It’s always a sad day when we have to say goodbye to a beloved experience for theme park fans.
Wild Waves Theme Park in Washington state is closing down after 50 years of operation. The attraction announced that the 2026 season will be its last, but they plan to go out with a bang.
Parade reports that Wild Waves plans to honor all 2026 season passes, and it will be open for the season from May 23rd through November 1st. Kieran Burke, President and Owner of Premier Parks, shared in a statement that the company never truly recovered financially after the pandemic.
“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,” Burke shared
The final season of operation will still include all the special offerings fans have come to expect, including the popular Fright Fest celebration in October. “In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia, and family fun with themed events and special promotions,” Burke said.
Plans for the redevelopment of the area are underway, though they’re in the early stages. We’ll be interested to see what comes next.
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The park was on leased land, and likely the development of the land will yield more profits for the owner than leasing it to a failing amusement park. Expect similar situations in the future.