When I was finishing high school in Gold River, a tiny community on Vancouver Island, West Edmonton Mall was one of the places we seriously considered for our graduation trip.
We never actually went. But the fact that a group of teenagers living more than 1,000 kilometres away wanted to travel to Edmonton specifically for a shopping mall says something about the hold this place once had on the Canadian imagination.
West Edmonton Mall was not merely somewhere to shop. It was a destination you heard stories about. It had a waterpark, roller coasters, an ice rink, a pirate ship and more stores than anyone growing up in a small town could reasonably picture.
I finally experienced it after moving to Edmonton in the early 2000s. Gold River had fewer than 2,000 residents, so walking into West Edmonton Mall felt like entering a city inside another city.
I was mesmerized.
I was also obsessed with collecting CDs at the time, which gave me a very specific reason to keep returning. I would spend hours moving between music stores, wandering through the different phases and occasionally becoming completely lost. A typical visit involved an Orange Julius. Sometimes more than one location seemed to be tempting me. There were RadioShacks everywhere—or at least that is how it felt—and retail itself was part of the spectacle.
During my first few years in Edmonton, I probably went two or three times a month.
By years four and five, the appeal had worn off. The mall was still enormous, but it was no longer mysterious. I rarely went. I even spent years saying I would eventually visit World Waterpark and somehow never managed it.
Classic local behaviour. When something is always available, there is no urgency. You convince yourself there will be another weekend until you move away and realize you never did it.
Returning more than a decade later with Audrey was strange because the mall was familiar and different at the same time. It still felt overwhelming, especially to someone seeing it for the first time, but it also seemed more determined to hold your attention with experiences rather than relying on the sheer novelty of shopping.
That shift is important for first-time visitors today. You are no longer deciding only where to shop. You are choosing between a waterpark, an amusement park, skating, mini-golf, marine attractions, go-karts, bowling, a pirate ship, restaurants and hundreds of stores.
The best way to visit West Edmonton Mall is to pick one main reason for going and organize everything else around it.
If the mall is one of the main reasons for your Edmonton trip—particularly if you are planning two attraction-heavy days—it is worth checking where you will sleep before building the itinerary. You can compare current hotels near West Edmonton Mall and decide whether direct mall access is worth more to you than staying elsewhere in the city.
How West Edmonton Mall Has Changed Since I Lived in Edmonton
The West Edmonton Mall I remember from the early 2000s was heavily driven by retail abundance.
For someone arriving from a small town, the number of stores was almost impossible to process. I could spend an entire afternoon looking for CDs, comparing what different shops carried and walking from one end of the mall to the other without buying much beyond an Orange Julius.
Christmas shopping was another level entirely.
I remember visiting on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and seeing enormous lines forming outside shops before they opened. People were waiting for sales as though concert tickets were about to be released. It was insane in the membrane.
The mall still has hundreds of stores, but the modern version appears much more conscious of competing for your time through experiences. Shopping is only one part of the attraction now.
The indoor lake and pirate ship remain among its most distinctive visual features. Galaxyland is continuing its transformation. World Waterpark remains a destination in its own right. You can skate, bowl, race go-karts, play mini-golf or build an entire visit around food.
Some of those experiences existed when I lived in Edmonton, of course. The difference is one of emphasis. The mall I remember captivated me through scale and retail choice. The mall we returned to seemed to offer more ways to turn an ordinary shopping trip into an entire day—or even a weekend.
For a first-time visitor, that creates more possibilities and more opportunities to make a mess of the itinerary.
Decide What Kind of Mall Day You Want
Audrey and I did not attempt to conquer West Edmonton Mall during our return visit.
That would have been ridiculous.
We walked through restaurant areas, saw the indoor lake and pirate ship, looked down at the Ice Palace and explored Galaxyland. In an absolutely shocking development for anyone familiar with our travels, our first serious mission was finding food.
