There are only eight openings per weekend dates. 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! 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Dianne McDonald, 91, was one of the first Weeki Wachee mermaids. Open 365 days a year, Weeki Wachee Springs is a true piece of tantalizing Americana that will leave you breathless. We been bring our visitors to this place for many years for a day of fun.now it is way too short. Mermaids promise a real delight to the spectators. Start your engines and join the Weeki Wachee Springs Car Show '23! These cookies do not store any personal information. Kids 5 and under are free. Weeki Wachee Springs: Take your time - See 2,633 traveler reviews, 2,238 candid photos, and great deals for Weeki Wachee, FL, at Tripadvisor. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Published. What time is best to get there to see the show and the river ride? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaid's face will be used. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thankfully we knew that in advance of our end of June 2021 visit. They are six feet tall and weigh about 80 pounds. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. ABC also developed themes for the underwater shows, with sophisticated props, lifts, music, and storylines like Underwater Circus, The Mermaids and the Pirates and Underwater Follies. Calendars are only $20, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The Wilderness River Cruise runs between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is the show we saw, it was very cute! The water slides, lazy river and kiddie pool will be open Saturdays and Sundays. Go early! Reviewing the company NOT the springs. The latest news and how to stay informed. Weeki Wachees zenith began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) which aggressively promoted it. We invite you to come and experience for yourself the fun and spectacular natural Florida splendor that has been amazing visitors since 1947. And what little boy wouldnt want to be the prince that glides through the water and wins the mermaids heart? While the swimming area is open year-round, the waterslides are only open on weekends until daily summer hours begin in early June. Weeki Wachee Springs: Address, Phone Number, Weeki Wachee Springs Reviews: 4/5. In this classic tale, the Little Mermaid comes face to face with her prince as she celebrates her birthday. Rachel helps parents with young kids get back into traveling in simple easy ways using tips and tricks she's learned from experience. The mermaid show is about 30-40 minutes long. I visited the state park today (1/24/23) and for $13 per person you could stay all day and attractions are included. Lots of peacocks strutting around. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. Given it was an early December weekday, the park was quite empty. If they passed out tickets for the mermaid show to the first 300 people into the park we could have seen the show. Portions of the show may be scary to young children. 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. Be patient for a response, as the mermaids are popular pen-pals. Kids 5 and under are free. There are a few places to pull over and get out but the water is 72 degrees all year and Jan temps will be cool. Special Events. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. While the mermaid show takes center stage at Weeki Wachi, thats just the beginning of the parks attractions. Camp sessions are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. Email address or phone number in the event the park needs to contact you. 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. Hope you enjoy the video and have the opportunity to visit Weeki Wachee We enjoyed the show. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. Weeki Wachee mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis is pictured on this postcard as she looked during the early days of her 37-year Weeki Wachee career. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Seating is first-come, first-served. Great, but plan ahead and arrive before opening hour. According to the park's announcement, the mermaid auditions will include a swim endurance test and an underwater audition. Weeki Wachee also offers a small nature show that is about 10 minutes long where they show you a couple animals native to Florida. Buccaneer Bay is the name the park has given to the swimming area of the spring. Despite all this the mermaids remain the main draw that brings people to the spring 365 days a year. You can also bring in your own coolers with food and drink although you cannot bring your own alcohol. Mermaid shows are offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Attractions included the mermaid shows, orchid gardens, jungle cruises, an Indian encampment and a new beach. ABC built the current theater, seating 400 and situated 16 feet below the springs surface. Theater doors open 30 minutes before show time. 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). 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. They added the Buccaneer Bay water park and Kayaking on the river. Karen S, . The spring is crystal clear and has a shallow end where you enter the water that comes up to about mid-calf. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The mermaid show was packed (they let the line seat about 20 minutes before the show, so get in line about 30 minutes prior to show). You cannot use flash in the theater, and my camera phone did not end up with great picture. The selected artists will be paid $1,000 and the unveiling is scheduled for Oct. 13 at 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. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? 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We went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the live mermaid show. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (George Skene, Orlando Sentinel) With the stroke of a pen, Florida lost one of its smallest cities. After your breakfast, enjoy letters to the Bunny, coloring, crafts, games, and an Easter Egg Hunt! And no, you can't JUST get tickets to the mermaid show. Paying for one does not get you into the other. read more. It was full so we asked for the 12:30 time. $1,200,000. Ask Joy-Love-Light about Weeki Wachee . The second show is called Wonders of Weeki. The last time we went there was about 30 years. We are not sure if this is due to COVID or they have just changed the park attractions. 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.. Located an hour north of Tampa the freshwater spring of Weeki Wachee is the perfect place to spend a warm summer day. A video I created for mermaid auditions held at Weeki Wachee Springs. 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. In the 1960s, girls arrived from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the honor of becoming a glamorous mermaid. There are two shows that are run. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. it was a little corny to think of watching the little mermaid show but was interested . Can you swim here in January or is it too cold? Mermaid Kiyomi aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse! Their equipment was in working condition, and nature always helps, but definitely going somewhere else and steering all our people away from this co. Applicants must turn in a resume and a state application in advance, and must be at least 18 years old. 