The Parent Trap II

The Parent Trap II

Year: 1986

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: Ronald F. Maxwell

FamilyRomanceTV MovieComedy

Hayley Mills is at it again ! Two best friends plot to get their single parents together to stop one of them from moving to New York.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Parent Trap II (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Parent Trap II (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

The events unfold in the mid-1980s, roughly twenty-five years after the original Parent Trap. This places the story in a contemporary era of television-movie family comedy. The time period supports a lighthearted, pre-digital atmosphere that emphasizes social etiquette, young schemes, and community involvement. The pace and humor reflect 1980s family entertainment sensibilities.

Location

Tampa, Florida, New York City

The story starts in Tampa, Florida, where Sharon and Nikki's life unfolds and where the summer activities and school plans take shape. A going-away party on a boat becomes a pivotal backdrop for the plot, setting a scenic, coastal tone. The narrative also shifts toward New York City, the destination Nikki faces for school, highlighting a clash between small-town life and a big-city future. The setting blends sun-soaked coastal vibes with urban ambitions.

🌴 Florida 🗽 NYC

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

Main Characters – The Parent Trap II (1986)

Meet the key characters of The Parent Trap II (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Grand

A widowed father and steady presence in Tampa who slowly opens his heart to romance. He is practical, warm, and protective, capable of humor even amid awkward situations. His growing connection with Sharon becomes the emotional core of the story as the girls’ schemes unfold. He evolves from doubtful to hopeful, embracing the idea of a blended family.

💖 Romantic 👨‍👧 Family man 🌆 City dweller

Susan Carey / Sharon Ferris

Twin sister of Sharon Ferris, posing as Sharon in Tampa as part of the twins’ plan. She is married to Brian and travels between California and Florida, bringing a bold, cunning energy to the caper. Her disguise creates comedic misunderstandings and ultimately reveals deeper loyalties. The character embodies the theme of identity and sibling collaboration.

🎭 Doppelgänger 👯 Twin 🧭 Schemer

Nikki Ferris

Sharon and Nikki’s daughter, a spirited girl who frowns at a move to New York City and teams up with Mary to influence her parents’ future. She is resourceful, determined, and unafraid to push boundaries for her family’s happiness. Her plans with Mary drive much of the plot’s momentum and humor. She ultimately helps bring the family back together.

💡 Schemer 👧 Kid 🎯 Goal-oriented

Mary Grand

Bill Grand’s daughter, Mary befriends Nikki and becomes the other half of the duo coordinating the parents’ reunion. She is confident, resilient, and loyal to her new stepsister, contributing to the plan with positivity and energy. Her actions help bridge the two families and cement a blended future. Mary’s spirit anchors the film’s hopeful tone.

🌟 Friend 🤝 Ally 👧 Kid

Jessica Dintruff

Nikki’s school rival, a foil who represents the social friction and antics that come with schoolyard dynamics. Her presence adds conflict and rivalrous energy to the early interactions. She serves as a catalyst for Nikki and Mary to prove their cleverness in navigating social circles. Her interactions help highlight the twins’ loyalty and wit.

😒 Rival

Florence

The longtime maid of the Grand household, Florence notices the oddities when the twins’ plan begins to unfold. She provides practical observations and maintains the domestic setting’s stability amidst the chaos. Her reactions contribute to the comic tension as secrets near exposure. Florence embodies a steady, observant presence in the household.

🧹 Support 👵 Veteran

Brian Carey

Susan’s husband and a pilot who becomes an accomplice in the double-date setup, aiding the ruse while remaining affable. He helps orchestrate the staged romance and then supports the truth-revealing sequence. His involvement adds a layer of adult collaboration to the twins’ plan. Brian’s role blends charm with pragmatic assistance.

🧭 Ally 👨‍✈️ Pilot

Irene

A member of the household or social circle who witnesses the evolving relationships and offers observations that add to the comedic atmosphere. She helps anchor the social setting and provides a sense of continuity amid the romantic upheavals. Irene’s presence reinforces the film’s focus on family and community.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community member

Mrs. Blazey

A matronly figure in the social circle who interacts with the Grand family and the wedding plot. Her scenes contribute to the festive and communal mood surrounding the finale. She embodies the supportive, celebratory aspect of the story’s reconciliation.

🎉 Party guest

Kris

A minor character who participates in the social events and interacts with the main cast during key scenes. Kris’s presence helps populate the social setting and adds to the film’s light, communal vibe. His role is short but contributes to the movie’s sense of occasion.

🧍 Supporting

Florist

A background figure in the party sequences who contributes to the wedding atmosphere and the overall festive mood. The florist helps set the tone for the culminating celebration. This character adds texture to the scene-by-scene realism of the family gathering.

🌸 Background

Walter Elias

A guest or service figure at the party who interacts with the central characters during the pre-wedding activities. He helps populate the event’s social dynamics and adds to the narrative’s sense of community. His role supports the wedding’s celebratory mood.

🎈 Guest

Crystal

A young or peripheral character who adds charm to the ceremony’s atmosphere and participates in the gathering’s energy. Crystal’s presence contributes to the film’s lighthearted, family-centric tone. She helps illustrate the broader circle of friends and relatives around the main families.

✨ Guest

Lillian Elias

A relative or guest who features in the wedding narrative, reinforcing the sense of family continuity. Lillian’s role helps illustrate the extended family connections that form by the finale. She participates in the party’s joyful, communal mood.

👵 Relative

Wedding Guest

A generic character representing the ensemble of attendees who witness the resolution and the wedding. This role underscores the communal celebration surrounding the family’s union. The guest presence anchors the film’s warm, conclusive vibes.

🎊 Crowd

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

Major Themes – The Parent Trap II (1986)

Explore the central themes of The Parent Trap II (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Romance

Romance is rekindled between Bill Grand and Sharon Ferris as the adults navigate the twins’ machinations. The film uses deception to test whether love can bridge past wounds and misunderstandings. In the end, their connection deepens into a committed union, culminating in a wedding on screen. The theme emphasizes forgiveness, second chances, and the magic of finding a life partner later.

🎭 Deception

Mistaken identities and disguises drive the plot, with Susan impersonating Sharon and the girls orchestrating meetings to nudge fate. The comedy and tension arise from playful scheming that risks misreading intentions and trust. Truth surfaces through the twins’ reveal, allowing relationships to realign. The theme explores how deception can temporarily complicate love, only to reinforce honesty in the end.

👪 Family and reconciliation

The core conflict centers on uniting a fractured family: Nikki and Mary push their parents toward happiness while the adults confront their own doubts. The twins act as catalysts that demonstrate how young resolve can influence grownups in meaningful ways. By narrative’s end, the households merge through marriage and shared bonds, with step-sister ties forming the new family structure. The theme celebrates forgiveness, cooperation, and renewed family ties.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

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The Parent Trap II Summary

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The Parent Trap II Summary

The Parent Trap II Timeline

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The Parent Trap II Timeline

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