What became obvious was that West Edmonton Mall is not one experience. It is several completely different days competing for your attention under the same roof.
| Your main priority | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Water slides and swimming | Build the day around World Waterpark |
| Indoor rides | Make Galaxyland the main attraction |
| A broad introduction | Choose one medium activity, the lake and a meal |
| Serious shopping | Let retail anchor the visit and keep attractions flexible |
World Waterpark and Galaxyland require the biggest commitment.
The Ice Palace, Marine Life, mini-golf, bowling and DRIVE can fit into a mixed visit, but they still involve schedules, equipment, reservations or participation restrictions.
The lake and pirate ship are much easier to add without reorganizing the whole day.
That distinction is more useful than an arbitrary ranking of the mall’s attractions. The best thing to do depends on how much time you have and whether you want one intensive experience or a varied first look.
World Waterpark: The Attraction I Always Meant to Visit
I lived in Edmonton for years and repeatedly told myself I would visit World Waterpark.
Naturally, I never did.
There was always another weekend. Then another year. Eventually I left Edmonton with the waterpark still sitting on my imaginary local to-do list.
Because of that, I cannot give you a personal verdict on the slides, wave pool or facilities. What I can do is explain why World Waterpark needs to be treated as the centre of your day rather than another attraction to squeeze in.
General admission currently costs $67 for visitors measuring 48 inches or taller and $57 for shorter guests over age two. Children aged two and under enter free. The waterpark has more than 17 slides and splash areas, along with its huge indoor wave pool.
The rule that changes your itinerary is no re-entry.
Once you leave, you cannot wander over to BRBN st. for lunch and then return for another swim. You need to plan food, breaks and the rest of the mall visit around that restriction.
There are also all the little time-consuming steps that disappear when people casually say, “We’ll do the waterpark”:
- Changing into swimwear
- Finding and using lockers
- Renting tubes or towels
- Waiting for popular slides
- Eating inside the attraction
- Drying off and changing again afterward
Life jackets and swim diapers are included. Tubes, towels, lockers, cabanas and other extras may cost more. Purchases inside use a cashless wristband system.
Families should review the current height and participation rules before buying tickets. Strollers are permitted, and guests must be at least 11 years old to enter without a chaperone.
Check the current World Waterpark ticket page before visiting because prices, hours and operating conditions can change.
My advice is simple: choose World Waterpark when swimming and water slides are one of the principal reasons for coming to West Edmonton Mall.
Do not choose it because you imagine casually fitting it between Galaxyland, shopping, skating and dinner. That is how a fun day starts feeling like an airport connection.
Galaxyland: The More Flexible Headline Attraction
We did walk through Galaxyland, and this was one of the moments when the idea of being inside a shopping mall stopped making much sense.
There are rides above the walkways, flashing lights, children disappearing into play areas and amusement-park noise bouncing around an indoor space. We saw the Swing of the Century, but we did not go on any rides, so I cannot tell you which attractions are worth queuing for.
Galaxyland currently advertises more than 27 rides and play areas. General admission costs $67 for visitors measuring 43 inches or taller and $57 for shorter guests over age two.
The major difference from World Waterpark is that you do not necessarily need a full-day pass.
Individual attractions use one or two ride points, and each point currently costs $10 plus tax. That gives you three reasonable ways to approach Galaxyland:
- Buy an all-day pass and make it the centre of the visit.
- Purchase a few ride points and sample selected attractions.
- Walk through, take in the spectacle and save your budget for something else.
The second option makes Galaxyland much easier to incorporate into a broader first visit.
Before buying a pass, check the Galaxyland maintenance schedule. Ride closures can change the value of the pass, especially when a particular attraction is one of the main reasons you want to visit.
Height and chaperone restrictions vary. Families with children of different sizes may find that they cannot ride together as often as expected. Expectant mothers and visitors with certain medical conditions may also be unable to participate in some rides.
Galaxyland can fill most of the day, but it does not have to. That flexibility makes it easier to combine with food, shopping and a few of the mall’s stranger sights.
The Ice Palace
The Ice Palace was one of the most memorable things we saw.
An indoor skating rink beneath a glass dome is exactly the kind of contradiction West Edmonton Mall does well. You can be walking between ordinary shops and suddenly find yourself looking down at people skating.
