To help find a favorite, you can Visit the Mermaid rosterfor a list of Weeki Wachis current mermaids. 6131 Commercial Way Mermaid Kelley has been performing at Weeki Wachee for six years now and is also the underwater theatre manager. 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. We continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs with our video series, "Mermaid Memories". Please be sure , Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show 23! FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. Tickets are $16 for adults ages 12+, and $8 for children 3-11. 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. You can purchase a 2018 calendar at the park, or online by visiting Merstar. See the world-famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. Contact Us. Buccaneer Bay is the name the park has given to the swimming area of the spring. The juried artists who designed and hand-painted each statue will be on hand at this unveiling to meet and greet the public. How hard is it to become a mermaid? In the springs depths, the current is powerful enough to knock the mask off of a Scuba divers face. "Jaws's first victim, once was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. The Ranger Experience is offered daily at 10 . 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! 3.5 Baths. 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). Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. NOT so at Weeki Wachi SP. 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. Ages 5 and under admittedfree. The public art project is a partnership between Floridas Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, Brooksville Main Street and the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. They offer grilled food items, ice cream, snacks and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. Lastly the world famous mermaid show which was fun, as expected.They offer food at fair prices and a gift shop. The theater is air conditioned and it felt DIVINE to sit and wait for 30 minutes. No luck there! Can you swim here in January or is it too cold? Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. Tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for ages 6 to 12; and free for ages 5 . * MAY 20-21. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. Attn: Tail Mail Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of Florida's original roadside attractions. Gates will open at 6:30PM for an exclusive limited access to the slides, lazy river and more. show in 1966 at . 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 . "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 . Visit theFriends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkonline for more information as well as camp dates. View. Seating is first-come, first-served. The camp quickly fills with no waitlist. Prince Nick loves watching Star Wars movies! There is a souvenir shop across from the theatre area. Seating in the middle is best for viewing. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. The first mermaid show was back in 1947, when U.S. 19 was a two-lane dirt road, and swimmers performed underwater ballet routines . Visitors can watch the mermaids perform every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the month of January. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It was a nice morning. The prince, and love, prevail. It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. 4 1. While we were in the Tampa area, we dropped by here just to see the mermaid show. I state park should at least have lots of picnic tables. The parks name is Weeki Wachee is a Seminole Indian name which means "little spring" or "winding river.". Its iconic mermaids bring childhood dreams to life. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for . After your breakfast, enjoy letters to the Bunny, coloring, crafts, games, and an Easter Egg Hunt! The communities of Weeki Wachee Gardens and Spring Hill are nearby. View more homes. 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. Mermaid Kelley enjoys listening to Brett Young and loves anything chocolate. We splashed around a bit in the waterpark (two slides and a diving platform - the lazy river costs an extra $7 for a tube). Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. Review of Weeki Wachee Springs. Thank you! Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the . Mermaid Amanda has a love for Disney and a good prank! In the mid-1940s, the first large-scale mermaid show began. . View. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. On October 13, 1947, the first mermaid show premiered in the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs. 352-597-8484 phone. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A minute into the performance, mermaids appear from the bottom of the spring, a bit of magic. Georgiadis died at 86 in July 2022. . 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. Weeki Wachee Springs is a spring located in Central West Florida in Hernando County, Florida. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. About Us. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, . Even if we paddled vigorously we wouldve never been able to make the 3pm cutoff. Weeki Wachees zenith began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) which aggressively promoted it. There are two shows that are run. 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. Reporters and bloggers, alike, Biden and House Democrats chart a 2024 course based on their legislative track record, Ukraine is dominating the election in Estonia, a key NATO ally. Celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williamsand Arthur Godfrey came to watch the mermaid shows. Seating is first-come, first-served. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Effective March 11-19: All water attractions will be open. Show seats are first come, first serve so I recommend arriving earlier rather than later in order to make sure you get a seat. Mermaid Sam is an artist and can even play the ukulele. 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. - $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. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show runs a couple times each day. Phone Number: 352-592-5656. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its all or nothing before 9:00 if you want to enjoy the place. In addition, to live mermaid shows . -Peter W. Cross & Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA. Contact the Statewide Information Line: 4,186 Sq. First they offer a tour boat ride. 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. Weeki Wachee Springs: Take your time - See 2,633 traveler reviews, 2,238 candid photos, and great deals for Weeki Wachee, FL, at Tripadvisor. Mermaid Paisley loves to indulge in half-baked ice cream and play with her pet hedgehog. She travels with her toddler and husband as much as possible. Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! 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 $$. Paying for one does not get you into the other. You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. Seating is first-come, first-served. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to . Effective March 20-May 26: The swimming area will be open daily. We have been going to Weeki Wachee for years. SPRING HILL, Fla. The mermaid shows and wilderness cruise at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park are temporarily unavailable, the Florida Department of . Hope you enjoy the video and have the opportunity to visit Weeki Wachee A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1949. is diving in with a new endeavor with an aquarium, including its own live mermaid show. The spring is crystal clear and has a shallow end where you enter the water that comes up to about mid-calf. This is from the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Mermaid Christmas Show "Winter Waterland" holiday event. Facility of Kayaking is also available, and you will love the experience. 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. Celebrate your big day in the enchanted city of mermaids. