The Wandering Disciple

Central Florida has long stood as a preeminent destination for tourism, a reputation established well before the advent of the region's current colossal attractions. Decades prior to the opening of the mega theme parks operated by industry giants like Disney and Universal, a pioneering attraction known as Cypress Gardens was already successfully drawing visitors from around the globe. Cypress Gardens originated with a focus on its natural beauty, conceived as a botanical garden featuring the lush, semi-tropical flora native to the area. Over time, however, its appeal expanded beyond horticulture, and the park evolved into a full-fledged theme park. It became famous for its Southern Belles, who greeted guests, and its internationally recognized water ski shows, which showcased impressive aquatic acrobatics and artistry on Lake Eloise. This combination of botanical beauty and unique entertainment cemented its status as a foundational element of Central Florida's tourism infrastru...

A hispanic police officer takes the hand of a black school girl in the Protector statue outside the Winter Haven Police Department. The statue which was unveiled in 2010 is a tribute to department's Honor in Service motto and reflects the diversity of the department and community. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

In 1930, George Jenkins set out to create a grocery shopping experience like no other. It was his third store he opened in downtown Winter Haven would be the one that would set Publix Super Market ahead of the rest and lead the chain to become one of the top grocery stores in the country. In 1940, this store was conserved the Food Palace as it featured many amenities not seen in other stores. Air conditioning, fluorescent lighting, frozen food cases and the electric-eye door, a feature that no other store offered. Combine that with the pastel colors, terrazzo tiles and soft music, Publix instantly became where shopping was a pleasure. The 1940’s Publix remained in operation until it was replaced with a newer store in 1957. Today the store remains along Central Avenue in downtown Winter Haven. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

The crossroads of the world, Times Square is one of the most popular spots in New York City.  But it is also a popular attraction at the miniland exhibits at Legoland Florida.  Here not a detail is spared as Lego creators made a miniature version of the nation's busiest intersection.  Mini Times Square joins Washington DC, San Francisco, Las Vegas and more popular cities that have been recreated Lego style.  (Photo: October 27, 2012)

As kids we all can remember spending countless hours making creations with Legos. But the designers at Legoland Florida took that childhood passion further, creating masterpieces to enjoy like this New York City scene. From a cast-iron building to a FDNY ladder truck, these designers brought the streets of New York to life using thousands of lego blocks. (Photo: October 27, 2017)

The sound of water cascading over the waterfall provides a tranquil environment at the former Cypress Gardens theme park in Winter Haven. Although the theme park has been reopened and redesigned as Legoland Florida, much of the garden elements of the Cypress Gardens theme park still remain. (Photo: July 4, 2005)

Thousands of Lego sculptures are located everywhere you turn at the Legoland Florida theme park. The building blocks are used to create sculptures, decorate rides and even create cities on display at the park. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

A Lego birdwatcher is one of the thousands of Lego creations awaiting at Legoland Florida. Around every corner is a new and exciting creation to see and enjoy at this one of a kind theme park dedicated to the childhood favorite Lego building toys. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

Guest hold on for a wild ride on the Swamp Thing roller coaster at Cypress Gardens.  Swamp Thing was one of four roller coasters at the former central Florida theme park.  Cypress Gardens closed in 2009.  It was redesigned and reopened as Legoland Florida in 2011.  This coaster is now the Flying School in the  Lego City portion of the park.  (Photo of the Day: July 4, 2005)

The Statue of Liberty and many other New York landmarks are recreated at the Legoland Florida theme park.  The famous building bricks are used to symbolize many of the nation's great cities including New York City, Washington DC, Las Vegas as well as the State of Florida and much more.  (Photo: October 27, 2012)

The colorful flowers and beautiful sculptures were the heart of the Cypress Gardens theme park. Cypress Gardens was Florida’s first theme park, long before the mouse moved in up the road. Although Cypress Gardens was closed forever in 2009, elements of the park like the gardens and the famous water ski show have been incorporated into Legoland which now occupies the land. (Photo: July 4, 2005)

Miami’s famous South Beach comes to life in a a Lego miniland replica at Legoland Florida. South Beach joins other Floridian landmarks like Key West, Tampa, St. Augustine, Tallhassee, Kennedy Space Center and Daytona International Speedway in the collection. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

A Witch made of Lego blocks sits along the Brick or Treat trail at Legoland Florida. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

The US Capitol is recreated in the Miniland Washington DC at Legoland Florida. Lego builders went through great detail in creating a realistic replica of the nation’s capitol including the White House, Smithsonian museums, national monuments and much more. The replica of Washington DC joins Florida, California, New York City, Las Vegas and Pirate Shores to round out Miniland. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

Buddy, the ambassador of Legoland Florida, welcomes visitors to Legoland. Opened in 2011, Legoland Florida brings to life those colorful building blocks that have been entertaining children for over 50 years. You can marvel at the Lego creations or enjoy some of the fifty rides and attractions the park has to offer. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

Not a detail was spared in Lego’s latest creation, a Lego Ford Explorer on display at Legoland Florida. What looks like a street version of the Explorer is actually a realistic replica designed by Lego builders. It took over 2,500 hours and 382,858 parts to create their replica which now sits outside the Ford Driving School at Legoland Florida. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

Soaring high in the sky, the ferris wheel offers riders a birds eye view of Cypress Gardens. Opened in 1936, Cypress Gardens was Florida's first theme park. The park served as both a botanical gardens and an adventure park. They were forced to close their gates in 2009. The park was later purchased and reopened as Legoland Florida in 2011. (Photo: July 4, 2005)

Winter Haven, Florida: Nestled away, off the beaten track in central Florida is the oldest theme park in Florida, Cypress Gardens. The park was known for its southern hospitality, gardens and eventually as the Water Ski Capital of the World. In 1936, Dick and Julie Pope opened Cypress Gardens as a botanical garden, it quickly became one of the largest attractions in the state. People came from far away to see the lush tropical gardens and mingle with the Southern Belles that entertained the guests. By the early 1940’s the popularity of the park grew with the addition of water skiing. The park quickly became known as the Water Ski Capitol of the World. Over fifty water ski records were broken on the lake at Cypress Gardens. The park changed hands several times in the later years, first to their son Dick Pope Jr. and eventually Anheuser-Busch in 1989. Anheuser-Busch operated the park until 1995 when a group headed by a park manager purchased the park. The group kept the park op...