While theme park giants like Disney and Universal can withstand periodic drops in visitor numbers, a bad season can spell doom for a smaller theme park.
After posting a loss of more than $1.2 billion at the end of 2025, Six Flags announced that it will be closing six “underperforming” locations in its amusement and water park portfolio this year.
In the British seaside town of Somerset, the beloved Brean Theme Park was assigned to liquidators at the start of 2026 while Glenwood Caverns in western Colorado also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February amid a string of financial and reputational problems in preceding years.
Wild Waves Theme And Water Park opens for final 2026 season
At the end of May, the Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Washington State opened for what has now been confirmed to be its final season after its owner announced that it will be closing after nearly 50 years in business after the “rising cost of ongoing operations since reopening after the COVID shutdown has generated millions in losses.”
The ride and water slide park operated by Oklahoma-based Premier Parks was opened in 1977 as part of the expansion into the Pacific Northwest region.
Related: Disney quietly cracks down on common tech item
“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,” Premier Parks owner and president Kieran Burke said in a statement at the end of 2026. “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.”
The final season opened on May 23 and will run until Nov. 1 when the park will close its doors for good after Halloween. The park has reassured guests that all of the 30 rides and water slides will operate throughout the open period while any season passes or packages bought before the shutdown was announced will also be honored.
Shutterstock
What is coming to the site of Waves Theme And Water Park
“In its final year of operation, the park will celebrate the memories, nostalgia, and family fun with themed events, and special promotions,” Burke said further.
More Travel News:
- Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.
- What you can expect at Disneyland’s new ‘World of Frozen’
- Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026
- U.S. government issues strange warning on Ireland travel
Local outlets have reported that a one million square foot warehouse has been approved to take the place of Waves Theme And Water Park — a proposal that immediately proved deeply unpopular among local residents with generational memories of the theme park.
Options previously explored by local developers and the city included at once a hotel and convention center.
“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,” park co-owner Jeff Stock alluded to the lot’s future in December 2025. “Plans for the site are currently in preliminary stages, with goals beneficial to the city and surrounding areas. Additional details will be released as the project moves through planning and community review processes.”
Related: Disney World shut down four classic rides, attractions
