If you’re a fan of classic comedies, you’ve probably seen the movie Vacation. This 1983 film follows the Griswold family as they embark on a disastrous road trip to the fictional Walley World amusement park.
But did you know that Walley World is actually a real place? Well, sort of.
In reality, Walley World is Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, California. At the time of filming, Six Flags Magic Mountain was still a relatively new park. It had opened just five years earlier in 1978 and was already making a name for itself with its impressive collection of roller coasters and other thrill rides.
To bring Walley World to life on screen, the filmmakers made some changes to the park’s appearance. They added signage featuring the Walley World name and mascot (a moose), as well as some fictional rides like the “whirling twirling” mouse coaster. They also altered the park’s color scheme to make it more visually appealing on camera.
Despite these changes, many scenes in Vacation were filmed on location at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The iconic roller coaster scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) forces his family to ride the intense “Revolution” coaster was shot at the park’s actual Revolution coaster. Other scenes were filmed around various areas of the park, including near its entrance gates.
Since its appearance in Vacation, Six Flags Magic Mountain has continued to be a popular destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. In fact, it’s currently home to more roller coasters than any other amusement park on Earth! And while you won’t find any Walley World signage or mascots there today, fans of Vacation can still visit Six Flags Magic Mountain and ride some of its most famous attractions – just like Clark and his family did all those years ago.
So if you’re ever in California and looking for an adventure, be sure to check out Six Flags Magic Mountain. Who knows – maybe you’ll even have your own Vacation-style misadventures while you’re there!