We returned to the mermaid lagoon this morning - or more of a spring really. It is Weeki Wachi Springs, where an auditorium was built in 1947 by a Navy Frogman for one purpose: to host mermaids. Audiences have been coming by to see the Weeki Wachee mermaids for years now, long before Disney World was built, or even I-75.
We made the short trip down the road, hyping up the mermaids to Madison, who was excited about seeing the park, and maybe doing some swimming in the springs as well. We got there just in time, really. The first show of "The Little Mermaid" was starting pretty much as we walked through the gates, which was perfect timing. Unlike our last visit to Weeki Wachee, the place was quite full today. Last time, it was off-season and a little run down. Since then, there have been attempts to restore the place, along with a status change to a state park.
There was standing-room only for this show. The place was absolutely filled! Madison was paying close attention to the dancing mermaids as they swam and gyrated in the water, along with the handsome prince and wicked witch. It was all set to music, bubbles, quite a few fish, and even swimming turtles. Madison enjoyed it, but so did Mommy and Daddy.
Afterwards, we went to pose for a picture with one of the mermaids - her name was Kim. Madison may write her a letter later via their website, and something called "mermaid mail." There were pressed pennies to make too - little ones with mermaids engraved on the sides.
It was extraordinarily hot though. This may have inspired our next decision - to see another, different mermaid show after shopping in the air conditioned store. We got some bottled water there, and a we also picked up an official 2014 Mermaid Calendar today.
Then it was time to go to the indoor place where we waited on another different mermaid show. This time we had front row seats - right up there against the glass. Madison had a great view, and we enjoyed this show even more because it highlighted some of the history and behind-the-scenes aspects of being a Weeki Wachee mermaid. And as you can see above, it ended with the old school patriotic show-stopper. Lots of fun!
As stated earlier, it was hot outside. Really hot. Consider that we haven't seen "hot" yet in Georgia, and we were absolutely suffering a bit. We wandered over to the animal show, and found no shade there - so we moved on to the boat ride down the river. We did this last time, and saw some otters and cranes. But there was only one boat that went back and forth every half-hour, and it only sat 30 people. And there were at least 60 in line in front of us. SO, it was off to Buccaneer Bay.
Buccaneer Bay is the water park that uses the springs, right next door. In fact, we were stepping into the same body of water that the mermaids were swimming in - just further down, it was a cool lake to jump into, or wade along the shore. Also there was a kids' water play area, which Madison delighted in for about 45 minutes or so. Daddy was in there with her for a bit, but the rest of the family stayed in the shade, cooled off and watching Madison have her fun. Speaking of which, here she is, our own little mermaid:
When all was said and done, it was time to head back home. Of course, it rained on the way home! It didn't affect us in the least, of course.
We got home and everyone was tired from the intense heat and sun. We were also hungry! We ate a huge Mexican dinner, and spent the rest of the night putting together puzzles, reading books, playing the Leapster Explorer, or just watching the sun go down. It was a wonderful day, and lots of fun for the family.
We made the short trip down the road, hyping up the mermaids to Madison, who was excited about seeing the park, and maybe doing some swimming in the springs as well. We got there just in time, really. The first show of "The Little Mermaid" was starting pretty much as we walked through the gates, which was perfect timing. Unlike our last visit to Weeki Wachee, the place was quite full today. Last time, it was off-season and a little run down. Since then, there have been attempts to restore the place, along with a status change to a state park.
There was standing-room only for this show. The place was absolutely filled! Madison was paying close attention to the dancing mermaids as they swam and gyrated in the water, along with the handsome prince and wicked witch. It was all set to music, bubbles, quite a few fish, and even swimming turtles. Madison enjoyed it, but so did Mommy and Daddy.
Afterwards, we went to pose for a picture with one of the mermaids - her name was Kim. Madison may write her a letter later via their website, and something called "mermaid mail." There were pressed pennies to make too - little ones with mermaids engraved on the sides.
It was extraordinarily hot though. This may have inspired our next decision - to see another, different mermaid show after shopping in the air conditioned store. We got some bottled water there, and a we also picked up an official 2014 Mermaid Calendar today.
Then it was time to go to the indoor place where we waited on another different mermaid show. This time we had front row seats - right up there against the glass. Madison had a great view, and we enjoyed this show even more because it highlighted some of the history and behind-the-scenes aspects of being a Weeki Wachee mermaid. And as you can see above, it ended with the old school patriotic show-stopper. Lots of fun!
As stated earlier, it was hot outside. Really hot. Consider that we haven't seen "hot" yet in Georgia, and we were absolutely suffering a bit. We wandered over to the animal show, and found no shade there - so we moved on to the boat ride down the river. We did this last time, and saw some otters and cranes. But there was only one boat that went back and forth every half-hour, and it only sat 30 people. And there were at least 60 in line in front of us. SO, it was off to Buccaneer Bay.
Buccaneer Bay is the water park that uses the springs, right next door. In fact, we were stepping into the same body of water that the mermaids were swimming in - just further down, it was a cool lake to jump into, or wade along the shore. Also there was a kids' water play area, which Madison delighted in for about 45 minutes or so. Daddy was in there with her for a bit, but the rest of the family stayed in the shade, cooled off and watching Madison have her fun. Speaking of which, here she is, our own little mermaid:
When all was said and done, it was time to head back home. Of course, it rained on the way home! It didn't affect us in the least, of course.
We got home and everyone was tired from the intense heat and sun. We were also hungry! We ate a huge Mexican dinner, and spent the rest of the night putting together puzzles, reading books, playing the Leapster Explorer, or just watching the sun go down. It was a wonderful day, and lots of fun for the family.
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