Has anyone seen Weeki Wachee?

[Ava31]

My mom thinks this will be a fun excursion for my daughter, but I have a hard time justifying the trip when we're paying for tickets at WDW. Anyone like it enough to recommend it?

 

[alexbigday]

How old is your daughter?
Let me say, it is VERY cheesy but I remember the first time I took my duaghter (she was 4 1/2), she LOVED it. When the mermaids show up, it is pretty neat.
THere is a little riverboat ride (20 minutes) --the water is gorgeous.
There are some other rinky dink things, you can play in the water at Bucanneer Bay (COLD but refreshing)
the have coupons at their website for $3 off.
IT is an older attraction without all the bells & whistles, but we have always had a fun time. Feel free to ask another questions.

 

[Traveliz]

I have to say I remember doing it as a child (I am 49) and then doing it with my daughter when she was 4 (15 years ago).

Oh my gosh it was just me and her and she absolutely LOVED it. Now this was right around the time The Little Mermaid had come out so that might have had something to do with it BUT she was entranced. We did the boat ride but the only other thing we did was the mermaid show (over and over again!) I think we did it 4 times in a row!

There were also meet and greets with a few mermaids and she loved it to.

I will say though we had all ready done Disney and were with my mom and dad at a convention about an hour or so away so we did that while they were busy - I didn't take time away from Disney for it but still it was well worth it.

Liz

 

[faindrops27]

I know this is alittle OT. But, i remember seeing an episode of the Simple Life, where Nicole, and Paris visited Weeki Wachi. It looked kind of fun!!, Whatever you choose OP. Have a magical vacation!!

 

[merekc]

I am 30 years old, my sister is 34. We went to Disney/Florida when we were 5 and 9. Weeki Wachee is one of our fondest memories. We actually probably remember it just as well as anything we saw at Disney World. Depending on her age, this can be really cool for girls that are growing up with the Little Mermaid.

We have not been back since that trip, but are currently planning to hit it when the whole family goes to Disney in October.

Something else that might influence your decision, is that all of these older roadside attractions are starting to disappear. I know that Weeki Wachee's website says they've been fighting a "Save our Tails" campaign for several years (I love that slogan). So this may be her only chance to see this unique attraction. Our family has always gone off the beaten trail when vacationing, and these are the things we remember most.

 

[smschex]

What a trip down memory lane! I remember visiting with my family when I couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 (trust me, that was a long time ago and before there was a WDW). The mermaids fascinated me and I wanted to grow up to be one. I practiced in my pool at home. I had no idea they were still in business. From the website it doesn't look like the shows have changed much.

I'm not sure how much charm the place would hold for my internet surfing, tech saavy kids though. Even my 7 year old would probably roll her eyes at the low tech entertainment.

Thanks for bringing back a fun memory.

 

[leight]

save your money- I live in Tampa and took my 6 & 8 yr old girls there in the spring THIS YEAR. It probably hasn't updated anything since the other posters visited when they were young. It is very cute, but not worth the price, and considering how much they charge and the cost of gas-it's not worth it. I got in free but paid for buc bay and it was a nice beach but the 'lazy river' was just a portion of the river roped off(and they fished a large alligator out of that area last month) and you have to rent the tubes for $7 each!