Final Day of Metrocenter Mall - Closing Moments at Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Location

[@TheDailyWoo]

Instagram - AdamTheWooATW Stay tuned to Seans channel for the detailed filming location video in a few days KZbin.com/Malfuncsean . “Be excellent to each other”

[@Our80sLife]

We had a blast checking out those filming locations in Phoenix recently and made a video as well. That water park looked very inviting in the summer heat. I think Napoleon had the right idea, lol! Have fun! ☀️

[@almorgan68]

This would make an excellent horror film location if it wasn't being torn down

[@deegriminger2292]

AKA Our 80's Life right lol. Let’s go to Waterloo

[@allanhelmick3933]

videos with Sean are cool thx!

[@malfuncsean]

Evan Dudley If and when I become a father I’ll change it for you. I’ll need to become emo too though.

[@dravenlee4473]

Loved seeing the skating at the end. Just something melancholy about it. A Bill & Ted-worthy farewell to the mall. "Be excellent to each other" is a message we could all use right now.

[@MiaMaven]

Ok this is the end of an era😔 made me get blurry eyed and wish for a time machine. Man I miss the 90's. Very Sad to see it go, but awesome to see fans get together and I'm going to commemorate this day by watching bill and Ted's excellent adventure right after this. I could watch you and sean in any video you too are hilarious and great! Add in big the foot and its pure magic.

[@BenMcneil-hk8xv]

Cruising in the 80s for me.

[@prs149]

The 90s! I hung out there in the seventies

[@desertdawg0561]

This my home town and that was a great mall. Many memories

[@quackula9190]

Me too.

[@Nay-kp6uu]

Same.

[@PorchPotatoMike]

The roller skating through the mall was totally awesome!

[@DavidGlenCruzTV]

Many memories from my childhood at that mall. Buying clothes, going there at spring break , buying tapes, playing video games, almost getting kidnapped when I was six at that mall. Thank goodness I got away and the crazy lady was arrested. And fun times at castles n' coasters near by. Farewell Metrocenter mall you did well. My mom tells me when she was a teen in the 70s that mall was her hangout with friends :) have a great day Adam!

[@RosinGoblin]

It's sad to see them closing

[@maxpowers3494]

Rember that massive ride they had in the middle? You could kinda control it and shoot the person In front of you with virtual ammo on a screen.

[@devengudinas1649]

And the miniature bowling alley also

[@steallen4890]

Nearly kidnapped sounds like a nice place to live wtf

[@maxpowers3494]

@@steallen4890 Your city has never had a kidnapping?

[@fa11en01]

As a local and a Bill and Ted fan, thank you for this. It's a nice goodbye to Metrocenter.

[@TheDailyWoo]

I’m happy I was able to attend

[@bighashgang1990]

Same here bro I grew up in AZ and Fiesta is dying if not dead and so is Superstition Springs as well as a couple others around the valley

[@foolishmortalcrowley9368]

I loved Metro Center. Antique pictures from The Alley and the taffy store. It was the place to be. Got to be a extra there for a day for Bill and Ted. Thanks for refreshing my memories.

[@danieldaniels7571]

The Alley was so cool. The mall hasn’t been fun since that shut down.

[@TheKevaughan]

Wow, I never thought a video of a mall closing would bring a tear to my eyes. But as someone who grew up in AZ in the 70’s and 80’s Metrocenter was the iconic place to go! We used to drive 100+ miles up from Tucson just to spend the day there. So Sorry to see it close.

[@brainstews]

Born in 1980, spent a lot of my teenage years at this mall. Later helped my dad build a few stores at this mall. My dad was building a store when they filmed Bill and Ted's there. Sad to see so many memories close up. Thanks for the video Adam!

[@lunabunny_0521]

As an Arizona native it's sad to see this mall close. Lots of great memories there.

[@Nay-kp6uu]

So many memories. This was the mall I went to while growing up.

[@reynaldolunajr.6909]

To be honest, to hear that a mall that opened the year I was born, and that had the location work for Bill n Ted, and that looked like the kind of mall I used to go to closed it's doors for the very last time. Seeing all those people come out to say goodbye. It tugged at my heart. My son will not have the experience of going to the mall with your friends on a Saturday morning to go see PeeWee's Big Adventure at the General Cinema, then have a slice of Brothers Pizza and end the afternoon at Aladdin's Castle arcade before waiting for mom and jumping in the minivan to go home.

[@monkee5th]

Growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s it yet another thing from my youth disappearing. First Drive In movies then Malls.

[@TheThemeParkKid]

That’s the mall I would go to when we lived in AZ! My mom saw Bill and Teds being filmed there when she was a kid!

[@Our80sLife]

Wow!! That’s so cool! 😎

[@nickjames2667]

My dad was a extra in the movie you can actually see him

[@TheThemeParkKid]

Nick James that’s even cooler!!

[@TheThemeParkKid]

Benny T she watched them film the ice skating scene. She was upstairs in the food court looking down at them filming. She just hung out there most the day watching.

[@TheThemeParkKid]

AKA Our 80's Life thanks!

[@callabell]

That was my mall when I was a kid in Phoenix. I spent many hours there. My dads car club used to cruise the mall as well. It was a large part of our lives in the 80’s.

[@jessefillmore]

When you turn 40 , you can understand why most Grandpa's were bitter old men . Everything of their youth is gone and changed :(

[@elizabethjolicoeur154]

Welcome to my home town! Spent a lot of my youth in that mall, sad to see it go

[@luismurillo9610]

Very wholesome content here.. goosebumps for a mall I’ve never been too.

[@naturable]

I hope the mall enjoyed her sendoff.. the skating was the best.

[@TheDailyWoo]

It was amazing to see

[@mannyichi]

Most awesome to document the final day! I can hear Play with me by Extreme blasting there and seeing Jeanne D’Arc do her calisthenics in my head

[@TheDailyWoo]

Yep ! Really cool to see that spot

[@celsovera91]

DO YOUUU WANT TO PLAAAAYY

[@mannyichi]

Celso Vera 🤘

[@hikikomori69]

This makes me sad. This was my favorite mall as a kid. Eating at "Round the Corner" was always fun. Great place to stay out of the heat.

[@darreldugan1917]

Sad, but each generation has their own icons/memories! A lucky few continue on even today! EXCELLENT video ATW!

[@becomeaudible1]

I was there grand opening week. It opened when I was 10 years old. My friends and I went to that mall for years. When I was late teens early 20’s we would cruise the mall on the weekends in a maroon T top Camero. I skated at the rink there dozens of times. I had my first Orange Julius there. I also had my first Giro at the food court there. Bought shoes at the Foot Locker and bought my first chefs knife at the Knife Shop. I also had my birthday at Ferrells Ice Cream Parlor that was above the skating rink. And I was there on the last day. I’m definitely going to miss that place.

[@danieldaniels7571]

I had a birthday at Farrell’s too. Grew up near 35th & Cactus and through most of grade school my stepmother worked at that Sears. She said it was the 2nd busiest in the whole country. I tried to go on the last day but didn’t realize it closed so early. I got there are 7:30 so I wasn’t able to go in one last time.

[@spookerredmenace3950]

thats cool he was face timing with Alex Winters, nice, also thats cool the police officer played along with the kicking people out

[@punchline43]

Alex Winters was in this?

[@zOMBieAkACris]

Thank you for this. I'm originally from Arizona spent many years going to Metrocenter during my youth. I've been living in Los Angeles for the last 7 years, watching this has brought back so many great memories.

[@theironlukeve5544]

Socrates would be proud! Most Excellent! great video memorializing a iconic filming location Adam!

[@Our80sLife]

We were there two weeks ago checking out the filming locations from Bill & Ted, then returned home only to hear the mall was closing! All these awesome 80’s malls are dying at a rapid rate. Glad you and your friends got to see it one last time. RIP Metrocenter Mall 😢

[@emilylynne96]

This is actually a gorgeous mall. Sad to see it go.

[@DWINC]

This was one of your best vids. Absolutely loved how you captured its final moments and the people attending.

[@billthorne1]

Thanks for letting us ride your coattails through the end of an era! This was fun -- like the Back to the Future gathering. Very sweet energy. Loved the film! My younger brother was a set carpenter on Bill & Ted's. Good vibes, Adam! You always know how to deliver...

[@RyanShyffer]

Sean's "Chopping Mall" shirt is perfect.

