 | Weeki Wachee Springs known as the City of Live Mermaids, is a water themed tourist attraction on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened on October 13, 1947, where mermaids performed synchronized ballet moves underwater while breathing through the air hoses hidden in the scenery. In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions. |
In December 1964, Weeki Wachee put on their underwater ballet version of Alice In Wonderland, aptly called Alice In Waterland. The Evening Independent which was St. Petersburg, Florida's first daily newspaper, reported on December 26th that the new show was to run each evening at 5.15pm and 8.30pm on Saturdays, as a magical evening show. Utilizing 250 special underwater lights, to illuminate the evening spectacular. In addition for the first time ever the audience would be able to communicate with the mermaids, through special underwater microphones.
| A 7" single was produced to promote the show and as a souvenir. A re-working of the title song to the Disney version of Alice In Wonderland. It was released by ABC-Paramount. ABC (American Broadcasting Co.) bought Weeki Wachee in 1959, and used their wide-spread power and influence to heavily promote the attraction to the American public. Watch a short promotional film for the show below, featuring the song, which was sung by Marlin and the Mermaids! |  |
Weird Retro Fact: Read about some of the weirder alternative movie versions of the Alice story from around the world, and through the years, with the Weird Retro article Top Ten: Weird Alice In Wonderland Movies. Also watch the trippiest anti-drug PSA ever, Curious Alice, from 1971.
