What happened to the Bronze Whale at West Edmonton Mall? - Best Edmonton Mall

[@tokaye]

I’ve been binging all of your “What Happened To” videos all day today and yesterday! The fire breathing dragon brought a tear to my eye, and watching the modernization of some of my most memorable parts of the mall was devastating. I would love to hear your take on the Sea Life Caverns! Once I moved away from Edmonton to a small city, I had so many blank stares whenever I recounted Sea Life Caverns to anyone. It’s like no one remembers it! Can’t wait to see more of these, keep up the excellent work :-)

[@ER_GUY]

I remember sleeping in the whale. Worked an evening supervisor shift at the Deep Sea adventue - and went to Bourbon street with friends, after too many drinks and needing to return for an Day shift. Curled up and slept for 4 ish hours. Fresh to start the day!

[@traybroken]

Omg I'm not the only person to sleep in the whale 🤣🤣

[@nicpete492]

@@traybroken bruh that place was dirty Asl lol

[@Inlinetodie]

I member seeing people sleeping in there after late nights on bourbon Street hahah

[@SanchoPanza-wg5xf]

@@nicpete492 Don't ask for A/S/L here dude, it's creepy.

[@LakeNipissing]

I have visited WEM annually since 1986, and continue to be dismayed at what has been and continues to be removed or discarded to accommodate benches and street vendors. Unbelievably short-sighted decision making to remove iconic artwork and fixtures for temporarily popular merchants and attractions.

[@lightupdarkness]

Street vendor make $$$ a whale doesn't.... Is that your actual to 1st name? -If so cool name

[@wclark3196]

Shut up, you commie!

[@wclark3196]

David Poon, sounds like should be on WEM management team. You just don't get it. The changes they have made to the mall, the whale included, have made it less of a special place to be. When all malls are failing to attract customers, the last thing they should do is make a unique destination feel like just another mall.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

I feel your pain, brother. :(

[@penguinpie5056]

this is the only one that really annoys me. I have fond memories of being a small kid and going up to the whale, making sure to carefully step over the inch space of water exposed into the mouth and how it was kind of dark and withdrawn from the noise of the mall inside there with just a dim red light. I'd stay in there like I was hidden from the world until my grandpa would call me out. Whoever made the call to remove it deserves a punch in the face. Such a completely idiotic move. I walked through as an adult wondering where it had been. I just remember we'd be going somewhere and then we'd come across the whale on the way and everything stopped until I had gone inside.

[@codytremblay7929]

Dude you explained my all experiences with that whale, i just recently came across it walking around with my daughter and wife, it kind of made me feel sad going inside of it tho it isn't the same, my daughter loved it.

[@hurricaneheehee2254]

They did have the parts around the mall for a little while, still might but I don’t know

[@Naatosiii]

That water inside the whales mouth... was most likely piss. When I was a teenager in the late 90s and early 2000s, ass holes like me an my friends would take turns peeing on the bench. The 'water' always flowed back toward the opening. Glad you stepped over it. Edit: sorry I grew up from my asshole teenager days. I also as a kid who first moved to Edmonton also enjoyed my time sitting in the whale.

[@meanodustino9563]

This mall used to be so cool. What a waste of time now. Getting to be the same as ever other mall...😞

[@adayinthedollhouse1004]

Your so right I mean the dragon 🐉 that hung from the roof and shot fire 🔥 into your face?!?!? Whyyyyyyyyy I mean I know why but still?!?!?!?

[@TheTyisawesome]

@@adayinthedollhouse1004 Right! that Dragon was so amazing, I miss seeing it!

[@Alpha17x]

Every time I go to the mall I forget that phase 1 exists. There's nothing to funnel people into it or even near it. It feels like you have to intentionally go looking for it, where the rest of the mall naturally leads you through. I hope stores in that area pay less on their leases.

