West Edmonton Mall Moved the Bronze Whale, Again! - A New Home for Open Sea - Best Edmonton Mall

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West Edmonton Mall's most iconic statue is Open Sea, by Robin Bell. In this episode of "Edmontonians In Cars Talking WEM", we talk about its past, the changes coming to the mall (including Marfield Toyota) and much more!
Do you remember the real trees that used to be all over the mall? They were just TOO awesome.
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[@JennRenae]

I'll admit, I have never been inside the mouth of the whale because every time I'm at the mall someone else is in it and I say "I will come back again later". I really need to do that!

[@unikooooo]

Watching this makes me miss galaxyland and the waterpark even more

[@lisahardy9707]

Time for a series on Eaton centre & how it has evolved over the years many stories from the history of that mall

[@charlietophat2295]

Thank you for your videos, I would visit my grandparents in Edmonton every summer as a child and spend hours in WEM as it was a short walk from their house. Since their passing, I don't get many opportunities to visit Edmonton anymore but your videos make me feel like I'm still there.

[@TheTyisawesome]

I really really wish they kept the trees and even added more trees. It makes the indoor space feel so much more alive and refreshing

[@RyukoDragonHalf]

I still have a picture of me with family standing in the statue’s mouth! Back when it was in the pool! I’m still sad that it’s no longer in actual water, but happy to see they’ve kept the whales at the very least. ^^ I have to say, it’s bittersweet to remember the grand spectacle WEM used to be. Going there was an event by itself - there was always so much to see and do! With all the changes and updates, it’s so... efficient. It’s slowly becoming more like every other mall, and that’s sad. I get WHY, but man, that uniqueness MADE WEM what it is today. I’m glad your videos are here. This way we’ll never forget!

[@dandaan]

Do anyone know what Levi Cafe is doing?? it's never open just sitting at the mall across Simons for a decade

[@privers5227]

The mall ownership is literally doing everything it can to destroy its character and make it generic and boring. I hate it now

[@nine_tails137]

I 100% agree.

[@cappertillar]

going to the mall, might get a couple new hoodies, maybe a toyota camry idk, we'll see what happens

[@michelleroy1]

I saw the whale in its new location on Friday July 10th close by TD Bank around in that area thank you for this awasome video

[@sabrinamiller3671]

I was just on Friday too, where I noticed it for myself!

[@GoogsMindbent]

🤣🤣🤣Dolphin punch!🤣🤣🤣 always a pleasure to watch sir! Keep up the great work!

[@madcatx]

A long time ago, I was listening to either the Bear or K-97 and people were calling in to confess all the weird places they had sex. Someone called in and said, "Inside the WEM whale." It's pretty plausible since the mall never really closes at night.

[@chantdins]

omg

[@ShoutingAllAboutLove]

Thanks for keeping us up to date! The whale was the best place to meet -- you could go to the second level and surveil

[@aaronpeta]

When we were in high school and went to movies at the mall, the cool place to meet was at the Whale Tail.

[@coincidence013]

I'm sad about the trees. I loved seeing the greenery in the winter months.

[@Central..stacksz]

Same here. In the middle of winter I used to love seeing those lush green palm trees all over the mall and the attractions. It’s sad those plants are gone now.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

Me and the gf went to the mall after the Covid re-opening. Yeah, I noticed it was at a new location. I remember its OG location, when I first moved here in 2005. My parents always went to TNT to shop for groceries. But on the super rare occasion we go to other parts of the mall. I always wanted to see the whale and sit inside it.

[@kimberleygrace247]

I'm so glad they painted over the cheap looking blue waves. Man I miss when it had Fantasyland, before it was renamed and revamped! My childhood!

[@OpalSea]

Went inside today. No lights, but at least can still go inside!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I might be binge watching too much Jerry Seinfeld...

[@benzalexesguerra8936]

Wow!!! Nice video. Very infromative. Good job

[@Lovethemusic385]

Dude you do such a great job on these. I used to live, for a long time, in Edmonton during the heyday of that mall, and I prefer your videos to actually going to the place.

[@shank7529]

Woo you're posting again!

[@mysterycomment1553]

Every time I see a new video I always want to go to the mall.

[@gargwinvinesnake6961]

I am all for the bronze whale migrating around the mall. I am so sad there hasn't been a bigger push to get the sea lions out of there.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Dude! I was just at the mall on Friday, and I noticed the whale in its new home! I was confused, so this vid was very timely! I miss the trees, too! I'm just happy they kept Open Sea, though. Shows the mall still has an ounce of respect for people like you and me. Oh, quick question, Matt- in your other video about Open Sea, when you opened by briefly talking about past attractions, you show a quick clip of those puppet shows that used to be outside Fantasyland's main entrance. Do you remember where you got that footage? I remember those puppets well, and I've only seen one home video footage on here with them.

[@douglasdollars]

Enchanted Nails better watch out for the whale curse

[@Blendeture]

Great stuff as always. And 9:17 Woohoo! Look who it is! Haha!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I was working on this video and remembered someone told me I could use their footage if needed! Thanks again! 👍

[@Blendeture]

Best Edmonton Mall : Indeed, any time my good man. 🖖🤓

[@CanadianGuy2004]

Who is it?

[@Alapalooza27]

The arrows on the floor... heh... strange world to live in it is...

[@Cobaltios]

I just realized something rather amusing... Largest shopping mall... in the middle of the prairies/valley... has a Whale statue called "open sea", and an indoor sea themed attraction. And a large indoor Water Park.

