In 1979, the Waterman family purchased 205 feet (62 m) of frontage property on U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin[citation needed] and created a bumper boat ride and built a go-kart track, which replaced the Delton Outdoor Theatre, the area's drive-in theater.

[citation needed] In 1994, the Gantz family of Dubuque, Iowa, purchased Noah's Ark and added the "OctoExplorer", a yellow submarine with moving periscope, water guns and soft-surfaced waterslides.

During this ownership, the park has seen numerous general park infrastructure upgrades such as a bathroom, restaurant, store remodels, a 400-person dormitory for employees, an employee cafeteria, a convenience store, and new Human Resources offices.

Originally a ticket office, the ark was being used as a museum and storage facility at the time of the fire.

It opened later on June 20, 2020, but closed early on August 1, 2020, for the rest of the season after two employees tested positive for the virus.