[@pumkinheadfanvhsforever6087]

Totally had a spit take seeing Sean pop up! Should've expected it tho. He's been the best filming locations documentarian(yes predominantly horror filming locations) for the last 20 years or so. HHG4EVR! Can't wait to see his video!

[@AleAround]

Excellent vlog once again ATW.... You're spoiling us all now. Keep up the good work.

[@vidaloca3354]

I was raised in Phoenix. We went to metro center when they opened I 1973. Sad to see it closing.

[@helgabullabong]

So sad, but what an awesome goodbye. Can we talk about how perfect Sean's t-shirt was! Cheers Adam.

[@dameyfigura7742]

Blown away again! Thank you Adam for documenting this. Your videos have brought my household so much joy prior to Covid but even more now!! Stay safe ✌️

[@TheDailyWoo]

Thank you so much

[@robdedrick2052]

Super Cool Vid Adam & Friends . Great to see so many Folks enjoying together . Simply Heartwarming .

[@laurenkellie9830]

Born and raised in San Dimas this movie is iconic for us(although it wasn’t actually filmed here) So it’s cool to be able to see this before it’s gone and without having to drive to Arizona. Thanks Adam!

[@BollingHolt]

That was SO FREAKIN' COOL. I wish we could have had a send off like that back when my Montgomery Mall (Montgomery, AL) closed back in 2009-2010. Sad seeing yet another great-looking mall have her doors shuttered. Great job, AdamTheWoo.

[@elitetraveler11]

In a time when everyone has an opinion it is so wonderful to watch your vlogs and be entertained. I truly appreciate your story telling without any BS involved. You do the right thing, mask up and keep going. We watch every day and in that time you put bring us back to a happier time and hope of better normal days ahead. Thank You Adam

[@markreardon3472]

Wow! Thanks for making the trek to share this. As many of us that grew up in that era are seeing this happen more and more initially due to technology and more people shopping online but with the wallop of the pandemic many long time establishments have unfortunately fallen. We lost a local family owned tire shop yesterday that had been open for 63 years. Thanks again Adam for sharing this historical event! ✌! Two Thumbz

[@richardcrouse4644]

Well, I never expected that! A band, a crowd, ... a real happening!!! Thanks for posting.

[@judy4564]

Never saw a mall closing quite like that. I loved it! Also loved the cars at the end.

[@tommy1138]

I worked at Babbages (remember those?) in this mall back in 1993. I had a conversation with rapper Ice-T in that same food court. I learned how to play Mortal Kombat in the downstairs arcade. I bought many pairs of Vans at the California Daze store. Metrocenter was THE mall back in the day.

[@steviem6993]

Mr Clarke did a great A Nightmare On Elm Street visit that should be viewed. Fantastic stuff.

[@GOBEARS1985]

Its great to see life go on in these times that we are living in. We can still come together with common interests

[@ItsAllForYouDemon]

Very cool. It sucks that malls are a thing of the past. They were such institutions of joy, even if you didn't buy anything. Just a cool destination as kids. Reading some of the comments, warmed my heart remembering, BILL & TED was my 1st introduction to the band EXTREME. Lots of good memories, hunting down this soundtrack and then trying to find their 1st album (pre "More Than Words"). They were such a cool band, and far more than what that song represented. Probably the closest our generation ever got to having a QUEEN. Great work. Take care.

[@bicentenialkid]

I was at this mall years ago when my dad had a conference in Phoenix. I didn’t even realize that it was the mall from bill and Ted. Thanks for the video man. Good memories for sure.

[@bicentenialkid]

This is where I played the arcade game sunset riders for the first time. I saw the grand canyon for the first time and went to a ghost town. It was a great time for sure.

[@seanhicks8277]

I still worked in the mall with Bill and Ted was filmed and was not allowed to see any of it being filmed.

[@xmndzx]

Breaks my heart to see it close down, I had so many memories there from shopping, Watching Movies at The Theater, playing arcade games, Eating at the food courts, And Thank you for capturing these final moments of the Mall.

[@T.Cherco]

I live in Mesa, Az. I wish I would have got the chance to meet you! I’m a huge fan! Sad to see the Mall closing. “Party on Dude!”

[@johnjones4453]

Yea me too!!!