[@anthonytraficante9655]

In 2021 it was moved yet again due to Toyota taking that side. The whale is now down the hall just before the TD bank! Theres no water design, just placed on the mall floor

[@Trevorious2010]

I lived in millwoods for a time and frequented MillWoods Town Center. I really liked the cowboy statue! I had no idea the same man responsible for the oiler workers and whale was also responsible for the cowboy and horse! I really really love your channel! I have an interesting story about my own personal experience at West Edmonton Mall.... I was in high school between 2003-2005 at Jasper Place and unfortunately I fell in with the wrong crowd. the mall rats! I used to hang out and loiter at that mall more days than I can remember. and it was around that time I was developing a talent for entertaining others with street magic. it got to a point where I was good enough to earn tips at just 16 years old. I decided that I wanted to try my busking at the mall and I found out pretty quickly that due to it's "private property" status, it's not allowed. but I kept at it, keeping a low profile and never causing anyone to make a complaint. I have been busking at WEM for well over 15 years at this point. entertaining thousands of people. Bourbon St is the perfect place to work during a dinner rush as there is plenty of seating and people just waiting to eat. I have seen that mall go through many changes and many face lifts. I miss much of the personality it used to have. I had my first job at that mall "Ride attendant at galaxy land". I took my first girlfriend on a date there. first time I experimented with alcohol and weed was there. some of the best memories growing up was at that mall. I think as a local, sometimes we take the mall for granted because we're so used to it. but that mall is straight up crazy! there used to be THREE movie theaters at one time there!

[@looneylune3438]

Good to know i didn’t hallucinate this. I visited West Ed a few times in my childhood between the ages of 4-6, and my memories are pretty limited. I had memories of seeing a whale and going inside of it, but I couldn’t find any information on it. I just assumed it was some weird fever dream. Good to know that this really did exist.

[@donneale7555]

If I remember correctly, it's 2 whales. 1 surfacing, 1 submerging Whales can't bend in half that way and the plaque with the statue even told you it was 2 whales.

[@jesse9958]

Ok, we know Professor Dickhead.

[@blihkeempat740]

@@jesse9958 I didn't know that the

[@olekstormantovski8096]

Just discovered this channel and I am beyond glad I did. I grew up in West Edmonton and WEM was like a second home to me. Still live here today and it's remarkable how much it changed. Still miss my two Zellers! Great channel, subscribed and hoping for more fantastic content in the future. Your videos are genuinely made very well.

[@CarterLoose]

I have fond memories and had many photos taken in the whale. I kind of forgot that it even existed but as soon as I saw that photo at the beginning all the memories came flooding back in. That's really good to know it's still there. From the photo, the fake waves look really ugly but I'll have to swing by next week and check it out. I have really been enjoying this channel! I love learning the history of some of things that were a big part of my childhood.

[@masteryoshi87]

I love how you comically said where the whale is now. But it is sad that it's not where it used to be. I didn't even know it was at WEM still. Now I want to go to Best Edmonton Mall and see it again myself. Thanks for this very insightful video!

[@dustfart466]

I’m glad to be a kid who give up in the 90’s when the mall was in its prime. God knows fantasyland couldn’t have been better. As a child , I absolutely LOVED the play pen/jungle Jim. My mom would leave me in there and I would spend hours running around. Remember those long slides at the back of the play place? I certainly do . They were static free and went for days, the scariest part being that the slides were pitch dark so keep everything tucked in. It’s amazing how much space they dedicated to us kids.

[@seanbean517]

I love your WEM videos! Keep them coming, they're so interesting!

[@wayne6777]

I’m a Calgarian and I’ve only been to WEM once but I have a healthy respect for how ridiculously cool and groundbreaking it was. Right down to the little details like this.

[@doanster]

Another great video - keep up the good work! It's a pity that most of the population will have never experienced how great the mall truly once was...

[@tinotse2007]

Took a trip to West Ed Mall this Afternoon. Just to search for the Whale itself. Sure enough. It,s placed right in front of Sears in Phase 1. Can,t recall when the last time i was there. However. Had nothing to do but kill time. So decided to make my own Scavenger hunt. Yep. So deserted. Amongst nothing really. So i took a Camera shot with my Cellphone. So next time i go to West Ed. I,ll know where to go.

