Wild Waves Theme Park

Wild Waves Water Park and Enchanted Village
Slogan goWILD
Location 36201 Enchanted Parkway S, Federal Way, Washington
Coordinates 47°16′21″N 122°18′41″W / 47.2725°N 122.3115°W / 47.2725; -122.3115 (Wild Waves Theme Park)Coordinates: 47°16′21″N 122°18′41″W / 47.2725°N 122.3115°W / 47.2725; -122.3115 (Wild Waves Theme Park)
Owner CNL Lifestyle Properties
Operated by Norpoint Entertainment
Opened 1977
Previous names

- "Wild Waves Theme Park" - Enchanted Village - Wild Waves and Enchanted Village

- Enchanted Parks
Operating season May to December
Area 70+ Acres
Rides
Total 44
Roller coasters 4
Water rides 16
Website http://www.wildwaves.com

Wild Waves and Enchanted Village is an amusement park in Federal Way, Washington. Opened in 1977 as The Enchanted Village,[1] the park is a popular summer destination in the Pacific Northwest and it is Washington's only Water and Amusement Park. The park's name was reverted to Wild Waves Water Park and Enchanted Village in April 2016.

History

Founding and early years

Hooks Lagoon

The Enchanted Village theme park was first opened in 1977 by Byron Betts. The initial 12-acre (49,000 m2) park site held only a half-dozen rides. In 1984, Wild Waves Waterpark was built adjacent to Enchanted Village;[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.

Ownership changes

Aerial view, with the large Wave Pool visible to the right

In April 2007, Six Flags sold the park to Orlando-based real estate investment trust CNL Income Properties (which leases the park to PARC Management).[5]

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 assumed 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.

As of the CNL Income Properties acquisition, the park was renamed Wild Waves Theme Park. Under new ownership, the park has also since adopted a new logo. Other parks owned by CNL Income Properties include Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in western New York, Elitch Gardens, Frontier City, SplashTown Waterpark, White Water Bay, and Waterworld Concord, all of which were sold in a $312 million purchase from Six Flags.[6]

August 2016 drowning accident

On August 20th, 2016, a 33-year-old man died in the Activity Pool due to drowning.[7] A police report noted multiple missed chances to attempt a rescue.[8] 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."[9] In a statement released by police, Wild Waves said they are actively reviewing the accident, their safety protocols, and the actions taken by staff.[10]

Events

Wild Waves Theme Park holds an annual Fright Fest Halloween Celebration which is a staple in the Federal Way & Washington community.

In 2013, Wild Waves Theme Park held its second ever Holiday With Lights, an event featuring more than one million Christmas lights. This event comes back every year now.

Rides

Water rides

Wave Pool

Thrill rides

Family rides

Kiddie rides

Services

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 Washington State's Enchanted Parks Announces Plans to Add Two World-Class Roller Coasters by 2003. PR Newswire. 5 October 2000.
  2. ↑ ThrillNetwork.com - Wild Waves/Enchanted Village page
  3. ↑ Six Flags buys Enchanted Parks. Associated Press Newswires. 8 December 2000.
  4. ↑ Six Flags to Add 10 New Rides at Federal Way, Wash., Amusement Park. KRTBN Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News: Tacoma News Tribune. 22 February 2002
  5. ↑ Sound, Puget (9 April 2007). "Florida REIT buys Wild Waves in seven-park deal". Seattle.Bizjournals.com, 3 May 2007.
  6. ↑ "CNL Income Properties Purchase". TheRealEstateBloggers.com, 3 May 2007.
  7. ↑ "Man dies at Wild Waves water park in apparent drowning". CBS News, 21 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Police report shows missed chances in Wild Waves drowning". KOMO News, 22 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "Police report: Wild Waves lifeguard didn't believe kids who reported body in pool". The Seattle Times, 23 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "Man Who Drowned at Wild Waves Water Park Might Have Been Underwater 15 Minutes Before Lifeguards Spotted Him: Reports". People, 23 August 2016.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wild Waves Water Park.
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