Wildlife Show: 10 AM, 12 PM & 2:15 PM The Wilderness River Cruise: Runs between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. Ask Joy-Love-Light about Weeki Wachee . Given it was an early December weekday, the park was quite empty. Weeki Wachee Springs. 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. #1 of 1 Water & Amusement Parks in Spring Hill. Jun 2021. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. Address: 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee FL 34606. Each child will receive an autographed picture of their favorite mermaid. Its iconic mermaids bring childhood dreams to life. Weeki Wachee mermaid Joyce Hope, 1966 Florida Pictorial. Visit Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to learn about mermaid camps; volunteering; and donating; or check out their galleries. "It's a group of about 20 girls, and you're with them almost every single day. 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. We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. Arrived at 11.00am on Monday and paid $13 each before being given a small map. In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. 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. Courtesy 4 of 4 Weeki Wachee Kristy__Amanda___Cheyenne_Sep27_19_8715 Doors open for our limited access to Buccaneer Bay at 6:30pm, movie promptly at 8:45pm. You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. I state park should at least have lots of picnic tables. Gates will open at 6:30PM for an exclusive limited access to the slides, lazy river and more. 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. As the prince struggles to save the Little Mermaids beautiful voice, a fierce battle ensues between him and the evil sea witch. Weeki Wachee Clear Kayak Ecotours Manatee Season - November 14th-March 31st, Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer, Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer, Small Group VIP Manatee Pontoon Tour in Crystal River, Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Swim With Manatees In Crystal River, Florida, Swim with Manatees - Trip Advisors "Travelers Choice Award". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaid's face will be used. Nearby homes similar to 9407 Bearfoot Trl have recently sold between $356K to $549K at an average of $205 per square foot. If they passed out tickets for the mermaid show to the first 300 people into the park we could have seen the show. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We respect your privacy. Its so deep that its bottom has never been found. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Effective Feb. 27-March 10, 2023:All water attractions are closed for maintenance. At $13 it is worth it considering the prices of the Orlando theme parks. Buccaneer Bay is the name the park has given to the swimming area of the spring. They offer grilled food items, ice cream, snacks and cold drinks including alcoholic beverages. Weeki Wachee, FL 34606. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Weeki Wachee Spring State Park has real live mermaids and you can see them today in the Weeki Wachee mermaid show for only $13! As of the 2020 census, the community has a total population of 16. Do mermaids need help getting on their tails? After your breakfast, enjoy letters to the Bunny, coloring, crafts, games, and an Easter Egg Hunt! We'd read those words before going, but thought, "If they open at 9:00, 9:30 should be early enough." Reviewed 6 days ago. After closing for a year due to COVID-19 Weeki Wachee has officially reopened including the mermaid shows. I was a Weeki Wachee mermaid for seven years, so to be chosen for this, its really, really special. The Weeki Wachee spring offers 200 acres of natural attractions and a waterpark with an underwater theater for entertainment. You will love to stay a little longer with the friendly staff. Weeki Wachee kayaking: Beautiful . The first mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs opened to the public on this date. 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee, FL 34606. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Hosted by the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, . Do you need reservations? 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. Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th year earlier this month. Artists are required to submit designs to show how the the . COVID-19 & Safety Updates. Have your child handwrite a letter to their favorite mermaid (or Prince), asking about the environment they swim in or anything else mermaid related. ), Ho ho ho! 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. The show's kitsch, however, cannot be overstated. Register today for $20 (spectators are free.) Then we went to a fun amphibian/reptile owl presentation. Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. Dianne McDonald, 91, was one of the first Weeki Wachee mermaids. We got in. It doesnt cost any extra! Camping. The addition of the water park has made this place incredibly popular. 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 instructors are the best anywhere: all are former mermaids who volunteer their time. 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. Children under the age of 17 can get first-hand answers to these and any other mermaid related questions they have, thanks to Tail Mail, sponsored by Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkand promoting literacy and penmanship has never been more fun. Call352-597-8484with any questions! So, what to do for 3 hours if we weren't swimming in the spring? Trained underwater performers will be with participants at all times, and areas exist to hang onto. There is a floating dock that you can swim out to and sit on as well. The continuously running riverboats first depart . She echoed Delaney's sentiment that the bond between the mermaids is much more like family than co-workers. Plan Your Visit. It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. Distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes Highlights: Mermaid show, natural spring waterpark, kayaking. 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. (George Skene, Orlando Sentinel) With the stroke of a pen, Florida lost one of its smallest cities. 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. A weekend camp teaches visitors aquatic ballet, complete with shimmering tail. This intriguing natural playground is home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country and abundant protected wildlife. Celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williamsand Arthur Godfrey came to watch the mermaid shows. The event is on February 4th, 2023, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. The reptile show started at 10 but we had to leave it early to catch the 10:30 boat ride. -Peter W. Cross & Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA. A magical landmark for Hernando County. The cost was $13 dollars for an adult and 8 dollars for kids 6-12. You can register and payonline. The parks name is Weeki Wachee is a Seminole Indian name which means "little spring" or "winding river.". The underwater theater would be the viewing place of the first mermaid show on October 13, 1947, where the first mermaids of Weeki . Im not sure how long the boat ride is but you could call 352-610-5660. Get a first-hand encounter with some of Florida's native wildlife. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The prince prevails, proving that love conquers all.. 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 Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. 