On October 13, 1947, the first mermaid show premiered in the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs. * APRIL 29-30. What little girl, or grown woman for that matter, doesnt have the thought that she would like to be a mermaid too? State Park, there is a separate admission for the part of the park that used to be a roadside attraction, including the mermaid show. But where do the mermaids come from? NOT so at Weeki Wachi SP. The spring is a true Florida roadside attraction but it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Tampa area. is diving in with a new endeavor with an aquarium, including its own live mermaid show. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Named by the Seminole Indians, Weeki Wachee means little spring or winding river. Every day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 74-degree water gurgleup from the springs subterranean caverns. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for . Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There is a souvenir shop across from the theatre area. Disappointed cut way too short for the price. . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The second show is called Wonders of Weeki. For the safety of the underwater staff, mermaid performances can be delayed or canceled due to weather-related issues. Paying for one does not get you into the other. "Jaws's first victim, once was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. Guests will soon see the mermaids swimming once again at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, as it's set to reopen tomorrow, Thursday, March 18! 1,343. I had a few hours between business trip meetings and decided to stop for a visit. 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. Reviewing the company NOT the springs. Both are great experiences and can be squeezed into half a day but best done over closer to a full day. Generations of mermaids have sprung from Weeki Wachee Springs, but now they have a new home to flash their fins. Special Events. We were decided it because they had to full the 10:30 trip and the 11:30 trip before they would give out tickets for the 12:30 ride. The Weeki Wachee spring offers 200 acres of natural attractions and a waterpark with an underwater theater for entertainment. 6131 Commercial Way
They have many fun mermaid themed souvenirs. Rachel helps parents with young kids get back into traveling in simple easy ways using tips and tricks she's learned from experience. According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. cindyklenz. 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. We enjoyed the show. The process may take up to two hours. There is the spring itself where everyone can swim. You can purchase a 2018 calendar at the park, or online by visiting Merstar. They add. Karen S, . Where can I find menu's and pricing for all the consessions food places at buccaneer bay? I looked on the State Park website and they are not listed, so I don't think there's on line info about the food $$. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Call 352-597-8484 with any questions! Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. You can view the underwater show featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs from dry seats in the Newton Perry amphitheater. Nothing! Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. A video I created for Weeki Wachee Mermaid Kiyomi as she took her mermaid test. Join us in congratulating Kiyomi as she successfully passed her mermaid t. Even if we paddled vigorously we wouldve never been able to make the 3pm cutoff. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. About Us. You can find the all the application details on the Florida Mermaid Trail website. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We have been going to Weeki Wachee for years. Very disorganized management of this beautiful springs and state park! Solvent-based paint must be used by the selected artists. 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. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1949. Facility of Kayaking is also available, and you will love the experience. $359,900 Last Sold Price. By, Mermaids group shot-Florida State Archives 20th century (003).jpg, Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Spring 1969-Florida State Archives (002).jpg, Mermaid at Weeki Wachee postcard-State Archives 1949 (003).jpg, Weeki Wachee Mermaid_Kiyomi_at_Weeki_Wachee_Springs_State_Park_SPRRswGr1K8t_A9quDK2WMs18q0ABlZBh_rgb_l.jpg, Weeki Wachee Kelley_Jun22_17_2814_edited, On second try, SpaceX launches multinational crew on mission to International Space Station, Uncertainty remains at Naples mobile home park after rent rise, damage wrought by Hurricane Ian, Bill before Florida Legislature would ban nonpartisan municipal races, Florida Republicans are taking on the media. I am trying to figure out my most economical way I don't want to spend $150 in food n drink for 2 ?where can I view these menus and prices online. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the fiberglass statues will be painted. 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. The communities of Weeki Wachee Gardens and Spring Hill are nearby. Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show Near Tampa, Florida, Day Trip Guide to Devils Den, Florida A Prehistoric Spring, Flower Picking at Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, FL, Peach and Sunflower Picking at Southern Hill Farms, 11 Best Baby Carriers for Travel and Sightseeing (2023), Everything You Need for an Epic Vacation in Puerto Rico, Neuschwanstein Castle: A Day in the Life of a Princess, Best Way to Pack Makeup for Travel on a Plane, Packism Clear Toiletry Bag Product Review. The instructors are the best anywhere: all are former mermaids who volunteer their time. Do mermaids need help getting on their tails? Jun 2021. Go early! 0. Rentals are for 2 hours and shuttle service is included. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. It's one of the deepest known freshwater cave systems in the United States. Check out Weeki Wachee Springs State Park for more information. It encompasses Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, complete with two scream-like-a little-girl waterslides that finish in the springs; and offers kayaking and a boat tour down the river. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. 