Mermaid Magic Has Arrived
at Wild Rivers!
Splash into summer as Once Upon An Island brings its signature enchantment to Orange County's most iconic waterpark, Wild Rivers, Irvine!
Introducing Mermaid Cove — a brand-new activation inspired by the immersive magic of our flagship Balboa Island location.
A show stopping, grotto themed salon serving Mermaid Magic daily via colorful mermaid braids, glitter freckles and tattoos + magical splash sessions!
Mermaid Cove at Wild Rivers is your must-visit destination for mermaid makeovers, tail time, and unforgettable memories — all summer long.
Book now! Appointments are limited daily
What to expect at Mermaid Cove
Something extraordinary has surfaced at Wild Rivers!
Welcome to Mermaid Cove — an all-new immersive makeover experience by the creators of Once Upon An Island. This isn't just another attraction… it’s a full-blown underwater fantasy, packed with sparkle, character interaction, and once-in-a-lifetime photo moments. Get ready to experience the most magical thing to ever hit the park.
✨ Mermaid Makeovers Performed by Real Mermaids
Our signature Mermaid Braid styles start at just $45 and are the ultimate way to dive into your day. These colorful, show-stopping looks are designed to be both magical and swimmable — the perfect style to rock through water slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones.
Best of all? Every makeover is performed by a real mermaid character, trained to deliver both beauty and enchantment in one unforgettable transformation.
💫 All Ages. All Welcome.
Mermaid Cove is for everyone — children, teens, and adults alike. Whether you’re living your childhood dream or just looking to sparkle through the park, this experience is your invitation to dive into the magic.
📸 Iconic Photo Ops in the Grotto
Once you’ve been transformed, head to our under-the-sea grotto salon for a styled photo op in our real seashell throne. It’s a picture-perfect moment to meet our mermaids and snap a magical memory that will last forever.
🌊 The Full Mermaid Transformation Experience
For the ultimate upgrade, book our Mermaid Transformation Experience — featuring your deluxe mermaid braid, a special interaction with a live mermaid performer, and a splash-ready photo session at KonTiki Cove, one of the most beautiful backdrops in the park. It’s a mermaid dream brought to life.
🛍️ Mermaid Retail Treasures
Don’t forget to stop by our retail kiosk to take the magic home! From swimmable mermaid tails to glitter sunscreen, braid accessories, and exclusive merch — we’ve got everything you need to complete your mermaid moment.
🐚 Important Info Before You Swim In:
• Park admission is not included with your appointment
• Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in
• Hair must be clean, brushed, and detangled (wet hair is okay)
• Guests arriving more than 5 minutes late may forfeit their appointment — no refunds
• Styles are designed for water but cannot be re-done once complete
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What are “Daily Experiences” at Once Upon An Island?Daily Experiences are magical one-on-one or small-group visits with our mermaids, pirates, or princesses! From makeovers to tea parties and storytelling adventures, these are designed for everyday visits or even small celebrations—perfect for locals, visitors, or anyone looking to add a little magic to their day.
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Do I need to make a reservation in advance?Yes! Reservations are highly recommended, as experiences are limited and do sell out—especially on weekends and holidays. You can book online or by calling our front desk. Same day experiences are often available on the weekdays.
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What’s included in each experience?Each Daily Experience includes: Dress-up and/or makeover (based on the chosen experience) Private time with a themed character Activities such as story time, crafts, mermaid tail time, games, or a tea party Photo opportunities in our immersive venue Check each experience listing for specific details!
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Can I choose which character we meet?Yes, when booking a princess experience! Your favorite princess at the time of booking. Mermaid Experiences are our Signature Neverland Mermaid Characters, and Pirates are our Signature Neverland Pirate Characters (male & female) Our Mermaids have rainbow colored sparkling costumes and hair and fun, bubbly personalities! If you have any specific color requests, just let us know at booking.
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How many children can participate?Each experience is built for 1-3 children. If you wish, you can add a second-or 'tandem experience' to accommodate a maximum of 6 children. Call our front desk team to set this up!
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Is this a private experience?Princess Experiences are totally private! Just your group and your favorite princess. Mermaid & Pirate experiences are "social experiences" so in some cases you may be sharing the salon or space with other children having their own transformation at the same time- though you will never share a character!
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Can parents join in?Absolutely! Parents are welcome to enjoy the experience alongside their children, take photos, and relax in our lounge with a complimentary latte or bubbly juice. We also have "mommy and me" upgrades on each experience if you really want to dive into the magic with us for some unforgettable fun!
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What ages are these best for?Most of our experiences are perfect for ages 3–10, but we welcome all ages who love imagination and play! If you’re unsure what’s right for your child, give us a call—we’re happy to help
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Do you allow walk-ins?Walk-ins are welcome if space is available, but availability is very limited. We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. We do have a mermaid in house daily, so ring our shell phone to find out if there are any open times for some magic same day.
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What should we bring?Just your imagination! We provide everything needed—from costumes to tiaras to treasure maps. A note: We do not allow any kind of catering or food service in the parents lounge- this is strictly reserved for Private Parties. Light snacks like goldfish and granola bars are always allowed of course for kiddos!
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Do you offer gift cards for Daily Experiences?Yes! Daily Experiences make wonderful gifts. Digital and physical gift cards are available for purchase.
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Can I take photos during the experience?Yes, we encourage it! You’re welcome to capture photos and videos throughout the experience. Our characters will also help guide some photo moments to make sure you get those magical shots.
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What if I’m running late?We understand things happen. Please call us if you're running late. We’ll do our best to accommodate, but experiences are scheduled back-to-back and may need to be shortened if you arrive late.
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Is there parking nearby?Yes, free street parking is available near our venue on Balboa Island. We are on the Ferry street (Agate Ave) not Marine (the Main Street) so parking is much more plentiful. It can get busy on weekends or holidays, so we suggest allowing extra time to find a spot.
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hat if I need to cancel or reschedule?We get it—life happens. We ask for as much notice as possible. Please refer to our cancellation policy at the time of booking or contact us directly and we’ll walk you through your options. Same day no-shows or cancellations with in 1hr of your booking may result in full charge for the service.
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Is there a dress code or should my child come in costume?No dress code required! We provide magical dress-up and makeovers during the experience. - We do recommend bathing suit bottoms if your experience includes beach play as your bottom will get wet on the sand. -We recommend easy to change clothes like leggings and loose fitting shirts or dresses
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Why are all of the princesses mermaids? Can they wear ballgowns?At Once Upon An Island, all of our characters are original creations with imaginative stories and unique personalities. While we do not portray or represent licensed characters, our Royal-Sea Princesses are inspired by classic fairytale characters in the public domain—reimagined with mermaid magic and adventurous tales you won’t find anywhere else. These ocean royals guard the treasures of Neverland, earning their fins through acts of courage and kindness—like Beauty, who befriended a shark to break an ancient spell, or Cinderella, who freed sea creatures trapped by her stepmother’s underwater magic. You’ll meet them in their shimmering mermaid gowns during our Princess Experiences. If your child dreams of a more traditional ballgown look or a character resembling popular fairytales, we offer optional upgrades through our trusted partners at OC Fairytales, an independent company that provides licensed-style characters.