Its about one half an hour and the effervescent park ranger/guide, Valentine, pointed out different birds including George and Martha the sometime resident eagles! I think any artist that is considering it, go for it! Lowman said. 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. 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 show itself is quite unique and could be fun for . It is small (doable in a few hours, but very nice grounds and friendly and helpful staff). Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. BOOT CAMPY A mermaid performer at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where visitors can participate in a weekend . The Official Facebook page of the World-Famous Mermaids! The Weeki Wachee mermaid shows started here in 1947 when Newt Perry opened the park as a roadside attraction. Discover the natural beauty of Floridian wildlife, flora, and fauna. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Couldnt have been more pleased with visits to Homosassa Springs SP, Crystal River Archeological SP, and Crystal River SPeveryone was friendly and helpful. 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. More so, its the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! December 2022. Published. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. Last Updated on November 18, 2022. 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 . Weeki Wachee also offers kayaking and paddleboarding on the river. Distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes Highlights: Mermaid show, natural spring waterpark, kayaking. The spring is a true Florida roadside attraction but it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Tampa area. Tickets are $16 for adults ages 12+, and $8 for children 3-11. I believe Susan swam as a Weeki Wachee mermaid from 1965 to 1966." . Effective March 11-19: All water attractions will be open. They offer grilled food items, ice cream, snacks and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested . You can purchase a 2018 calendar at the park, or online by visiting Merstar. 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. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is best known for its iconic mermaid show offered twice a day at 11am and 3pm. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. But where do the mermaids come from? Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. "It's a group of about 20 girls, and you're with them almost every single day. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We are thinking of doing kayaking and swimming with manatees with the family in early April. All rights reserved. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . As the prince struggles to save the Little Mermaids beautiful voice, a fierce battle ensues between him and the evil sea witch. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show runs a couple times each day. There is a floating dock that you can swim out to and sit on as well. The underwater theater would be the viewing place of the first mermaid show on October 13, 1947, where the first mermaids of Weeki . Arrived at 11.00am on Monday and paid $13 each before being given a small map. After entering the park we found that the next proper mermaid show was at 3.00 so we went to the River cruise. There is the spring itself where everyone can swim. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Weeki Fresh Water Adventures. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. Visiting Weeki Wachee Spring State Park. Here's where to discover more about the show; the mermaids and how you can connect with them; Weeki Wachees other attractions and experiences; and even how you can put on a tail and join in a mermaid camp. Facility of Kayaking is also available, and you will love the experience. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williamsand Arthur Godfrey came to watch the mermaid shows. Reviewing the company NOT the springs. Updated: May 24 . You can view the underwater show featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs from dry seats in the Newton Perry amphitheater. Weeki Wachee, FL 34606. read more. It offers a hueful beauty of the spring and the mermaid show. 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 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. Joanna Keen is the WUSF Stephen Noble Digital News intern for spring of 2023. Mermaid Lydia is quite the artist and loves to do special-effects makeup. Camp participants wont breathe off of the parks air hoses. SPRING HILL, Fla. The mermaid shows and wilderness cruise at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park are temporarily unavailable, the Florida Department of . Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 4,186 Sq. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Currently, due to COVID, you will be given an assigned show time when you purchase your ticket. 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. "Jaws's first victim, once was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. 11 AM and 3 PM (Weather permitting). 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. One of the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 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. 896. Mermaid show. This is the show we saw, it was very cute! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | We got in. We were told one thing and then another thing so many times. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And no, you can't JUST get tickets to the mermaid show. Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. If youre uncomfortable swimming in the spring, reconsider this camp. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. $359,900 Last Sold Price. 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. $1,200,000. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested in seeing. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. There are only eight openings per weekend dates. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. Diving Into the Past. . After the show, near the gift shop, you can get your picture taken with one of the mermaids! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Posted: May 24, 2022 / 05:30 PM EDT. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is open daily 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, at the intersection of State Road 50 and State Road 19. Weeki Wachees zenith began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) which aggressively promoted it. It appears some of the show have been canceled. 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. The Easter Bunny will have a designated area for a great photo opportunity and story time with the kids. Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the . To reserve a date, please submit your payment this activity hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Have your child handwrite a letter to their favorite mermaid (or Prince), asking about the environment they swim in or anything else mermaid related. 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. The sand is soft and fun for kids to play in. What little girl, or grown woman for that matter, doesnt have the thought that she would like to be a mermaid too? Free parking and bathrooms. Hope you enjoy the video and have the opportunity to visit Weeki Wachee 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar. Park visitors may take a wonderful boat tour or paddling . This intriguing natural playground is home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country and abundant protected wildlife. The famous mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the best attraction in Florida! We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. Weeki Wachee Springs is a spring located in Central West Florida in Hernando County, Florida. Doors open for our limited access to Buccaneer Bay at 6:30pm, movie promptly at 8:45pm. The selected artists will be paid $1,000 and the unveiling is scheduled for Oct. 13 at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The park opened at 9:00 am and we arrived at 9:05. Do mermaids need help getting on their tails? 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. Kids 5 and under are free. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 . Its all or nothing before 9:00 if you want to enjoy the place. The mermaid show was first come first serve and there were 2 shows during the day. 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. Georgiadis died at 86 in July 2022. . Calendars are only $20, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Longing to have legs like him, she makes a deal with the sea witch, exchanging her exquisite voice for what she wants. 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. Contact the Statewide Information Line: After closing for a year due to COVID-19 Weeki Wachee has officially reopened including the mermaid shows. Save. Call352-597-8484with any questions! Go early! It then gets progressively deeper fairly quickly. COVID-19 & Safety Updates. Call 352-597-8484 with any questions! At $13 it is worth it considering the prices of the Orlando theme parks. 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. 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. Seating is first-come, first-served. 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 mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee have thrilled tens of thousands of . The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is worth it alone but getting to swim in the spring makes it a fun all day excursion. A video I created for mermaid auditions held at Weeki Wachee Springs. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. The park will be open to guests daily from 9 a.m. to . Once the theater is full, the doors will close. The first is a unique rendition of Hans Christiansans The Little Mermaid which tells the story of the little mermaid on her birthday and how she meets her prince. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. This is from the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Mermaid Christmas Show "Winter Waterland" holiday event. A weekend camp teaches visitors aquatic ballet, complete with shimmering tail. Join us for Breakfast with Santa at Weeki Wachee and enjoy some delicious menu items like buttermilk pancakes, applewood smoked bacon, and more! Will be back to the river but will not be using this company again. Generations of mermaids have sprung from Weeki Wachee Springs, but now they have a new home to flash their fins. Mermaids 11 & 3. See what upcoming events are scheduled at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. These cookies do not store any personal information. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. Applicants must turn in a resume and a state application in advance, and must be at least 18 years old. Prince Nick loves watching Star Wars movies! And I love that the mermaids are state employees can't wait. It was full so we asked for the 12:30 time. 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. Attn: Tail Mail And dont forget your camera! 19, 2021. Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! This event is from 7:30-9:00am! On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. While we were in the Tampa area, we dropped by here just to see the mermaid show. Prince Anthony is from Springhill, Florida, and loves to eat pineapple on pizza. Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. 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. Weeki Wachee mermaid Joyce Hope, 1966 Florida Pictorial. Fish float and swim through the gin-clear water of the natural spring, framed by a landscape of rocks and swaying plants. Review of Weeki Wachee Springs. The boat is wheelchair accessible. What little girl, or grown woman for that matter, doesnt have the thought that she would like to be a mermaid too? There will also be photo ops with Santa, the elves, and the mermaids. PublishedJanuary 24, 2023 at 1:40 PM EST. The communities of Weeki Wachee Gardens and Spring Hill are nearby. 1,343. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1949. We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. You can purchase food inside the park at several different locations. show in 1966 at . If they passed out tickets for the mermaid show to the first 300 people into the park we could have seen the show. My favorite was the matching mermaid sets for girls and their dolls or barbies! The chatter goes silent. These cookies do not store any personal information. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. . 6131 Commercial Way 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 . Email address or phone number in the event the park needs to contact you. Join us at the Weeki Wachee Springs Buccaneer Bay Waterpark for an exclusive outdoor showing ofThe Goonies! Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. 2022. 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. Join us as we provide the community a safe & family-friendly alternative to the . While this is a must-see at least once, there's so much more to explore at this Florida State . It was a very disappointing day. What time is best to get there to see the show and the river ride? From the beginning it seemed like this place has so many rules + guidelines. Seating is first-come, first-served. Reviewed 6 days ago. The mermaids will read each letter, with their videoed response posted on the parksFacebook pageandTwitter page. . I visited the state park today (1/24/23) and for $13 per person you could stay all day and attractions are included. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. Shop. Mermaid Kelley has been performing at Weeki Wachee for six years now and is also the underwater theatre manager. I believe the State Park rules state you must stay in your kayak and no swimming allowed. 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. Visitors can watch the mermaids perform every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the month of January. Thank you for your interest! The last time we went there was about 30 years. 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. In this classic tale, the Little Mermaid comes face to face with her prince as she celebrates her birthday. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The show's kitsch, however, cannot be overstated. View. We been bring our visitors to this place for many years for a day of fun.now it is way too short. She echoed Delaney's sentiment that the bond between the mermaids is much more like family than co-workers. Destination Mermaids: The Tail Trail Project. Buccaneer Bay is the name the park has given to the swimming area of the spring. 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. State Park, there is a separate admission for the part of the park that used to be a roadside attraction, including the mermaid show. Can you swim here in January or is it too cold? This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. The wilderness cruise is a boat that will take you along the river where you can see local wildlife like manatees and turtles. They added the Buccaneer Bay water park and Kayaking on the river. 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. I had a few hours between business trip meetings and decided to stop for a visit. Facebook Tweet Pin LinkedIn. 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. 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. In the springs depths, the current is powerful enough to knock the mask off of a Scuba divers face. Its so deep that its bottom has never been found. This aquatic show, located in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida, was created by Newton Perry who trained US Navy SEALs to swim underwater during the Second World War. 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. Go early! Im not sure how long the boat ride is but you could call 352-610-5660. This makes it feel as though youre on the coast. Very disorganized management of this beautiful springs and state park! Nearby homes similar to 9407 Bearfoot Trl have recently sold between $356K to $549K at an average of $205 per square foot. Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the fiberglass statues will be painted. The second show is called Wonders of Weeki. Then we went to a fun amphibian/reptile owl presentation. Is weeki wachee or crystal river/three sisters springs better?