[@ajmurphy2540]

when i was yonger i thought the whale tail was a big gray pizza lol

[@unseencliff299]

Same

[@hurricaneheehee2254]

saw the bronze wale for the first time a while ago

[@JoceLawson]

I was always so scared to go inside it's mouth but i do have a picture of me and my two siblings on the little bench in the back. I also never look at the whale in the eye LOL The last time I was at WEM was May 2016 and I was bummed when it wasn't outside Vic's Secret but I'm glad they've rehomed the sculpture. I miss throwing pennies in the water and making a wish. Have you done a video about the fountains that use to be in the food court or the food court renovations in general? Thank you for the nostalgia!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I have made such a video! "What happened to the Phase 3 food court at WEM". Glad you enjoy my content! :)

[@jeffreyonline]

i was hoping the r8 was one of those contest supercars you see in the mall 😂

[@jeremyfreeman4829]

.. I was pretty worried when you started.. Glad the whale's still around and on display! Sad about the trees too though. Are there still more left in other areas of Phase I? I like the lighting and design of that whole phase, .. nostalgia!

[@DisneyMarkUK]

I’m in the UK and does it sound odd that It’s on my bucket list to visit here?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

It would be weird if it wasn't on your list! 😂

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Best Edmonton Mall Haaa, that’s the best answer possible :)

[@Teejrocks83]

Awesome video!!!

[@kittychatalot]

Loved it!

[@xXPinkDummyXx]

What the heck is the song at the part where he shows the whale being moved again or at 6:09

[@budstik]

Sad about the trees

[@chehsin]

so how did you score a drive in that car?

[@Glosoli4]

It’s really not hard lol hahahaha

[@melun64]

hmv moved over a decade ago and sears was on its way out when the whale moved there

[@ceitwolfe]

The trees in phase one would have died regardless of being ripped out. Last winter (2018/19) I noticed a massive mealy mug infestation covered the leaves & stems of the trees.

[@foxfury7838]

Whats the name of the song starting at 5:42

[@BestEdmontonMall]

In Peace by Sascha Ende

[@dinarpsp]

Oh wow, I didn't know it was "open sea"

[@BADFam-io3et]

Do the market by galaxy land

[@EhCrafter]

What song is at 5:08 ?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

In Peace by Sascha Ende

[@katvos]

Does this mean that Deserres is gone? D:

[@chonkeyshonkey]

I sure hope not because that's where I buy a lot of dinosaur figures at

[@turbo1431]

5:17 - I don't think COVID was last March. At least, not yet.

[@nine_tails137]

The bronze whale just isn't the same without real water surrounding it. Fake water(be it light blue or bronze, just sucks the life out of it IMO.

[@lionelfrantzsiplife]

That sure is a groovy car.

[@DioneN]

Let’s see how long the Toyota dealership lasts🙄. The way things are the only places that will stay in business are Costco, WalMart and Amazon.

[@johng1394]

Get rid of 3 kiosks and get the trees back.

[@rasa5343]

I could have sworn that when I was a kid, there was an aquarium inside the whale, like just a small fishtank in the back wall, but I haven't been able to find any evidence of that.. Did such a thing exist?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

An interesting memory but sadly, no! No aquarium in the whale. Maybe you're thinking of the deep sea caverns?

[@rasa5343]

@@BestEdmontonMall Nope, not the caverns, though I did enjoy those (and the submarine ride!) as a kid. 🤷 There were also other aquariums in the mall, though, apart from the sea life caverns. Do those still exist? Like tall tanks in some areas overlooking the lower level, I think. Those ones I'm sure I didn't imagine. 😆

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@rasa5343 Those ones DID exist, yes!

[@loraandrishak4958]

I always thought that as well, but I think it was a case of merging 2 separate memories. The giant statue of a whale/shark that was at the Valley Zoo did have the fish tank at the back of his mouth

[@rasa5343]

@@loraandrishak4958 this is an awesome explanation!! I didn't know there was a whale at the valley zoo, but I bet I went there as a child.. maybe even on the same trip to Edmonton as some time when I visited the mall.

[@CanadianGuy2004]

What is open sea?

[@chonkeyshonkey]

The name of the Whale statue

[@sifq]

How is the whale going to survive without water

[@Th3Slayer136]

That car is pretty sexy ngl

[@jimmyonishi307]

So the whale is a store killer. Interesting......

[@garynutbrown9211]

Darn I really liked those trees to lol I also like the whale lmfao hard decision they had to make lol

[@bdarlene22]

I miss the mall the way it was in the 80s and 90s There was absolutely nothing like it, but I get it. The mall is around 30+ yrs old now, and it needed to be updated. It wouldn't be easy to update such a big space financially! I believe they have done the best they could. I do wish that dragon would come back to the movie theatre, and the submarine rides to the lake. I know they won't, but man it really was incredible once upon a time. what it comes down to, is that it is a mall for shopping first and foremost. It needs to make money, and I still think it has some of the best shopping in one place

[@fishygamesandshorts2895]

I LOVED! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!this video

[@fishygamesandshorts2895]

Sup

[@haydenbigsorrelhorse1756]

realy wanna come chill hear wit my gf but idk how long this relation ship will last cause well i overthink and yuh but i dont push my love to her because i dont like showing my feelings but yea...

[@Kadenghpop]

Second

[@chickenmuffin]

Wrong. Lexus LFA is the closest to perfection.

[@Fozzy1776]

HMV is British

[@ClintEatswood]

The whale was always pissed in. Never go in!