Are you a fan of the classic comedy movie National Lampoon’s Vacation? Do you know where it was filmed? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the park where some of the most memorable scenes of this movie were shot.
What is National Lampoon’s Vacation?
Before we dive into the location, let’s quickly recap what National Lampoon’s Vacation is all about. This 1983 movie is a comedy that follows the Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to California to visit Walley World amusement park. The journey is filled with mishaps and misadventures, making for a hilarious and memorable film.
Which Park Was Used as Walley World?
The amusement park that serves as Walley World in the movie isn’t actually called that in real life. The park used for filming is Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. At the time of filming, Six Flags Magic Mountain was still a relatively new theme park, having only opened in 1971.
Scenes Filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Several scenes from National Lampoon’s Vacation were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Here are some of the most memorable ones:
- The Griswold family arrives at Walley World and sees it closed for maintenance.
- The family tries to ride an attraction called “The Whirly Twirly” but it’s closed.
- Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) hijacks John Candy’s security guard character and forces him to take them on all the rides.
Other Locations Used in National Lampoon’s Vacation
While Six Flags Magic Mountain is perhaps the most iconic location used in National Lampoon’s Vacation, it wasn’t the only one. Here are some other locations used in the movie:
- The Griswold family’s home in Chicago was filmed at a house located in South Pasadena, California.
- The motel where the family stays during their journey is actually a set built for the movie and located on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California.
- The scenes with Christie Brinkley driving a red Ferrari were filmed on location in Arizona.
Conclusion
National Lampoon’s Vacation is a beloved comedy classic that has stood the test of time. Now that you know where Walley World was filmed, you can visit Six Flags Magic Mountain and relive some of the movie’s most memorable moments. Who knows, maybe you’ll even see Clark Griswold hijacking a security guard!