Is Vacation Based on a True Story?

By Alice Nichols

If you are a fan of movies, you might have come across the movie “Vacation.” This comedy film was released in 2015 and was a remake of the 1983 classic with the same name.

The movie features a family’s disastrous road trip to Walley World. But, is Vacation based on a true story? Let’s find out.

What is Vacation?

Vacation is a comedy movie directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The story follows Rusty Griswold, played by Ed Helms, who takes his family on a road trip to Walley World. However, their journey turns into an adventure full of mishaps and misfortunes.

The Inspiration Behind Vacation

The original “National Lampoon’s Vacation” film was based on a short story by John Hughes titled “Vacation ’58,” which he wrote for National Lampoon magazine in 1979. It follows the adventures of the Griswold family during their summer vacation in California.

While the movie is not based on real-life events, it was inspired by John Hughes’ family vacations when he was growing up. He would often take long road trips with his parents and siblings, which provided him with plenty of material for his writing.

The Reality Behind Vacation

As previously mentioned, Vacation is not based on real-life events but rather inspired by them. However, some scenes in the movie were shot at real locations.

For example, the scene where Rusty takes his family to swim in a hot spring was filmed at the Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah. Also, some scenes were shot at Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in California.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Vacation may not be based on true events, it was undoubtedly inspired by John Hughes’ personal experiences growing up. The movie is a hilarious and entertaining story of a family’s road trip gone wrong. Whether or not you are a fan of the movie, it is clear that it has become a classic in its own right.