Even if you have no intention of participating, it is worth stopping to watch.
Public-skating admission currently costs $17 for adults and $12 for children aged three to ten. Skate rental costs $7, helmets are free and skate trainers are available for an additional charge.
The Ice Palace does not offer public skating continuously throughout mall hours. The rink also hosts practices, events and other activities, so check the current public-skating schedule before building your visit around it.
Audrey and I only watched. We did not skate, so I cannot comment on the ice quality, rental skates or how crowded a normal public session feels.
For planning purposes, the Ice Palace has two different roles:
- A free visual stop while exploring the mall
- A scheduled activity requiring the correct time window
It is worth deciding which version you want before arriving.
Marine Life
Marine Life is less expensive than the two headline attractions, but it requires more planning than its lower price might suggest.
Sea Life Caverns and the Sea Lion Show are separate experiences, each currently costing $14. The sea lion performance follows a schedule, has limited capacity and may require arriving early.
Sea Life Caverns contains more than 100 species, though it is neither wheelchair nor stroller accessible. Anyone needing modified access should contact the attraction before arriving.
We did not visit Marine Life ourselves. It makes the most sense for visitors looking for a comparatively contained, lower-cost activity who are willing to organize part of the day around the show schedule and access limitations.
Mini-Golf, Go-Karts and Bowling
West Edmonton Mall has several attractions that fall between a quick sightseeing stop and a major day pass.
They can work well during a half-day visit, but each has its own logistical catch.
Mini-Golf
Professor WEM’s Adventure Golf and Dragon’s Tale are both 18-hole courses.
General admission currently costs $19, with child admission priced at $14. The more useful distinction is accessibility: Professor WEM’s course is not wheelchair accessible, while Dragon’s Tale is.
Mini-golf is relatively easy to combine with a meal and shopping. It also gives couples, families and groups something they can do together without needing bathing suits, skates or a lengthy safety briefing.
DRIVE
DRIVE offers indoor electric go-kart racing.
A race currently costs $30 and provides approximately seven minutes on the track. Seven minutes sounds like a tiny commitment, but the full experience also involves registration, orientation, safety instructions and waiting for the assigned race.
Drivers must meet current age and height requirements. Double-kart drivers need to be at least 18 and carry a valid driver’s licence.
This makes sense when someone in the group specifically wants to race. It is less spontaneous than the short track time suggests.
Ed’s Bowling
Ed’s Bowling sells lanes in hourly blocks.
A tenpin lane currently costs between $60 and $80 per hour for up to eight people, with shoes charged separately. That can be reasonable for a group. It becomes less attractive for a couple unless bowling is an important part of the visit.
Reservations matter, walk-in space depends on availability and arriving late does not extend the lane time.
This is a recurring theme at West Edmonton Mall. An activity may sound easy to add until check-in, equipment and booking windows enter the equation.
The Indoor Lake and Pirate Ship
The indoor lake and pirate ship were among my favourite parts of our return visit.
You move out of a restaurant or shopping corridor and suddenly find yourself standing beside water, looking at a replica ship under the mall roof.
It is bizarre, theatrical and exactly the kind of thing I remembered West Edmonton Mall being famous for.
This area works especially well for first-time visitors because you can experience it at several levels.
You can simply stop and look. That costs nothing.
You can board The Ship for $2 at the gate.
You can also take a ten-minute ride in one of the Birds of Paradise swan paddle boats. A boat currently costs $20 and can hold no more than two adults. Tickets are sold onsite.
We did not board the ship or use the paddle boats. We enjoyed the setting itself, and that is still one of the easiest things for me to recommend.
The paddle boats have participation restrictions. Riders must be at least 36 inches tall and able to sit without support. Age-based chaperone rules apply, expectant mothers are advised not to ride and phones or action cameras cannot be used onboard.
That final rule is worth knowing because a slow boat ride past the pirate ship seems like an obvious photography opportunity.
The Ship’s accessibility information is less clear. Different official pages offer conflicting guidance about wheelchair and stroller access. Contact Guest Services before planning to board if mobility is a concern.
