Year: 1940
Runtime: 8 mins
Language: English
Director: Jack King
Donald paddles up a river in his kayak and sets up camp, unloading his gear and struggling comically with a folding chair before finally drifting off to sleep. His noisy squawking draws a troupe of forest chipmunks—early versions of Chip ’n Dale—who steal the massive pile of food he left unguarded. Their thievery awakens a nearby bear, sparking a chaotic showdown as Donald must fend off the hungry predator while trying to protect his campsite.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Donald’s Vacation yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Donald’s Vacation (1940), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
On a sunny, peaceful day, Donald Duck sets out on a canoe for a carefree vacation. He hops along the rocks, guitar in hand, his feet and legs dangling beneath the hull as he plays a tune. The voyage takes an unexpected turn when the canoe bumps a ledge and slides toward a small waterfall. He coughs violently, shakes off the spray, and a fish briefly ends up wedged in his instrument. He quickly regains his composure and continues, only to plunge over a second waterfall and tumble to the bottom, surfacing with the canoe perched on his back like a turtle shell.
Arriving at the campsite, he grips a lever that ejects all his supplies and proceeds to convert the canoe into a makeshift tent. He strings up a sign that reads Camp Peaceful and dusts off a folding chair with an umbrella. The chair misbehaves in spectacular fashion: the umbrella slides inside his shirt, the chair catapults him into the lake and into a clump of cattail grass. He resurfaces with grass on his head, looking like an impromptu Indian warrior’s headdress, and stalks back to the campsite underwater to regroup. The scene sets an odd, comic stage for what follows as he wrestles with the stubborn chair and tries to settle down for a nap.
A group of busy chipmunks are drawn by the noise and soon arrive to investigate the disturbance. Once the chair finally cooperates, he nods off, only to have his supply cache raided by the tiny bandits. One of the thefts includes a Pumpkin that the chipmunks drill holes into, turning it into a Jack O’ Lantern. They also carry celery that tickles his feet, provoking a fit of laughter before he drifts back toward sleep.
Two chipmunks, carrying a pineapple, skitter under his bottom and poke at the stalks, trapping him in the chair once more. Enraged by the food theft, he bolts into action, chasing the culprits with the chair serving as improvised legs for speed. An umbrella clamps shut on him, giving the chipmunks a chance to slip away, but their ruckus awakens a sleeping grizzly bear nearby who proceeds to devour all of his food. Infuriated, he breaks free and spots the feast already claimed, only to find that the supposed “chipmunks” are far too large for such a tiny mouth. Realizing the danger, he realizes it’s a bear and scrambles away.
The chase takes him across a fallen log where he briefly thinks he’s safe by standing on top of the bear. The bear swipes at him and claws at the trunk, sending the bark to splinter. He slides down the now-slick trunk, only to see the tree facetiously ripped away by the bear’s paw. He discovers he’s not attached to a tree at all—it’s just air—and tumbles to safety, narrowly escaping the bear’s jaws. The bear continues the chase up until it trips.
Seizing the moment, he dismantles camp, jumps back into the canoe, and—true to form—rows up the waterfall and away, leaving the pursuing bear behind as he makes his brisk escape. The entire escapade plays out as a brisk, kinetic comedic sequence, built on the rhythm of misadventure, clever setup, and a series of escalating pratfalls that keep the pace lively from start to finish.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:34
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Simple plans that spiral into frantic, high-energy battles of wits.If you liked the fast-paced, chaotic energy of Donald's Vacation, you'll enjoy these movies featuring escalating cartoon mayhem. These titles share a similar vibe of simple plans derailed by visual gags, frantic chases, and comedic battles against mischievous foes, perfect for fans of classic animated shorts.
The narrative pattern follows a straightforward premise—often a simple goal like a vacation or a task—that is immediately complicated by an initial, minor disruption. This disruption quickly snowballs through a series of interconnected gags and chases, introducing new obstacles and adversaries, leading to a climactic, chaotic showdown before a lighthearted resolution.
Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to kinetic, nonstop physical comedy and a whimsical tone. They prioritize visual humor and a sense of playful escalation, where the joy comes from watching a situation spin completely out of control in the most inventive ways possible.
Hilarious struggles against the clever, pesky inhabitants of the wild.Find movies similar to Donald's Vacation where humans or anthropomorphic characters have hilarious showdowns with clever wildlife. These films share a theme of comedic territorial disputes and food theft, offering a light, playful take on survival stories filled with playful antagonists and chaotic interactions.
The narrative centers on a character attempting to enjoy or control a slice of nature, only to be repeatedly outsmarted by its smaller, more agile inhabitants. The journey is a series of comedic setbacks and retaliations, often involving theft, pranks, and chases, where the ingenuity of the animal antagonists constantly challenges the protagonist's plans.
These movies are united by their specific comedic conflict dynamic: a bumbling protagonist versus clever, anthropomorphized nature. The shared mood is one of playful exasperation and carefree chaos, focusing on the humor of being outmaneuvered by seemingly innocent creatures in a battle of wits.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Donald’s Vacation in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Donald’s Vacation is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Donald’s Vacation with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Donald’s Vacation. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Donald’s Vacation that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Donald’s Vacation: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Donald’s Vacation that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Donald’s Vacation (1940) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Donald’s Vacation (1940) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Donald’s Vacation (1940) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Donald’s Vacation – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Donald Applecore (1952) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Donald’s Golf Game (1938) Complete Plot Breakdown
Donald’s Garden (1942) Complete Plot Breakdown
Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Donald in Mathmagic Land (1959) Detailed Story Recap
Up a Tree (1955) Full Movie Breakdown
Donald’s Tire Trouble (1943) Film Overview & Timeline
Donald’s Camera (1941) Story Summary & Characters
Donald’s Cousin Gus (1939) Complete Plot Breakdown
Donald’s Penguin (1939) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Uncle Donald’s Ants (1952) Full Summary & Key Details
Trailer Horn (1950) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Donald’s Nephews (1938) Complete Plot Breakdown
Donald’s Ostrich (1937) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Donald’s Off Day (1944) Full Movie Breakdown