Where Was the Amusement Park in National Lampoon Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy movie that has been entertaining audiences for decades. The movie follows the Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to visit the fictional theme park, Walley World. The amusement park scenes in this movie were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, California.

The Griswold Family’s Adventures

The Griswold family, consisting of Clark (played by Chevy Chase), Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo), and their two children Rusty and Audrey, set out on their journey from Chicago to California. Along the way, they face a series of comedic mishaps and adventures that make for a hilarious and unforgettable movie.

Walley World

Walley World is the fictional amusement park that the Griswolds are determined to visit. The park is supposed to be a fun-filled destination for families with rides, attractions, and entertainment. However, when they finally arrive after their long journey, they find that Walley World is closed for maintenance.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

The amusement park scenes in National Lampoon’s Vacation were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. At the time of filming, the park was still relatively new having opened its gates in 1971. It was the perfect location for filming as it featured many thrilling rides and attractions that added to the excitement of the movie.

Behind-the-Scenes

Filming at an amusement park presented its challenges for the cast and crew of National Lampoon’s Vacation. The production crew had to work around regular visitors to ensure that filming did not interrupt normal operations of the park. Furthermore, some of the scenes featuring rides had to be filmed after hours when visitors had left.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the amusement park scenes in National Lampoon’s Vacation were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The park provided a perfect backdrop for the movie with its exciting rides and attractions. Despite the challenges of filming at an operating amusement park, the cast and crew managed to create an unforgettable movie that has stood the test of time.