“I literally did not lift a finger” — Demi C., Huntington Beach“I took a boat to a magical island and met mermaids!” — Sage, via Grandpa Rick“The level of theming and execution of detail rival Disney” — Hana E., Newport Beach“They exceed even Disneyland quality” — Naz E., Los Angeles“Every single mom and kid said it was ‘magical’” — T K., San Francisco“My son is shy and he was having an amazing time” — Erin C., San Francisco“You really feel like you are in an underwater cavern!” — Leslie S., Tustin“Truly magical in every possible way” — Michelle D., Laguna Hills“10/10! Venue, the ladies, set up, ease was all A+!” — Stephanie C., Orange County“Such a dream come true” — Staci R., Rancho Cucamonga“The most special gift of our holiday season” — Chrissy H., Orange“Once Upon An Island is truly exceptional” — Sanaa E., Albuquerque

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.

Check AvailabilitySee the Experiences

Mermaid Transformation Experiences

Choose her transformation.

Three magical ways to become a real mermaid inside our immersive flagship venue — from a sweet 30-minute introduction to the ultimate VIP experience with a tail to keep forever.

Mini · $89.99 Signature · $145 VIP · $195

Perfect for little dreamers who want a taste of mermaid magic, our Mini Mermaid Transformation is a sweet, simplified version of our famous Signature experience — designed to fit busy schedules while still creating unforgettable memories. It’s the perfect first Once Upon an Island adventure.

Mini Mermaid Makeover

Your magical journey begins in our enchanted mermaid salon, where one of our professional mermaids creates a beautiful mini makeover.

  • One signature mini mermaid braid in your choice of color
  • Shimmering mermaid makeup
  • Sparkling face gems
A professional mermaid styling a child’s hair in our mermaid salon

Tail Transformation & Photo Moment

Once the makeover is complete, it’s time for the magic: slip into one of our beautiful mermaid tails and become a real mermaid.

  • Mermaid tail transformation
  • Magical photo moment in our enchanted grotto
  • Time to capture unforgettable memories with one of our professional mermaids
Children in mermaid tails posing in our enchanted grotto

$89.99 per child · approximately 30 minutes · available Monday–Thursday

Check Availability — Mini Mermaid

Step 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
A full mermaid makeover with colorful hair extensions and face gems

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
A magical bubble floating above a pink teacup at our Bubble Tea Party

Treasure Craft

Each child designs their own enchanting under-the-sea treasure during our guided craft activity — a keepsake they proudly take home.

A child creating a layered sand keepsake at our Sandbar craft station

Tail Transformation

The moment every child dreams about.

  • Mermaid tail transformation
  • Magical photo opportunities as a real mermaid
  • Mermaid playtime in our lagoon
Children in mermaid tails in our lagoon
A mermaid with her take-home wand and sequin mermaid purse

Take Home The Magic

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.

The glitter star wand and sequin mermaid tail purse included with the Signature experience

$145 per child · approximately 1 hour · our most popular experience

Check Availability — Signature

For those seeking the most magical day imaginable — the pinnacle of Once Upon an Island. The VIP includes everything in the Signature Mermaid Transformation, then 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
A VIP mermaid with deluxe hairstyle, statement face gems and glitter

Plus the Complete Signature Experience

  • The famous Bubble Tea Party with all its treats
  • Mermaid tail transformation & lagoon play
  • Treasure craft keepsake
Pink sparkling tea poured from a friendly dolphin teapotChildren in mermaid tails playing in our lagoonA child creating a sand keepsake at our craft station
The premium three-piece mermaid tail and top VIP mermaids keep forever

Take Home The Magic

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 — VIP

Real mermaids, real magic

Fresh from the lagoon.

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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 Packages, specially 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 Zone, where 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.

Check Availability — Mermaid Transformations