The lake area gives you a strong dose of West Edmonton Mall weirdness without demanding a day pass or a large block of time.
Shopping at West Edmonton Mall
Shopping was the main reason I visited during my first years in Edmonton.
I was deep into collecting CDs at the time, and West Edmonton Mall gave me far more choice than anything I had known growing up. I could spend hours comparing shops, looking for imports or simply browsing through shelves.
I also walked the mall for the sake of walking it.
Sometimes I would attempt to cover the entire place and end up lost. This happened often enough that I should have learned the layout, but West Edmonton Mall has a way of making you think a destination is nearby when it is actually several phases, escalators and wrong turns away.
An Orange Julius was usually involved somewhere in the outing.
The mall remains a major shopping destination, but serious retail time needs to be protected. Do not assume you will casually browse hundreds of stores while moving between World Waterpark, lunch and Galaxyland.
I would choose one of three structures:
- Attraction-led: One major attraction, a meal and limited shopping
- Shopping-led: Retail first, with one flexible attraction
- Mixed: One medium activity, selected stores, food and the lake area
What I would not attempt is giving World Waterpark, Galaxyland, skating, shopping and a relaxed sit-down meal equal priority.
That is not an itinerary. It is a punishment.
Food at West Edmonton Mall
Our first serious task during the return visit was finding something to eat.
Again, absolutely shocking.
We headed to the restaurant corridor I remembered as Bourbon Street, now branded as BRBN st. The area was lively and full of choices, which created another miniature planning crisis.
We eventually chose the Taco Shop.
We ordered guacamole prepared tableside with corn chips, chicken tinga tacos and fish ceviche. The tacos were generously filled, with a smoky flavour and mild heat. Audrey particularly enjoyed the ceviche with its citrus, red onion, cilantro, avocado and tomato.
The Taco Shop remains open, and its current menu still includes tableside guacamole, although individual dishes and prices can change.
The deeper question is whether food is part of the attraction or simply fuel.
A proper meal on BRBN st. can become one of the highlights of the visit. It also consumes much more time than grabbing something quickly from a food court.
That difference matters during a short mall visit. It matters even more if World Waterpark is the main activity because you cannot leave for a restaurant meal and then re-enter.
For a long day, I would decide where and approximately when to eat before everyone becomes exhausted and hungry. West Edmonton Mall has enough choices to waste a surprising amount of time asking, “What do you feel like?”
My old routine was easier.
Find CDs. Walk until lost. Buy an Orange Julius.
How Long Should You Spend at West Edmonton Mall?
When I said you could easily spend 24 hours at West Edmonton Mall, I was reacting to how much was happening around us.
We did not literally spend 24 hours there, and most visitors do not need to.
The right amount of time depends on what you choose as the anchor.
Two to Three Hours
A short introduction can include:
- The indoor lake and pirate ship
- Optional ship boarding or paddle boats
- Watching the Ice Palace
- Walking through BRBN st.
- A meal, coffee or snack
- Limited shopping
Galaxyland can fit only if you buy a small number of ride points and remain disciplined.
World Waterpark does not fit this version of the visit.
Two or three hours is enough to understand why West Edmonton Mall is unusual. It is not enough for one of its headline attractions.
Half a Day
A half-day gives you room for one medium activity:
- Public skating
- Marine Life
- Mini-golf
- DRIVE
- Bowling
You can then add the lake, food and selected shopping.
Galaxyland can also work when it is clearly the main activity. The problems begin when you keep adding other priorities.
A Full Day
The cleanest full-day plans are:
- World Waterpark as the main event
- Galaxyland with a meal and a few shorter stops
- A serious shopping day with one or two medium activities
A full day still does not mean seeing everything.
Trying to do both World Waterpark and Galaxyland in one day may be technically possible under the right schedules, but I would not build a first visit around it. Too much time would disappear into walking, changing, queuing and worrying about the next reservation.
