Weeki Wachee Springs. Here's what to watch, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, has died at 61, Barbara Bryant, the first woman to head the U.S. census, has died at 96, How Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will celebrate 75 years and its famed mermaids, Gasparilla 2023: Everything you need to know ahead of the pirate parade and festivities, Here is the unique fair food coming to the 2023 Florida State Fair, Weeki Wachee River may soon become a protected spring zone. Applicants must turn in a resume and a state application in advance, and must be at least 18 years old. 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. When we visited they had a turtle, a tortoise and a snake. It appears some of the show have been canceled. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | How hard is it to become a mermaid? All money raised benefits the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The much anticipated release of the 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar is now on sale! 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. The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is worth it alone but getting to swim in the spring makes it a fun all day excursion. 4 1. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. Beside the spring is a man made beach with lounge chairs. Kids 5 and under are free. Legendary mermaid Vicky Smith. 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. For full event details please visit our website . The mermaid shows have been an attraction of Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. We enjoyed the show. We invite you to come see our world-famous Mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park as they perform their version of Hans Christian Andersens The Little Mermaid live in our submerged 400-seat auditorium. The Weeki Wachee spring offers 200 acres of natural attractions and a waterpark with an underwater theater for entertainment. I believe the State Park rules state you must stay in your kayak and no swimming allowed. The Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform underwater feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater. In 1946, Perry scouted out Weeki Wachee for his new business. 19, 2021. 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. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Given it was an early December weekday, the park was quite empty. 4,186 Sq. Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee had become one of the nations premier tourist stops, earning worldwide acclaim. The show's kitsch, however, cannot be overstated. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for . The continuously running riverboats first depart . We are thinking of doing kayaking and swimming with manatees with the family in early April. 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. 0. Hours: The park is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Published. Free parking and bathrooms. Weeki Wachee Springs is a spectacular spring site. The first mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs opened to the public on this date. From weddings and concerts to corporate events and more, your group will have a memorable experience in the enchanted city of mermaids. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There is a souvenir shop across from the theatre area. The mermaids will read each letter, with their videoed response posted on the parksFacebook pageandTwitter page. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? Discover the natural beauty of Floridian wildlife, flora, and fauna. It is well worth the cost of admission and the mermaid show is great. The last time we went there was about 30 years. See what upcoming events are scheduled at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 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. Joanna Keen is the WUSF Stephen Noble Digital News intern for spring of 2023. You cant take your eyes off of the smiling, beguiling creatures, their hair arcing around them in halos, their tails curving behind as they spin and twist. ), Ho ho ho! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Weeki Wachee mermaid Joyce Hope, 1966 Florida Pictorial. 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. To help find a favorite, you can Visit the Mermaid rosterfor a list of Weeki Wachis current mermaids. We been bring our visitors to this place for many years for a day of fun.now it is way too short. First they offer a tour boat ride. Mermaids 11 & 3. Between swimming in the spring, the mermaid show and the nature experiences, the whole family will have a great day together. We got in. Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer . 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. The spring is crystal clear and has a shallow end where you enter the water that comes up to about mid-calf. While this is a must-see at least once, there's so much more to explore at this Florida State . This event has been canceled. Its all or nothing before 9:00 if you want to enjoy the place. The camp quickly fills with no waitlist. * APRIL 29-30. Save. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For $13 you get a full days worth of activity and fun. 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar 2018 Weeki Wachee Mermaid Calendar. The public art project is a partnership between Floridas Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau, Brooksville Main Street and the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Go early! The sand is soft and fun for kids to play in. Have your child handwrite a letter to their favorite mermaid (or Prince), asking about the environment they swim in or anything else mermaid related. . We were told one thing and then another thing so many times. 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. The park has changed a lot since then. 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. A magical landmark for Hernando County. There will also be photo ops with Santa, the elves, and the mermaids. Applications and resumes should be sent to Kelley.Parker@floridadep.gov. The chatter goes silent. It doesnt cost any extra! More so, its the only place in the world where you can see real live mermaids swimming and performing right before your eyes! Waterfront paradise off of the Weekie Wachee River with kayaks & paddleboard!! 896. Reviewed December 26, 2022. And no, you can't JUST get tickets to the mermaid show. Weeki Wachee mermaids show times: The Little Mermaid - 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. The cost was $13 dollars for an adult and 8 dollars for kids 6-12. To continue, you must agree to our Privacy Policy. Everyone their had a nice smile and seemed to enjoy their jobs. Mermaid Amanda has a love for Disney and a good prank! After entering the park we found that the next proper mermaid show was at 3.00 so we went to the River cruise. Weeki Wachee kayaking: Beautiful . Located on the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the ideal destination for your next group event. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It was a very disappointing day. The theater is air conditioned and it felt DIVINE to sit and wait for 30 minutes. 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 . . There are two shows that are run. In the camps, youll learn the daily responsibilities of being a mermaid and what it takes to put on a show. It's one of the United States' oldest roadside attrac. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Now, Weeki Wachee is celebrating its 75 th Anniversary with a mermaid reunion and unveiling of 26 individually decorated mermaid statues at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Adding to the authenticity of the statues, a casting of a well-known Weeki Wachee Mermaids face will be used. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Amphitheater, Interpretive Exhibit, Concession and Restaurant. The second show is called Wonders of Weeki. They have many fun mermaid themed souvenirs. This event is from 7:30-9:00am! Paying for one does not get you into the other. . (We all know how . This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. What Mermaid Ashley enjoys most is hanging out with her animals. 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. No one there could give us consistent information on what to do or how to go about certain things. "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 .