And there's "legendary siren" Vicki . And I love that the mermaids are state employees can't wait. We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is worth it alone but getting to swim in the spring makes it a fun all day excursion. Since 1947, millions of visitors have been amazed and charmed by the world-famous mermaids who inhabit the spring. Overall were positive people a little hard to tell from this review lol so it was still a good experience. Generations of mermaids have sprung from Weeki Wachee Springs, but now they have a new home to flash their fins. Effective March 11-19: All water attractions will be open. They always say once a mermaid, always a mermaid. I get to have a statue around forever, so it gives me a real feel of that, Kristy Lowman said. Couldnt have been more pleased with visits to Homosassa Springs SP, Crystal River Archeological SP, and Crystal River SPeveryone was friendly and helpful. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 . A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1969. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. The mermaids will read each letter, with their videoed response posted on the parksFacebook pageandTwitter page. Jun 2021. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. 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. 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. 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. 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. First they offer a tour boat ride. $1,200,000. Here are the up coming dates. Arrived at 11.00am on Monday and paid $13 each before being given a small map. Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. Ft. 14180 Centralia, Brooksville, FL 34614. The Weeki Wachee spring offers 200 acres of natural attractions and a waterpark with an underwater theater for entertainment. Do you need reservations? February 12, 2023 May 28, 2022 by Melanie Lentz-Janney. more, #4 of 14 Outdoor Activities in Weeki Wachee, Boat Tours Gear Rentals Kayaking & Canoeing. WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. (WFLA) Weeki Wachee Springs is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a public art project named Destination Mermaids: The Tail Trail.. 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. Certified Visitor Information Centers North Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Northeast Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central West Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central East Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southwest Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southeast Florida, Florida Travel and Vacation Guides - United States, Exchange Rates, Conversions, And Processes, Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 8. Fish Tails Mermaid Show - 1:30 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday only through Dec. 22) 896. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested . . Posted: May 24, 2022 / 05:30 PM EDT. Filmed October 2, 2021. Phone Number: 352-592-5656. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. We didn't do that, but when we left the park at 1:00 there were people standing in line already. Although there were only 4 couples in front of us, we waited until 9:25 to buy our tickets. I had a few hours between business trip meetings and decided to stop for a visit. Mermaid Lydia is quite the artist and loves to do special-effects makeup. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There is plenty of free parking. We offer a range of indoor and outdoor venues for your next group outing. Camp participants wont breathe off of the parks air hoses. Paying for one does not get you into the other. Instead they said we could go and stand in line for the 3:00 show and wait til the doors opened at 2:30. Mermaid Kelley enjoys listening to Brett Young and loves anything chocolate. How hard is it to become a mermaid? 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. Shows are subject to cancellation based on cold temperatures and inclement weather. NOT so at Weeki Wachi SP. According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. In those days, cars were scarce along U.S. 19. The first mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs opened to the public on this date. And dont forget your camera! Hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, . We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! 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. To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. 4 1. These cookies do not store any personal information. Mermaid Catherine enjoys Nicholas Sparks books while sunbathing on a beach. Youre invited to celebrate the tradition of the world-famous Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park as they perform their version of Hans Christian Andersens The Little Mermaid. Destination Mermaids: The Tail Trail Project. https://www.facebook.com/WeekiWacheeSprings/, https://twitter.com/WeekiWacheeSpgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. Last Updated on November 18, 2022. The sand is soft and fun for kids to play in. Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. There will also be photo ops with Santa, the elves, and the mermaids. Athanason said the park will bring together mermaids from over the decades, including 92-year-old Diane Wyatt McDonald, one of Weeki Wachee's first "Aquabelles.". Weeki Wachee mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis is pictured on this postcard as she looked during the early days of her 37-year Weeki Wachee career. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. 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 FL 34606
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! 3 Beds. The much anticipated release of the 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar is now on sale! A minute into the performance, mermaids appear from the bottom of the spring, a bit of magic. Published. You can purchase food inside the park at several different locations. 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. A Florida classic since 1947, Weeki Wachees 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. 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 . . There are also two water slides, a kid area and a lazy river to enjoy as well. Its a real legacy project for them to be a part of. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. The communities of Weeki Wachee Gardens and Spring Hill are nearby. Weeki Fresh Water Adventures. They went Fast! It doesnt cost any extra! 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Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. The Ranger Experience is offered daily at 10 . The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Rentals are for 2 hours and shuttle service is included. Spent some time on the West side of the state visiting state parks. On Jan. 12, 2023, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail. Contact the Statewide Information Line: 1,343. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. No one there could give us consistent information on what to do or how to go about certain things. Join us for Breakfast with Santa at Weeki Wachee and enjoy some delicious menu items like buttermilk pancakes, applewood smoked bacon, and more! A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. For the safety of the underwater staff, mermaid performances can be delayed or canceled due to weather-related issues. Seating is first-come, first-served. Seating is first-come, first-served. Get directions. Diving Into the Past. The state park's mermaids performed their first show back in 1947 and have been one of the more Florida roadside attractions since then. Register today for $20 (spectators are free.) We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. Longing to have legs like him, she makes a deal with the sea witch, exchanging her exquisite voice for what she wants. 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. The boat is wheelchair accessible. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. Last boat trip was at 12.30 and all the seats were taken. There is a floating dock that you can swim out to and sit on as well. 