[@TrickiVicBB71]

Just got yourself another subscriber. I mostly went to West Ed cause my parents shopped at Chinatown. But the few (and I mean few) times I went to other parts of the mall. I always enjoyed seeing the whale and taking pics inside the whale. Sucks what the mall tore it up and put in a dead part of the mall.

[@riley-marshallwhite5999]

i loved the bronze whale i went there when i was about 4 which was like 12 years ago when it had been there for a while

[@Lovethemusic385]

These are great. Thank you for all your work on them.

[@ykb946]

Wow, that was a blast from the past!! Edmonton will always be home.

[@CoryTheRaven]

Holy crap! A channel for my favourite place in the world back in the 80's! Awesome!

[@Narniaexpert]

This is one of my earliest memories from visiting Canada when I was four years old.

[@MILE30Adventures]

Great video! Thank you for this info. Lots of memories from this small attraction!

[@sl0ptart]

I still have a scar on my knee where I tripped leaving the whale as a kid and cut my knee quite badly. 😀 Still miss it though... I'll have to go visit it now that I know it's back. Now if we can just get the dancing water statue back my childhood memories will be complete.

[@creature6153]

You should talk about solar flare or sonic twister, two iconic rides that were unfortunately removed from galaxyland.

[@uploaded113redone]

back in my day we had 2 swinging ships and a drop of doom

[@shaneirwin9461]

The bronze whale was set free in 2010 by the 'bronze animal liberation front', who put the whale back where it belongs, in the bronze sea. Sadly though the whale was captured and killed by the Japanese in 2011, cut up and smelted into 4000 tiny whale statues. I have one on a shelf beside me right now. True story!

[@BrodyYYC]

Your channel is awesome! Being from Calgary I haven't been to the mall too many times but I've probably been 5 times or so in my life. I made some of them really count though! I got to see the Pixie's reunion tour in 2004 at Red's. They even did this cool thing where they recorded the show and then you could buy the limited edition CD immediately after.

[@naetz]

these videos are amazing thank you !!!

[@TealDobber]

That makes me so sad! I'm glad it's back, although I was not aware of it. But to be removed from its home, and then placed in fake water, never to to be allowed to spray water from its blow hole as it has alway yurned too. That's just torture... for the spectators. Obviously not the statue. I hope one day it is returned to a presentation closer to what was intended, so I can share it with my kids. However, now that I know it is back I will be making a point to see it next time I'm there.

[@marknetw]

I didn't realize it was gone, I remember being scared of it as a kid haha

[@SARA-kh1kp]

Mark Network I was scared to, I told my mom I was scared it would swallow me and she always said “You dont want to go in there anyways I know what teenagers do in there”

[@mydjmode]

@@SARA-kh1kp lol!

[@timbretrent113]

yeah same, I remember going in to look like I wasn't freaked out in front of my friends but I was haha

[@NameBrand__]

I remember the pink flamingos

[@aplam94]

rice farmer same

[@PlatinumEagleStudios]

Me too. I used to live in Edmonton and remember as a kid seeing the pink flamingos and the whale. I moved to BC now and really wanna go back to Edmonton so I could visit the mall once more just so I can feel like a kid again.

[@jayylynn2293]

Same!

[@Sweetencourager21]

I moved to Edmonton in 1989, I worked at Grand and Toy. The only way I knew I was going the right way because I got lost a lot at first, was to look for the whale. Our store was right across from it. I got lost whenever I went exploring on my lunch hour. I decided not to leave the store anymore. I have fond memories of the whale.

[@2muchcream782]

It’s a real shame that the whale was removed. I remember when I was about 4 or 5 my parents took me and my brother to West Ed from Calgary. I went to throw a penny into the pool but for some reason I didn’t let go and fell into the water. Good times

[@kirbysuperstaruhh3769]

I loved playing around and inside the whale as a kid when i went to WEM! As ive mentioned in the dragon video's comment section, it was the whale and the dragon when i was little

[@nocturatherandom2784]

I remember taking a picture in there when I was little. -w- and remember seeing seals and penguins. I still go there some time whenever we take a visit to Edmonton.