[@roberttena5653]

Hey do you remember Tri City Mall that's a pretty old mall to

[@morgyntaith8890]

@@roberttena5653 I remember TriCity Mall!! Ah...good times!

[@marniemarns]

Oh man, bummed I missed you! At one point in Metro history, the mall was so “huge” people would vacation from other parts of the state to go there. I grew up in Yuma and I remember the back to school trips. Two full days of shopping. I was hoping someone would go into detail about the airplane bar and paraglide that were over the skating rink, Always wanted to go into that bar... Anyhoo, thanks for the memories Metro... Thanks Woo!

[@danieldaniels7571]

You are the only other person who I’ve seen even mention Metroport. It was the whole original theme of the food court and it seems like no one else even remembers that.

[@bryanzambrano6859]

I was just talking about this mall a couple days ago. Love Bill and Ted and actually have visited the mall plenty of times back around the years 2008-2012 till I moved away from Arizona. I always said if I ever moved back that was one of the malls id go to again, but I guess not.

[@ritakayemiller1534]

Place was a blast..cruising was the biggest thing back in the 80s n 90s...havnt been in Arizona in over 20yrs..sad to see it go

[@stuff1466]

OMGOSH!!!!! ❤ I WATCHED BILL & TED OVER & OVER & OVER AGAIN! It was my FAVORITE MOVIE! That whole scene & the whole moment was EXCELLENT!!! ... Thank you!!! 😁

[@olivervalerio6185]

I'm really glad you like the shirt. A little token of my appreciation. Keep doing what you're doing. Be excellent and party on Adamthewoo.

[@TampaJay]

Excellent! First movie I remember seeing in a theatre

[@TheDailyWoo]

Awesome !

[@themichaelvortex4784]

Back in the day... this would have qualified as, “a very special episode of: TheDailyWoo”. Nice one Adam. Thank you.👍🏼🤘🏼😎

[@arizonaresourcequeen4128]

Agreed

[@gatetoheaven6954]

I was 25 years old in 1976 when I moved to Glendale, AZ from Michigan. I was a union projectionist and stage hand. One of the first booths I worked was General Cinemas inside Metrocenter. I was taken aback at how clean and organized all the stores were. I loved going to the dining area, seeing the 747 restaurant with diners looking out the windows. The skating rink with the families and their children. Metrocenter was really a family mall. I remember there was a store that sold jukeboxes next to Sears. One thing I do remember was how safe I felt working there. No crime! Many times I'd get out of work well after 12 midnight and I remember walking to my little 1976 Fiat X-19 and no one bothered me! No security guards or police. Plus, I could leave the targa top off and no one tried to steal or vandalize my car. In late 77 I accepted a job offer as Union news film editor at WXYZ Channel 7 in Southfield, Michigan. In 91 I had excision of my left iliac crest for giant cell tumor. The operation was a success, but the surgery destroyed my hip and left me in almost constant pain. My surgeon recommended a warmer climate. My wife and I had a thermal laser shop making personalized coffee mugs, plates, T-Shirts and other bric a brac. We decided to move to Arizona for my health. One of the first malls we toured was Metrocenter and I was shocked to see how it had become a haven for local gang wars. The little Frito Ban-dittos, blacks and Wi--as ran that mall! We were walking with Metrocenter store manager to check for available store space. My wife and I were both approached by a Mexican gang and one of their members made a disparaging remark to my wife. The manager contacted security and they showed up with the Phoenix Police. We asked them to escort us safely to our car and drove home to Peoria. My sister and her family decided to fly out and visit us for Christmas and my brother-in-law wanted to take the family shopping at Metrocenter. I warned him it had become gang banger heaven, but he still wanted to go. It was a very unpleasant experience. While waiting in a long line at the food court area they were about to walk up to the window to order when a group of black kids barged in front of him, my sister and their two young boys. He told one of the men that he was next, and the cocky bastard said he was next and said "Thank you for holding my place!" Now, my bother-in-law is 6'2". A that time he was a bulked up body builder, but he told me some of those blacks kids were huge, and they were looking for a fight. The security guards were patrolling the food court, but my brother-in-law backed down and left the mall. Metrocenter had become a toilet for human debris. Don't blame it's closing on on line shopping. Blame it on the gangs who took over that mall and turned it into a toilet.

[@Lbrisbois2000]

In my fifties now but this was the mall of my punk rock youth whilst growing up in Arizona! Great video! "Be excellent to each other."

[@peanutismint]

Thank you for documenting this!! What a great final day for this classic mall.

[@melanieo313]

Thanks for sharing! I would have lived to have been there, being a fan of Bill and Ted! How awesome that people were skating in the mall...looked like fun!

[@Synthtec80]

All we are is dust in the wind. Dude.

[@seanhicks8277]

And in the end We are just Dust n' bones. - Gun's & Roses.

[@LatetotheParty]

We really wanted to go to this, but we both had to work. Thanks for going for us, Adam.

[@TheDailyWoo]

Dang ! It was a good time

[@LatetotheParty]

@@TheDailyWoo Looked like it.

[@asixpiecenug]

I have never been to that mall, but your tribute and farewell made me feel like I had hundreds of times and now I miss it.. touching. very good stuff

[@tybreedlovedrums9077]

I wish I knew you were here. You’re always one of my favorites. 🖤 gonna miss this place.

[@TheRealVolk]

Sad but also gratifying. Thanks for filming this Adam.

[@TheDailyWoo]

You’re welcome

[@PlayitagainVHS]

This video was - Excellent!!!🎸Guitar Solo!!!❤👍👍👍✌😃Awesome video Adam.Thank you for the awesome videos Adam.Keep em coming my friend.😃👍✌❤🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@ericyazzie1016]

Thank you Adam for visiting Phoenix and taking one last look at Metrocenter Mall, I was born around the same time Bill & Ted was a hit at the Theatres and the mall being the spotlight. I have many memories of the mall, where everything use to be and such. Again, thank you so much for making this video and keeping Metrocenter Mall in memory.

[@redenergizedbu11]

I can't believe I missed you by a day( 29th of June). also being an Arizona native had to go up and film a few videos and take pics of the MetroCenter. Many memories and sad end of a era for many. Would of been cool to of seen you long time fan here. Thank you for coming and forever embedding this place on film.

[@Ashley-qi5ub]

Nice job on the video Adam. It was nice to meet you.

[@revealandreview9662]

I remember a bunch of people I worked with and I went to see this movie as teenagers when it came out. Everything good around work was "excellent" and everything bad was "heinous" for about a month afterwards. Classic movie and a classic 80's looking mall. Sad to see it close but online shopping has put places like this out of business. Thanks for showing us the last day of existence for this great movie location.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Id like you to meet our good friend So Crates....The scene where Gangas Kahn is in the sporting goods store still cracks me up to this day! Very cool lunch break video!

[@TheDailyWoo]

That’s such s great scene

[@azifcaron4539]

WOW! I never expected to see this mall pop up on your channel, but super grateful for it! This mall was THE mall back in the day. I actually lived closer to a different mall, but as a kid I'd whine and complain that I didnt want to go there, I wanted to go to Metro Center! lol I faintly remember the ice skating rink below, but absolutely remember the arcade when they moved it to the second floor. I remember hearing that at one point, they had plans to turn it into some weird utopian community inside the mall with apartments, office space, and a Walmart. Now that would've been odd! Last time I was actually inside was several years ago, and it was a ghost town. I was shocked it was even still open then. RIP Metro Center, you were a huge part of my childhood. Thank for this Adam!

[@TheDailyWoo]

No problem . Glad you enjoyed the video

[@May52525]

That was cool to see everyone show up. Reminds me of the time you went to the Back to The Future gathering. ❤

[@May52525]

@Al Connolly ok......

[@DejaBluClues]

I grew up in Phoenix and remember Metro Center well..... The elevators throughout were cool as they were glass enclosed and cool to ride in....In the 70’s there was a store called the “Broadway” and in the juniors section was a great disco floor that changed colors when you walked on it. I ice-skated there many times. I’ll miss the mall but the memories will live on. Thanks for documenting her last days🌵

[@WaruiFutago]

That was a good closing day for the mall. Glad you were there to document the impromptu festivities.

[@pawprints1986]

That was so neat to see people roller blading lol. Ive never seen a location be this popular for a closing... its actually pretty awesome. Its been so long since ive seen the movie though, wish i could place the scenes better. i do own it! Just been a long time...

[@SuperFarfel]

Sad day :( Lots of childhood memories of shopping with my mom, ice-skating and eating at Ferral's Ice Cream in the 70's & 80's

[@prs149]

I Celebrated my 8th grade graduation at Farrel's 42 years ago

[@COPPERSTATETREASURES]

Hey there!! What an epic event.. we sure miss Metro!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@patwray5191]

Thanks for coming out Adam and enduring the heat. Had fun hanging with you and Sean. Signed, Pat “The Hobbling Encyclopedia.”

[@EileenJOfficial]

Omg! I'm here in Phoenix very close to metro, and wish I see you in person. Dang it

[@johndawhale3197]

"Do you...wanna...play...PLAY WITH ME !!!" This mall is legendary. RIP Metrocenter Mall :(

[@Miss1Pokemonfan]

The people in Arizona are, so cool; and nice. We almost moved to Arizona when I was little, since there was a lot of land to buy back in the 90's. :)

[@davidedmondson5051]

Was a Brit working in Phoenix in 1981/2. At that time Metrocenter was THE place. We had never seen anything like it. Happy memories....

[@jeremypetro1084]

I used to go ice skating there as a kid. But the arcade was sweeeeet too. Adam, i love just chillin and enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work

[@ThisIsTomsWorld]

Gotta say Mr. Woo....I am more than happy to see you going back to your norm as far as videos.....welcome back ......you have been an inspiration to me on making my way into youtube world.....you were the very first subscription that I had, and for a long time the ONLY subscription that I had.......keep pumping out these awesome videos

[@jodimiller7931]

I remember being on vacation when i was younger and Mom and Dad taking us here just because my dad was a Bill and Ted fan, thanks for sharing Adam and bringing back "Excellent" memories!

[@KindCreature1]

Way back in the day, I used to go ice skating there. And also was a janitor at the movie theater when Close Encounters was showing. Good times.

[@milkywayskywalker]

So awesome you guys are doing this... I'm a Phoenix native - grew up in the 70s and 80s here in Phoenix.

[@douglasadams1513]

Fun memories of wandering that mall in the late 70s and early 80s.

[@Vintagecor18]

Glad to see you traveling and being safe . Love to see dead malls and mostly where they filmed old school movies . Excellent vlog !!!

[@lacyking4374]

This was rad!! Sad to see it go. Thanks for documenting this end of an era. Every new beginning comes from some other begining's end...

[@stormyhaze26]

RIP Metrocenter. May you live on forever in film history.

[@1958darkstar]

Really blown away that you felt it was worth going to. Thank you.😎👍🏻

[@lorih2924]

Sad that it had to close. But you and Sean and everyone there got to enjoy the mall one last day. I think the mall I grew up with is slowly going away. Mall days were fun days. Glad you got to be there on the last day. Be safe in your travels. God bless you

[@Rossturnerphoto]

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure came out when I was 11 years old and I think it was the first movie that I saw multiple times in the theater. I hadn't watched it in years though until recently. That's a cool looking mall. I'm sad to see that it's closing.

[@victordelacruz3898]

When I was 5 years old my family moved from LA to Phoenix just a mile down the road from Metrocenter. That was in 1979, I watched the original Indiana Jones raiders of the lost ark, Star Wars the empire strikes back, Back to the future and yes Bill and Teds at the movie theater in the mall. Many great memories and many miles of cruising when I turned 16. I was there on the final day, I must have just missed you. I wish I could have met you. I’m a subscriber, thanks for the video! 👍🏾

[@ScaleModelKitReview]

I used to cruise Metro as a teenager in the late 70's, very sad to see it close. Thanks posting this.

[@prs149]

I hear ya, cruised the mid eighties for me

[@chrisz968]

When I lived in Phx for a few years starting in 1992 I worked at the Toys R us there. Was a great mall. Had a cool arcade and roller coaster. Sad

[@crl9876]

Thank you for documenting this. I managed a clothing store many many years ago at Metro center.

[@christiancholodiuk7836]

It’s honestly sad what has happened to malls. Some of my best memories were just going to the mall with my parents or friends and just spending the day looking at random things. Even if there was nothing going on, you could always kill time at the mall. The one near me is on it’s last legs and it’s going to be a sad day when it shuts it’s doors.