After nearly 50 years of creating summer memories for Pacific Northwest families, Wild Waves Theme & Water Park in Federal Way, Washington announced on December 10, 2025 that the 2026 operating season will be its last. The iconic amusement park, which opened in 1977 as Enchanted Village, will welcome guests for one final summer before closing permanently on November 1, 2026, marking the end of an era for Washington's only major theme and water park combination.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the community, with park ownership citing "millions in losses" from rising operational costs since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown as the primary reason for the closure. "We are thankful for our guests, team members, and the community of Federal Way for supporting Wild Waves and creating so many thrills and great memories with families and friends," said Kieran Burke, President and Owner of Premier Parks, which operates the facility. "Unfortunately, the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses, which forces us to discontinue operations at the end of our 2026 season."
How the Closure Decision Unfolded: Inside the Final Season Announcement
The official announcement came via a press release on December 10, 2025, revealing that the park would operate its final season from May 23 to November 1, 2026. During this period, Wild Waves plans to deliver a full schedule of attractions, including its popular Fright Fest Halloween celebration. All previously purchased 2026 group events, season passes, and ticket packages will be honored, ensuring that visitors who planned ahead can still enjoy their final visits.
The 70-acre park employs approximately 35 full-time workers and 800 seasonal team members, many of whom are local students. Premier Parks has committed to supporting staff through the transition, with Burke noting in a statement to The Seattle Times that "supporting all of our team members is a top priority as we move into our final year of operation" and that the company plans "to develop career transition support at the end of season."
Timeline: How Wild Waves Developed from 1977 to Its Final Chapter
The story of Wild Waves began in 1977 when Byron Betts opened Enchanted Village on what was then a 12-acre site with just a handful of rides. The adjacent Wild Waves water park debuted in 1984, and the combined complex quickly became a regional destination. The park changed hands multiple times over the decades, most notably selling to Six Flags for $19.3 million in 2000 before being acquired by various investment groups and eventually coming under the management of Premier Parks in 2017.
"Wild Waves has been part of the fabric of Federal Way and a place where countless families have made memories that will last a lifetime," said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell in response to the closure announcement. The park's attendance never fully recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic, with King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer noting that "economics overcame enthusiasm" and that "the fiscal impact of Covid and the financial hole it left for Wild Waves shuttered a unique South King County gathering place."
Why This Closure Matters: The Bigger Picture for Regional Tourism
Wild Waves represents more than just an amusement park—it's been a rite of passage for generations of Pacific Northwest families and the region's only major theme park. With over 30 rides and slides, including the 75-foot-tall Timberhawk wooden coaster and the massive Pacific Plunge Slide Complex, the park has offered a unique combination of thrills and family entertainment that can't be easily replaced.
The closure highlights broader challenges facing the amusement park industry, particularly regional parks struggling with post-pandemic recovery. Unlike major corporate chains that can absorb financial hits, independent and smaller regional parks like Wild Waves face intense pressure from rising operational costs, labor expenses, and maintenance requirements. The pandemic created a perfect storm that proved insurmountable for this nearly 50-year-old institution.
Jeff Stock, owner of the property and longtime partner of Premier Parks, acknowledged the emotional connection many residents have with the park, stating, "We recognize the deep history and emotional connection many residents have with the park, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful transition while planning a project that will bring meaningful, lasting benefits to the area." Stock, who originally purchased the park in 1991 for $8 million and has maintained ownership of the land through various management changes, will play a key role in determining the site's future.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on the Wild Waves Transition
As of the December 2025 announcement, plans for the 70-acre site are in preliminary stages. Stock indicated that "plans for the site are currently in preliminary stages, with goals beneficial to the city and surrounding areas" and that "additional details will be released as the project moves through planning and community review processes." The City of Federal Way has committed to working closely with the property owners to determine the best path forward.
Meanwhile, park management is focusing on making the final season memorable for guests and staff alike. "In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia, and family fun with themed events, and special promotions," Burke said. This includes not only the regular summer operations but also special recognition for long-time visitors and employees who have been part of the Wild Waves story.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Wild Waves and Federal Way
The 2026 season will operate on a normal schedule, opening May 23 with daily operations through Labor Day before transitioning to weekends-only in September and concluding with Fright Fest Halloween celebrations in October. The park's final day will be November 1, 2026, after which demolition and site preparation will likely begin for whatever development replaces the amusement complex.
For the Pacific Northwest tourism landscape, the closure leaves a significant void. While larger destinations like Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho remain, Wild Waves was uniquely positioned as a day-trip destination for the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Its closure may shift family entertainment patterns and could impact summer tourism in Federal Way, which has long benefited from the park's drawing power.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
• Wild Waves Theme & Water Park will close permanently after the 2026 season, with final operations ending November 1, 2026
• The primary reason for closure is financial losses totaling millions of dollars stemming from COVID-19 pandemic impacts and rising operational costs
• All previously purchased 2026 tickets, season passes, and group events will be honored during the final season
• The park opened in 1977 and has been a Pacific Northwest staple for nearly 50 years across 70 acres with over 30 attractions
• Future plans for the site are in early development stages, with the property owner committed to creating "meaningful, lasting benefits" for the area
• Visitors have one final season to experience the park's rides, water slides, and traditional Fright Fest Halloween celebration
As one chapter closes for this beloved Washington institution, the community now looks ahead to what will replace it—and how to properly say goodbye to a place that has meant so much to so many for nearly half a century.
