🧜‍♀️ Dive into the enchanting world of mermaids in our latest episode of View Master Travels!

🌊 Join us as we explore the mesmerizing reel SP-9046, showcasing the underwater wonders of Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida, dating all the way back to 1949!

🔍 Curiosity piqued when we stumbled upon this extraordinary reel, filled with captivating images of people engaged in underwater antics. As we unraveled the history behind Weeki Wachee Springs, we discovered a hidden gem—one of Florida's oldest roadside attractions where you can witness live mermaids in an underwater theater!

🌊 Weeki Wachee Springs, initially a project by the incredible swimmer Newt Perry, became a sensation in 1948 with its unique underwater stunt show. Perry's daring feats, like eating a banana and riding a bike underwater, laid the foundation for the mesmerizing mermaid performances that followed.

📽️ Immerse yourself in the golden age of Weeki Wachee, marked by ABC Television's acquisition in 1959. The park flourished with expanded attractions, transforming the underwater stunt show into magical musical plays like The Little Mermaid. Witness the evolution of the iconic mermaid costumes, complete with sparkling fins in 1962.

🧜‍♀️ Delve into the behind-the-scenes magic of the mermaid show—training in a 60-foot tube, underwater airlocks, and mastering buoyancy. The park's golden years, however, faced challenges in the '70s as mermaids unionized for better conditions, leading to a strike in 1970.

🎭 Experience the joy of our visit to Weeki Wachee, where we enjoyed a river cruise, marveled at historical news reels, and reveled in a live performance of The Little Mermaid. Our journey took an unexpected turn when we discovered a vintage Mold-a-Rama machine, creating a hot plastic mermaid souvenir right before our eyes!

🔥 Witness the underwater "Pause That Refreshes," a captivating pose from the park's heyday. However, our tale takes a twist in the '70s as the park faced challenges, leading to ABC's sale in the '80s and subsequent struggles.

💦 Fast forward to 2008, when Weeki Wachee Springs became a state park, overcoming legal hurdles and securing its place as a unique and cherished destination. Today, the legacy lives on, and the mermaid shows continue to captivate new generations.

👏 Join us on this incredible journey through time and underwater wonders, celebrating the resilience of Weeki Wachee Springs and the enduring magic of mermaids! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share the enchantment with fellow adventurers! 🌟🔍 #WeekiWachee #MermaidMagic #ViewMasterTravels

SOUND EFFECTS:

Theater ambience: https://freesound.org/s/179875/
Theater audience: https://freesound.org/s/490563/
Bubbles: https://freesound.org/s/66786/
Wind chimes - for the mermaid's shiny tales: https://freesound.org/s/678842/
Splash from diving: https://freesound.org/s/529793/

MUSIC:

Mermaid by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Despair and Triumph by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Eternal Hope by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

VIDEO:

1960s home movie footage: Found Footage Home Movies
1950s home movie footage: Rich Woodrick
Other videos and many of the historical artifacts: State Archives of Florida