The iconic fictional theme park "Wally World" from the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation was not filmed at a single amusement park but utilized two distinct locations in California for different aspects of the park's portrayal: Santa Anita Park and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Filming Locations for Wally World
To create the complete Walley World experience on screen, filmmakers strategically used two different sites, each contributing unique elements to the final cinematic representation. This approach allowed for the capture of diverse scenes, from grand exterior shots to detailed interior park sequences.
Dual Locations Explained
| Park Name | Location | Role in Filming |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Anita Park | Arcadia, California | Served as the exterior of Walley World. Its expansive parking lot and distinctive blue-tinged fascia were used to depict the grand entrance and surrounding areas of the theme park. |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain | Valencia, California | All interior scenes of the amusement park, including rides, attractions, and various in-park activities, were shot within the grounds of this popular theme park. |
This division of filming duties allowed National Lampoon's Vacation to authentically portray both the broad scope of a major theme park's exterior and the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of its interior attractions, seamlessly blending the two locations into the single, memorable "Wally World."
