If you live in this area, you know that there are a million outdoor activities to do in the summer. But you know what we don’t have an abundance of?
Theme parks.
Take a quick peek at your social media feed and you’ll know I’m speaking the truth. Your friends either travel by plane and fly a couple states south, or pack up their car and head one state east.
But seriously, folks – there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars and plan a destination family vacay when we’ve got the same type of fun right in our own backyard.
If you’re like me you’ve probably driven by Wild Waves Theme & Water Park on more than one occasion and seen the towering slides from the freeway. Maybe you’ve been a little curious, but never paid it enough mind to actually check it out. Well, Rebecca and I were given the chance to check it out and review it for you, and we were both pleasantly surprised! We both agreed it would be a SUPER fun outing for the whole family – and here’s what you need to know to guarantee your family with have the best time ever.
{Kristina was granted park admission in exchange for the opportunity to review it honestly. All opinions are her own.}
1. Visit at Non-Peak Times
Alright, so you’ve seen the water slides from the freeway. You’ve also probably seen the scores of people waiting in line for them. This had always been my impression of Wild Waves, so I was super excited to realize that it wasn’t crazy packed when we went, and I didn’t even notice long lines for any of the rides. I was happy to discover it’s not nearly as busy as I’d imagined! Of course, weekends are always the busiest, so plan your trip on a weekday if you can. Crowds peak around noon; come early or stay late to enjoy the park rides and slides with as little waiting as possible.
2. Consider a Season Pass
When I pay for something, I want to get my money’s worth. Sometimes that means running my kids ragged and dragging them to every single ride, activity, or exhibit if we pay admission to a park or other facility. It means I’m stressed out and focused on doing ALL THE THINGS and they’re just trying to keep up. A season pass eliminates this craziness and pays for itself in two visits. It means that you can come for a day or leave after two hours – with no disappointment or stress, because you can always come back again another day. It makes for a more relaxed mama, which means more relaxed kids, which means a more relaxed day.
And a more relaxed summer.
Your season pass is good until December 31st and even grants you admission to both Fright Fest and Holiday with Lights, so you’re covered for family activities in upcoming seasons, too. Plus, you can enjoy some additional coupons and buddy discounts. It’s also a great option to keep your teens busy this summer!
3. Buy Your Tickets Online
Tickets are cheaper if you buy them online in advance. So if you’re not springing for a season pass, buy your tickets online to save money. (The exception is if you are a military family – military discounts are offered at the front gate only, and you can save the most money by taking advantage of this discount.)
4. Don’t Bring Your Camera
I know – you want to capture memories to keep for a lifetime. But save yourself some stress and just make these memories in your mind. Electronics of any kind, whether a regular camera or your phone, do not mix with water, and if you bring it you might find yourself stressed that you’re going to break it, damage it, or that it might get lost or stolen if you leave it unattended. Plus, cameras aren’t allowed on rides or slides (unless they meet really specific hands-free criteria that most do not). If you insist on bringing your electronics or valuables, rent a locker to keep everything safe while you play!
5. Don’t Let the Weather Scare You
We’re so lucky here, aren’t we? While the rest of the country pictures Seattle as gray and rainy, those of us who live here know that the summer months can’t be beat. Rain is nearly non-existent, and the temps rarely get up high enough to make it miserable. We’ve got the perfect weather to actually enjoy summer fun.
That being said, if it’s a little cloudy or cool on the morning of your planned visit, don’t let it deter you. On the day we went I was a little skeptical because I’m as wimpy as they come – my ideal temp is “blazing hot” – and the clouds and breeze had me a little chilly. But I put my toes in the water and was delighted to discover how warm it was – and then the sun came out anyway and the weather was perfect.
6. Pack Sunscreen
I know. You already know this, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you. You don’t want your memories tainted by the remnants of that awful sunburn you got. Bring sunscreen (for both your body AND lips) and apply it liberally at least every 90 minutes. Remember to wait about 20 minutes after applying before returning to the water – but that’s no problem, since your ticket grants you admission to both the theme AND water park. Just hop on over to the non-aquatic area while you’re waiting for your sun protection to soak in.
Oh, and DON’T FORGET TO SUNSCREEN THE TOPS OF YOUR FEET.
7. Bring Flip Flops
Speaking of feet, bring flip flops. Footwear isn’t allowed in the water, but you’ll probably want them when you’re walking from one activity to the next so you don’t burn the bottoms of your feet on the hot concrete.
8. Pack Real Clothes
Shirts, shoes, and shorts are required in the theme park area – so if you think you’ll be enjoying the rides as well as the pools and slides, plan accordingly. It’s also a good idea to have clean, dry clothes available for the ride home – you don’t want the seats in your car to get soaking wet!
9. Take Advantage of In & Out Privileges
There are plenty of food options available in the park, but if your kids are picky or you want to save some money, pack a lunch. Outside food isn’t permitted in the park, but you can get your hand stamped for re-entry and head out to your car for a picnic. If you’re a season pass holder, you’ll still need to get your hand stamped for re-entry as your pass is only good for one entry per day.
(Also, if you do buy food the fries were amazing. Just sayin’.)
10. Bring a Water Bottle
It’s so easy to forget hydration when you’re in the water all day, but dehydration and heat stroke can come on fast and ruin your visit. Bring a water bottle (they’ve got bottle refill stations around the park) and make sure you’re drinking enough that you need to refill it often. If you forget your bottle, you can always pick one up at the park.
11. Plan Your Visit
Whether you peruse the map online before you go to check out height restrictions for the various activities, or walk around the park as soon as you get there to see everything in person, scope out all the activities your kids want to do so you can plan to fit them all in. The park itself was bigger than I had previously thought with more rides for littles than I had expected – find those and make sure you get them on your to-do list for the day!
12. Consider a Cabana
If you want to turn this into a really relaxed staycation activity, splurge for a cabana. You get a covered, reserved space that’s yours all day long, bottled water, lunch, and tube rentals! It’s also great if you’ve got small kids who might need to nap mid-day, or if you just want a little more space and privacy than the regular pool decks will offer you.
If you’re looking for a fun family summer outing, a unique staycation destination, or want a place that will simply keep your kids happy and busy on an afternoon that you just. can’t. even. anymore, I’m pretty sure Wild Waves Theme & Water Park will fit the bill. Buy a single-visit ticket or a season pass, and enjoy the fun that’s hidden right in our own backyard!
