If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you might find yourself wondering: is the Christmas Vacation house a real house? The iconic Griswold family home has become a symbol of the holiday season for many, but where did it actually come from?
First, let’s take a look at what we know about the “Christmas Vacation” house. The film was released in 1989 and starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-meaning but bumbling family man who just wants to give his loved ones the perfect Christmas. Throughout the film, we see Clark’s attempts at decorating his home with thousands of lights and hosting his extended family for the holidays.
The exterior shots of the Griswold family home were indeed filmed on location, in a real residential neighborhood in Burbank, California. The house itself was custom-built for the film and was intended to be an exaggerated version of a typical suburban home from that era.
So while the Christmas Vacation house is not technically a real house that existed before filming began, it was designed to be recognizable as an archetype of American suburbia during that time period. And since it was built specifically for filming purposes, it doesn’t have much of an interesting history beyond its role in the movie.
However, that hasn’t stopped fans from seeking out the Christmas Vacation house as a tourist destination. In fact, many people make pilgrimages to Burbank just to see the exterior of the iconic home in person.
If you’re planning on visiting Burbank to see the Christmas Vacation house for yourself, there are a few things you should know. First off, while you can certainly drive by and take photos outside of the property (which is privately owned), please be respectful of any signage or requests from homeowners regarding parking or trespassing.
Secondly, keep in mind that while seeing the actual Christmas Vacation house may be exciting, it’s just one small part of the larger experience of visiting Burbank. The city has plenty of other attractions, such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and the Burbank Farmers Market, that are worth checking out as well.
In conclusion, while the Christmas Vacation house may not be a real house in the traditional sense, it has become an important symbol of holiday cheer for many fans of the movie. Whether you’re planning on visiting Burbank to see it in person or just enjoying the film from the comfort of your own home, there’s no denying that the house has become an enduring part of American pop culture.