I honestly can't believe I didn't know about this place! I did so much research for our trip to SoCal looking for fun places for kids and of ALL of the things we did (recommended by out hotel concierge!) This was far and above the absolute coolest, most magical and memorable day!!!!
The level of theming and execution of detail rival Disney and all but blow most other theme parks or venues out of the water.
My kids minds were totally blown- Our sons absolutely loved the pirate elements from the face paint, to climbing inside a treehouse hide out, playing on skull rock and more while our daughters dreams absolutely came true turning into a mermaid from head to toe! One of the main highlights was definetly making our own stuffed animals as well, SO cute!!!
As if everything wasn't already amazing enough for the kids, there is an entire parents room with couches, television, bar seating etc. for parents to relax in with free latte's and they even offered us champagne!!! I WANT TO INVEST IN THIS COMPANY! The perfection & thoughtfulness of not only the theming but the service and performances were truly just so impressive.
THANK YOU for the highlight of our trip.
A daily adventure at Once Upon an Island
Today, she becomes
a real mermaid.
A luxury little makeover, a shimmering tail, an enchanted grotto, and the moment she’s dreamed about since her first bath-time swim.
Filmed at a real transformation
Watch a real Mermaid Transformation and Pirate Tag-a-Long experience!
Mermaid Transformation Experiences
Choose her transformation.
Two magical ways to become a real mermaid inside our immersive flagship venue: our most popular Signature experience with the famous Bubble Tea Party, or the ultimate VIP experience with a tail to keep forever.
✦ Signature · $145 ✦ VIP · $195Step beyond the ordinary and into an unforgettable undersea adventure. The Signature Mermaid Transformation is our complete immersive experience, a luxury makeover, interactive mermaid activities, magical keepsakes, imaginative play, and our famous Bubble Tea Party, all in one unforgettable visit.
✦ Full Mermaid Makeover
- Two adorable mini mermaid braids, they’ll stay in for weeks at a time, if she likes!
- Shimmering mermaid makeup with sparkling highlights
- Face gems applied by hand to complete the transformation
✧ The Famous Bubble Tea Party
Gather around our enchanted tea table for one of the most unique experiences anywhere.
- Edible magical tea bubbles floating inside your drink
- Pink sparkling tea magically poured from a friendly dolphin
- Mermaid macarons
- Mermaid “caviar pearls” and other under-the-sea treats
✦ Treasure Craft
Each child designs their own enchanting under-the-sea treasure during our guided craft activity, a keepsake they proudly take home.
✧ Tail Transformation
The moment every child dreams about.
- Mermaid tail transformation
- Magical photo opportunities as a real mermaid
- Mermaid playtime in our lagoon
A mermaid wand & purse of her very own!
Take home a piece of your mermaid adventure, our Signature package includes a shimmering mermaid purse and magic wand to continue the play long after your magical day.
$145 per child · approximately 1 hour · our most popular experience
Check Availability, SignatureFor those seeking the most magical day imaginable, the pinnacle of Once Upon an Island. The VIP includes everything in the Signature Mermaid Transformationthen elevates it with our exclusive Premium Glam Experience and a beautiful mermaid tail to keep forever.
✦ Premium Glam Experience
- Our deluxe, reusable mermaid ponytail braided into her hair, in her choice of colors, including rainbow
- Deluxe face gems, larger statement gems, additional crystals, enhanced glitter details
- Shimmering mermaid nail polish to coordinate with her magical makeover
✧ Plus the Complete Signature Experience
- The famous Bubble Tea Party with all its treats
- Mermaid tail transformation & lagoon play
- Treasure craft keepsake
A mermaid tail to keep forever!
The magic doesn’t end when she leaves the lagoon. Every VIP Mermaid goes home with her very own three-piece tail set, a walkable mermaid tail with a matching swim top and bottoms, so she can be a mermaid any day she wishes. Dress-up afternoons, birthday parties, vacations, whole poolside summers: practical enough for real play, and absolutely adorable in every photograph.
$195 per child · approximately 1 hour · the ultimate experience
Check Availability, VIPReal mermaids, real magic
Fresh from the lagoon.
But don’t take it from us
The families say it best.
Real parents, in their own words, after a day with us.
I cannot begin to express what a magical experience this was for our family. I was amazed at the care to detail that was put into the location, costumes, planning and experience. The mermaid and pirate who helped us were so good with kids. My son is shy and he was having an amazing time. They were so good with neurodiverse kids! My kids left feeling so special and they had the best time. It will live in their hearts for a long time.
An absolutely incredible experience! Perfect for any child who loves the idea of a mermaid or princess makeover! My daughter is all about mermaids so we knew this would be the perfect venue for her 6th birthday party!
I booked the venue far in advance, which I recommend because this venue fills up, so I was able to snag a date and time that was perfect! It was super easy to book. …
We paid extra to upgrade one of the mermaids to a princess of my daughter's choice (she chose Ariel) and it was absolutely worth every penny to upgrade. I was pleasantly surprised to see Ariel was present for the entire duration of the party. She was partially in a mermaid style dress and then transformed into her mermaid form! It was absolutely magical!
The sand craft was super cute and the girls had so much fun having Ariel help make their sand creations! I loved the organization where some girls would be getting makeovers and some would be doing the craft. The other mermaids doing the make-overs were incredible! They were super friendly to all the girls and talked and entertained them the entire time they were doing the make-overs.
The venue has been remodeled since we had been there a year ago and it was absolutely gorgeous. You really feel like you are in an underwater cavern! I loved how the little forest doubled as a closet for the mermaid tails and a little hideaway for the kids!
I highly recommend this venue!!
Good questions, real answers
Frequently asked questions.
Can I book a large group?
Absolutely! Our Daily Mermaid Experiences are designed for smaller groups of approximately 3–4 children, so every guest receives plenty of individual attention and can fully enjoy the magic. For larger celebrations, we recommend our Birthday Party Packagesspecially designed to accommodate bigger groups while creating an unforgettable experience for everyone. If you’re unsure which option is right for your group, our team is always happy to help.
Can I book a Pirate and Mermaid experience together?
Yes! Families with children who love different adventures can absolutely book both Mermaid and Pirate Experiences during the same reservation, simply select each experience you’d like to include when you book. It’s the perfect option for siblings or friends with different favorite characters while still enjoying the day together.
What is a “social” experience?
A social experience means other guests may be enjoying experiences in the venue at the same time as your reservation, some children may be in Mermaid Transformations while others enjoy Princess Experiences. Each child still receives their own personalized experience with their performer, but the magical spaces may be shared with other families. If you’re looking for an entirely private experience, we also offer Private Princess Experiences and private party options.
If there’s a princess there, can my child say hi?
Of course! Our princesses love meeting children and would never intentionally ignore a young guest. Their first priority, though, is creating a magical experience for the child or family they’re currently scheduled with. If your child may be disappointed not having time to interact with a princess they weren’t booked with, our team is always happy to recommend a quieter time or another opportunity whenever possible.
Can I book on the weekend?
Weekend availability is typically reserved for birthday parties, private events and specialty experiences. Occasionally a limited number of individual Mermaid Transformation appointments become available closer to the date, so it’s always worth checking our calendar. For weekend transformations, you can also visit Mermaid Cove at the Balboa Fun Zonewhere Mermaid Transformations are offered throughout the summer.
Through the rainbow tunnel, the shimmering mermaid lagoon is waiting just for her. There’s a mermaid tail with her name on it, a real mermaid ready to braid her hair and share a few mermaid secrets, and a dolphin who pours the tea. All that’s left is choosing the day she becomes one of them.