Two Days
Two days make sense when:
- You want both World Waterpark and Galaxyland
- Shopping is also important
- You want several smaller attractions
- You prefer a relaxed pace
- West Edmonton Mall is one of the main reasons for the Edmonton trip
This is where staying at or near the mall begins to make practical sense. A two-day attraction plan is very different from visiting WEM for a few hours while staying downtown.
Where to Stay for West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall has two obvious accommodation choices of its own, followed by a wider group of conventional hotels in west Edmonton.
Audrey and I did not stay at either mall hotel, so I cannot compare the rooms or service from personal experience. Our Edmonton stay was downtown at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, which gave us a completely different trip centred on the historic hotel, the river valley and downtown sightseeing.
The right hotel depends on whether West Edmonton Mall is the trip or merely one part of it.
Fantasyland Hotel: Best for Making the Mall the Experience
Fantasyland Hotel is located inside West Edmonton Mall and is the clearest choice for visitors who want to remain immersed in the mall from morning until night.
Its defining feature is its collection of themed rooms, alongside more conventional room categories. It also has on-site dining and free parking.
The advantage is obvious: you can return to the room without crossing a road, moving the car or committing to another transit journey. That becomes particularly valuable when the group is changing after World Waterpark, carrying shopping bags or splitting the day into separate attraction blocks.
I would consider it for a family celebration, a themed stay or a two-day WEM trip where convenience matters more than experiencing other parts of Edmonton.
You can check current Fantasyland Hotel rooms and availability.
West Edmonton Mall Inn: Best for Simple Mall Access
West Edmonton Mall Inn is across the street rather than inside the mall.
Its appeal is more practical than theatrical. Current stays include continental breakfast, Wi-Fi and free on-site parking, with king, two-queen and accessible room options.
This is the mall hotel I would compare against Fantasyland when the priority is location rather than themed-room novelty. You remain close enough to walk over, but the hotel itself is a more straightforward base.
Travellers who expect to spend most of their waking hours inside WEM may not need to pay for a hotel experience that competes with the attraction itself.
You can compare current rates at West Edmonton Mall Inn.
Hotels Near West Edmonton Mall
Nearby hotels can make more sense when you want conventional rooms, breakfast, a kitchenette, a pool or easier access to Edmonton’s road network without paying primarily for the WEM name.
Baymont by Wyndham West Edmonton is currently listed about a 13-minute walk from the mall. Its rooms include kitchenettes, and the property offers breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking. The kitchenette is potentially useful during a multi-night family stay when not every meal needs to happen inside the mall.
You can see current rooms at Baymont by Wyndham West Edmonton.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Edmonton–Mall Area is farther from the doors but may appeal more to drivers. It currently offers complimentary heated underground parking, along with an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness centre. Heated parking is not the most glamorous hotel feature until Edmonton delivers a properly cold morning.
You can check availability at Holiday Inn Express near West Edmonton Mall.
There are many other hotels scattered through west Edmonton, so I would compare the total package rather than choosing by distance alone. Breakfast, parking, room layout and whether you plan to walk or drive may matter more than being a few minutes closer.
For a broader selection, compare hotels around West Edmonton Mall on Booking.com.
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald: Best for a Broader Edmonton Trip
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is the fun wildcard because it is the Edmonton hotel Audrey and I actually stayed at.
We booked it during our babymoon, and the experience was almost the opposite of sleeping at West Edmonton Mall. Instead of themed rooms and immediate attraction access, we had a historic château-style hotel overlooking the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
We spent time at the pool, ate breakfast and evening canapés in the Gold Lounge, walked through the gardens and used the nearby funicular to reach the river-valley trails. It worked beautifully for reconnecting with Edmonton as a city rather than organizing the trip around one attraction.
The trade-off is location. Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is downtown, not beside West Edmonton Mall. It makes sense when WEM is one outing among museums, the river valley, the Legislature, ICE District and other central attractions.
You can check current rooms at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
When it is operating on your dates, the Edmonton Explorer sightseeing trolley offers another way to connect a downtown stay with West Edmonton Mall. Its current route includes both Fairmont Hotel Macdonald and WEM, alongside other Edmonton attractions. It is a sightseeing product rather than ordinary public transit, but it could suit visitors who want to connect the mall with a broader city day.
