Winter Haven / Cypress gardens
 

Anyone been here lately? I am interested in going for a day or two during Spring Break (April)
Any suggestions for hotels? Would like a budget hotel with a heated pool.

Thanks for any advice / suggestions

I read in the paper that Cypress Gardens suffered extensive damage from the three hurricanes that passed over them. If you've not been there, they had towering bouganvilla vines that looked like mountains of flowers. I'm not sure what the status of all that is because the vegetation would take awhile to grow back. But the ski shows would be up and running, the Southern Belles would be wandering the grounds in their antebellum hoop skirts, and that saucer thing that takes you up in the air for an aerial view will still be there.

I'd say most of the hotels around there are budget hotels, nothing real high-end. Sorry I don't have one to recommend, you'll have to google. As for heated pools, you'll need to check into that. Not a lot of Florida hotels have heated pools. Especially older ones.

thanks so much for the advice. Any other areas that are convenient to Cypress Gardens to stay at? The heated pool issue is due to our almost 6 year old.:) Although days might be warm and sunny, the water temp might be too cold to swim in if not heated.
Suggestions?

Cypress Gardens just opened a new theme park with rides and etc. We are planning to go in March or April. Sounds great.

I think that the 6 year old will jump in the pool like all the other kids at the pool, and that in April the pool will be warm enough for him/her. Sorry but I don't know a place to recommend.

Judya, that's great news. The guy who bought it seemed dedicated to keeping it up and running. Is this a sort of midway? Or what? I'd love to hear more about it.

plmrod, be sure to get a big fluffy beach towel for the 6-year-old. They stay in the water too long and when they get out they are shivering. Then they wrap up and are real quiet for awhile. But the next day you can't keep them out of the pool. I'd look for the best pool in a place that looks kid friendly. Maybe a poolside slide. Or a kiddie pool (they're always warm because they're shallow). And does he/she swim? If not, be sure to get those water wings (schwimfluggels). Or a blow-up raft or ring. I think the 6 year old will be soooo happy. Not to worry.

Judya, please post about Cypress Gardens after you go
Tandoori girl, thanks for the advice. She loves all types of water and is a little mermaid, but I remember one time in APril in Tampa and the pool water was still pretty cold.
Looking forward to the trip

Just found a very user friendly website for Cypress Gardens -

www.ecypress.com is the Unofficial Guide to the park.

Would love to hear from anyone who has visited since it reopened.

plmrod,
There are links to nearby hotels on that website as well.

Judya, were you able to make it to Cypress Gardens? How was it? Did you stay in the area?
Thanks

I haven't gone to Cypress gardens and don't know anyone that has. I was hoping to go after Easter.
I don't use motels in area, daughter lives in Lakeland.