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. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of Florida's original roadside attractions. More so, it's the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! Lots of peacocks strutting around. More so, its the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! The mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee have thrilled tens of thousands of . In the springs depths, the current is powerful enough to knock the mask off of a Scuba divers face. Using the air hose, a person could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. In the 1960s, girls arrived from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the honor of becoming a glamorous mermaid. The selected artists will be paid $1,000 and the unveiling is scheduled for Oct. 13 at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. See what upcoming events are scheduled at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 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. There are only eight openings per weekend dates. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 . Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. 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. My favorite was the matching mermaid sets for girls and their dolls or barbies! While the mermaid show takes center stage at Weeki Wachi, thats just the beginning of the parks attractions. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And no, you can't JUST get tickets to the mermaid show. Once the theater is full, the doors will close. The cost was $13 dollars for an adult and 8 dollars for kids 6-12. February 12, 2023 May 28, 2022 by Melanie Lentz-Janney. For the safety of the underwater staff, mermaid performances can be delayed or canceled due to weather-related issues. A minute into the performance, mermaids appear from the bottom of the spring, a bit of magic. Water & Amusement Parks, Outdoor Activities, More. The mermaids took etiquette and ballet lessons. And there's "legendary siren" Vicki . 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. Waterfront paradise off of the Weekie Wachee River with kayaks & paddleboard!! 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606-1121. 13+ Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Tampa. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. Thank you for your interest! To reserve a date, please submit your payment this activity hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. more, #4 of 14 Outdoor Activities in Weeki Wachee, Boat Tours Gear Rentals Kayaking & Canoeing. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Effective May 27: All water park attractions will be open daily for the summer. 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. They went Fast! 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. We are not sure if this is due to COVID or they have just changed the park attractions. You can register and payonline. For full event details please visit our website . Special Events. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! Just a note, stairs are the only way down into the spring. Calendars are only $20, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . 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. They added the Buccaneer Bay water park and Kayaking on the river. The reptile show started at 10 but we had to leave it early to catch the 10:30 boat ride. 4 1. In the show, youll see the Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater; enjoy several musical numbers; and learn about historical information(via video); and the technical aspect of the show. Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! Celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williamsand Arthur Godfrey came to watch the mermaid shows. 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. Took the boat ride (about 20 minutes) and that was enjoyable as the guide explained about some eagles nests, fish and turtles we saw along the springs. Georgiadis died at 86 in July 2022. . Effective Feb. 27-March 10, 2023:All water attractions are closed for maintenance. 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. See the world-famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. Reviewed 6 days ago. In those days, cars were scarce along U.S. 19. The Mertailor Mermaid Aquarium Encounter is complete with fish, stingrays and a . 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. Visit theFriends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkonline for more information as well as camp dates. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. This is from the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Mermaid Christmas Show "Winter Waterland" holiday event. The parks name is Weeki Wachee is a Seminole Indian name which means "little spring" or "winding river.". 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. Its all or nothing before 9:00 if you want to enjoy the place. Movies like Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid were filmed there. In addition, to live mermaid shows . 0. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. 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. Effective March 11-19: All water attractions will be open. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. . According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested in seeing. InDepth editor Pat Jablonski takes us to see the longest running mermaid show on Earth that dates back to 1949, and discusses what it takes to be one of the park's seventeen aquatic athletes. Joanna Keen is the WUSF Stephen Noble Digital News intern for spring of 2023. 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. 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 Sam is an artist and can even play the ukulele. Published. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested . When the war ended, he thought that Weeki Wachee was a perfect location for this new . - $122 avg/night - Weeki Wachee Gardens - Amenities include: Internet, Air conditioning, TV, Satellite or cable, Washer & dryer, Parking, No smoking, Heater Bedrooms: 1 Sleeps: 4 Minimum stay from 2 night(s) Bookable directly online - Book vacation rental 892691 with Vrbo. In this episode, we have a conversation with. 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? They add. Even if we paddled vigorously we wouldve never been able to make the 3pm cutoff. Mermaid Morgan loves animals and dreams of one day owning a dog rescue. 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. A weekend camp teaches visitors aquatic ballet, complete with shimmering tail. Weeki Wachee Springs is a spring located in Central West Florida in Hernando County, Florida. Mermaids 11 & 3. WEEKI WACHEE Shut down for a year due to COVID-19, the mermaids are swimming again as the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park reopened this week . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. View more homes. 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. cindyklenz. In the mid-1940s, the first large-scale mermaid show began. The prince, and love, prevail. It is not included in the $13 entrance ticket. It costs $32 for a 1 person kayak or paddleboard. 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. 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. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. Whos hungry? To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. Seating is first-come, first-served. A ferocious battle ensues between the prince and the malevolent sea witch, as the prince fights to save the Little Mermaids voice. 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. Your group will love the dining and entertainment options at Weeki Wachee. You can also bring in your own coolers with food and drink although you cannot bring your own alcohol. 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee, FL 34606. When we visited they had a turtle, a tortoise and a snake. Get a first-hand encounter with some of Florida's native wildlife. Kids 5 and under are free. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. The addition of the water park has made this place incredibly popular. Due to the high demand, no refunds are offered, and theres no carry over to the following year. 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. Email address or phone number in the event the park needs to contact you. The kayaking itself is great, weeki wachee is beautiful and scenic. Applicants must turn in a resume and a state application in advance, and must be at least 18 years old. is diving in with a new endeavor with an aquarium, including its own live mermaid show.