Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is an amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington. Opened in 1977 as The Enchanted Village (with its accompanying water park, Wild Waves, opening in 1984),[1] the park is a popular summer destination in the Pacific Northwest and is one of three waterparks in Washington state. The park's name was reverted to Wild Waves Water Park and Enchanted Village Amusement Park in April 2016, and once again changed to Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in November 2016, as a result of the park's acquisition by EPR Properties.
History
Founding through today
Hooks Lagoon
The Enchanted Village theme park was first opened on May 28, 1977, by Byron Betts, operator of Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.[2] Betts had previously planned to open an amusement park in 1961 near the SeaTac Mall, but plans fell through. The initial 12-acre (49,000 m2) park site held only a half-dozen rides and included a playground, wading pool, and petting zoo.[3] The 24-acre (9.7 ha) Wild Waves Waterpark was built adjacent to Enchanted Village and opened on August 4, 1984;[4][5] the combined amusement complex became known as Enchanted Parks. In 1991, co-owners Michael Moodenbaugh and Jeff Stock paid $8 million for Enchanted Parks. In 1993, Moodenbaugh traded his share of Enchanted Parks, Inc., for shares in their jointly owned amusement park in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada called Boblo Island Amusement Park, Inc. In 1993, Jeff Stock purchased several rides from Boblo Island. Stock then sold his shares of Enchanted Parks, Inc., in late 2000 to Six Flags for $19.3 million.[6] In 1997, the park purchased the Loop Corkscrew roller coaster from the defunct Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, Rhode Island and renamed the ride the Wild Thing.[7] In 2000, the park had grown to over 70 acres (280,000 m2), with more than 20 rides, and was the Northwest's largest waterpark.[1] In 2002 and 2003, major expansion took place, with the addition of several new attractions, many manufactured by Zamperla and S&S Power. Also in 2002, approximately 1000 seasonal workers were employed for positions as rides operators and food service workers. Many of these seasonal workers are also students of local high schools.[8] The park's name was reverted to Enchanted Village and Wild Waves Water Park for the 2016 season to once again split the park into two separate parks instead of one. This was accomplished by having a second entrance at the top of the parking lot to enter Enchanted Village and the main entrance was used to enter Wild Waves Water Park. Ticket holders could purchase a pass to just Wild Waves or just Enchanted Village. They could also purchase a more expensive park hopper pass. Season pass members got park hopper access free with their membership. In the 2017 season, this system was removed and the entire park became Wild Waves Theme and Water Park. This change was due to many complaints that the park hopping ticket system was too complicated. In 2020, the park did not open due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets and season passes were rolled over into 2021. During the 2021 season, there were many COVID mitigation strategies in place such as reservations, distancing, and masks.
Ownership changes
Aerial view, with the large Wave Pool visible to the right
In January 2010, PARC Management had defaulted on its lease with CNL for Wild Waves and a majority of its other parks. Wild Waves was then placed under the new management of Norpoint Entertainment (owned by previous Wild Waves owner Jeff Stock). Stock implemented many changes to the park in 2011 including a new water ride for that season.
In November 2016, Wild Waves and the other CNL properties were sold to EPR Properties, based in Kansas City, Missouri. The total price of all the properties was $456 million, although there was no specific price disclosed for Wild Waves. The parks were placed under the management of Premier Parks, LLC.
August 2016 drowning accident
On August 20, 2016, a 33-year-old man died in the Activity Pool due to drowning.[11] A police report noted multiple missed chances to attempt a rescue.[12] According to the report, children reported a body at the bottom of the pool to a lifeguard, who "believed that they were pranking him and did not think anything of it."[13] In a statement released by police, Wild Waves said they actively reviewed the accident, their safety protocols, and the actions taken by staff.[14]
Speed Slides/Hydro Slides and Green Slides (Closed 2014) Later replaced by Pacific Plunge Slides in 2015
Rides announced but never built
The Enterprise (construction began but was halted for a unknown reason, does not operate today, planned to be in the ride area below Soarin' Eagle Zip Line, Announced 2016, as of 2023, has not opened)
Shark Frenzy (Announced 2020, but was halted due to covid. May return in 2024 season or later)
Wave Pool: There is a wave pool, but in 2020, it was supposed to get a new wave system and a new screen. It has since revived both items.
^Six Flags to Add 10 New Rides at Federal Way, Wash., Amusement Park. KRTBN Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News: Tacoma News Tribune. February 22, 2002