[@ToniTheTopaz]

I knew this existed! I thought I was crazy when I remembered climbing in this whale! When I went back it was gone :/

[@chaz865]

I thought they had gotten rid of it until i had to go to lens crafters by the brick and seen it there! I was happy to see it again

[@tomysshadow]

I was about to comment that it's still there, but thankfully you had me covered.

[@hiltondyck7214]

That just brought back so many memories

[@sabrinamiller3671]

I so remember those puppet shows at 0:44 they regularly had outside of (as it was known then) Fantasyland!! Where the heck did you find footage of it??

[@catfishkempster]

I managed to get in to the Phase 3 grand opening back on September 10th of '85 (it was a little over a week before my sixteenth birthday). Saw the gaping maw of the Humpback statue and ran right in - only to get both feet soaked, as there was about six inches of standing water on the floor of it's mouth! :) I've always thought it was a gorgeous piece of art.

[@boatknight2246]

can you possibly do a video, on Rock & Ride if any video exists lol

[@justanotherzombieFJ]

Faux Name man I miss rock an ride

[@NANDOOO94]

Man lolololol way back

[@sugarfreerecovery4339]

I loved rock and ride

[@chronicloungemc2043]

What about it ? Closed cause kids were dieing from OD

[@user-oe1sy3kv8q]

Well the bronze whale dude is back but RIP HMV

[@kennedyjackson3382]

They should build a pool for it and do the pump upgrade! It’ll bring interest now since it’s been so long

[@000KRISTEN000]

So glad it still exists. I did not know. Will be taking my kids to visit it.. I remember it as a kid and was heartbroken at first watching this, knowing it was gone. But thankfully not for good.

[@sarahdell4042]

It’s crazy how much work actually went into making it. To only be treated like nothing years later

[@wayne6777]

Man it was way cooler when it was in real water. Between this and removing Mindbender, dolphins and subs and the mall is quickly losing a lot of its charm.

[@sportsmaster1364]

Can you do a story about how Phase 4 came to be? It still intrigues me how they created the entirely new phase, 14 years after Phase 3 had been completed.

[@doanster]

Agreed. I don't even know how it really qualifies as a 'Phase.' It just occupies the space where a department store (Woodward's, then The Bay) once was...

[@wclark3196]

Loved the whale. It was one of the many little things that made the mall unique. I was in high school when WEM was being constructed. My friend's father was a senior engineer involved in the project, so I got to hear a lot about it as it was under development. Back when WEM opened, people would travel there from all over the city. We'd go there because most areas, unlike places like Whyte Ave, didn't have shopping streets. They just had local malls (Bonnie Doon, Capilano, and Southgate were my locals at various times). These malls were nothing special, just places to buy stuff you might need. WEM was different. WEM just had...stuff. You could go with no money and just walk around and look at stuff and be around other people. It was as if Edmonton had suddenly developed an interesting neighbourhood. Sure, it was all about sell, but the owners wanted us to want to go there, to be willing to make the trip from anywhere in the city, because it was a fun and interesting place to be. They knew we'd spend more money there, more often, if it was a fun place to go and a place we wanted to stay for a long time. Things like the whale were all part of what made the place special. I haven't been to the mall in more than 30 years and, based on what you're telling me has happened to it, I'm not sure I'd ever go.

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Where the heck did you get the footage of those puppet shows? I remember them well when I was from 4-6!!

[@sunflowerhandler]

I have a picture my mother took of me as a toddler in the whale's mouth, a few years before it was moved! I'm lucky to have already known it was back, because I go to DeSerres whenever I'm at WEM. For real though, you're right, _nobody_ goes over in that area of the mall. It's totally dead, especially with Sears gone. Man, the real water looked so much cooler, I never really realised _how_ much cooler it looked! It looked dark and stormy.

[@EthanLettuce]

Now that the rec room is in phase 1 hopefully it will be less dead

[@derrickcas2500]

Does anybody remember an old radio promotion (or maybe Edmonton Journal promotion) where you had to guess where in Edmonton something was hidden? The radio station would give hints to narrow down where the object was. I remember the answer was "In the mouth of the whale at West Edmonton Mall!".

