dusty588

Great trip report! Happy to see that you enjoyed WEM. I'm from the Edmonton area, and it's always cool to see trip reports from the mall. I have a few facts/trivia that relate to some of your pictures/comments. Quirks in the Works is definitely the most unique dark ride I've been on. There was some talk going on several years back that the park was looking at doing a complete reno on the ride. Same theme, but totally re-done. New ride vehicles, new props, animations, video, lighting, everything. I don't know how true these reports were but haven't heard much since. I think it would benefit very well from a reno, it's a fun attraction. For World Waterpark, I don't know if when you were there, the Zip Lines were in use. Prior to them being installed, the water park featured the worlds tallest indoor bungee jump tower. It was a cool thing to have at the mall, and while it was somewhat popular, I don't think it was popular enough to keep it open. Since the zip lines were installed, every time, I've been at the mall, they've been regularly in use. A couple of slides that used to be in the park include a raft racer one, which had 3 slides. This was removed to make room for the Flowrider. There was also a lazy river, which was cool. There were two paths you could take. Both paths started and ended at the same points, but you could choose a slower, more relaxed way, or a faster one that featured drops and tunnels. As far as I know, the "river" is still there but hasn't been used for a number of years. I don't know the exact reasoning as to why it was closed. All in all, I think the water park holds up well for being 33 years old. They seem to keep up with the times and bring in new attractions to keep the park fresh. The mini golf course you checked out actually originally opened as a mini-golf version of Pebble Beach (trees, water features, sand traps). It was in the mid/late 90's that it was re-themed to its current theme. I think the original theme fit much better, especially with "Europa Blvd" above. Up until 2010 or 2011, there also used to be a giant animatronic dragon that breathed fire every 30 minutes and had a light show to go along with it. It was removed due to maintenance issues/costs. There was an attraction in the mall called "Lazer Maze". I'd best describe it as a "target shooting dark ride" but on foot. It had large animatronic characters and other animated props and various targets that you had to shoot during your walk thru. It closed in the late 1980's. Legendary Walt Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump was recruited for the development of the attraction. Again, happy to see that you had a great trip, and survived the Edmonton winter, haha! Though I'm not really a fan of "extreme" coasters, every time I go to the mall, make a trip into Galaxyland and watch Mindbender for a couple runs.

It happens on occasion but I wouldn't count on it. I forgot to mention that Soarin has single rider as well, but its also massively inefficient. Only 1 or 2 people get in for each viewing. I actually noticed that with both Indiana Jones and Soarin' that the single rider lines weren't moving super fast.

I thought the price was around $250 a while back. Maybe they've added to the tour, or just decided it's time for a price increase!

The first day we were there, we were in line for Soarin', and it was about an hour wait. My cousin went to get Fastpasses for Radiator Springs, and when she came back, she told us they're gone soon after opening. The next couple days we were there, as soon as we got in the park, we went straight to the Fastpass distribution (Around 10:15), and got those. And they were still for 8:00pm!

When I was there this past July, we used the Fastpass for Radiator Springs (bout a 20 min wait), and Tower of Terror (walked right on) I didn't use any single rider lines at Disney, but I did at Universal for a few rides. If you have two people together in the single rider line, is there a chance you would ride together? I know it defeats the purpose, but just curious.

I saw the price for the VIP Tour is now at $349. Does anyone recall prior pricing? Would you say the $349 is still worth it?

Disney just has the Fastpass for select attractions, no Front of the Line up-charge, right? Dustyn

Hey there. I was just wondering, if anyone has taken any of the tours offered at Disneyland (https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/). Are any of them worth taking? Dustyn

I was curious about Spring Break! I think for Universal, we want to do the VIP Tour, if not that, then Front of the Line. As for Disney, we'll make use of the Fastpasses, and just deal with the crowds! lol

Thanks for the info, very helpful! I think when I was there this past July, we only went on Transformers once, waited an hour!

Sounds like you had a great time! About how long was the tour? Did you do rides while on the tour, and did you have much time afterwards for going on your own? How many people were in your tour?

I think one day is enough. When I went, I think I went on every ride, some several times each, and saw a couple shows. My parents would probably go on everything but The Mummy. We were also considering going around Halloween (we LOVE Halloween!) but we're also going to San Francisco for a couple days, and going to WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara. I've also been to San Francisco, fun place.

Hey there. I am planning a trip to Southern California at the end of March/early April 2015 with my parents (their first time there). I was in Anaheim/LA for 10 days this past July and loved it! I went with my cousin, his wife and their to kids. We did Universal one day. I think one day is enough to experience everything. I'm wondering if anyone has given the VIP Tour a shot. If so, what are your thoughts on it? Is it worth the cost? Thanks! Dustyn

Hey there. For those of you that have been to Disneyland at the end of March/early April, what are the crowds like? I'm planning a trip to Southern California with my parents in 2015 (their first time there), and was just curious about the crowds. I went this past July for my first time, and it was quite busy, but not too bad. Same with Universal Studios, how are the crowds at that time?

Hey there. I really haven't posted on here before, just mostly a reader. I live in Edmonton, AB, and West Edmonton Mall is here (was featured in the Where in the World are Robb and Elissa 2009). It is set to get a multi million dollar facelift in the tens and tens of millions of dollars throughout the whole mall. There will be a couple of new family rides in Galaxyland, but what I found really cool, is that the World Water Park is going to be getting an Aqualoop waterslide. I've seen videos and pictures of one before and it looks interesting. One of the slides I, started at a 50 foot tower, and the one at the mall says its going to be at the highest peak in the park, so looking forward to see what happens. Anyway here is a link if anyone is interested. If you ever find yourself in Canada, or more-so Alberta, check out the mall, it's worth the trip! Dustyn http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/Multimillion+dollar+facelift+West+Edmonton+Mall/4141674/story.html