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. 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. Check out the Mermaid Roster to get a personal glimpse into the lives of the shows stars. Gates will open at 6:30PM for an exclusive limited access to the slides, lazy river and more. Register today for $20 (spectators are free. We were wrong. Im not sure how long the boat ride is but you could call 352-610-5660. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. While this is a must-see at least once, there's so much more to explore at this Florida State . Diving Into the Past. All Camp Dates Sold Out! 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar. A perfect getaway with family and friends! On Oct.13, 1947, the first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Weeki Wachee Springs. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | The show's kitsch, however, cannot be overstated. Contact the Statewide Information Line: Do mermaids get cold when theyre putting on shows? 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. Bring a date or bring the family this event is fun for all ages! 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. The public art project is a partnership between Floridas Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, Brooksville Main Street and the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Call352-597-8484with any questions! You can view the underwater show featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs from dry seats in the Newton Perry amphitheater. Cost: Park entry costs $13 for adults and $8 for kids ages 6-12. Free parking and bathrooms. The show also includes several musical numbers. Visiting Weeki Wachee Spring 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 . Show seats are first come, first serve so I recommend arriving earlier rather than later in order to make sure you get a seat. 4,186 Sq. Ft. 14180 Centralia, Brooksville, FL 34614. A mermaid performs at Weeki Wachee in this postcard from 1969. When the satiny blue curtain rolls up in Weeki Wachee Springs State Parks submerged 400-seat auditorium, its a mesmerizing scene. 2022. When we visited they had a turtle, a tortoise and a snake. Effective March 20-May 26: The swimming area will be open daily. Register today for $20 (spectators are free.) Both are great experiences and can be squeezed into half a day but best done over closer to a full day. The park has changed a lot since then. I state park should at least have lots of picnic tables. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: In those days, cars were scarce along U.S. 19. 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. Since 1947, millions of visitors have been amazed and charmed by the world-famous mermaids who inhabit the spring. All rights reserved. We were told one thing and then another thing so many times. Id love to go back and see this one sometime. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Go early! Mermaids will receive a starting salary of $15 per hour. Effective Feb. 27-March 10, 2023:All water attractions are closed for maintenance. 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. All in all Weeki Wachee is a great day trip from Tampa. Manatees are most abundant when the Gulf dips below 70, mostly January and February, on the west coast of FL. Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill. 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. Thanks to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, you can live the fantasy. Seating is first-come, first-served. Visit theFriends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Parkonline for more information as well as camp dates. Weeki Wachee kayaking: Beautiful . Arising from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River wends its way 12 miles until it merges with the Gulf of Mexico. We wanted the 9:30 boat ride. PublishedJanuary 24, 2023 at 1:40 PM EST. The park includes water rides, animal shows, mermaid costume shows, and manatee watching. Attn: Tail Mail The mermaids took etiquette and ballet lessons. NOT so at Weeki Wachi SP. The Ranger Experience is offered daily at 10 . The show itself is quite unique and could be fun for . 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. To ensure the safety of our performers, mermaid shows are subject to cancelation based on inclement weather. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Mermaids 11 & 3. Seating is first-come, first-served. 8. Paying for one does not get you into the other. Wildlife Show: 10 AM, 12 PM & 2:15 PM The Wilderness River Cruise: Runs between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. In addition, to live mermaid shows . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. Waiting for the boat a different ranger pointed out 2 manatees! We also use cookies for functional and analytical purposes. The mermaids give the audience historical information(via video), and the technical aspect of the show. Weeki Wachee is one of the top remaining old Florida attractions. 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. On Jan. 12, the park unveiled 28 new mermaid statues as a part of the "Mermaid Tale Trail" exhibit. Posted: May 24, 2022 / 05:30 PM EDT. This event has been canceled. 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". Call 352-597-8484 with any questions! Once the theater is full, the doors will close. 6131 Commercial Way Using the air hose, a person could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. . She echoed Delaney's sentiment that the bond between the mermaids is much more like family than co-workers. Where can I find menu's and pricing for all the consessions food places at buccaneer bay? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its underwater mermaid shows. You will love to stay a little longer with the friendly staff. December 2022. Joanna Keen is the WUSF Stephen Noble Digital News intern for spring of 2023. Address: 6131 Commercial Way Weeki Wachee FL 34606. Trained underwater performers will be with participants at all times, and areas exist to hang onto. Seating is first-come, first-served. It appears some of the show have been canceled. Weeki Wachee Spring State Park has real live mermaids and you can see them today in the Weeki Wachee mermaid show for only $13! 896. After closing for a year due to COVID-19 Weeki Wachee has officially reopened including the mermaid shows. Watch the "world-famous" Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform live in the spring, while you view the show behind the windows of a . 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. While the narrator introduces the story you can hear the audience chatter in the background. 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. The instructors are the best anywhere: all are former mermaids who volunteer their time. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. The continuously running riverboats first depart . * MAY 20-21. 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. A job posting you'll only find in this part of Florida offers a clue. The park opened at 9:00 am and we arrived at 9:05. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. - $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. Adding to the authenticity of the statues, a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaids face will be used. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 4 1. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is included in your $13 admission price.