Where Is Wally World in National Lampoon’s Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

If you are a fan of the classic comedy movie National Lampoon’s Vacation, you may be wondering where the fictional amusement park Wally World is actually located. In the movie, the Griswold family embarks on a cross-country road trip to visit Wally World, only to find out that it is closed for maintenance. Let’s take a closer look at the whereabouts of this iconic theme park.

The Inspiration for Wally World

Wally World in National Lampoon’s Vacation was inspired by Disneyland, which is located in Anaheim, California. The movie’s writer John Hughes grew up in the Chicago area and often visited Disneyland as a child. He wanted to create a satirical take on the American family vacation and decided to base it around a trip to a fictional theme park that was similar to Disneyland.

Where Was Wally World Filmed?

Although Wally World is fictional, the scenes that were supposed to take place at the amusement park were actually filmed at two different locations. The exterior shots of Wally World were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Meanwhile, the interior scenes were filmed at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain is an amusement park located just outside Los Angeles, California. It opened in 1971 and has since become known for its extreme roller coasters and other thrill rides.

In National Lampoon’s Vacation, Six Flags Magic Mountain served as the exterior setting for Wally World. The entrance gate and parking lot scenes were all shot on location at this popular theme park.

Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia is an amusement park located near Atlanta, Georgia. It opened in 1967 and features over 40 rides and attractions spread across its 290-acre property.

In National Lampoon’s Vacation, Six Flags Over Georgia served as the interior setting for Wally World. The scenes that take place inside the park, including the roller coaster ride and the hostage situation, were all filmed on location at this popular Southern theme park.

Conclusion

Although Wally World is a fictional amusement park, National Lampoon’s Vacation brought it to life on the big screen with help from two real-life theme parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain in California provided the exterior shots of Wally World, while Six Flags Over Georgia in Georgia served as the interior setting for the movie’s iconic scenes. Whether you are a fan of National Lampoon’s Vacation or just love amusement parks in general, knowing where Wally World was filmed can add an extra layer of appreciation to this classic comedy.