Splendid China (Florida)

Splendid China was a theme park in Four Corners, Florida. It was opened in 1993 but closed on December 31, 2003. It was a sister park to the Splendid China in Shenzhen, China, and cost $100 million to build.[1]

Splendid China
The derelict Imperial Palace in 2012
LocationFour Corners, Florida, United States
Coordinates28°20′03″N 81°36′31″W
StatusDefunct
Openedlate 1993
ClosedDecember 31, 2003
ThemeAncient China
Area75 acres (30 ha)

It was a 75-acre (30 ha) miniature park with more than 60 replicas at a one-tenth scale at its height of popularity. Each piece was handcrafted to maintain authenticity. Initially, Chinese artists were hired to perform in the park. After a number of them tried to seek political asylum in the United States, they were replaced by local performers.

Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda criticized the Chinese government's ownership of Splendid China; the state-owned corporation China Travel Service owned and operated the theme park.[2]

History

Origins

The original idea for the Florida Splendid China theme park was that of Josephine Chen, a former educator from Taiwan. In 1988, Chen toured a prototype park, "Splendid China Miniature Scenic Spot", in Shenzhen, China operated by China Travel Service (CTS). This park is close to Hong Kong. 3.5 million people visited the park during the first year. CTS recouped its US$100 million investment during this first year.

She negotiated an agreement with CTS, controlled by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, under the China National Tourism Administration. Under the agreement, Chen supplied the land and management services, while CTS would construct the building, and supply non-management personnel.[3]

Construction

On December 19, 1989, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the start of construction for Florida Splendid China.[4]

The park's replica of the Great Wall took nearly seven million 1-inch (25 mm) long bricks and stretched about .5 miles (0.80 km). The replica of the Leshan Buddha was four stories tall.[5]

Buyout

In December 1993, the American partners were bought out by the Chinese government.[6]

Changes in 1996

In May 1996, the Orlando Sentinel reported that the President, General Manager, and Senior Vice-President for Entertainment were replaced in what was described as a 'big management shakeup'.[7]

In July 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Florida Splendid China was changing their name to "Chinatown."[7] In August 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that marketing department of Florida Splendid China had shrunk by 5 positions.[7]

FARA violation

In March 1998, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda asked Attorney General Janet Reno and the US Department of Justice to investigate Florida Splendid China for violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.[8]

In May 1999, the Far East Economic Review reported that Florida Splendid China was losing $9 million a year.[9]

Protests and bans

A group called Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda (CACCP) staged several protests at the park against perceived Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the Mongolian and Tibetan exhibits.[10][11][12][13]

In November 1995, the Pinellas County, Florida school board voted to ban trips to Florida Splendid China.[14] In March 1996, at the 11th demonstration against perceived Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the Tibetan, Mongolian and Eastern Turkestan exhibits, five college students sat down and closed the front gate Florida Splendid China while a large crowd of demonstrators watched.[7]

On April 19, 1996 the Representative Assembly of the 1996 Florida Teaching Professionals-NEA State Conference in Orlando passed a resolution to ban personal or school trips to Florida Splendid China by its members. The resolution passed overwhelmingly.

In October 1997, the brother of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet (Takster Rinpoche), attended the 20th demonstration at Florida Splendid China to commemorate the 48th anniversary of takeover of Eastern Turkestan.[15]

In December 1999, CACCP held the 32nd demonstration at the main gate of Florida Splendid China to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Grand Opening.[16]

Plans for closure

In May 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Sunny Yang, Florida Splendid China president, confirmed that the motel property was about to change hands and that sources close to the attraction had said that the park was to be sold and closed.[17]

In November 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported that amid allegations of financial mismanagement, the former president (Sunny Yang) of the struggling Splendid China attraction has been sent back to mainland China.[18]

After closure
Abandoned park buildings, in 2012

After closing its gates, Splendid China suffered a rash of attacks from thieves and vandals. Hundreds of items were taken ranging from small miniatures to portions of life-size statues. The perpetrators, thought to be local youths, were never caught.[19] The property has passed through several owners and in July 2009 was up for sale at an asking price of $30 million.[20]

On May 9, 2013, the new owners started to tear down the park.[21]

In August 2015, Encore Homes reported that Margaritaville Resort would open on the former Splendid China site, with resort homes and condos and in Jimmy Buffett themed setting.[22]

By March 2016, there was nothing left of the park as construction had begun for the new Margaritaville resort. The former park is located on a parcel of the southern and eastern property of the resort bordering Fins Up Circle, Formosa Gardens Blvd. and Funnie Steed Rd.

Exhibits

References
  1. "Buddhist plan demonstration at China park";Tampa Tribune; 11-30-1993
  2. "Website of critics". Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  3. "From "Florida Splendid China"; Kenneth R. Timmerman, American Spectator Magazine; February 1999" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  4. "Groundbreaking". Caccp.freedomsherald.org. October 11, 1995. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  5. various. Florida DK Travel Guide 2004. p. 178.
  6. ""Theme park takes bow as activists create row: The communist nation becomes sole owner of Florida Splendid China after U.S. partner pulls out"; Annie Tin; Orlando Sentinel December 19, 1993" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  7. "1996 Media" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  8. "1998 Media" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  9. ""Not-So-Splendid Deal"; Lesley Clark; Far East Economic Review; May 13, 1999" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  10. "Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda". Retrieved August 20, 2009. Specifically, we are protesting the inclusion of the Potala Palace that was built by the Tibetan people and served as the home of successive Dalai Lamas since 1645, the Id Gah Mosque and Tomb of Abakh Hoja which serve as cultural icons of the people of Eastern Turkestan and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Mongolian Yurt exhibit which attempt to add a Chinese name to the Southern Mongolian people.
  11. ""Buddhist plan demonstration at China park"; Karen Haymon Long; Tampa Tribune; December 19, 1993" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  12. ""Looks like China? It may be Florida"; Al Levine; The Atlanta Constitution December 19, 1993" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  13. ""Newest Attraction attracts protesters Buddhist monks and others quietly protest the opening of Splendid China near Orlando"; Laura Griffin; The St. Petersburg Times December 20, 1993" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  14. ""Clearwater, Florida to Ban the School Visits to China Theme Park"; -; Reuters; November 6, 1995" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  15. ""Dalai Lama's brother protests at China park"; Jim Stratton; Orlando Sentinel; October 13, 1997" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  16. "1998 Media" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  17. ""Splendid China slated for sale"; Alan Byrd; Orlando Business Journal; May 26, 2000" (PDF). Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  18. ""Where in the world is Yang?"; Alan Byrd; Orlando Business Journal; November 6, 2000". Bizjournals.com. November 6, 2000. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  19. "Splendid China replicas to make way for development". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  20. "Trouble haunts ruins of Splendid China". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  21. "Closed attraction Splendid China to be demolished". Fox 35 Orlando. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  22. ""Margaritaville Resort Orlando"". margaritavilleresortorlando.com/. August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
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