[@zombiemanhasbe4119]

Cool thank. It been nice. Squirt water but again it cost in too maintenance , but nice to see it back

[@englishruraldoggynerd]

People.... the administrators.... of public spaces never value art properly and see the benefits and inspiration that these pieces can invest. It’s beyond tragic and also ridiculous that they moved it from its pool, never got the pump working to spout water as the artist designed, and have instead installed it completely inappropriately and inadequately with the most artificial water I’ve ever had the misfortune to see. It’s completely lost it’s impact, it’s measured countenance, and it’s purpose instead now looking rather ridiculous and sad. It desperately needed water around it to bring it to life, and give a three dimensional value to the two component parts. What the heck were they thinking? Or not thinking as it’s apparent that the people responsible have no clue about staging, and about mystery, and imagination, and heritage. Of all the fascinating things that I have seen on this series, this is the one which upsets me the most. All because Victoria’s Secret didn’t want it’s brand ‘tarnished’ by the linked images of frilly knickers and beached whales. When you stop giggling at that thought..... what is more important? Answers below 😉 🦠😷👍🏻 (Dec 22nd 2020) what a year 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@wakeupscreaming9883]

I do recall coming across the whale in it's new Phase 1 location. I didn't realize it had been moved. Without the water, the sculpture loses some of it's impact, as it really was an illusion the rest of the whale is submerged under water. It's funny people say Phase 1 is a "dead part of the mall". I wonder if WEM is feeling the pinch of online shopping and Amazon? I know many people who live outside Edmonton, who travel there to shop, and they prefer to go to the smaller malls.

[@irenetinney1630]

I was so excited to go to Edmonton mall but now I realized that the mall got rid of so many good stuff now it's basically just a shopping malll😯😯 Edit: I had written the first part before I heard that it was back, it may not be as cool but I'm glad it's still there

[@kunstlerleben_]

funny story... some friends & i went to see toy story 3 at the theatre in the summer of 2010. the movie let out pretty late, around midnight i think, so the entire mall was closed. we walked past them removing the whale and we all stopped in shock! "you're taking the whale out?!" we shouted up at the workers. they told us it will probably be put back, but it did take quite a few years. the ending of the video is hilarious, because that area is so quiet and it's true barely anyone goes over there!!

[@kirbyl8310]

It’s back but it’s been relocated to outside of the malls new marshals and dollar store on the first floor of the mall, I know this for a fact cause I live just down the street from the mall 😁👍🏻 also some of the other statues like the skater duo has returned,

[@Inlinetodie]

Yes, it was relocated a few times, I worked in the mall overnights in the 90s, it was loaded onto a forklift and moved to 4 locations around the mall, it was done while other parts of the mall were renovated

[@AuroraDragon1983]

I SWEAR the picture at 2:57 has me and my mother in it. I was just a little kid. I loved that whale.

[@matt2244]

Was living in Edmonton when the mall opened really nothing has changed in that mall.. Good that they put the whale back even if it in the dead area of the mall so odd to walk to that end and see almost no one around.

[@buffsheeri]

thanks for the info

[@draculoided]

I remember getting a picture taken inside the whale when I was younger. Didn't realize it's gone now. :/

[@flamegirl1006]

EnderGirl231 Same

[@indianajones1076]

Inshire it's back lol

[@jaidenrowe8004]

fun fact : they actually still have the bronze whale but its in a different location ! its in the back of the mall by the closed sears !!!

[@ajzeg01]

Oh! I remember the whale! I completely forgot about it until now! In my memories, it was the entrance to the aquarium. I guess my memories are faulty.

[@ellaalexander1282]

I remember going in this when I was little but whenever I asked people if they remembered it, no one did and I thought I imagined it

[@youngmunchie4819]

West ed transit center don't even have a public washroom

[@ProtoMK22]

I wish I would've been able to visit the whale again before I moved away, I loved it as a kid it really fascinated me.

[@GEEKICIDALTENDENCIES]

My first experience with the WEM whale was when I was 12 1986..it was huge

[@Mike-xc7vu]

The whale is near to winners. your dollar store. And near to the train thing

[@sorrowcult]

Didn't think you'd mention MWTC. I live like a 20 min walk from there.

