Wild Waves Theme Park’s impending closure sparks backlash from Washington residents
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Washingtonians are already mourning the impending loss of a beloved theme and water park, and many residents are still in disbelief months after the closure was announced.
Wild Waves Theme Park, located in Federal Way, Washington, announced last year that it would close at the end of the 2026 season.
The park’s last day is scheduled for November 1. Months before the closing, residents are heralding the end of an era.
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Commenters weigh in on Wild Waves’ recent Facebook posts and hope the park can still be saved.
“Hopefully we can find a new owner to help save the park,” one Facebook user wrote recently.
Wild Waves Theme Park is set to close after nearly five decades of serving families and guests throughout the Pacific Northwest. (Jonathan Park/Alamy)
“It shouldn’t be closed. … The majority of people want it to stay,” another person said.
“We don’t want it to close,” a third user wrote. “I hope he’s there [is] I found a buyer very quickly.”
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Yet another user wrote: “So many great memories to remember. Such a fun place to go. … Sad to see it close permanently.”
The park features a number of water slides and numerous roller coasters, including the distinctive wooden roller coaster Timberhawk: Ride of Prey, according to its website.
In November, Wild Waves’ operator, Premier Parks, announced it would close permanently, citing mounting financial losses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
““We are grateful to our guests, team members and the Federal Way community.”
“We are grateful to our guests, team members, and the Federal Way community for supporting Wild Waves and creating so much excitement and wonderful memories with their families and friends,” Kieran Burke, president and owner of Premier Parks, said in a statement. he said.
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“Unfortunately, the increased cost of continuing operations after reopening following the COVID shutdown has resulted in millions in losses, forcing us to cease operations at the end of the 2026 season.”
The park opened in 1977. The company said it has since “welcomed millions of guests throughout the Pacific Northwest, offering a unique combination of theme park excitement and exhilarating water park fun.”
Washington residents share their memories and emotional reactions ahead of Wild Waves’ final season of operation. (Jonathan Park/Alamy)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Wild Waves for further comment.
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The future closure of Wild Waves comes as several other theme parks in the U.S. are renovating or closing long-running attractions.
Many theme park fans complain that popular parks are destroying attractions they view as nostalgic.
Wild Waves, seen above, has been offering guests roller coasters, water attractions and family fun since its opening in 1977. (Jonathan Park/Alamy)
In May, Universal Orlando began demolishing parts of the decades-old Lost Continent site at Islands of Adventure, prompting emotional reactions from longtime fans.
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In April, Walt Disney World began replacing some of its longtime Frontierland attractions as part of a major expansion project.
