While the swimming area is open year-round, the waterslides are only open on weekends until daily summer hours begin in early June. All Camp Dates Sold Out! If youre uncomfortable swimming in the spring, reconsider this camp. We will not be going back or recommend Weeki Wachee foor Kayakingvery sad they took the fun of what used to be a great day. Participants will be swimming in approximately 15 feet of water. This event has been canceled. . We added a day to our trip so we could arrive at 7:40 the next morning to find that a line had already formed. Distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes Highlights: Mermaid show, natural spring waterpark, kayaking. We lined up for the 10AM Wonders of Weeki Wachee show and were pretty quickly let into the theater when it opened at 9:30. We are thinking of doing kayaking and swimming with manatees with the family in early April. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested in seeing. Disappointed cut way too short for the price. This includes, but isnt limited to, lightning in the area and temperatures below 50 degrees at showtime. It appears some of the show have been canceled. The Easter Bunny will have a designated area for a great photo opportunity and story time with the kids. While we were in the Tampa area, we dropped by here just to see the mermaid show. Your group will love the dining and entertainment options at Weeki Wachee. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Reviewed 6 days ago. Each child will receive an autographed picture of their favorite mermaid. Due to the high demand, no refunds are offered, and theres no carry over to the following year. Do they rent umbrellas for the swimming rea? Camp sessions are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. After clearing the junk, Perry investigated underwater breathing hoses and came up with a way to breathe underwater from a free-flowing air hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor, instead of from a tank strapped to the back. I believe the State Park rules state you must stay in your kayak and no swimming allowed. It is not included in the $13 entrance ticket. Hope you enjoy the video and have the opportunity to visit Weeki Wachee 8. . You cant take your eyes off of the smiling, beguiling creatures, their hair arcing around them in halos, their tails curving behind as they spin and twist. There are only eight openings per weekend dates. Lots of peacocks strutting around. Perry built an 18-seat theater into the limestone, set six feet below the waters surface, so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the ancient spring. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . You cant take your eyes off of the mermaids, their hair arcing around them in halos, their tails curving behind as they spin and twist. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (Andrew Brusso 2017). The cost was $13 dollars for an adult and 8 dollars for kids 6-12. McDonald was the co-creator of a certain pose that is depicted in "Adagio," one of the statues that can be seen in front of the park. Weeki Wachee is one of the top remaining old Florida attractions. They cut the trip short so that it ends about half the distance they had before (about 2.5 miles instead of 5 miles), which means that you cannot get off to swim anywhere (since it is all inside of a state park). Youre welcome to include drawings, but please dont choose more than one mermaid or Prince to write to. In the end our party had to split up because of misinformation from their workers and two of us had to kayak another 3 miles to Rogers park because they cut off the shuttle back for private launches at 3pm (a service that we paid for) This was after we were told at launch as long as we make it back by 4pm wed be fine. 4 1. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. "Jaws's first victim, once was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. Adding to the authenticity of the statues, a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaids face will be used. Seating is first-come, first-served. Fees: $13 for adults,$8 for children ages 6 to 12. She travels with her toddler and husband as much as possible. We been bring our visitors to this place for many years for a day of fun.now it is way too short. According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. Save. Both are great experiences and can be squeezed into half a day but best done over closer to a full day. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. At Weeki Wachee, mermaids must be able to freedive to 117 ft below the surface of the spring, as well as perform ballet-like choreography. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. By Steven Goodwin. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. No luck there! Weeki Wachee kayaking: Beautiful . It was a nice morning. Since 1947, millions of visitors have been amazed and charmed by the world-famous mermaids who inhabit the spring. $1,200,000. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. PublishedJanuary 24, 2023 at 1:40 PM EST. When the satiny blue curtain rolls up in Weeki Wachee Springs State Parks submerged 400-seat auditorium, its a mesmerizing scene. She echoed Delaney's sentiment that the bond between the mermaids is much more like family than co-workers. Paying for one does not get you into the other. Updated: 11:07 PM EDT August 3, 2021. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Weeki Wachee Springs presents the first live underwater mermaid show to the public in 1947. The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. This is the show we saw, it was very cute! One of the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. A video I created for mermaid auditions held at Weeki Wachee Springs. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. After entering the park we found that the next proper mermaid show was at 3.00 so we went to the River cruise. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. ABC also developed themes for the underwater shows, with sophisticated props, lifts, music, and storylines like Underwater Circus, The Mermaids and the Pirates and Underwater Follies. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | He found some pretty girls and trained them to swim with air hoses; drink Grapette, a non-carbonated beverage; eat bananas underwater and do aquatic balletsall while smiling broadly. First they offer a tour boat ride. In this episode, we have a conversation with. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Waterfront paradise off of the Weekie Wachee River with kayaks & paddleboard!! We were wrong. Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee: See 2,632 reviews, articles, and 2,235 photos of Weeki Wachee Springs, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 15 attractions in Weeki Wachee. 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. Newton Perry, a former U.S. sailor who trained Navy SEALs chose the site in 1946 and installed a free-flowing air hoses hidden in scenery for the mermaids to use in order to create the appearance of breathing underwater during the shows. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 . This post may contain some affiliate links. Shop. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is best known for its iconic mermaid show offered twice a day at 11am and 3pm. From our legendary Mermaid Shows to our exotic River Boat Cruises and Wildlife Animal Shows, you and your family will be amazed and entertained from the moment you enter our enchanting park. Unsubscribe at anytime. You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to face with her prince! The Mertailor Mermaid Aquarium Encounter is complete with fish, stingrays and a . State Park, there is a separate admission for the part of the park that used to be a roadside attraction, including the mermaid show. Limited boat rides, limited mermaids, very limited value for money. Weeki Fresh Water Adventures. Children under the age of 17 can get first-hand answers to these and any other mermaid related questions they have, thanks to Tail Mail, sponsored by Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkand promoting literacy and penmanship has never been more fun. A Florida classic since 1947, Weeki Wachee's mermaid show is the creation of Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy man who trained Navy Frogmen to swim underwater in World War II. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! There is plenty of free parking. . Weeki Wachee Springs is open from 9am until 5:30pm daily with mermaid shows running at 11am, 1:30pm and 3 pm on weekdays and at 10am, noon, 1:30 and 3pm on weekends. 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See the world-famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. You can investigate Mermaid Paisley to find out her guilty pleasure is Ben & Jerrys Half Baked Ice Cream; discover Prince Anthony is from Spring Hill and has a celebrity crush on Anne Hathaway; and learn that Mermaid Giannas dream job would be to become a police officer and that her dream vacation destination is Italy. We enjoyed the show. Diving Into the Past. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, Florida. Weeki Wachee mermaid Joyce Hope, 1966 Florida Pictorial. There is a floating dock that you can swim out to and sit on as well. Show seats are first come, first serve so I recommend arriving earlier rather than later in order to make sure you get a seat. Join us at the Weeki Wachee Springs Buccaneer Bay Waterpark for an exclusive outdoor showing ofThe Goonies! 6131 Commercial Way By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee had become one of the nations premier tourist stops, earning worldwide acclaim. COVID-19 & Safety Updates. It was full so we asked for the 12:30 time. The first mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs opened to the public on this date. Despite all this the mermaids remain the main draw that brings people to the spring 365 days a year. They went Fast! Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. Fast-forward a dozen or so years, and Cheyenne becomes a lifeguard at the park. Effective Feb. 27-March 10, 2023:All water attractions are closed for maintenance. Published Mar. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested . Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is located in Florida's Nature Coast. Try on a tail in the Junior Mermaid Camp, available to kids ages seven through 14; or if youre a more mature water nymph, make a splash in the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp, for adults 30-years-old and up. Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Facility of Kayaking is also available, and you will love the experience. The Official Facebook page of the World-Famous Mermaids! You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. Since then the stage has been expanded to seat more people and there are other attractions like the nature show, wilderness cruise and buccaneer bay. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. To help find a favorite, you can Visit the Mermaid rosterfor a list of Weeki Wachis current mermaids. The latest news and how to stay informed. Its iconic mermaids bring childhood dreams to life. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (with the mermaid show and water park) are different than Weeki Wachee Springs kayaking but share the same parking lot. The park had reached capacity by 9:30. In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. . Then we went to a fun amphibian/reptile owl presentation. We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. We invite you to come see our world-famous Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park as they perform their version of Hans Christian Andersens The Little Mermaid live in our submerged 400-seat auditorium. There is a souvenir shop across from the theatre area. No one there could give us consistent information on what to do or how to go about certain things. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for . Dianne McDonald, 91, was one of the first Weeki Wachee mermaids. View. 896. Paying for one does not get you into the other. As the prince struggles to save the Little Mermaids beautiful voice, a fierce battle ensues between him and the evil sea witch. There are also two water slides, a kid area and a lazy river to enjoy as well. Cost: Park entry costs $13 for adults and $8 for kids ages 6-12. 0. They have many fun mermaid themed souvenirs. Visitors can watch the mermaids perform every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the month of January. Go early! From the beginning it seemed like this place has so many rules + guidelines. Mermaid Kelley has been performing at Weeki Wachee for six years now and is also the underwater theatre manager. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is worth it alone but getting to swim in the spring makes it a fun all day excursion. Park visitors may take a wonderful boat tour or paddling . To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. In the 1960s, girls arrived from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the honor of becoming a glamorous mermaid. What Mermaid Ashley enjoys most is hanging out with her animals. Buccaneer Bay is the name the park has given to the swimming area of the spring. 3 Beds. And there's "legendary siren" Vicki . #1 of 1 Water & Amusement Parks in Spring Hill. Prince Anthony is from Springhill, Florida, and loves to eat pineapple on pizza. 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Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. A perfect getaway with family and friends! Contact the Statewide Information Line: My favorite was the matching mermaid sets for girls and their dolls or barbies! They add. The deadline to apply for this art project is May 31 and submissions must be received by no later than 5 p.m. that day. In those days, cars were scarce along U.S. 19. Weeki Wachee Springs - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near St. Petersburg Intl Airport (PIE), Motels near St. Petersburg Intl Airport (PIE), Haunted Cologne: Witch Hunt Exploration Game, Peninsula Day Trip: Sightseeing Top to Bottom, Boogies & Polaris - Extreme Adventure in Punta Cana, ATV Adventure with Camel Ride and Tequila tasting in Cabo, VIP Boat Party with Open Bar, Formentera daytrip and Ibiza Club Entry. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. We were told one thing and then another thing so many times. Arrived at 11.00am on Monday and paid $13 each before being given a small map. We got in. Trained underwater performers will be with participants at all times, and areas exist to hang onto. Destination Mermaids: The Tail Trail Project. Weeki Wachee Springs: Take your time - See 2,633 traveler reviews, 2,238 candid photos, and great deals for Weeki Wachee, FL, at Tripadvisor. As of September 2022: Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. on weekends. 00 Day Owl Ave, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1969. River cruise is 9:30 and 12:30. The continuously running riverboats first depart . The Weeki Wachee mermaid show runs a couple times each day. Mermaid Lydia is quite the artist and loves to do special-effects makeup. Now, Weeki Wachee is celebrating its 75 th Anniversary with a mermaid reunion and unveiling of 26 individually decorated mermaid statues at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. While the mermaid show takes center stage at Weeki Wachi, thats just the beginning of the parks attractions. The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. This makes it feel as though youre on the coast. And what little boy wouldnt want to be the prince that glides through the water and wins the mermaids heart? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. It is small (doable in a few hours, but very nice grounds and friendly and helpful staff). If you have any questions regarding the camp, please emailweekicamps@gmail.com. Legendary mermaid Vicky Smith. These cookies do not store any personal information. After the show, near the gift shop, you can get your picture taken with one of the mermaids! Do mermaids get cold when theyre putting on shows? So the mermaid's real name is 'Little Spring Mermaids' or 'Winding River Mermaids.'. You can register and payonline. Mermaid show. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. We continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs with our video series, "Mermaid Memories". Weeki Wachee Clear Kayak Ecotours Manatee Season - November 14th-March 31st, Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer, Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer, Small Group VIP Manatee Pontoon Tour in Crystal River, Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Swim With Manatees In Crystal River, Florida, Swim with Manatees - Trip Advisors "Travelers Choice Award". This requires SCUBA certification, first aid, CPRand several months of training, as well as being 18 years of age. Private and Luxury . Seating is first-come, first-served. It was hardly a promising tourist destination;the other roads were dirt; the areas population consisted mostly of alligators and black bears; and amenities like gas stations and grocery storesdidnt exist. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Rachel has been an avid traveler for over ten years and has been all over the globe. 2022. Weeki Wachee also offers kayaking and paddleboarding on the river. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. It sure was not worth the cost of $70 plus taxes and fee for our single 2 Kayaks and $51 plus taxes and Fee for a double for less than 1.5 hours. But where do the mermaids come from? They offer grilled food items, ice cream, snacks and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages. Its a real legacy project for them to be a part of. What time is best to get there to see the show and the river ride? A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. Solvent-based paint must be used by the selected artists. BOOT CAMPY A mermaid performer at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where visitors can participate in a weekend . Movies like Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid were filmed there. Seating is first-come, first-served. a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaid's face will be used. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The mermaids swim in the depths of the spring, while the audience watches from a 500-seat theater 16 feet below the water's surface. When you watch the mermaids perform, bending their bodies in impossibly graceful curves and smiling through the water, theyre the embodiment of beauty and allure. Visit Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to learn about mermaid camps; volunteering; and donating; or check out their galleries. The Mermaid Show is performed four times a day and there are two different shows: 1) Wonders of Weeki Wachee and 2) The Little Mermaid. The mermaids performed Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Snow Whiteand Peter Pan. The park has changed a lot since then. . "But we will be taking walk ups the night of the show, starting at 6:30 pm." Due to higher demand pre-sale ticket holders will have first come first served for the Lazy River and tubes for the movie, as there . Mermaid Kelley enjoys listening to Brett Young and loves anything chocolate. Address: 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee FL 34606. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. They swim with wildlife. Make sure to include the following in the letter: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Fish Tails Mermaid Show - 1:30 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday only through Dec. 22) ), Ho ho ho! Register today for $20 (spectators are free. The camp quickly fills with no waitlist. We wanted the 9:30 boat ride. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park In addition, to live mermaid shows . Updated: May 24 . And I love that the mermaids are state employees can't wait. Highlights from Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid show as performed by the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http. You can also bring in your own coolers with food and drink although you cannot bring your own alcohol. Where the mermaids perform, 16 to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a robust five miles an hour, making it a notable achievement for a mermaid just to stay in one place. Tickets are $16 for adults ages 12+, and $8 for children 3-11. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. Mermaid Cassidy is a local to Weeki Wachee and wants to travel to Hawaii. Weeki Wachee started out as a swimming hole, a natural spring 117 feet deep that feeds the seven-mile-long Weeki Wachee River, which pumps more than 100 million gallons of fresh water into the . It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. Overall were positive people a little hard to tell from this review lol so it was still a good experience. Published. The state park's mermaids performed their first show back in 1947 and have been one of the more Florida roadside attractions since then. read more. Weeki Wachee Spring State Park has real live mermaids and you can see them today in the Weeki Wachee mermaid show for only $13! Register today for $20 (spectators are free.) Visit theFriends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkonline for more information as well as camp dates. There are a few places to pull over and get out but the water is 72 degrees all year and Jan temps will be cool. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is included in your $13 admission price. Jun 2021. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We respect your privacy. Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. The mermaids performed eight shows a day to sold-out crowds. 6131 Commercial Way Check out the Mermaid Roster to get a personal glimpse into the lives of the shows stars. Discover the natural beauty of Floridian wildlife, flora, and fauna. Longing to have legs like him, she makes a deal with the sea witch, exchanging her exquisite voice for what she wants. #mermaid #weekiwachee #florida The famous mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the best attraction in Florida! After closing for a year due to COVID-19 Weeki Wachee has officially reopened including the mermaid shows. It came at just the right time; by the 1950s, GIs and their Baby Boomer progeny were taking off across the newly created highways in search of beautiful scenery and unique attractions. We offer a range of indoor and outdoor venues for your next group outing. View. Watch the "world-famous" Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform live in the spring, while you view the show behind the windows of a . As many as half a million people a year came to see the Weeki Wachee mermaids, who wore one-piece suits and were treated like Florida royalty. Tampa Bay area artists are encouraged to apply to paint the 30 life-sized mermaid statues that will be placed all around Hernando County as part of the project. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We would like to actually get out of the kayaks to swim. Both are popular two-day weekend camps where youll learn what its like to be a Weeki Wachee mermaid performer, with instruction in the ballet moves that the mermaids employ and training sessions in 15-feet of water with a watchful instructor. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I'm sure that in winter months this place is more manageable and this review is irrelevant. The reptile show started at 10 but we had to leave it early to catch the 10:30 boat ride. Ask Joy-Love-Light about Weeki Wachee . By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. On Oct.13, 1947, the first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened.