On this day in 1983, Warner Bros. released “National Lampoon’s Vacation” in theaters across the United States. The film famously featured scenes shot at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, which was transformed into the fictional “Walley World.”

Filming took place in 1982, during which several Magic Mountain attractions were temporarily rebranded for the movie. The iconic Colossus roller coaster became the “Screaming Meemie,” while the Revolution ride was renamed the “Whippersnapper.”

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” starred Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid, John Candy, Anthony Michael Hall, and Dana Barron. It was the first in a series of Vacation films.

The franchise continued with:

• European Vacation (1985)
• Christmas Vacation (1989)
• Vegas Vacation (1997)
• Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure (2003)
• Hotel Hell Vacation (2010, a short film)
• Vacation (2015), a reboot/sequel featuring the next generation of the Griswold family

The film’s mix of family road trip chaos and comedy became a cultural staple and it all kicked off with a trip to Santa Clarita’s own Magic Mountain.

To read yesterday’s Today in SCV History, click here. 

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