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. Here is the wonderful mermaid show called "Rudolph . (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Joanna Keen is the WUSF Stephen Noble Digital News intern for spring of 2023. Kids 5 and under are free. And what little boy wouldnt want to be the prince that glides through the water and wins the mermaids heart? Everyone their had a nice smile and seemed to enjoy their jobs. Between swimming in the spring, the mermaid show and the nature experiences, the whole family will have a great day together. 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. December 2022. If you have any questions regarding the camp, please emailweekicamps@gmail.com. A perfect getaway with family and friends! . 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). Cost: Park entry costs $13 for adults and $8 for kids ages 6-12. You can register and payonline. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Seating is first-come, first-served. 8. 3 Beds. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A weekend camp teaches visitors aquatic ballet, complete with shimmering tail. They swim with wildlife. The juried artists who designed and hand-painted each statue will be on hand at this unveiling to meet and greet the public. It was a very disappointing day. In 1946, Perry scouted out Weeki Wachee for his new business. And when the park reaches capacity it is closed for the day - even if people leave. We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. The mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee have thrilled tens of thousands of . We splashed around a bit in the waterpark (two slides and a diving platform - the lazy river costs an extra $7 for a tube). These cookies do not store any personal information. July 18, 2022. You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to face with her prince! As the prince struggles to save the Little Mermaids beautiful voice, a fierce battle ensues between him and the evil sea witch. You can also bring in your own coolers with food and drink although you cannot bring your own alcohol. Visiting Weeki Wachee Spring State Park. The mermaid show was first come first serve and there were 2 shows during the day. You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Effective March 11-19: All water attractions will be open. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. Weeki Wachee also offers a small nature show that is about 10 minutes long where they show you a couple animals native to Florida. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. 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. Filmed October 2, 2021. Effective March 20-May 26: The swimming area will be open daily. Nearby homes similar to 9407 Bearfoot Trl have recently sold between $356K to $549K at an average of $205 per square foot. 6131 Commercial Way
No luck there! So, what to do for 3 hours if we weren't swimming in the spring? Please be sure , Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show 23! Had we known this, we would just have rented kayaks at Roger's Park instead and paddled up from there (similar price, but you have the kayaks for the whole day instead of 2 hour max, this way we could take our time, stop for swims and gotten a lot more out of the kayaking. The spring is crystal clear and has a shallow end where you enter the water that comes up to about mid-calf. You can purchase food inside the park at several different locations. 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee, FL 34606. Each child will receive an autographed picture of their favorite mermaid. Seating in the middle is best for viewing. The 12,000-acre Weeki Wachee Preserve and the Weeki Wachee Springs park are located in the area. Last boat trip was at 12.30 and all the seats were taken. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. 3.5 Baths. The show was very short but had some fun facts in it. This is a such a great experience between the clear spring water, things for kids to do, natural beauty, fun mermaid shows, kayaking, and water park that we will make sure to add it to our next Legoland or Disney trip to balance fantasy fun with more aesthetic comfort. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. 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. Celebrate your big day in the enchanted city of mermaids. Dates: December 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th Time: 7:30am Price: $16.00 for adults, $8.00 , Weeki Fresh Water Adventures Presents our 2nd Annual Trunk-or-Treat Event Youre invited to a FREE Halloween event for kids & their families featuring car-to-car trick or treating, entertainment, a childrens costume contest & more on October 29th from 2pm to 4pm. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. We'd read those words before going, but thought, "If they open at 9:00, 9:30 should be early enough." Here's what to watch, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, has died at 61, Barbara Bryant, the first woman to head the U.S. census, has died at 96, How Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will celebrate 75 years and its famed mermaids, Gasparilla 2023: Everything you need to know ahead of the pirate parade and festivities, Here is the unique fair food coming to the 2023 Florida State Fair, Weeki Wachee River may soon become a protected spring zone. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! . Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. View more homes. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. At $13 it is worth it considering the prices of the Orlando theme parks. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1969. How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip in 2022; Best Road Trip Games for Kids; How to Make Sure Your Car Is Road Trip Ready. Applications and resumes should be sent to Kelley.Parker@floridadep.gov. Using the air hose, a person could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. A cascade of air bubbles rises on one side. Just a note, stairs are the only way down into the spring. It is absolutely normal for manatees, fish, turtles, and even alligators and snakes to be in the water with the . The sand is soft and fun for kids to play in. See what upcoming events are scheduled at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Reviewed 6 days ago. Then we missed the 11:00 mermaid show because it was full by the time we got off of our boat ride. Im not sure how long the boat ride is but you could call 352-610-5660. The Official Facebook page of the World-Famous Mermaids! We were wrong. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Mermaid Catherine enjoys Nicholas Sparks books while sunbathing on a beach. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the . Posted: May 24, 2022 / 05:30 PM EDT. Trained underwater performers will be with participants at all times, and areas exist to hang onto. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. Ft. 14180 Centralia, Brooksville, FL 34614. While the mermaid show takes center stage at Weeki Wachi, thats just the beginning of the parks attractions. PublishedJanuary 24, 2023 at 1:40 PM EST. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Check out the Mermaid Roster to get a personal glimpse into the lives of the shows stars. SPRING HILL, Fla. The mermaid shows and wilderness cruise at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park are temporarily unavailable, the Florida Department of . 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. We wanted the 9:30 boat ride. It was nothing to brag about. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show runs a couple times each day. Kids 5 and under are free. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor that has been amazing visitors since 1947. And I love that the mermaids are state employees can't wait. It is small (doable in a few hours, but very nice grounds and friendly and helpful staff). Weeki Wachee mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis is pictured on this postcard as she looked during the early days of her 37-year Weeki Wachee career. Bring a date or bring the family this event is fun for all ages! The theater is air conditioned and it felt DIVINE to sit and wait for 30 minutes. Free parking and bathrooms. 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. Ages 5 and under admittedfree. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. 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. Take a closer look at this $569,000, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2,616 SqFt, Single Family for sale, located at 4063 SPRING PARK WAY in BROOKSVILLE, FL 34604. To help find a favorite, you can Visit the Mermaid rosterfor a list of Weeki Wachis current mermaids. In this episode, we have a conversation with. The park had reached capacity by 9:30. Fish float and swim through the gin-clear water of the natural spring, framed by a landscape of rocks and swaying plants. Camp participants wont breathe off of the parks air hoses. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. (George Skene, Orlando Sentinel) With the stroke of a pen, Florida lost one of its smallest cities. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
We invite you to come see our world-famous Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park as they perform their version of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid live in our submerged 400-seat auditorium. Save. Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1960s, girls arrived from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the honor of becoming a glamorous mermaid. 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. 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. Mermaid Kelley has been performing at Weeki Wachee for six years now and is also the underwater theatre manager. 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. https://www.facebook.com/WeekiWacheeSprings/, https://twitter.com/WeekiWacheeSpgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. The continuously running riverboats first depart . Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. 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. After entering the park we found that the next proper mermaid show was at 3.00 so we went to the River cruise. Published Mar. 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. This show goes through underwater feats from the mermaids of yesteryear as well as history of the spring and the technical side of the show. Thank you! Weeki Wachees zenith began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) which aggressively promoted it. To reserve a date, please submit your payment this activity hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Go early! Longing to have legs like him, she makes a deal with the sea witch, exchanging her exquisite voice for what she wants. When the girls heard a car coming, theyd bolt to the road in their bathing suits to lure drivers into the parking lot, just like sirens of ancient lore beckoned sailors to their sides. Weeki Wachee is the deepest freshwater cave system in the US and stays a crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. 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. The show also includes several musical numbers. Join us as we provide the community a safe & family-friendly alternative to the . Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer . In this classic tale, the Little Mermaid comes face to face with her prince as she celebrates her birthday. I was a Weeki Wachee mermaid for seven years, so to be chosen for this, its really, really special. Mermaid Lydia is quite the artist and loves to do special-effects makeup. Given it was an early December weekday, the park was quite empty. According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. The Best Age to Travel with Kids (and the Worst)! Get a first-hand encounter with some of Florida's native wildlife. Effective May 27: All water park attractions will be open daily for the summer. I even asked if we would have enough time if we dropped in when we did (around 1:30pm) I just feel like they shouldve done a better job communicating such an important detail to us. Can you swim here in January or is it too cold? Hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, . Water & Amusement Parks, Outdoor Activities, More. In those days, cars were scarce along U.S. 19. Youre welcome to include drawings, but please dont choose more than one mermaid or Prince to write to. 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Lastly the world famous mermaid show which was fun, as expected.They offer food at fair prices and a gift shop. River cruise is 9:30 and 12:30. Calendars are only $20, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Camping. The long-running mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee Springs, which date to 1947, became so beloved by crowds that even after the state of Florida acquired the springs and turned the area into a state . It appears some of the show have been canceled. Legendary mermaid Vicky Smith. * MARCH 25-26. Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. Seating is first-come, first-served. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Since 1947, millions of visitors have been amazed and charmed by the world-famous mermaids who inhabit the spring. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter / Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. "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 .