Wild Waves Theme Park

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

• Konga Slides
• Konga River
• Wave Pool
• Hooks Lagoon
• Activity Pool
• Zooma Falls
• Raging Rapids
• Riptide
• Warming Tubs
• Mountain Dew Slides (New in 2015)

Thrill rides

• Timberhawk - Ride Of Prey
• The Wild Thing (Painted Yellow & Blue in 2010, Layout was once green)
• Klondike Gold Rusher
• Ring of Fire
• Disk'o Flashback
• I-5 Sky Dive (additional cost)
• Timber Axe
• Lumberjack Falls
• Soarin' Eagle Zip Line (additional cost)
• Brain Drain (New 2016)
• Enterprise (this ride never opened. It was supposed to open July 2016.)

Family rides

• The Gambler (Spinning roulette wheel)
• Dodgem's Bumper Cars
• The Tip Top (Spinning Tea Cups)
• Pirate Ship From Boblo Island Amusement Park - co-owner Michael Moodenbaugh
• The Paratrooper
• 1906 Antique Carousel
• The Hang Glider
• Ferris Wheel (Duplicated from Clackamas Town Center)
• The Scrambler
• The Kiddie Coaster (Painted pink in 2010, The layout was once green and supports were once blue, now red)
• Kang-A-Bounce
• Downhill Tubin' by Stevens Pass

Kiddie rides

• Enchanted Railway
• Red Baron
• Space Racer
• Frog Hopper (Tree-Top style ride)
• Kiddie Boats
• Kiddie Combo
• Safari Jeeps (Use to be kiddie cars until around 2011)
• Wagon Train

Services

• Cabana Rentals
• Locker Rentals
• Lost & Found
• First Aid

Gallery

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wild Waves Water Park.

• Wild Waves Official Website
• Wild Waves & Enchanted Village on Ultimate Rollercoaster
• Wild Waves section of CoasterGallery.com
• Wild Waves Theme Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase