The family-friendly theme park first opened in 1977
Credit: Jonathan Park/Alamy Stock Photo
NEED TO KNOW
- Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Washington will close after its 50th season due to financial losses
- The park’s site may be replaced by a 1 million sq. ft. warehouse, sparking backlash from fans and residents
- The property owner explored other options but says the warehouse project could bring jobs to the community
A beloved theme park in Washington state is preparing to close after 50 years, and residents aren't thrilled about its potential replacement.
Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way, Wash. opened for its 50th and final season on Saturday, May 23. The park announced last year that it would be closing for financial reasons at the end of the 2026 season on November 1.
"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," Kieran Burke, president and owner of Premier Parks, said in a December 2025 press release.
Credit: Jonathan Park/Alamy Stock Photo
"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."
First opened in 1977, the family-friendly park is a popular destination for guests in the Pacific Northwest region for its combination of amusement park attractions and water park activities.
Months ahead of the closing, a proposal for a 1 million sq. ft. warehouse in its place has been revealed, according to the Federal Way Mirror. Plans for the massive warehouse have already been filed with the city of Federal Way.
Property owner and former park operator Jeff Stock told the Mirror that after learning the park would no longer be financially viable to operate, he explored several options for the location, including a hotel or convention center, before settling on the warehouse project.
“I'm trying to make it good for the city,” Stock said, adding that he'd like to give the city “a great tenant that would provide a lot of jobs.”
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Stock will continue to own the land, which will be leased to development company Panattoni. It's currently unknown who the tenants of the warehouse will be.
Fans of the park have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the closing — and its potential replacement.
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"Please keep the park open. It is a state treasure! ❤️❤️❤️," one fan commented.
"Seriously? No local celeb swooping in????? This is all we have in the way of theme parks out here! Come on! When this goes there's NOTHING. We have no SiX Flags, no Universal, no Legoland, no Disney, no King's Island, etc. This is it – all we have," another fan wrote.
"Why a big warehouse going in place of this?!" another wrote. "We have so many empty warehouses not being used. My grandparents used to own the adjoining parcel to this in the 50-70s. It's so sad to see what it's going to be in the future…"
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