Wild Waves Theme Park will close permanently at the end of its 2026 operating season, ending nearly five decades as a summer staple for families across the Pacific Northwest.
Park operator Premier Parks confirmed that the 2026 season will proceed as planned, with Wild Waves opening May 23, 2026, and welcoming guests through its final day of public operation on November 1, 2026.
BREAKING: Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, WA, announced the 2026 season will be its final year of operation. The park will open 5/23/26 & close on 11/1.
“Unfortunately, the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in…
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) December 10, 2025
“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. “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.”
Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, Washington, will be closing after the 2026 season.
“Unfortunately, the rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses.” pic.twitter.com/9OuOvzJ0eb
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) December 11, 2025
Wild Waves is operated by Premier Parks, LLC, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The land is owned by longtime partner Jeff Stock of EPI Realty Holdings, Inc.
Since opening its gates in 1977, Wild Waves has welcomed millions of guests from across the region, offering a blend of theme park rides and waterpark attractions that made it a fixture of summer in the South Sound.
Beyond its role as a regional attraction, the park has also been a notable employer. Wild Waves currently employs about 35 full-time staff and approximately 800 seasonal team members. All previously purchased 2026 group events, season passes, and ticket packages will be fully honored during the final season, the company said.
Despite the impending shutdown, park leaders say they are planning a full and energetic farewell year.
“Wild Waves will be open for business beginning in May with our thrilling rides, refreshing waterpark fun throughout the summer, and our popular Fright Fest Halloween celebration, concluding with the park closing on November 1, 2026,” Burke said. “In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia, and family fun with themed events and special promotions.”
The announcement comes at a time of heightened anxiety about jobs and the broader business climate in Washington state, particularly in the tech sector centered around Seattle and Bellevue.
Recent filings and reporting show:
- Amazon is cutting 2,303 corporate jobs in Washington, primarily concentrated around its Seattle and Bellevue offices, as part of a broader global reduction.
- Microsoft’s 2025 reductions include a large Washington-state layoff notice and cumulative cuts that put local job losses above roughly 3,100 positions this year, according to reporting that tracks multiple WARN notices and rounds of layoffs.
- Meta has also trimmed its Washington workforce, with more than 100 employees affected across Seattle-area offices in Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond.
- Other major firms, including Oracle and Salesforce, have reported layoffs in Washington state, with reductions in the Seattle area ranging from dozens to low triple digits, according to recent WARN filings and local news coverage.
The wave of cuts has added fresh stress to the region’s demand outlook, especially in communities that rely on high-wage tech employment to support local businesses, entertainment venues, and tourism-related spending.
Additionally, the minimum wage will be going up again on Jan 1.
At the same time, state lawmakers are advancing a new revenue proposal that could further reshape the environment for large employers in Washington.
On December 3, 2025, Rep. Shaun Scott of Seattle and Sen. Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle unveiled the “Well Washington Fund”, a payroll excise tax proposal aimed at raising billions annually to support state services. Under the framework described in legislative materials and media coverage, the measure would impose a 5% payroll excise tax on the portion of employer payroll expenses above $125,000 per employee, with additional eligibility and structural details still being debated.
Property owner Jeff Stock praised the park’s legacy and emphasized that planning is underway for what comes next.
“I am grateful for my longstanding partnership with Premier Parks and appreciate their dedication to delivering a full and successful final season for our guests and community,” Stock said.
“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,” he added.
Plans for the site remain in preliminary stages. Stock said the goals for the future project are to provide benefits to Federal Way and surrounding communities, with more details to be released as proposals move through planning and community review processes.
