EVERGLADES TOWER & MANGROVE ADVENTURES

Guest Services’ presence in Florida continues to expand. Our operations include recreation, lodging, hospitality, dining, senior living, and condominium properties throughout the state. Our strong footprint positions us well to strategically pursue new and exciting opportunities within this great state.

In July 2022, Guest Services acquired a stunning property lying dormant across the street from our Everglades Florida Adventures site. Here, we recently activated Everglades Mangrove Adventures that will welcome guests with recreation tours and many other services on the water.

“We purchased four acres of land adjacent to the Everglades from a prior concessionaire who no longer had any interest in it,” says Laura Sherman, Vice President of the Hospitality Division. “Operations will begin just a few months after the Everglades 75th Anniversary, a monumental celebration of all this legendary National Park has to offer.”

Expanding Our Everglades Presence

The visitor center at Everglades Mangrove Adventures will temporarily replace the building destroyed within the Everglades Florida Adventures park during Hurricane Ian. This facility also enables us to build retail, concessions, dining options, and other exciting opportunities.

“For now, tour boats are the only thing available there. But we have the opportunity to enhance the offerings already in place by providing private guided tours, adding kayaks, canoes, eco-tents, glamping, and primitive camping… we can also add new private small boat rentals that will enable families to go out and discover the Everglades on their own,” says Sherman.

“One of its most interesting assets is the four-story high tower that overlooks the Thousand Islands, Florida Bay, and the Everglades. It’s a really incredible vantage point of the park,” says Sherman.

A Strategic Acquisition

“Naturally, it was a good fit for us because we have scale in that area, and we can provide the necessary resources to bring this property back to life. It’s a really exciting opportunity for the Company,” says Nico Foris, CEO.

Not only is this a great addition to the Company’s portfolio, but it is also a statement into the health of our organization.

“We can market and do things that the other operators might not have been able to do. It aligns with our strategic areas of growth, core competencies, and commitment to delivering outstanding visitor experiences in National and State Parks, as well as in the private sector. While we’re not necessarily an acquisitive company, when we find the right opportunities, we are more than willing and capable of deploying capital resources and making strong strategic moves.”

The Family Charm Of The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House At De Leon Springs State Park

Once called Acuera, or “Healing Waters,” by Mayaca Indians who inhabited the area, De Leon Springs is a place to cool off in clear waters, roam trails through a lush subtropical forest, and immerse oneself in a rich history.

This park is an enchanting hidden gem just north of Orlando and near our operations at Blue Spring State Park and Hontoon Island. Aboard kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, guests coast through De Leon Springs, Spring Garden Run, and the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. We also offer tube rentals for a lazy river float, boat tours, snorkeling gear for those who want a better look, and various other amenities.

The park’s restaurant, The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, is its most famous attraction. Located in a 100-year-old replica of an 1830s sugar mill, the restaurant features an extremely unique dining experience that lets guests build and cook their own pancakes right at their tables. The menu also offers other breakfast staples and an array of lunch classics.

MID-HURRICANE ACTIVATION

We converted to a Guest Services property and began operations in September 2022 and right in the middle of a category four hurricane. We’re incredibly grateful for the hard work of all the team members involved in traversing this crisis and for maintaining many of the projects even through the storm.

“The biggest challenge was the hurricane that came through right as we were getting started. Everything was under water, there were trees down, there was no power for two days… It was tough,” says Matt Smith, District Manager, when asked about the team’s experience activating the De Leon Springs Adventures unit.

The team’s inspiring response to the storm led the unit swiftly back to full operations. Since then, it has seen great success moving forward.

Expanding On The De Leon Springs Product

“This is another park that has so much potential. I think being the entity we are, we can take it to the next level. We can build on what was previously here and make it an even more special experience for guests,” says Smith.

Our team rebuilt the previous concessionaire’s unique tables to expand their size to include six to eight people. We also improved the previous pancake recipe by testing different formulas with past guests and team members.

The restaurant reopening under our management is not going unnoticed; our team’s work was already featured in local news.

View the article here at NBC 6 South Florida: www.

Clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/10/18/batter-up-oldsugar-mill-pancake-house-opens-in-de-leon-springs-statepark

Capitalizing On Potential

We look forward to expanding on the portfolio of services already offered here. “We’re going to rent cabanas, pontoon rentals, and pedal boats… these are just a few of the most immediate things we’re looking forward to adding,” says Smith. Eventually, we will begin offering many other Guest Services hospitality staples like weddings, family reunions, graduations, and other events. Keep an eye on this property, as it promises a great 2023!