Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

John and I have now spent a good deal of time in Florida and never have visited this park until this past Monday.  We have to admit that the mermaid shows offered in this park sounded a bit cheesy, until we read in the newspaper how the mermaids have to prepare for the shows- they must be scuba certified and train for a year.   The shows have been running since 1947, and initially the mermaids were without tails, they were called "Aqua Belles".  The first mermaids received hamburgers, hot dogs, publicity, but no pay.  They waved at passerby along the highway to lure drivers into the attraction.  In the mid-60s they got their tails.

The park has a 400 seat submerged theater for the shows.  Fish and turtles swim among the mermaids, and a park employee reported that manatees have also appeared among the ladies of the sea.  A Weeki Wachee mermaid once said that to dive into the strong current of the spring was like trying to swim up into a waterfall.  Sixteen to twenty feet below the surface the current runs a strong 5 miles per hour  Over the years synchronized ballet movements underwater were developed using hidden air hoses. Underwater stunts and illusions were also included.

The show we saw was Hans Christian Anderson's the Little Mermaid.  Pictured above is the mermaid with her prince charming.  When the curtain falls for each scene bubbles fill the tank, which was just as thrilling for our one year-old granddaughter as the show!

We enjoyed our whole day at Weeki Wachee park.  A low admission price includes, besides seeing the mermaids perform, a wild animal show and a river cruise.  In Seminole Indian language Weeki Wachee means "little spring" or "winding river".  The 12 mile long river flows into the Gulf, which is why the manatees make their appearance here during the winter months.

The emergence of the mega-theme parks in Orlando took its toll on this state park.  However, attendance is steadily rising and the shows are often filled to capacity.  Thirty mermaids are currently employed by the park.   Certainly the show was good, but the park and the river were equally enjoyable for us!