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. 4 things you can do for your health, The State of Black Tampa Bay: An Exclusive Town Hall, Ybor speakeasy honors Madame Fortune Taylor, Ex got a warrant? Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Updated: 11:07 PM EDT August 3, 2021. 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. Kids 5 and under are free. Discover the natural beauty of Floridian wildlife, flora, and fauna. Weeki Wachee Spring State Park has real live mermaids and you can see them today in the Weeki Wachee mermaid show for only $13! If you have any questions regarding the camp, please emailweekicamps@gmail.com. Save. Do they rent umbrellas for the swimming rea? Lastly the world famous mermaid show which was fun, as expected.They offer food at fair prices and a gift shop. More so, it's the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! All money raised benefits the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 352-597-8484 phone. Id love to go back and see this one sometime. Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer . View. Weeki Wachee Springs is a spring located in Central West Florida in Hernando County, Florida. Weeki Wachee also offers kayaking and paddleboarding on the river. 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 $$. Waterfront paradise off of the Weekie Wachee River with kayaks & paddleboard!! Legendary mermaid Vicky Smith. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The park had reached capacity by 9:30. At $13 it is worth it considering the prices of the Orlando theme parks. Hope you enjoy the video and have the opportunity to visit Weeki Wachee 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. View more homes. Wildlife Show: 10 AM, 12 PM & 2:15 PM The Wilderness River Cruise: Runs between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. You can view the underwater show featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs from dry seats in the Newton Perry amphitheater. The Weeki Wachee mermaid shows started here in 1947 when Newt Perry opened the park as a roadside attraction. Visitors can watch the mermaids perform every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the month of January. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . Published Mar. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Then we missed the 11:00 mermaid show because it was full by the time we got off of our boat ride. 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. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. 263 Reviews. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1949. We splashed around a bit in the waterpark (two slides and a diving platform - the lazy river costs an extra $7 for a tube). read more. The park has changed a lot since then. After your breakfast, enjoy letters to the Bunny, coloring, crafts, games, and an Easter Egg Hunt! 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. It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. The legacy continues today, with the city of Weeki Wachee incorporating in 1966, putting the tiny city of Weeki Wachee on maps and state road signs, and adding features like Buccaneer Bay in 1982. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. Once the theater is full, the doors will close. 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. It's one of the deepest known freshwater cave systems in the United States. Special Events. You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to . It's one of the United States' oldest roadside attrac. A weekend camp teaches visitors aquatic ballet, complete with shimmering tail. (We all know how . 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. It was full so we asked for the 12:30 time. Mermaid Kelley has been performing at Weeki Wachee for six years now and is also the underwater theatre manager. In the springs depths, the current is powerful enough to knock the mask off of a Scuba divers face. Weeki Wachee also offers a small nature show that is about 10 minutes long where they show you a couple animals native to Florida. All in all Weeki Wachee is a great day trip from Tampa. 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 . July 18, 2022. 4,186 Sq. It was Saturday night July 2, 2022, and my wife and I were attending a small family birthday party, when my cell phone turned to be the object of everyone's attention. You can register and payonline. To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaid's face will be used. We were told one thing and then another thing so many times. In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Free parking and bathrooms. Mermaids promise a real delight to the spectators. Park visitors may take a wonderful boat tour or paddling . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. To reserve a date, please submit your payment this activity hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead up for, Florida authorities find missing 15-year-old girl, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at, Tampa mobile home park residents fight eviction, 3rd arrest made after teen shot to death in St. Pete, Beach battle over umbrellas heads to court, Grand Prix expected to draw thousands to St. Pete, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in crash on Skyway, 2022 Hurricane Guide: Prepare your family before a storm, Fence contractor extradited to Tampa Bay to face, Customers frustrated after used car dealership closes, Tampa Bay retiree one of thousands stuck in federal, Volunteers help veteran trying to feed homeless, City of Tampa removes speed hump in front of mans, Women in Motorsports internship to begin second, Bucs expected to release TE Cameron Brate, Lightning make roster moves ahead of NHL trade deadline, Top NFL draft prospect charged in fatal crash, Straz presents BIPOC series with Emmett Till play, Turning 50? It was a nice morning. * MARCH 25-26. The mermaid show is about 30-40 minutes long. Full concessions will be available! The mermaids performed eight shows a day to sold-out crowds. 0. Attractions included the mermaid shows, orchid gardens, jungle cruises, an Indian encampment and a new beach. * MAY 20-21. I was a Weeki Wachee mermaid for seven years, so to be chosen for this, its really, really special. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. What little girl, or grown woman for that matter, doesnt have the thought that she would like to be a mermaid too? In this episode, we have a conversation with. Will be back to the river but will not be using this company again. I hear the boats fill up so maybe the 9:30 and then mermaids at 11. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. 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. The instructors are the best anywhere: all are former mermaids who volunteer their time. My favorite was the matching mermaid sets for girls and their dolls or barbies! After the show, near the gift shop, you can get your picture taken with one of the mermaids! show in 1966 at . - Advertisement -. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor that has been amazing visitors since 1947. Due to the high demand, no refunds are offered, and theres no carry over to the following year. It is not included in the $13 entrance ticket. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The wilderness cruise remains closed due to social distancing requirements and the water slides, kiddie area and lazy river are only open on weekends until May 29th, 2021. Its iconic mermaids bring childhood dreams to life. Between swimming in the spring, the mermaid show and the nature experiences, the whole family will have a great day together. You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. When we visited they had a turtle, a tortoise and a snake. On Jan. 12, 2023, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail. The continuously running riverboats first depart . Each child will receive an autographed picture of their favorite mermaid. The movie will begin promptly at , To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. But where do the mermaids come from?