If you have a little girl who loves mermaids and Ariel, this is a great place for a weekend trip! It’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, near Tampa Florida. It’s also a perfect stop for some “old-school” fun on your way down to Orlando!
It was built in the 1940’s around a natural spring, which is quite beautiful with its clear water and wildlife, but the park has a lot more to offer:
They do several mermaid shows daily. You’re seated in an underwater 500-seat theater that’s built into the side of the spring, and every spot has a good view. I think all the adults were just as excited as the children were!
The production on the day we visited was the story of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. It was a musical, with similarities to the Disney version, but with different songs and running only about 20 minutes long. I was impressed at how well the performers can conduct themselves underwater! Warning: The Sea Witch does make several appearances, but is more startling than scary.
When the show is over, you have the opportunity to meet a mermaid and take a picture, too!
In addition, there’s a decent-sized playground for the little ones to burn some energy before and after the shows
A wilderness boat cruise
A nature trail
And an informative reptile show
There’s also a small waterpark, Buccaneer Bay, where you can swim in the spring water. This is included in the general admission ticket price. They have some slides, a lazy river, a beach area, and inner tubes and lockers to rent. It looks fun and refreshing! I’d recommend bringing water shoes for swimming in the spring, as the bottom looks a bit slippery.
Tickets are $13.00 for adults, $8.00 for children 6-12, and ages 5 and under are Free! Pair this with a day at one of the beautiful beaches in the Tampa area for a great weekend for the family!
If you’d like FREE help planning a great Florida vacation for your family, contact me at Brenda@travelwiththemagic.com or 800-670-4312 ext 140, or get in touch with one of our other great agents!
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