Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida to Add New Ride

You may not be familiar with "Florida EcoSafaris" at Forever Florida, but it is certainly a very important attraction in Central Florida. The description of the park says that "Florida EcoSafaris is a unique eco‐tourism attraction... Departing from a picturesque Florida cattle and horse ranch, guests journey deep into the 4700 acre Forever Florida wildlife conservation area. This very special place encompasses nine distinct ecosystems and is pristinely preserved just as nature intended."

This year, the natural park plans to open a new "ride". Yes, it can be defined as a ride because of the system that is used. Read more, from the latest press release:

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Innovative New Cypress SkyCycle Eco‐Attraction Announced for Central Florida

St. Cloud, FL – May 4, 2011 Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida (www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com)

announced today the upcoming addition of a groundbreaking new ecotourism experience. The Cypress

SkyCycle will take guests on a fun and relaxing cycle ride through the treetops of the 4700 acre Forever

Florida Wildlife Conservation Area in St. Cloud, Florida. Yes you read that right, cycling through the treetops.

     Slated to open in July 2011, the innovative new attraction will be the first of its kind in the United States.

Guests will set off on a one hour journey as they pedal along on specially designed SkyCycles; think of

them as reclining bicycles suspended from a network of high tension steel cables. The course will take

guests on a winding journey over the pine flatwoods and through Turkey Slough, a beautiful area of forested wetland.

     Guests will also get to pass over a pond housing George, a popular thirteen foot alligator that has called
Forever Florida home for the last sixty plus years. Located east of Kissimmee and just one hour southeast of Orlando, Florida EcoSafaris has carved out a unique nitch for itself as Central Florida’s premier eco‐tourism attraction. They made history back in January 2009 when they opened the first full scale zipline canopy tour in the state of Florida. Known as the Zipline Safari, the attraction has since hosted tens of thousands of guests from around the world on a thrilling journey through the conservation lands reaching speeds up to 25 mph and heights of 55 feet. The new Cypress SkyCycle is designed to complement the Zipline Safari, providing amazing new views of the conservation lands, relaxation and plenty of fun.

     “Our goal is to provide our guests with outrageously fun adventures first and foremost but at the same

time get them an up close and personal view of this vitally important area that we’re helping to

conserve”, Said Ken Wilshire, General Manager of Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida. The

conservation efforts at Forever Florida are largely funded by the revenue generated by visitors to Florida

EcoSafaris. Forever Florida has been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission as a biological hotspot hosting one the highest concentrations of endangered and

threatened species in the state. Said Wilshire, “It’s our hope that our guests have an amazing time and develop a personal connection with this special place, ultimately joining us in working to protect Florida’s natural wonders.”

     The ride technology for the new Cypress SkyCycle was developed by ECO‐Adventure Technologies and

has been successfully operated for 4 years at the Hidden Worlds Adventure Park in Tulum, Mexico.
When it opens in July 2011, the Cypress Skycyle will be the second SkyCycle in the world and the very

first in the United States.

     Tickets for the new Cypress SkyCycle will be $45 per person. Participants will need to be at least 10 years old and weigh no more than 275lbs. Adventurers will be able to save with a combination Zipline Safari and Cypress SkyCycle ticket for just $120, a $10 savings. Other adventures offered by Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida include the fully guided Horseback Safari and Coach Safari. Advance

reservations are required and can be made by calling 407‐957‐9794 ext 1. For more information, visit

www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.

     Directions: Forever Florida is located at 4755 N. Kenansville Road in St. Cloud, Florida. From east or west, take US 192 to Holopaw, turn south on US 441 and drive 7.5 miles. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever

Florida will be on the east (left) side of the highway.

About Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida: Florida EcoSafaris is a unique eco‐tourism attraction

located in St. Cloud, Florida; just one hour southeast of Orlando. Departing from a picturesque Florida

cattle and horse ranch, guests journey deep into the 4700 acre Forever Florida wildlife conservation

area. This very special place encompasses nine distinct ecosystems and is pristinely preserved just as

nature intended. Guests experience natural streams, forests, pastures, wetlands and learn about the

wide array of Forever Florida’s wildlife including alligators, black bears, white‐tail deer and the

endangered Florida panther. Three fully‐guided tour options are offered: Coach Safari, Horseback Safari

and the treetop Zipline Safari. The NEW Cypress SkyCycle, a relaxing treetop cycle ride, opens in July

2011. Visitors make a positive impact on the environment as a substantial portion of revenues go

toward the purchase of additional lands to be conserved at Forever Florida.

Additional programs available include the full‐service Cypress Restaurant, meeting planner and special

event facilities, educational camp programs for kids and adults, field trip and scout programs, camping,

cabin rental and overnight horseback safaris.

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Here you are some more pictures of the new "Cypress SkyCycle":

As you can see, it looks like a really thrilling experience! We do think that it is a bit pricey, but if you really want to get to know well Florida's fantastic wildlife and natural habitats, this is the place to go!

NOTE: All images and logos here showed are subject to the copyright of Florida EcoSafaris® at Forever Florida. All rights reserved.