You can check current Edmonton Explorer trolley dates and ticket options.
West Edmonton Mall Hotel Comparison
| Hotel | Best for | Location | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasyland Hotel | A themed, attraction-focused stay | Inside West Edmonton Mall | The hotel becomes part of the WEM experience rather than simply a place to sleep |
| West Edmonton Mall Inn | Simple and practical mall access | Across the street | Less immersive than staying inside the mall |
| Baymont by Wyndham West Edmonton | Kitchenettes and a nearby conventional stay | Approximately a 13-minute walk | Not directly connected to WEM |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Drivers, winter parking and hotel amenities | A short drive from the mall | Less convenient for walking back and forth |
| Fairmont Hotel Macdonald | A historic downtown and river-valley stay | Downtown Edmonton | Requires a separate journey to West Edmonton Mall |
If West Edmonton Mall is the entire purpose of a two-day trip, I would start with Fantasyland Hotel and West Edmonton Mall Inn.
If the mall is one day within a broader Edmonton itinerary, staying downtown or in another convenient area may produce a more interesting overall visit.
Are the Attraction Passes Worth It?
The current Two-Day Multi Park Pass costs $179 per person and is valid for two consecutive days when activated within the required purchase period.
It includes World Waterpark, Galaxyland, Ice Palace, The Ship, both mini-golf courses, Sea Life Caverns, Ed’s Bowling and several other activities.
Most included attractions permit one entry per day. Galaxyland is the main exception. Extras such as skate rental and certain premium experiences are not included.
The pass is worth calculating when:
- You genuinely want both headline attractions
- You have two complete days
- You intend to use several secondary attractions
- The schedules match your visit
- Everyone in the group can participate in enough inclusions
Individual tickets are normally better when you want one principal attraction and only one or two smaller experiences.
West Edmonton Mall also offers a seven-day MultiPlay Pass, but that is intended for a far more mall-focused holiday or repeated local use. It would be excessive for the average Edmonton visitor.
A pass is not automatically good value because the theoretical total of every included attraction exceeds the purchase price.
It is good value when you have enough time, energy and genuine interest to use it.
West Edmonton Mall Attraction Comparison
| Attraction | Best role | Current price | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Waterpark | Full-day anchor | $67 general admission | No re-entry; changing and locker time |
| Galaxyland | Full-day or flexible anchor | $67 pass or $10 per ride point | Ride closures and height restrictions |
| Ice Palace | Medium activity or free visual stop | $17 plus rentals | Public skating runs at selected times |
| Marine Life | Medium activity | $14 per component | Separate tickets and limited accessibility |
| Mini-golf | Medium activity | $19 | The two courses have different accessibility |
| DRIVE | Short scheduled activity | $30 per race | Registration and briefing add time |
| Ed’s Bowling | Medium group activity | From $60 per lane | Reservations and fixed lane time |
| Birds of Paradise | Short add-on | $20 per boat | Onsite tickets and participation rules |
| The Ship | Short add-on | $2 to board | Confirm accessibility before visiting |
There is no single best attraction.
World Waterpark suits visitors willing to devote most of a day to swimming. Galaxyland is more flexible. Skating, mini-golf, bowling and Marine Life fit more easily into a mixed itinerary. The lake and pirate ship offer the easiest low-cost introduction.
Getting to West Edmonton Mall
Public Transit
West Edmonton Mall has a major transit centre on 90 Avenue near 175 Street.
Current Edmonton Transit Service routes include the 7 and 900X between downtown and the mall, though routes and detours can change. Use the ETS Trip Planner for your exact travel date.
Adult fares currently cost $3 when paid with an Arc card or contactless debit or credit card. Cash and single-use Arc tickets cost $3.75. A 24-hour Arc ticket or daily fare cap costs $10.50.
Each rider over age 12 needs a separate payment method. Children aged 12 and under travel free with a fare-paying passenger.
