Oct. 1, 1986: Fantasyland Hotel theme rooms open in West Edmonton Mall
Themed hotel rooms with Jacuzzis booked solid for months
When the Fantasyland Hotel opened for the first time 30 years ago, Edmontonians were anxious to see the 360 themed rooms.
The suites — with royal, Roman and Polynesian themes, to name a few — were such a hit that to book one for opening night, reservations had to have been made nearly a year in advance.
Bob and Gail Warawa were were the first to stay in one of the Polynesian themed rooms, and couldn't have been more excited.
"She's party-time I'm telling you, is this ever neat," Bob Warawa said upon seeing the room for the first time.
The champagne was flowing as guests arrived in the lobby, which was complete with porters dressed for the style of room they were tending to.
The novelty of the theme room didn't die down — the hotel was completely booked through to Dec. 1986.
In this segment, which aired on CBC Newsday on Oct. 1, 1986, Kelly McClughan tagged along with one couple as they got their first look at a West Edmonton Mall Fantasyland Hotel theme room.