bellhouse

I went when I was little (last time was probably 41 years ago!) and I loved it - it was THE place to take people when they visited. What is it like now? DH really wants to go, but $22 x 5 is sort of pricey if it's as run down as some people (who were there about 7 years ago) say.

RedRock

Everything is expensive now. We paid $27 a few weeks ago to drive to the top of Mt Washington NH. Totally fogged in, visibility was less than 15ft. Could not see anything going up or coming down or when on top.

Weekee Watchee is a survivor from long ago when people came to Florida just because it was Florida and was warm in the winter and hot in the summer. Go for it if that is what your DH really wants.

thurstonbb

There was just something in our paper about it closing. Contact them to make sure still open.

bellhouse

Thurstonbb - Thanks. That prompted me to check the Ocala paper. WW is in a dispute with Swiftmud, but it appears any changes will take a while and there was a nice write up saying how much things had improved since the Save Our Tails (think I got that right)push started a couple years ago. So, if the weather is ok, off we go on Saturday. Thanks to you both.

GranthamMommy

Bellhouse,

I was there that day 41 years ago visiting my grandmother in Ocala. Thanks for the "trip back."

My grandmother saved this coupons for free entrance to Cypress Gardens. We went back 15 years later and they accepted them with alot of laughter.

Call to make sure they are open, then just go and enjoy the "warm fuzzy."

RoamsAround

bellhouse - got you beat. I went there 56 years ago. Can't believe the place still exists.

The trouble with people like us visiting places like that is we remember the entrance fees as being cheap. Of course, that was at a time when our parents earned a whole lot less so it wouldn't surprise me if they though it was extravagant. Anyway, you can't live in the past as far as prices go.

missypie

Gosh, count me in as another who was there maybe 41 years ago! (Before there WAS a Disneyworld!!!) If you go, PLEASE be sure and write a trip report...I'd love to know if/how it has changed!

thurstonbb

I was there 39 years ago!

GranthamMommy

Does anyone have pictures taken on the glass bottom boats at Silver Springs from the same time.......I think I'll be going through pictures tonight!

birder

Please write a trip report! If it's decent, my husband and I might go!

KarenInFl

We were just there a month ago (it's been 40-something years since my last visit). My son had his final check-out dive for his scuba certification in the spring. Some of the boys were somewhat distracted by the practicing mermaid! They are still open (for now) - just had their 60 year mermaid reunion and are including some of the veteran mermaids in their shows. How is it now? Well, the theater is showing it's age - things aren't as clean and clear as they used to be, and the place is quite dingy and musty but it's still a unique attraction. The river level has been quite low so the window to the show had a one foot gap - you can see above water and below (not my favorite viewing method)! The ticket price now includes entrance into their waterpark - Buccaneer Bay. You can go down one of three slides, swim in the river (swim area), sun on the floating deck or just hang on the beach (they have lounges and chairs plus a few umbrellas)- the water is still beautifully clear and cool. There is also a "tranquility walk" - just a strolling path through some flora and fauna! The day we went it started to get busy shortly after it opened. There was also a notice posted that due to the amount of visitors, it is possible that not everyone always gets into the mermaid show! That seemed like a poor set-up in my opinion. I guess the price is o.k. if you plan to do the "entire park" - don't worry about good walking shoes, it's not that big! Is it worth it??? Not sure. I liked the old park where you paid for the show and boat ride to Monkey Island (remember that?). And a few years ago you used to be able to do the waterpark by itself - this made prices more reasonable. I guess its all about the mighty dollar. But, hey, where else can you see mermaids? Let us know what you think if you decide to go.

jacobmarley

Weeki Watchee is a major dissapointment. Talk about a has-been place! Its gotten downright tacky and is very much overpriced. Don't expect this place to be open much longer...Its not drawing well and, unfortunately, for good reason.
Jacobmarley

bellhouse

I will post a report, but you may have to wait a bit - DH came home from work at noon and has been sleeping ever since. We'll see how he feels by Friday. Wow! 56 years! Any of you from Florida, or were you all visiting?

GranthamMommy

It was probably 1964 or so when I visited Weekee Watchee. We lived in central Connecticut and my grandparents had retired to Ocala. Three aunts and uncles, my mother and I got into the car and made the drive.

Don't forget Silver Springs and Six Gun Territory..............

GranthamMommy

Sunshinesue

Silver Springs and the glass bottom boats! Oh yes. I was a young child but I remember it well. Let me see...42 years ago!

Anyone remember going to Lion Country Safari???

GranthamMommy

I remember wanting to go to Lion Country, but never did. Florida before Disney World.....many memories for us children of the 60's.

KarenInFl

Yes, from Florida. I actually lived here at the time of my original visit way back in the 60's. My extended family lives "down the road" in Brooksville, and I had relatives in Lacoochee and Trilby! I moved around a bit growing up but the Weeki Wachee area was my stomping ground for several years. We used to canoe on the Weeki Wachee and stay at the campground that was directly on the river. Sadly, the tents are gone and were replaced with condos a long time ago. I'm now living down the road, in Palm Harbor, where there's much more "city"! Wanted to add . . . we did a canoe trip on the Rainbow River a couple years ago and also tubed and snorkled around Ginny Springs. These excursions are "real" Florida - manatees, otters, racoons, etc. We'll take those natural adventures over tourist traps any day!

Ralphie

My first crush was in W.W. about 38 years ago. Boy did this kindergartener fall in love with those mermaids!

Sad to hear that the place is run down / ain't what it used to be, but that pretty much describes the entire state of Florida (yes. I'm a native, and I said it).

I also enjoyed the references in this thread to Silver Springs, Rainbow River (remember Rainbow Springs?), Six Gun Territory. I also would like to add Juniper Springs and Santa Fe river for canoeing. And Fisheating Creek further south.

GranthamMommy

I have several autographed posters from Six Gun Territory. I'd have to dig them out to get the names, but they were tv stars on western shows in the 60's.

My grandmother moved to Ocala when my grandfather retired and she got a job in a souvenier shop at/near Silver Springs.

I have more than one souvenier photo of me in the glass bottom boat, NOT looking at the camera.

I wonder what places we go now will look silly in 41 years. We'll all be visiting Lunar Disney by then with shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral.

bellhouse

Going to Tarpon Springs and seeing all the sponges and sponge boats - and hopefully being there at lunch time - yum! We were (and are, after nearly 30 years of being elsewhere) in Bradenton. Whenever my Mom's Mississippi relavtives would visit, off we'd go (I think to give my Dad some peace and quiet). Silver Springs was wonderful, too. Disney opened my junior year of high school and my great-aunt lived in Winter Park, so my best friend and I would drive up, stay with her, and go to Disney - what fun as teenagers.