What Happened to Wild Waves Theme & Water Park?
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, a popular amusement and water park in Federal Way, Washington, has announced that its 2026 season will be its last, with permanent closure scheduled for November 1, 2026. The decision stems from millions in financial losses incurred since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic. The site is slated for redevelopment into a large industrial warehouse complex.
Quick Answer
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is permanently closing its doors on November 1, 2026, after nearly 50 years of operation. The park's operator, Premier Parks, cited rising operational costs and millions in losses following the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary reasons for the closure. The 2026 season, which began on May 23, 2026, is its final one. Plans have already been filed to redevelop the 70-acre site into a 1 million-square-foot industrial warehouse.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
The Enchanted Village Opens
The theme park first opened as The Enchanted Village in Federal Way, Washington, by Byron Betts.
Wild Waves Waterpark Added
The Wild Waves Waterpark was built adjacent to The Enchanted Village, and the combined complex became known as Enchanted Parks.
Acquired by Moodenbaugh and Stock
Co-owners Michael Moodenbaugh and Jeff Stock purchased Enchanted Parks for $8 million.
Sold to Six Flags
Jeff Stock sold his shares of Enchanted Parks, Inc., to Six Flags for $19.3 million, leading to a period of Six Flags branding and investment.
Six Flags Sells to CNL Income Properties
Six Flags sold the park to Orlando-based real estate investment trust CNL Income Properties, which then leased the park to PARC Management.
Management Reverts to Norpoint Entertainment
PARC Management defaulted on its lease, and Wild Waves was placed under the new management of Norpoint Entertainment, owned by Jeff Stock.
Drowning Incident Occurs
A 33-year-old man died in the Activity Pool due to drowning, with a police report noting multiple missed chances for rescue.
Sold to EPR Properties, Managed by Premier Parks
Wild Waves and other CNL properties were sold to EPR Properties, and the park was placed under the management of Premier Parks, LLC, with its name changing to Wild Waves Theme & Water Park.
Park Closed Due to COVID-19
The park did not open for the entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with tickets and season passes rolled over to 2021.
Final Season Announced
Premier Parks, LLC, announced that the 2026 season would be the final year of operation for Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, citing millions in losses since the COVID-19 shutdown.
Park Opens for Final Season
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park officially opened for its last operating season, with plans to honor all pre-purchased tickets and passes.
Warehouse Redevelopment Plans Filed
Panattoni Development filed plans with the City of Federal Way to demolish the park and build a 1 million-square-foot industrial warehouse, named 'Podium I-5', on the site.
Permanent Closure
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is scheduled to permanently close its doors to the public, concluding its nearly five decades of operation.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, originally known as The Enchanted Village, first opened its gates in Federal Way, Washington, in 1977. The adjacent Wild Waves Waterpark was added in 1984, leading to the combined complex being known as Enchanted Parks. Over the decades, the park underwent several ownership changes, including a period under Six Flags from 2000 to 2007.
In 2007, Six Flags sold the park to CNL Income Properties, which initially leased it to PARC Management. After PARC Management defaulted in 2010, Norpoint Entertainment, owned by former Wild Waves owner Jeff Stock, took over management. The park's name and branding shifted multiple times, eventually settling on Wild Waves Theme & Water Park in 2017 after being sold to EPR Properties in November 2016, with Premier Parks, LLC managing operations.
A significant incident occurred on August 20, 2016, when a 33-year-old man drowned in the Activity Pool, with police reports indicating multiple missed opportunities for rescue by lifeguards. The park, like many entertainment venues, faced substantial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to its closure for the entire 2020 season. While it reopened with mitigation strategies in 2021, the financial impact was severe.
On December 10, 2025, Premier Parks, LLC, announced that the 2026 season would be the park's final year of operation, with a permanent closure date set for November 1, 2026. Kieran Burke, President and Owner of Premier Parks, stated that "the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses," making continued operation unviable. The park opened for its last season on May 23, 2026, honoring all previously purchased season passes and tickets.
Looking ahead, the 70-acre property is set for a major transformation. In May 2026, plans were filed with the City of Federal Way by Panattoni Development to construct a 1 million-square-foot industrial warehouse, tentatively named "Podium I-5." Property owner Jeff Stock explored various options, including a hotel or convention center, but ultimately settled on the warehouse project due to its quicker development timeline and current market demand. This redevelopment marks the end of an era for the beloved Pacific Northwest attraction.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wild Waves Theme & Water Park made different choices?