The Valley Line West remains under construction, so there is no direct LRT service to West Edmonton Mall yet. Bus service remains the practical public-transit option.
Visitors who prefer a sightseeing connection rather than ordinary transit can also check whether the Edmonton Explorer trolley is running during their stay. Its current Western Loop includes West Edmonton Mall, while the downtown route begins at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
Driving and Parking
Accessible parking is available at every entrance. Lots 48, 50 and 58 contain the largest numbers of designated accessible spaces, while family and expectant-mother spaces are available near several entrances.
Choose the parking area based on your principal attraction.
If you are going directly to World Waterpark or Galaxyland, use the current mall map rather than taking the first parking space you see. Starting on the wrong side can add a considerable walk before the visit has properly begun.
Overnight parking is not permitted in the mall lots.
Finding Your Way Around
Digital directories are positioned throughout West Edmonton Mall. They include elevator-route options and an accessibility setting that lowers the controls on the screen.
Guest Services has two main Level 1 locations: one near Galaxyland and another near The Ship.
Wheelchairs and scooters are available to rent, but quantities are limited. Deposits and identification are required, so anyone depending on a mobility rental should consider reserving ahead.
Before leaving for the mall, check:
- Current West Edmonton Mall hours
- The live mall map
- The operating page for your main attraction
Mall hours do not guarantee that every restaurant, ride, skating session or show is operating.
What I Would Do on a First Visit
With only a few hours, I would see the lake and pirate ship, stop at the Ice Palace, walk through BRBN st. and choose either a proper meal or one short paid activity.
With half a day, I would add one medium attraction and resist the urge to keep piling things on.
With a full day, I would choose World Waterpark or Galaxyland before arriving. Everything else would be a bonus.
With two days, both headline attractions become realistic. That is when the Two-Day Multi Park Pass deserves a proper calculation and when staying at Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall Inn or another nearby property can remove a lot of unnecessary travel.
My relationship with West Edmonton Mall has gone through several stages.
First, it was a mythical place worth considering for a high-school graduation trip from Vancouver Island. Then it became a city-sized maze where I hunted for CDs, drank Orange Julius and somehow kept getting lost. Eventually the novelty faded, as it tends to when an attraction becomes part of ordinary life.
Returning years later with Audrey reminded me why it had such an effect in the first place.
West Edmonton Mall still overwhelms you with possibilities. The difference now is that shopping is only the beginning.
Choose the main reason you are going. Leave enough room for food, wandering and a few strange discoveries. You will enjoy the mall much more than if you spend the day trying to defeat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you need at West Edmonton Mall?
A few hours are enough for shopping, the indoor lake, the pirate ship and a meal. Plan a full day for one major attraction, and consider two days if you want to combine World Waterpark, Galaxyland and substantial shopping.
Can you visit World Waterpark and Galaxyland in the same day?
You could attempt both, but I would not recommend giving them equal priority. Each can anchor a long visit, and the changing, locker, queue and meal logistics at World Waterpark make an overloaded schedule tiring.
Can you leave World Waterpark and return later?
No. World Waterpark currently has a no-re-entry rule, so plan food, breaks and the rest of your mall visit around one continuous session.
Is West Edmonton Mall worth visiting if you do not want to shop?
Yes. World Waterpark, Galaxyland, the Ice Palace, mini-golf, bowling, go-karts, Marine Life and the indoor lake give non-shoppers several ways to build a visit.
Should first-time visitors stay near West Edmonton Mall?
Staying nearby is most useful when the mall is a major reason for the trip or you are planning two attraction-heavy days. For one shorter visit within a broader Edmonton itinerary, a downtown or central base may suit the trip better.
What did Audrey and I personally do at West Edmonton Mall?
We explored Galaxyland without riding, watched skaters at the Ice Palace, saw the indoor lake and pirate ship, walked through the restaurant areas and ate at the Taco Shop. We did not visit World Waterpark, skate, use the paddle boats or enter Marine Life.
This guide is also available in Spanish. [Leé la versión en castellano: Guía del West Edmonton Mall: qué hacer en una primera visita]
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