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. Rachel has been an avid traveler for over ten years and has been all over the globe. Coming on Monday Jan 30th 2023!!! When the war ended, he thought that Weeki Wachee was a perfect location for this new . And dont forget your camera! 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. Arrived at 11.00am on Monday and paid $13 each before being given a small map. Generations of mermaids have sprung from Weeki Wachee Springs, but now they have a new home to flash their fins. Nothing! The process may take up to two hours. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. 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. As of the 2020 census, the community has a total population of 16. According to the park's Facebook page, auditions to become a mermaid will be held Sat., Jan. 28. 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 Little Mermaid. She is a strong swimmer and every day she can see the mermaids from her station performing their beautiful underwater show. Here are the up coming dates. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Solvent-based paint must be used by the selected artists. $1,200,000. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor . We got in. 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. All in all Weeki Wachee is a great day trip from Tampa. After the show, near the gift shop, you can get your picture taken with one of the mermaids! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida, there's a mermaid show -- and there has been for 70 years. 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. A perfect getaway with family and friends! Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. The Weeki Wachee spring offers 200 acres of natural attractions and a waterpark with an underwater theater for entertainment. 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. Instead they said we could go and stand in line for the 3:00 show and wait til the doors opened at 2:30. It's one of the deepest known freshwater cave systems in the United States. 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 mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee have thrilled tens of thousands of . A magical landmark for Hernando County. On Oct.13, 1947, the first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened. 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. The famous mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the best attraction in Florida! I visited the state park today (1/24/23) and for $13 per person you could stay all day and attractions are included. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is located in Florida's Nature Coast. 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. Published Mar. COVID-19 & Safety Updates. Paying for one does not get you into the other. Special Events. 13+ Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Tampa. . In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. 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. This requires SCUBA certification, first aid, CPRand several months of training, as well as being 18 years of age. More so, it's the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! Reviewed 6 days ago. 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. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor that has been amazing visitors since 1947. Rachel helps parents with young kids get back into traveling in simple easy ways using tips and tricks she's learned from experience. 8. The park had reached capacity by 9:30. No one there could give us consistent information on what to do or how to go about certain things. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. Its a great opportunity for them to show their creative side. Distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes Highlights: Mermaid show, natural spring waterpark, kayaking. In this classic tale, the Little Mermaid comes face to face with her prince as she celebrates her birthday. The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The boat is wheelchair accessible. . 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is best known for its iconic mermaid show offered twice a day at 11am and 3pm. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. Do mermaids get cold when theyre putting on shows? (George Skene, Orlando Sentinel) With the stroke of a pen, Florida lost one of its smallest cities. And there's "legendary siren" Vicki . Weeki Wachee also offers kayaking and paddleboarding on the river. https://www.facebook.com/WeekiWacheeSprings/, https://twitter.com/WeekiWacheeSpgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. Published. Weeki Wachee is one of the top remaining old Florida attractions. 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. 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. Welcome to the world-renowned Weeki Wachi Mermaid Show, an old-Florida attraction that costs a pittance and delivers a blockbuster experience. While the swimming area is open year-round, the waterslides are only open on weekends until daily summer hours begin in early June. In 1946, Perry scouted out Weeki Wachee for his new business. Weeki Wachee kayaking: Beautiful . You will enjoy this classic told unlike any other as The Little Mermaid celebrates her birthday and comes face to face with her prince! This post may contain some affiliate links. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. I'm sure that in winter months this place is more manageable and this review is irrelevant. This event has been canceled. Trying to book a double kayak AND 2 private launches was a 30+ min ordeal. The mermaids give the audience historical information(via video), and the technical aspect of the show. 00 Day Owl Ave, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613. Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. 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. . The Weeki Wachee mermaid shows started here in 1947 when Newt Perry opened the park as a roadside attraction. Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. Whos hungry? The park opened at 9:00 am and we arrived at 9:05. Last boat trip was at 12.30 and all the seats were taken. 2022. 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 . 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. 6131 Commercial Way Karen S, . Register today for $20 (spectators are free.) Is weeki wachee or crystal river/three sisters springs better? The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is worth it alone but getting to swim in the spring makes it a fun all day excursion. Visit Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to learn about mermaid camps; volunteering; and donating; or check out their galleries. From weddings and concerts to corporate events and more, your group will have a memorable experience in the enchanted city of mermaids. 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. What little girl, or grown woman for that matter, doesnt have the thought that she would like to be a mermaid too? A cascade of air bubbles rises on one side. We'd read those words before going, but thought, "If they open at 9:00, 9:30 should be early enough." To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater. Currently, due to COVID, you will be given an assigned show time when you purchase your ticket. At $13 it is worth it considering the prices of the Orlando theme parks. You can view the underwater show featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs from dry seats in the Newton Perry amphitheater. Mermaids will receive a starting salary of $15 per hour. "It's a group of about 20 girls, and you're with them almost every single day. It's one of the United States' oldest roadside attrac. It costs $32 for a 1 person kayak or paddleboard. Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. They have many fun mermaid themed souvenirs. We didn't do that, but when we left the park at 1:00 there were people standing in line already. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Weeki Wachee also offers a small nature show that is about 10 minutes long where they show you a couple animals native to Florida.