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? Address: 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee FL 34606. Published. Watch the "world-famous" Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform live in the spring, while you view the show behind the windows of a . 352-597-8484 phone. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. 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. It's one of the United States' oldest roadside attrac. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter / Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Twitter. Thanks to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, you can live the fantasy. While the swimming area is open year-round, the waterslides are only open on weekends until daily summer hours begin in early June. Contact the Statewide Information Line: 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. We are thinking of doing kayaking and swimming with manatees with the family in early April. . Call 352-597-8484 with any questions! - Advertisement -. There are also two water slides, a kid area and a lazy river to enjoy as well. Join us for Breakfast with Santa at Weeki Wachee and enjoy some delicious menu items like buttermilk pancakes, applewood smoked bacon, and more! December 2022. 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar. The latest news and how to stay informed. In Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida, there's a mermaid show -- and there has been for 70 years. Mermaid Morgan loves animals and dreams of one day owning a dog rescue. Reviewing the company NOT the springs. The park opened at 9:00 am and we arrived at 9:05. Between swimming in the spring, the mermaid show and the nature experiences, the whole family will have a great day together. Legendary mermaid Vicky Smith. Manatees are most abundant when the Gulf dips below 70, mostly January and February, on the west coast of FL. Paying for one does not get you into the other. If you have any questions regarding the camp, please emailweekicamps@gmail.com. 263 Reviews. The water slides, lazy river and kiddie pool will be open Saturdays and Sundays. 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. 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. View. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. We continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs with our video series, "Mermaid Memories". 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). It appears some of the show have been canceled. We been bring our visitors to this place for many years for a day of fun.now it is way too short. From weddings and concerts to corporate events and more, your group will have a memorable experience in the enchanted city of mermaids. We would like to actually get out of the kayaks to swim. Ages 5 and under admittedfree. Unsubscribe at anytime. Fees: $13 for adults,$8 for children ages 6 to 12. The state park's mermaids performed their first show back in 1947 and have been one of the more Florida roadside attractions since then. Both are great experiences and can be squeezed into half a day but best done over closer to a full day. Once the theater is full, the doors will close. According to the park's announcement, the mermaid auditions will include a swim endurance test and an underwater audition. cindyklenz. You can find the all the application details on the Florida Mermaid Trail website. Even if we paddled vigorously we wouldve never been able to make the 3pm cutoff. They add. - $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. Do mermaids get cold when theyre putting on shows? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There is plenty of free parking. https://www.facebook.com/WeekiWacheeSprings/, https://twitter.com/WeekiWacheeSpgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. I hear the boats fill up so maybe the 9:30 and then mermaids at 11. 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. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. Effective March 20-May 26: The swimming area will be open daily. A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. 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. This event has been canceled. The juried artists who designed and hand-painted each statue will be on hand at this unveiling to meet and greet the public. Mermaids promise a real delight to the spectators. This includes, but isnt limited to, lightning in the area and temperatures below 50 degrees at showtime. Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. Rentals are for 2 hours and shuttle service is included. The spring is a true Florida roadside attraction but it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Tampa area. Movies like Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid were filmed there. 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. Weeki Wachee FL 34606
We splashed around a bit in the waterpark (two slides and a diving platform - the lazy river costs an extra $7 for a tube). Join us at the Weeki Wachee Springs Buccaneer Bay Waterpark for an exclusive outdoor showing ofThe Goonies! For full event details please visit our website . Very disorganized management of this beautiful springs and state park! The mermaid show was first come first serve and there were 2 shows during the day. 6131 Commercial Way
Special Events. We offer a range of indoor and outdoor venues for your next group outing. Last Updated on November 18, 2022. It was a nice morning. There is the spring itself where everyone can swim. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor that has been amazing visitors since 1947. 19, 2021 | Updated Mar. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of Florida's original roadside attractions. The theater is air conditioned and it felt DIVINE to sit and wait for 30 minutes. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. Destination Mermaids: The Tail Trail Project. Weeki Wachee also offers kayaking and paddleboarding on the river. It is currently closed due to social distancing requirements but they are hoping to find a way to reopen it soon (as of May 20th 2020). 2022. Applications and resumes should be sent to Kelley.Parker@floridadep.gov. Save. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. While the mermaid show takes center stage at Weeki Wachi, thats just the beginning of the parks attractions. For $13 you get a full days worth of activity and fun. Spent some time on the West side of the state visiting state parks. It's one of the deepest known freshwater cave systems in the United States. A video I created for mermaid auditions held at Weeki Wachee Springs. This is the show we saw, it was very cute! Last boat trip was at 12.30 and all the seats were taken. And no, you can't JUST get tickets to the mermaid show. I believe Susan swam as a Weeki Wachee mermaid from 1965 to 1966." . And what little boy wouldnt want to be the prince that glides through the water and wins the mermaids heart? Tickets are $16 for adults ages 12+, and $8 for children 3-11. July 18, 2022. Participants will be swimming in approximately 15 feet of water. In 1946, Perry scouted out Weeki Wachee for his new business. When we visited they had a turtle, a tortoise and a snake. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. No one there could give us consistent information on what to do or how to go about certain things. 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. The park has changed a lot since then. Attractions included the mermaid shows, orchid gardens, jungle cruises, an Indian encampment and a new beach. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. I believe the State Park rules state you must stay in your kayak and no swimming allowed.