Accessible West Edmonton Mall
The world's largest shopping centre offers over-the-top fun.
Because it's so big and all the attractions are under one roof, West Edmonton Mall is an accessible, if completely crazy, place for a weekend getaway.
You don't have to be a shopper to enjoy a getaway at West Edmonton Mall. In fact you can spend the weekend there without setting foot in a shop, if you so choose.
According to WEM's own website, the mall covers 48 city blocks and is the world's largest entertainment and shopping centre. There are over 800 stores and services and 100 eating establishments. The nine special attractions include
- Galaxyland Amusement Park, with rides for all ages and stages of scary ride loving
- World Waterpark - the world's largest indoor wave pool, with huge waterslides, waves, and a beach
- Ice Palace - see a hockey game, figure skaters, or try skating yourself.
Let me confess, I hate shopping. I don't like crowds. I'm not overly keen on staying indoors.
All this and still I've had some great moments at West Edmonton Mall. The key is to relax, be a little childish, and enjoy the complete lunacy of the place.
The Fantasyland Hotel, also right in the West Edmonton Mall, is well-known for its many themed rooms. You can sleep in an igloo (not made of ice, but looking like it) or a pick-up truck, or one of nine other kinds of theme rooms. Most of the rooms have Jacuzzi hot tubs for extended in-room lounging. It's a lot of fun with kids, and really, you have to think like a kid to get the most out of West Edmonton Mall.
There are also some quite nice executive suites in the Fantasyland Hotel but why stay in one of those when you could be in a Roman suite?
The West Edmonton Mall Inn is another choice for your Edmonton accommodation. The West Edmonton Mall Inn is not under the same roof as the rest of the Mall, so if mobility is an issue, be prepared for a short drive (across the street) to a handicapped parking spot at one of the WEM's many entrances.
West Edmonton Mall has a casino. There is a section called Bourbon Street which aims for a New Orleans feel, and on Europa Boulevard, the store facades are made to look like an old European city.
Accessibility Features
Being an entirely indoor mall (except for the West Edmonton Mall Inn), West Edmonton Mall is a year-round attraction, no matter what the weather is outside.
You can travel from the Fantasyland Hotel to the World Waterpark, Bourbon Street, the Ice Palace, the aquarium, Europa Boulevard, the amusement park and games arcade, all of the shops and restaurants AND the mini-golf - all without going outside. For a wheelchair or scooter user, it's smooth rolling.
There are wheelchair-accessible washrooms at a number of places inside.
Scooters may be rented, and wheelchairs borrowed, from the Visitor Information service. These are on a first-come basis, so it would be wise to call ahead to determine their availability.
Most people come to West Edmonton Mall by car (it has the world's largest parking lot), but taxis and city buses also come here.
West Edmonton Mall is very busy before Christmas and on many weekends year-round, so it is wise to plan ahead.
As a two-night getaway, it can be a lot of fun if you want a few days of harmless silliness. After all, lounging on any beach in Edmonton in February is pretty nice.
