Fate of Cypress Gardens Roller Coasters

When Cypress Gardens closed for the last time, there were six roller coaster rides on site all of which had been installed between 2004 and 2007. Three of the children’s coasters have been incorporated into the new Legoland Florida park and the remaining three coasters have all found new homes.

Out of the six original coasters, five will remain in Florida.

Fiesta Express

The Fiesta Express was a kiddie coaster built by Zamperla with small hairpin bends. It was purchased by Gillian’s Funland and moved to Sea Isle City in New Jersey in 2009.

Galaxy Spin

The Galaxy Spin wild mouse style coaster was built by Zamperla and has been acquired by Fun Spot USA in Kissimmee. It will re-open in 2011.

Okeechobee Rampage

The Okeechobee Rampage is a junior roller coaster built by Vekoma and it is being re-themed as the Dragon in the Castle Hill land at Legoland.

Starliner

The Starliner wooden roller coaster was rescued by Cypress Gardens from the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach. It was by far and away the oldest roller coaster at Cypress Gardens, being built in 1963 by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters to a John Allen design when the Strip originally opened. It is a classic “out and back” wooden coaster with something like half a mile of track and was the first roller coaster to operate in Florida.

It has now been dismantled and there are rumours that it might return to Panama City Beach to the relaunched Miracle Strip. However before it can run again, it will need to be updated with a new braking system to comply with current safety regulations. There are still question marks over the costs of transporting it back to Panama City Beach, the state of the wooden structure and the way it has been dismantled and stored.

Swamp Thing

The Swamp Thing is a suspended family coaster also built by Vekoma and it is also being re-themed at Legoland. It will become Flight School in LEGO City.

Triple Hurricane

The Triple Hurricane is one of two wooden coasters at Cypress Gardens and it was built by Martin and Vleminckx. It got its name after the park was hit by three hurricanes (Charley, Frances and Jeanne) in a single season in 2004 just before the park was due to re-open. It is being re-themed as Coastersaurus in the Land of Adventure at Legoland.