Introduction
Since its release in 1989, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has become a holiday classic. This iconic comedy follows the Griswolds as they attempt to have the perfect family Christmas. Despite the many misadventures that arise, the film is filled with humor, heart, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer. But where did they film Christmas Vacation?
Tracing the Locations of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
The movie was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California. Although some scenes were shot on soundstages, the majority of the movie was filmed on location. To figure out where the movie was filmed, we can look for clues in the movie itself.
Clues From the Movie
Throughout the movie, there are several references to the locations used to film it. For example, when Clark and Ellen Griswold go shopping for Christmas lights, they mention that they’re near “the old South Pasadena City Hall.” There’s also a scene in which Clark tries to get directions to Walley World from a gas station attendant. The attendant tells him to take the Ventura Freeway, which is located in Los Angeles.
Researching Filming Locations
To uncover more clues about the filming locations, we can turn to the internet. There are a number of websites devoted to discovering the filming locations of movies and television shows. We can use these resources to find out where National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was filmed.
A Guide to Visiting the Filming Sites of Christmas Vacation
Now that we know where the movie was filmed, let’s take a look at some of the locations used in the movie and how you can visit them. Here’s a guide to visiting the filming sites of Christmas Vacation.
Locations in Los Angeles
The majority of the movie was filmed in Los Angeles, including the Griswold home, Walley World, and the gift shop. The Griswold house is located in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. The exterior of the house was used for the movie and the interior was recreated on a soundstage. The entrance to Walley World and the gift shop were both filmed at Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Locations in South Pasadena
South Pasadena was the site of several filming locations. The grocery store where Clark and Ellen go to buy Christmas decorations is located in South Pasadena. The South Pasadena City Hall, which was mentioned in the movie, is also located in South Pasadena.
Locations in Burbank
Burbank was the site of several filming locations. The restaurant where the Griswolds have dinner is located in Burbank. The post office where Clark goes to pick up his Christmas bonus is also located in Burbank.
How Hollywood Brought Christmas Vacation to Life
We now know where the movie was filmed, but how did Hollywood recreate the Griswold home and create a winter wonderland? Let’s take a look at how the production team brought Christmas Vacation to life.
Recreating the Griswold Home
The Griswold home was actually located in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. The production team used the existing house for the exterior shots and then recreated the interior on a soundstage. They used the same house for all of the exterior shots, including the iconic Christmas light display.
Creating a Winter Wonderland
To create the winter wonderland featured in the movie, the production team used artificial snow and fake trees. They also created an ice rink in the backyard of the Griswold home. All of these elements combined to create the perfect winter setting for the movie.
Exploring the Real-Life Locations Behind Christmas Vacation
Now that we know where the movie was filmed and how it was brought to life, let’s take a look at some of the real-life locations behind Christmas Vacation.
The Griswold Home
The Griswold home was located in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Although the interior of the house was recreated on a soundstage, the exterior shots were filmed at the actual house. Visitors can still visit the house today and see the iconic Christmas lights display.
Walley World
Walley World was actually filmed at Universal Studios in Hollywood. The entrance to Walley World was filmed on the backlot of the studio and the interior scenes were filmed on soundstages. Visitors can take a tour of the studio and see some of the sets used in the movie.
Wally World Gift Shop
The Wally World gift shop was also filmed on the backlot of Universal Studios. The exterior shots of the gift shop were filmed on the backlot and the interior shots were filmed on a soundstage. Visitors can still visit the set today and explore the iconic gift shop.
An On-Location Tour of Christmas Vacation
Now that we know where the movie was filmed and how it was brought to life, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can explore the filming locations of Christmas Vacation.
Driving Tour of Filming Locations
One of the best ways to explore the filming locations of Christmas Vacation is to take a driving tour. You can start in Los Angeles and make your way to South Pasadena and Burbank. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Griswold home, Walley World, and other filming locations.
Self-Guided Tour of Sets
Another great way to explore the filming locations of Christmas Vacation is to take a self-guided tour of the sets. You can visit the Griswold home, Walley World, and the Wally World gift shop. You can even explore the sets used to recreate the interior of the Griswold home on a soundstage.
Revisiting the Sets of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
If you’re looking to relive some of your favorite moments from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you can do so by visiting the filming locations. Here’s a look at some of the sets you can visit.
The Griswold Home
The Griswold home is located in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Visitors can take a tour of the house and explore the iconic Christmas lights display. You can also take a drive past the house to get a glimpse of the exterior.
Walley World
Walley World was filmed at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Visitors can take a tour of the studio and explore the sets used in the movie. You can also visit the entrance to Walley World and the Wally World gift shop.
Wally World Gift Shop
The Wally World gift shop was also filmed on the backlot of Universal Studios. Visitors can explore the set and relive some of their favorite moments from the movie.
Conclusion
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is an iconic holiday movie that has been beloved by audiences for over 30 years. While it may be set in Chicago, the movie was actually filmed in Los Angeles, South Pasadena, and Burbank. This article explored the filming locations used to bring the movie to life, from the Griswold home to Walley World and beyond. If you’re looking to explore the filming locations of Christmas Vacation, you can take a driving tour of the locations or visit the sets at Universal Studios. No matter how you choose to explore the movie, you’re sure to have a jolly good time.
(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)