area to the water park. Things seem to be progessing along with the construction of the water park. Thats about it for 2005 construction. As always photos can be seen at www.Johnnyupsidedown.com or quick link to the photos at http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2005cg.html
Enjoy!!!

Homer · #2 07-16-2005, 04:11 PM

Johnny, we hope you could do indepth coverage of Cypress Gardens like you did with SheiKra.

Anyways, the waterpark looks nice and coming along well, though Galaxy Spin looks abit carnish. Oh well, thats Cypress for ya...

Johnny Upsidedown · #3 07-16-2005, 04:38 PM

Its a bit of a drive but had to go at least get a set of photos before Galaxy Spin opens. I wanted to go last week because I figured the coaster would go up real quick as the mouse rides do once the footers are done. I may get back up there in a couple weeks to Cypress for some more photos of the water park and of course get my ride credit on Galaxy Spin as I would figure the ride to open in the coming weeks. Looks like minimal work left and some testing and the mouse should be open soon.

On a side note. Hopefully I will be able to make it up to Cypress Gardens many times when they start the rebuild of the Starliner but that will be in the 2006 construction tread once that happens I will post about it in that tread.

trainguy83 · #4 07-17-2005, 12:41 AM

hey johnny, great photos(what type of camera do you use)... well from what i got told on july 5th when i was at the park one of the head mechanics that i talked to after disko broke with me on it told me they planned on opening galaxy spin and splash island by july 29th and then they would start on moving the kiddie rides out from behind triple hurricane to make room for starliner... im not sure what kiddie rides you saw but he said they would be bring more rides in over the next year or so but hey im just waiting to see what they will do with starliner.

Johnny Upsidedown · #5 07-17-2005, 07:16 AM

Camera I use is an HP 850 4.1 meg. All photos you see are down sized by half and then I also remove some of the quality to keep the size low (KB's or MEG's) on my website. Most photos are actually around 1.5 megs and will print poster size. Camera has 8x optical zoom with a huge 2 inch lens.

The rides that I saw behind the secenes looked to be rides that were probably bought from Miracle Strip. As for the other kiddee rides in the park behind Triple Hurricane they are still there. I have heard rumors about where Starliner will go but until they get started working on it, its just rumors.

I am thinking I will run up there again next weekend as I have been out House Hunting.. I want to try and get some photos of the storage area and try to get some photos of the rides. I heard from a person that told me some of Starliners track is on site so I will have to take a better look around and see what I can see. I may have to go to the hotel next to the park and beg the cleaning lady to let me in the top floor room as you can see into the park.

One of the rides I did see was like a Dumbo kiddie ride. Looked like elephant cars that are on long arms that go up and down and it looked like there were several other different types of ride parts. At least several different colors. Anyway I hope to have some new photos from Cypress Gardens next weekend..

I would think that Galaxy Spin will open by the end of the month so most likely in the next couple weeks. However you can see by the photos of the water park that it may be toward the end of August before it opens. I dont know for sure the schedules but just looking at the photos it seems they are still a bit behind schedule considering the water park was supposed to be open already. So check here and in the 2006 Construction tread as I will have some more photos soon.

trainguy83 · #6 07-17-2005, 11:12 PM

thats a good camera...i use a kodak cx7300 3.2mp with a 3x digital zoom... i mean it does a great job for me... well the guy i talked to was the head of the maintance guys and he told me that a crew from wild adventures had to come down to build galaxy spin and work on the water park because his crew was having a hard enough time just keeping the rides running so who knows all i know is he and his crew talked to me for about 30 mins about the improvements to the park and told me that galaxy spin would be open july 29th and im sure that can happen as for splash island i know what you mean about that when i was there it was not looking like it was going to be open on time but who knows they might even open it and still have work to do on it we never know...as for new rides like i said that was confirmed they would be adding smaller rides...i had heard from someone that they bought some of the old opry land rides and i wish they had chaso from opry land that was a great indoor coaster...i know for one that i will drop my busch gardens pass after this year and get a cypress gardens pass because its just worth more to me but anyways all i know is what ive said b4 that starliner was going behind triple hurricane anyways trainguy out

**Wes** · #7 07-18-2005, 09:14 AM

Looks like their spinning coaster has the same layout as the new one at Beech Bend.

bk2004 · #8 07-19-2005, 03:02 PM

When did they announce this? Huh. Anywho, it's the same ol' same ol' layout. They are pretty fun I guess. Just hang on at the end when you spin, especially if your by yourself.

The colors are pretty bright.

Johnny Upsidedown · #9 07-24-2005, 06:00 PM

Hi everybody
I stopped by Cypress Gardens this morning 7-24-05 for some more construction photos. More photos of Galaxy spin as they are getting completed and looks to open within the next week on 7-29 at least thats what the park employees are saying.
I also took some more photos of the new water park. The park is still saying open next week but I think it will be another couple weeks before they get it open as there looks to be alot to do. Photos of all the construction can be seen at www.johnnyupsidedown.com or quick link to my Cypress Gardens section at http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2005cg.html
Enjoy.
There are also a couple of Starliner photos which I posted earlier in the 2006 Construction tread so check there also.

trainguy83 · #10 07-25-2005, 12:53 AM

hey johnny i looked at your photos from this weekend man they are awesome. i just wish i could get back over there but with school and work and not making that much money its not possible right now. anyways i saw the photos of the old rides and stuff that you were asking about and i think i might know what that is, in the old cypress gardens map i found online it listed a place called wacky water park for kids and i seem to remember from going there when i was younger that there were some little crapy rides and slides so i think thats what that is and the see doos are just left overs from the old ski show. so thats my guess man but if anyone has been to cypress gardens right b4 it closed in 2003 and has some photos that would show that area that would help out in telling if thats the stuff or not.

edit 072505 at 12:38am

hey johnny i found some old photos online and i was right they are the old rides from the water park and the Carousel Cove area if you look at the photos that my posting you can see the parrot and the dophin from your photo in the one photo they are from the splash pool part of the wacky water park. well thats all for now trainguy out

Bencerisback · #11 07-25-2005, 04:59 PM

Wow this is really going to be a great year for Cypress Gardens, way to go CG.

