Cypress Gardens to re-open - but without any rides

The owners of Cypress Gardens have revealed that the park will re-open on March 28th.

The park's Botanical Gardens and the Splash Island water park will both return, with separate admission fees applying to both. The famous ski show will also be back.

DoingFlorida reports that ticket prices will be reduced up to 40% from 2008 prices, but details are yet to be confirmed.

The park's rides and animal exhibits will not return, and many have been sold and removed following the park's closure last November. This followed a 2007 bankruptcy sale, in which Philpot and Harper paid $16.8 million to take over the park.

The company's plans for the park include expanding the water park, and opening a new museum dedicated to the history of the park.

Cypress Gardens was founded as a botanical garden in 1936 by Dick and Julie Pope and grew into a major attraction. It struggled prior to bankruptcy as it faced heavy competition from Florida's other theme parks.