[@WallyTony]

OMG I remember being in this as a child.

[@justinwillms17]

I’m not an Edmontonian but I lived an hour outside Edmonton for a bit and I walked by this thing not knowing it’s history and even I wondered why they’d put such a cool thing in a not so popular place...... now I know.

[@jallen1931]

Nice One!

[@SlightlyInactive]

Sears doesn’t exist anymore. Although, winners was added in phase 1. Attracting more attention to that area

[@trupower22]

This is super duper niche. I fucking love it, subbed.

[@keimoss6573]

Idk why I'm here. I've never been there. But this is kinda interesting

[@sirenaboulay4816]

Feels bad. I work in phase 1. It’s getting better but still pretty dead now that sears is gone.

[@milomakesmusiccovers]

I watched this video, then went to wem a little while later. We went to deserres, and that’s when I saw the whale and started yelling to my family “THE WHALEEEEEEEE!!!” My family was confused, but I was excited! I got pictures!

[@Wesley_H]

Late 2018. 6:41 “But it’s there, living it’s new life” Me: Yaaay! “... just outside of Sears” Me: Ooooh 😬

[@kaiokendo]

8:02 Sears is Dead now

[@hannahbeaudin5015]

I remember the whale in its original spot when I was super young. I’m not sure if I made this up in my mind or not. But I swear it used to go under the water. Can anyone confirm if it did or not?

[@CowsAreIrrelevant]

I was always vaguely uncomfortable around the wale, I don't know if it was related to my fear of the ocean of just because it was big and I was easily spooked but I always put up a fuss when my grandparents or some other family wanted me to get in its mouth for a picture. even though I hated that thing it doesn't deserve its new location, its an impressive work of art but it looks like an after thought tucked off to the side with some cheap waves.

[@Drivenout]

They moved it to the old wing, near the old empty sears, accross from the old target.

[@youngmunchie4819]

Is the old side of the mall where the underground tunnels are ?

[@mlgdigimon]

This is underrated

[@mrdynamic8678]

What about the dragon in the theater?

[@brentwatier]

That’s hilarious. I remember my Mother-in-law saying that I should ask my wife to marry me in the whale. I didn’t because the whale was dirty and stunk. After getting married my wife and I would periodically go to the mall every couple years and I remember it being gone, but had no idea it was in phase 1 because we’d never go that far. Awesome channel 👌🏾

[@BtsArmyDiamondminer]

Actually I saw it there at one of the entrances that had a craft store lol so it’s actually still there but it was painted

[@RubyredKate]

Actually, they've put the whale back in the mall but in a different location. Now it's near Desseres the art store :)

[@Inlinetodie]

Now it's near Marshall's, they moved it 4 times

[@AnnaLVajda]

People are being dumbed down by corporations and do not appreciate art that is disgraceful.

[@23urih2r3uih]

I have some questions first do you have another channel? Because these videos are actually really well edited and made. Also are you like an employee or associated with the mall or no?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Vyrus Thank you! I'm not associated, just a WEM enthusiast.

[@MessiahComing]

Why was Robin Bell given an accent? He's not a foreigner. He doesn't have a French accent. You can hear him speak at Robinbell.net

[@charlesmagno28]

I see a whale like sculpture there. Is it a new one ir different?

[@nine_tails137]

I've seen the new location of the bronze whale, and honestly, without the actual water around it, it just sucks all the life out of it, due to the fake water surrounding it.

[@maxboi1036]

Couldn’t they put sits around the whale?

[@kiamani5699]

And you showed a picture of town center mall cause I go there because I live in mill woods so i go there lots. Because my mom goes to the good life gym there

[@RandomRandom-um1wi]

Phase One? Where the Sears and Zellers/Target used to be? Wow.

[@rob379lqz]

Yup... my high school band played at the oil rig... and for sure always knew the whale you could walk down into. I never went into the whale though.

[@arlenebosse-mcdermott683]

I remember the whale. I remember when it was in water. I remember when I was a child I was afraid to go in it because it was surrounded in water. But like 2 weeks ago I went saw it, but there's no longer a Sears there.