Updated: June 07, 2007
Start the Countdown! Cypress Gardens set to open Starliner at end of June
Winter Haven, FL - The countdown has started at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, as Florida’s original scream machine is set to open June 30th in a flurry of festivities, including an appearance by a special celebrity guest. The park announced the opening date today as they unveiled the newly arrived coaster cars.
The Starliner, originally built in 1963 in Panama City Beach, was rescued by Cypress Gardens when the Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed in 2004. The historic coaster was created by master coaster designer John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Cypress Gardens has stayed true to the original design with a few exciting profile modifications. At a cost of more than $4 million, the coaster is the park’s biggest ride investment to date.
At its height, the Starliner tops out at 70 feet on the first hill. After hurtling passengers 67 feet toward the ground at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, the coaster then skims a series of bunny hills and camel backs, providing plenty of negative-g’s and the much-coveted “air time.” One of the design modifications was the turn-around, which was banked to a higher degree and given a sharper turn to provide a much more exciting diving, hair-pin turn. Ironically, according to roller coaster historians, the turn-around was the only part of the coaster the original designer, John Allen, felt didn’t turn out as planned.
Festivities on June 30th include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 am, with first rides starting at noon. Among the first to ride will be a special celebrity guest, who will then be on hand for an autograph and picture session. Seven hundred of the first riders of Starliner will walk away with a commemorative t-shirt.
The Starliner is the park’s sixth coaster and joins exciting rides, Splash Island Water Park, spectacular daily shows, and Jubilee Junction, a picturesque village where food and shopping take an entertaining old-fashioned twist. Come face-to-face with more than 150 animals in Nature’s Way or take in the beauty of Wings of Wonder, the famed butterfly arboretum. Stroll the historic gardens, visit with our graceful Southern Belles and gasp in wonder at the world-famous ski show. It’s adventure for all ages! The park is located in Winter Haven, Florida two miles west of SR 27 on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Regular admission is $44.95, plus tax for ages 10-54 and Junior/Senior admission is $39.95, plus tax for ages 3-9 and 55 and over. Make sure you ask how you can get a second day free.
Get days and days of fun at two spectacular parks! For only $69.95, the Passport 2007 offers unlimited admission from the day you purchase it through December 31st, 2007 for both Cypress Gardens Adventure Park and Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. The Passport includes unlimited park admission with no blackout dates, free parking at both parks, Splash Island water parks, concerts, events and more! See more details at www.cypressgardens.com.
You can up the adventure with the Gold Passport, which includes all the benefits of the Passport 2007, plus great extras. This pass option includes free daytime cruises and discounted dinner cruises on the Cypress Belle; free rock wall climbs, free bungee bounce rides, 10% discounts on food, merchandise, season reserve concert seats and daily admission to “bring a friend.” The Gold Passport is $99.95 plus tax, for ages 3 and up. It is good for one year from the date of purchase.
Group rates are available for church, school, corporate and any group with 15 or more people. Ask about our Group Super Saver Rate of just $29.95 per person! For more information, contact Group Sales at 1-800-808-0872 or visit the web site at www.cypressgardens.com.
______________________________________________
Contact: Lynn Wright or Sara Sumner
Telephone: (863) 595-2285 or (229) 219-7114
Fax: (863) 595-2280 or (229) 559-1539
E-mail: lwright@cypressgardens.com or ssumner@adventureparksgroup.com
