If you’re a fan of the classic movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” then you’ve probably wondered where exactly Wally World was located. The amusement park, which the Griswold family road-trips to, is a central plot point in the film and is remembered by many as a hilarious and iconic destination.
So, where was Wally World located?
In the movie, Wally World is said to be located in Southern California. However, the actual filming location for Wally World was Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The park was chosen because it had just opened in 1979 and had numerous roller coasters that could be used for filming.
The filmmakers chose to shoot at night so they could have the park to themselves and capture the glitz and glamour of an amusement park after dark. They also added special effects to make it seem like there were thousands of people in the park when there were really only a few hundred extras.
What happened to Wally World after filming?
After filming wrapped up, Six Flags Magic Mountain continued to operate as usual. However, due to the popularity of “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” Six Flags decided to capitalize on its fame by creating a section of the park called “Wally World.” The area featured attractions such as bumper cars and arcade games that closely resembled those seen in the movie.
Unfortunately, due to licensing issues with Warner Bros., Six Flags Magic Mountain had to rename “Wally World” to “Bugs Bunny World” in 1998.
- Fun fact: During filming, John Candy (who played security guard Lasky) actually fell asleep on one of the roller coasters and missed his cue.
- Another fun fact: The scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) punches the moose in the head was not in the original script. It was added by Chase during filming and has since become a classic moment in the movie.
Conclusion
While Wally World may have only existed on screen, it lives on as a memorable and beloved location in “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” Six Flags Magic Mountain may have renamed its section, but fans of the movie can still visit the park and relive their favorite moments from the film. And who knows – maybe one day another amusement park will take on the name “Wally World” and pay homage to this classic movie.