Johnny Upsidedown · #12 08-12-2005, 04:57 PM

Hi everybody.
New photos from Cypress Gardens are up on mysite. Today 8-12-05 I stopped in the park for a look around and see what else is new. Photos from inside Splash Island as it looks like they are working on a large wave pool. Photos of the water slides and other stuff at the new Splash Island.
Galaxy Spin the spinning mouse ride was testing and employees riding it. I didnt ask but maybe opening this weekend. Still have a little work todo on one of small attached buildings. Thats about it for Galaxy Spin and Splash Island.
Also have a few photos of Starliner and the rumored location for reinstallation.
Photos can be seen at www.johnnyupsidedown.com or quick link to my Cypress Gardens page at http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2005cg.html
Enjoy!!!

thrillerman · #13 08-12-2005, 11:37 PM

I like the sort of 1950's - 60's UFO look of the cars. Too bad the yellow "dots" aren't lights. That would really look amazing when the cars are spinning.

Johnny Upsidedown · #14 08-13-2005, 04:56 PM

I recieved word that Galaxy Spin is set to open Wednesday August 17th, 2005. Ribbon cutting and official opening set for 1030am.
J.

Gregory DG · #15 08-17-2005, 07:25 PM

I was there at the opening today! I haven't yet put the new photos on my CG Photos website yet but I do have the opening video starring Kent Buescher.

Anyway, it's a neat ride, but the first 1/2 is a bit rough. Those hairpin turns are murder!

Johnny Upsidedown · #16 08-21-2005, 04:39 PM

Hi everybody
Some new photos are up on my site from Cypress Gardens. I went by took a spin on Galaxy Spin. Same old mouse ride. Took some photos of Galaxy Spin and some photos of the work going on in the water park. Still working on the new wave pool. Starliner stuff well the reported area that the ride may appear in has a new slab poured. Dont know what for guess only time will tell.
Anyway photos from today can be seen at www.johnnyupsidedown.com or quick link to my Cypress section at http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2005cg.html
Enjoy.

Bencerisback · #17 08-21-2005, 04:54 PM

That waterpark looks really great. That blue tunnel slide by the two speed slides looks insane, I really hope i can make it to CG when im going to florida next year.

Johnny Upsidedown · #18 08-21-2005, 11:04 PM

Here is another area that will have slides in it the Tonga slides. This photo on Screamscape http://www.screamscape.com/html/cypr...sh_islan_3.htm shows the area where more slides are going in. Then I took this photo today http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new05/cg32a.jpg this is where the other set of slides is going. Its really a good small water park that has the necessaties. The area will look real nice when completed.

**Wes** · #19 08-22-2005, 12:44 PM

Looks like Galaxy Spin is like the new one at Beech Bend. It has a shorter top section than the old ones they built a few years ago.

Does it stay stationary on the top as well and then start spinning on the 2nd teir?

imhotep · #20 08-22-2005, 04:49 PM

Yup, only spins through the 2nd half of the ride. I found the ride actually painful. I banged up my thigh pretty bad, and my girlfriends son almost busted his head on my restraint during one of the dips at the end. My restraint was about level with his head, and he came within an inch of slamming into it.

We did enjoy the Triple Hurricane though! Alot of the flat rides were good, and we liked the drop tower. Great park for the kids.

Johnny Upsidedown · #21 08-22-2005, 11:50 PM

I agree IMHOTEP with your ride discription. Glad you liked the Triple Hurricane its a fun coaster for its size and has a nice flowing ride. Its really a great park for families. Theres plenty of good family rides and a few thrill rides. Cypress Gardens and the new owners have done a pretty good job so far with the park. Hope in the future they add something a little more on the higher end of thrill rides. Still a fun place to go.

Johnny Upsidedown · #22 09-24-2005, 03:40 PM

Hey Everybody new update.
New photos are up from today 9-24-05. I stopped in the park for a quick photo tour. Photos from today show the finished wave pool.
NEW RIDE!!!
Looks like a new ride has been installed at the park. Its one of those interactive rides where you sit in a chair and everybody whears those virtual realty gogels. They were testing the ride and finishing the construction of the ride. I would think it will open very soon. The new ride is located close to Galaxy Spin.
Also photos of some new construction appears to be a safety or retaining wall which is being installed up near the front of the rides area. Dont know what its for so have to check back on this one.
And a couple more photos of Galaxy Spin as one of the cars was being worked on so I snapped a few photos. Photos can be seen at www.johnnyupsidedown.com or quick link to the photos from today at http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new2005cg.html
Small note did take a few photos of Starliner still stacked but nothing to report on construction.
Enjoy!!!

Gregory DG · #23 09-25-2005, 05:26 PM

Looks like the same VR attraction they have up at Wild Adventures. It's an extra fee to ride it if I remember correctly.

Dang, hoping for the Starliner to begin construction. Haven't been too interested to go lately since everything is pretty much open except for that.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode