Galaxyland 2022 Grand Opening: OFFICIALLY Powered by Hasbro in 2023 - Best Edmonton Mall

Featuring Music by The ‪@Brasstactics‬ !
On Dec 17, 2022, Galaxyland held its Grand Opening (or, Re-Opening) and made it official! (More than it already was anyway!) The amusement park at West Edmonton Mall is now Powered by Hasbro.
The celebration unveiled the new main park gates, a Monopoly re-theme of the train ride, new Easy Bake Bites, and more!
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Matthew “That BEM Guy”
PO Box 42013 Millbourne
Edmonton, AB T6K 1P0
Visit BestEdmontonMall.com - The Greatest Indoor Show on Earth's Greatest Fan Site
(I forgot to insert the credits, so they're here)
Why don't I own a Cadillac convertible yet?
#LifeGoals
Special Thanks:
WEM & Team
Hasbro
The Brasstactics
YegVentures
Credits:
KZbin - Lake Nipissing
KZbin - Exit Thru the Gift Shop
KZbin - Geoff Blake
Vernon
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Flying 2 by Frank Schroeter
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/10030-flying-2
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: / frank.schroeter.52
0:00 BEM Logo
0:21 Main Gates
1:08 Retrospective
2:48 Time Freak / Super Simon
3:37 Easy Bake Bites
4:04 Micro Machines Aero & MotoJump
5:00 Sorry! Sliders
5:21 Railroad History
6:16 Monopoly Railroad / Express
7:06 Conclusion

[@jonengler1296]

Kinda sad to see the old Galaxyland animatronics gone from the tunnel, as those were some childhood staples (especially Cosmo saying "Bye bye! Have a nice day!"). But at the same time, it also needed a refresh, and it's great that they went above and beyond to make it special.

[@taityttyttyouiuhituydg4492]

I can’t believe they got rid of cosmo saying Bye bye I will miss him

[@princehumperdinck6700]

I felt the same way when they got rid of the first haunted train tunnels. Cosmo didn’t compare 😂

[@malkowski882]

6:38

[@huckdc61402]

Anyways why was he green Instead of yellow

[@marindanielle9571]

@@princehumperdinck6700 the haunted train tunnels were the best!

[@owellafehr5191]

Gonna confess, it looks godawful to me, but at the same time I understand that this is probably how 80s kids felt when Fantasyland changed to Galaxyland, and that a whole new generation of kids will grow up with this new park, so I'll try not to be too negative.

[@dustinr16]

The original Fantasyland in the late 80’s will always be my favourite. I never was a fan of the Galaxyland refresh after the lawsuit in the 90’s. I’m probably just being nostalgic but I feel like WEM as a whole was way better in the late 80’s and early 90’s. The submarines, peacocks, ball machines, jumping water fountains, all the trees and fountains, the play area draw bridges and tunnels in Fantasyland, etc. The phase 3 food court was so dark and had the cool walkways over the fountains and water fountains above you. Even the water park was way better. So many good memories there as a child of the 80’s/90’s.

[@jeremyfreeman4810]

I'd say that wasn't nostalgia at all but almost objectively/analytically measurable... Investment in the mall itself was likely far greater then too by 555 ($$)... Now it seems they're cutting costs wherever by introducing all these corporate 'partnerships'... All that said things do get tired looking if not maintained... Still agree though, the original design and attractions was the best and should have been kept up/maintained! I want taxi cabs, jazz musicians and ladies of the night on Bourbon Street again!! ;(

[@sslssg247]

I never got into Galaxyland. It was always Fantasyland for me. I think it's simply just my age. But the last time I was at the mall I didn't recognize it all. I was trying to explain the International Market Place to someone recently and they looked at me like I was nuts.

[@Mrman09]

As someone who grew up with galaxyland I loved it and looking at this hurts a little bit but I'm not a kid anymore so I guess this stuff isn't meant for me anymore

[@peter.s-yt]

Man, what an unfortunate place Galaxyland has become. It used to be a place for people of all ages, but now it's a place mostly for kids. Most of the clients were teens looking for a thrill. Now there going to loose alot of business!

[@scoobydoo5934]

I get the need for an update, but this just feels so bland to me…. The fact that the hasbro characters are all over makes it feel so corporate, and like a huge advertisement (which it really is). This is just another thing that’s made WEM less unique, and more like other malls all over the world, when it used to be one of a kind. But thanks for documenting this! Regardless of what I think of it, it’s definitely a big change

[@dumbpup]

As someone that has never been I can't say that I have nostalgia, but I can't help but feel like this retheme looks lifeless and soulless. I've never been a fan of overly corporate theming or overt advertising in amusement parks. The new entrance especially looks pretty bad. It looks more like a hospital lobby than a theme park entrance. Looking at your videos both previous iterations of the park have a lot more personality and life to them. For what it's worth it seems that they put effort into it.

[@CoryTheRaven]

You've been to nicer hospitals than I ever have ;)

[@unapologeticOne]

I’ve been to Galaxyland many times and it always looked “lifeless and soulless” to me in the sense that it was dead as shit and felt like a normal day lol. It never seemed to be really busy or like something a lot of people planned a whole day around. I know every time I went it was unplanned. It was the same rides and the same stuff every time. For me, this rebrand could only be better or the same. I don’t think it could be worse because it was already kinda boring lol.

[@CoryTheRaven]

@@unapologeticOne that also explains a lot about why they went with the Hasbro theming. If Galaxyland was THAT dead, then getting Hasbro to pony up dough to cover operating expenses was a good idea. If only they had gotten Captain Highliner to sponsor the submarines before those were taken out...

[@cpt.dr.hawkeye1740]

Same thing happened with the food court

[@cpt.dr.hawkeye1740]

Couldn't have put it better myself

[@grantsenio3923]

We went there around 2 pm. For it not only being the grand re-opening, but also the last Sunday before Christmas we found that the water park and galaxy-land were surprisingly quiet. it was so empty that we could literally stay on the same ride over and over again without having to get off. We rode the space shot 20 times. I was really hoping to experience the mind bender before it was shut down, but i take its already closed. the thing im going to miss about the mind bender is how loud it was, that huge roar it made. My parents got to experience the park as fantasy land, My sisters and I had the Space themed galaxy land. and my children will most likely get "hasbro land"

[@shogged]

Pretty normal experience these days lol

[@jeremyfreeman4810]

Whaat? Mind bender news???

[@FlamFlim00]

@@jeremyfreeman4810 its been closed for a year

[@FlamFlim00]

@Store Things its been closed for a year

[@hkoe33]

i feel like a part of my childhood died the re-theming of the aero squadron breaks my heart as someone who loves history

[@fredflintstone5356]

It would be great if they kept the nostalgia alive by making a theme park video game of Galaxy Land. I didn’t even know they were turning it into a Hasbro park until just now when I seen this. I will definitely miss the old park.

[@Electric69484]

R.I.P Cozmo and Twink, and welcome hasbro characters!!! we will miss you guys.

[@spark4039]

The trumpet player at 2:40 is my buddy Zach! He used to play in RC Sindicate with me 😬

[@mEsTiR5679]

Every reveal you made fits so perfectly. I literally hate how good these match. HOW DARE THEY RUIN MY CHILDHOOD SO PERFECTLY! lol Good work on the video, my dude.

[@j.c.jeggis1818]

If they end up having to demolish the Mindbender (apparently it needs a part that isn't made anymore), I hope they put in a high intensity Transformers coaster. But none of this slapping on a Hasbro sticker stuff, I'm imagining something where you're being chased by Megatron while riding in one of the Autobots, and they do some theme park magic to make it feel like your car transforming into a robot mid-ride. That's my dream.

[@ExitThrutheGiftShop]

Been waiting for this video since they announced the Grand Opening! Great Work!

[@stu3379]

As someone that lived in Edmonton when the mall opened as a kid, and marveled at the expanse of the mall and the wonder of the indoor amusement park, and watched it change over the years, some good, some, well... underwhelming, I think this is a great step for WEM. Corporate sponsorship can be a terrible thing, but if it helps bring in more money for Galaxyland to become its best iteration ever, I say.....bring on the power Hasbro and show Alberta and Canada that you can make an amazing attraction for everyone. Looks like a good first step, and hopefully makes Edmonton an enviable tourist destination in North America, again!

[@roberthoople]

The nostalgic part of me feels a bit of disappointment at seeing poorly-drawn Cosmo go extinct, but the part of me that's been wanting to see Galaxyland become a real theme park, is a bit excited. Not because it's become a fully realized theme park yet, but because this Habro theming/partnership might finally give it the the new life it's desperately needed for too long, and more importantly, it might finally justify the big expansion it's needed to compete with other theme parks (taking over the Sears parking lot, extending all the way the street, and at at least double the roof height for new coasters and more extreme thrill rides, for example). Now, while Hasbro is great, and gives WEM something to finally really work with, as well as access to a more mature and international skill/talent pool for theming, I have to be honest and say that I've actually dreamed WEM would partner with Nintendo, which is easily one of the best possible theme bases you could have, outside Disney; Mario and Friends has the history and the recognition to carry the park as well as Mickey Mouse. Hasbro is closer to that than Cosmo, and it's a good direction no matter what. Plus, the crazy thing is, Hasbro could actually lead to a WEM Nintendo theme park, in part by helping WEM regain lost international attention, tourism and demonstrating renewed economic potential. Plus, Hasbro doesn't need to go, because Hasbro's not really in competition with Nintendo, and they've worked together in the past already, so partnering up for theming could be good for both companies; in fact it's probably fair to say that there is a few gaps in Nintendo's theming, good as it would be, which Hasbro fills nicely (as already seen), so it really would be win win... Always, we can all dream about finally having the perfect Canadian theme park one day, but for today I gotta say this Hasbro thing is pretty damn good overall, and I'll probably make a trip just to check it out in the new year (unless, ya know: apocalypse).

[@bw5530]

Fantasyland was a nice mix of kid's and grown up rides. Now it's just aimed for very small children.

[@Electric69484]

I love the throwback to the easy bake oven.

[@animeedits6560]

Dude I went on the havoc one time and my seatbelt didn’t click so I went upside down while having just my hands keeping me from death. It was pretty fun

[@celetops]

I am now looking forward to see the new Hasbro Galaxyland more then ever now. Each time I come back there, they seem to be still under renos and getting things ready when they had the time to finish it. Now seeing it where it is today, I look forward to visit that place and see the changes my self. And I too love Micro Machines, including the time they made Star Trek, Star Wars, and Military Micro machines back then in the 90s. Good times and boot loads of fun they were. So thanks for the video again dude ^^

[@C..C..C..C]

It sucks don't bother. $67 for one ticket now what a joke 😂😂

[@saleenal2175]

Was just there this summer with my niece. Glad I got to go again before the renovations.

[@AnthonyZ.]

The subtitle saying Powered by Hasbro is saying the company is the park’s battery, LOL

[@kellibradley]

Shout out to Brasstastics! They are awesome ❤❤

[@kookaman6095]

Love the Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch mascots

[@fleshbhones]

Honestly just feels like they've turned the rides into advertisements, but hey we're deep into late-stage capitalism so par for the course I guess. Just kind of depressing

[@REParedes]

My brother in Christ it's in a mall, the most capitalist of places

[@fleshbhones]

@@REParedes sure, but Galaxland was somewhat of an escape. Now it's just plastered with ads. It infects more and more, nothing can just be its own fun thing anymore. Gotta be a tie in, gotta be an extended universe, gotta be furthering profit margins. It's all so tiresome

[@CoryTheRaven]

@@fleshbhones I get the complaint... While corporate synergy has always been going on, it's never been quite as blatantly in your face as it is now, where they literally just slap a board game logo on a ride that has nothing to do with the board game. That said, meh, it's an amusement park in a mall. It's not Disneyland, and Disney made sure you wouldn't get them confused. The antidote, if you're really invested in it, is avoiding commercial spaces altogether. Go to national parks, museums, churches, historic sites, real places.

[@dustinr16]

Ah yeah. Hasbro paid WEM money to refresh the park. It’s a marketing deal.

[@fleshbhones]

@@dustinr16 yes

[@jennelshay2374]

I miss the old way it looked I when there when I was a kid🙂 fun time and I really loved the swings I hope there still there at least and the scary hallways😢

[@colefly1984]

So neat to see the updates I can’t wait to come from Toronto maybe in March and check out the place

[@colefly1984]

@@bitstimandwesker8896 too late for what?

[@lifenatureinalbertacanada9317]

The west Edmonton mall caverns are still there but they are using it as a storage area The stairs to the old blue slides in Fantasyland are still there they just covered it but I love the hasbro update just wish they bring back the caverns & tunnels

[@alexelectricx]

My mom won passes to the opening day event at Galaxyland when i was a kid. Looking forward to this :)

[@nev.0990]

what an absolute glow down

[@partsunknown9892]

Fun fact: The mind bender has structural damage and is going to be removed for good.

[@Evzilla84]

Fantasyland was amazing. I grew up going to that place every weekend as a kid, and it single-handedly fueled my obsession with theme parks and rides. It's insane to see how commercialized and crappy it's gotten over the years. And now Mindbender is retired. 😢 So many unique rides have gotten axed from that place. If they remove Swing of the Century, that place is officially dead to me. Lol.

[@TheTyisawesome]

End of an era😭

[@kookaman6095]

0:31 I loved the part where the band played the 20th Century Fox theme when the main gates opened.

[@juliebullock9717]

Cool I can't wait go see it now.

[@robonintendo]

I remember the haunted house tunnel in the 80s, it was awesome :)

[@ConnorCTG]

This intro is great, but that old VHS one is amazing

[@Waisonian]

Ahhh I didn't know this happened until this video! I don't live in Edmonton anymore so this didn't come up on my news feeds :( Thanks for making this video!!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

You're welcome! Check it out the next time you're back in Edmonton!

[@Waisonian]

@@BestEdmontonMall Oh I will! But this time, I will prob have to pay as my daughter will want to ride the carousel, which I agree is very tame compared to other ones I've ridden on (which is literally 50-75% faster...) Also, love the videos on WEM!!!

[@AllycatlovesAG]

I’m not nostalgic for the original as I have yet to visit the mall, but I grew up with a bunch of these hasbro properties and I love the nostalgia!

[@citteh]

Noooo I should have gone last time I was in Edmonton. I didn't know this redesign was coming....

[@sopwithhannah2401]

Why am I sad and angry about my childhood but simultaneously super excited lmao

[@hoggiem]

I assume the end goal will be to fully eliminate the Galaxy theme so that it's just Hasbro Park. It will be interesting to see what they do to the Mind Bender if they do go all in. It will also be a sad day for me when they retheme the Galaxy Orbiter. I need to get up to Edmonton this summer so I get one last ride on it. It would be cool if I got the last ride before the retheme as I got the first ride. I won the name the roller coaster contest and got the first ride with my wife, the head of Gerstlauer, and the Marketing Manager of Galaxyland at the time. I'm not holding my breath on that one though...

[@TheRealBingBongVR]

I remember always going but I will never forget the old galaxyland logo😊 and yes I have noticed how there were a lot of hasbro games I love galaxyland

[@TravisOutlaw674]

I had no idea they made these changes. I obviously don't go to that mall often enough.

[@alexlevesconte7216]

cool i literally live next to the mall and had no idea this happened lol

[@THESLICKNESSEDM]

Have not been to the mall in many years went there couple weeks ago and it looks really good the improvement feels very modern but I still miss the 80s WEM

[@markbissett7291]

Hey, great video! Nice to see the changes, I guess the only downside is there’s still less rides than there were at one point 😔. I’ll still go check it out.

[@crystalbrown3728]

Do we have any pictures or vedio of how this gate looked like when it was fantasyland? Man I feel old, this is the 3rd renovation I have been around for in west ed. wow

[@jeremyfreeman4810]

... it was old metal-looking gates from what I remember... :)

[@DopeNostalgia]

@@jeremyfreeman4810 i worked there then. it was basic wrought iron gates

[@naderzein2435]

Excellent video. Any word on what's going on with the mind bender?

[@Bigmakpaddywack]

Done for 2 yrs…needs parts

[@djavatar68]

@@bitstimandwesker8896 there are other coaster manufacturers that can supply parts for Schwarzkopf coasters.

[@MackinnonTF2]

I miss the old park, it remains a small place in my childhood and I honestly wish it stayed the same.

[@MrWallace484]

Cool 😎

[@tophergrallison]

Oh man, I like a lot of the changes. But the train tunnel guts me. I LOVED the black light stuff, total sucker as a kid and I still wish my whole house looked like that. Goodbye forever.

[@feel65]

looking forward to making a semi-annual trip to canada in 2024 to experience galaxyland again, but one question. Yknow that ride that went like underground with the space guns at the back? what did they do with that?

[@Slurpee_Burger]

I hope it’s still there

[@kurt3929]

Can you please do a video update on the Mindbender??? Thanks

[@AdmiredDisorder]

yooo you got featured in the news

[@ryanxu9983]

I heard you on the radio 🤯

[@sabrinamiller3671]

It's sad to see so much negativity in the comments. I'm glad you enjoy it, Matt! :)

[@extremebagel573]

Any updates on the Mindbender?

[@Bigmakpaddywack]

Needs parts… down for like 2 yrs

[@baileym369]

I’ve been wondering what they will do to laser quest!

[@Randomfunniuser35]

Tbh I miss the old Galaxyland. I remember going there on Oct 27 2022 (Just about Halloween)

[@pierluc_cr]

Is the airplanes had machine-guns in past? The one at Méga-Parc (a small version of Galaxyland in Québec City) had machine-guns but they have been removed.

[@STGGamings]

Glad to see that place get a new face lift, it's been the same since i was a kid. This is refreshing, however a smol part of my childhood is sad.

[@kyangratton1575]

It makes me so sad, cosmo was my childhood and could have been for those kids. Makes me really sad

[@leg0ipodtouch]

Honestly this was definitely a needed change. I wanna know what they're gonna do with the coasters in the park, especially now that Mindbender is shut down. What are they going to put in its place? How will it be themed? I hope it's another coaster though, it wouldn't feel right otherwise.

[@nintony2994]

whatever comes next it will never be as great as the mindbender

[@kellygunner7625]

Micro machines make me think about Home 🏡 Alone

[@CoryTheRaven]

Sorry I keep missing the live streams lately... It's been a busy time! But on this, my Fantasyland was... well... Fantasyland, so I've never had an attachment to the Galaxyland theme. This seems fine to me, and I'm even kind of interested in the Monopoly Railroad even though I hate the game itself XD I'm most interested to see if they'll try and work in some of their not-yet used IP like Transformers, GI Joe, and Dungeons and Dragons. Seems like those would be shoe-ins for thrill rides and haunted attractions. Either way, I might actually put out money in Galaxyland for the first time in 20 years just to try out the new themes, which I guess means mission accomplished!

[@Mira-wk2ro]

I wish they had more ride for older people. I mean it's not like the younger kids will remember even riding the rides lol

[@Tanjikamado07]

I mean, I kinda like the Hasbro transformation of the park. The problem is we’re getting more kiddy rides then intense rides

[@TimedPotato]

I liked the old one to be honest :( it’s so nostalgic…

[@Ayyyyeeeee]

I love the new look! A lot actually, I’m just upset over losing mindbender. There are already so many lane rides there.

[@Oniqueen]

lol random Evangelion cosplayer in the back 7:22

[@CoryTheRaven]

I thought so! XD

[@devonherle6124]

so did they ever say what was in the time capsule that was in one of the pillars

[@kenepo4u496]

I’d love to see Mindbender get rethemed to Transformers.

[@kenepo4u496]

@@bitstimandwesker8896 Why not?

[@Bigmakpaddywack]

Mind bender is done for at least 2 yrs

[@kenepo4u496]

Just found out they’ve removed Mindbender. Guess we won’t see that Transformers coaster (unless they retheme Galaxy Orbiter to it).

[@carolechamberlin4952]

OK but more importantly... any idea when we can get a change to ride the mindbender again?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

News coming in 2023 is what I was told. So, we'll know in the next... Year? LoL

[@starship-hs1qw]

Is havoc still there please i need to know 😲😳

[@snoop-pay]

I was at the opening saw you, I wonder what's going on with the mindbender it was oddly not running opening day.

[@bromque]

if they don't create a ouija board themed attraction I'm gonna lose it.

[@bentrac8387]

I saw the grand opening to

[@lifenatureinalbertacanada9317]

Where is the footage 1:25 1:35 & 2:05 from

[@kat962009]

Looks like almost all the thrill rides are closed (trouble, havoc) and auto sled are closed. Any idea when they might open @bestedmontonmall?

[@CoHostColby1]

guess how much they are charging an adult: $64.00!!

[@kat962009]

I know it’s ridiculous! I want to go but inly if all of the limited # of adult rides are open

[@porkstudios762]

not rebranding quirks in the works to nerf is such a missed opportunity

[@Tanjikamado07]

I mean nerf Can fit with quirks And the works because That ride was a Shooting game.

[@Sirbartholomew]

Never liked the galaxyland theming so the bar was pretty low lol, this does seem a little better tho

[@brayidk3522]

I’m really gonna miss cosmo and the star character

[@songsabai3794]

Is the death-Mind-Bender still running?

[@NathanWoyessa]

No

[@smittyplays04]

So there’s not a single Transformers ride…? Talk about a missed opportunity. It’s literally hasbros flagship franchise

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Half the park is still to be rethemed, I'm sure it's coming

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@bitstimandwesker8896 No, every ride is getting rethemed. Where are you getting this information? There is no 2023 deadline, and there is nothing about any ride that prevents it from being rethemed because it is too iconic. Please stop spreading misinformation.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@bitstimandwesker8896 But you're stating that these rides will not be rethemed when they will be - It's already been decided. Autosled is already slated to be the cootie coaster. You're telling people that there are 2023 deadlines, which is not true. And that rides are too iconic and they will not be, again untrue. You're making up "facts" based on how you feel, but not on any basis of reality. Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it's not going to. There are plenty of rides left in the park that are awaiting their retheme. Every ride will be.

[@mrhenderson9477]

@@bitstimandwesker8896so they aren’t getting rethemed because you say they aren’t?? 😂

[@cohengamertv6548]

So, when i went to it in the summer, that was the last time i got to see bascally the last time i got to see the un themed things

[@PonycornSmasher]

Dang

[@zoer5333]

Are they retheme-ing any other rides? Or is this is for now

[@BestEdmontonMall]

All will be rethemed.

[@zoer5333]

@@BestEdmontonMall makes sense. It would be weird to have half the park be differently themed. Which new ones have been announced so far?

[@chrisbroesky2932]

Well, it's a big bummer they're taking the Mindbender out. I just wish they'll replace it with something similar and just as extreme. That was the king of the park.

[@CoHostColby1]

guess how much admission is for an adult: $64.00

[@officer_electro2021]

They should at least add cosmo to some stuff lol Give him a redesign if they have too

[@QDude24]

Will Mindbender ever reopen?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

"News is coming in 2023"

[@CustomNeon]

Hey! 👋 We love this video featuring our Custom Neon® signs! We’d love to share on our page, website & marketing. If you’d prefer that we not share then please reply to this comment and let us know. ✨

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Which signs did you make here? Feel free to link to and embed this video on your page, but please don't download and re-post, thanks!

[@JonKankpaceKendrick]

The re-theming itself is fine, it looks like they put effort into it... its just,now its all brands and logos and stuff. It cant stand on its own with its own characters or theme. But maybe it will feel cool for kids to be "inside big board games?" but even that..how many kids play board games?

[@NoCluYT]

They did everything good except for the sign at the entrance😭😭

[@FNHot]

HASBRO - Until all are one.

[@CoryTheRaven]

West Edmonton Mall has the touch.

[@Japhox45]

Okay. So, go take a walk today? Neet.

[@JethroPlaysAnything]

Make a review of the monopoly express🎲🚂

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I kinda just... did?

[@nurrakugy5126]

Eew it went corporate

[@Dansyoung]

Beating a horse with this question…. But is there concrete news about the mindbender yet? I’ve heard the rumour they are taking it out but would like to hear factual information from best Edmonton mall.

[@chrisymay4534]

can you make a video on what happened to kidstropilis west Edmonton mall!