http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfu...ry.asp?ID=98106

While sale isn't final yet, I've also heard from a friend on the inside that Herschend has reached an agreement to buy the Newport Aquarium from Steiner Entertainment. Steiner has also sold (or is selling) their aquarium in Philidelphia, but I forgot to ask if Herschend was the buyer there too...

It sounds like Herschend is expanding their footprint...

Herschend is currently one of the class acts in the industry. They run excellent parks. And Jane Cooper, former CEO of Paramount Parks, for whom Fort Cooper WAS named, is a high uppity-up there!

So, I wonder what will happen to Cypress Gardens? It would be a shame to see another historic park disappear...

(Although, I have to be honest and say that when I visited Cypress Gardens as a kid I thought it was the most boring place I had ever been. Gardens, waterskiing, and women in big hoop skirts can only hold a kid's attention for so long I guess )

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/9/25/290364.html

Only one bid was placed for Cypress Gardens but before the auction they said that they would keep the park "a locally owned and operated tourism destination".

Wild Adventure fans are really luck getting Herschend as a new owner. They really run a great park.