Vacation

Vacation

Year: 2015

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein

AdventureComedy

Seeking to recreate the cherished childhood vacations of his youth, Rusty Griswold takes his own family on a cross-country road trip to the beloved Walley World theme park. What begins as a sentimental journey quickly devolves into a series of increasingly chaotic and hilarious mishaps. Along the way, the Griswolds encounter quirky characters and face unexpected challenges, ultimately redefining their understanding of family and the true meaning of a vacation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Vacation (2015)

Trace every key event in Vacation (2015) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction of Rusty Griswold

The film opens with Rusty Griswold, played by Ed Helms, as a pilot for Econoair. He makes an 18-minute flight from South Bend, Indiana, to Chicago, setting the stage for the family's upcoming adventures.

Daytime South Bend, Indiana
2

Family Dinner with the Petersons

At home, Rusty and his family have dinner with their neighbors, the Petersons. The dinner reveals tensions in the Griswold household, particularly regarding the relationships between Rusty, his wife Debbie, and their two sons, James and Kevin.

Evening Griswold household
3

Debbie's Wish for a New Vacation

During dinner, Debbie expresses her disappointment at the family's repetitive vacations to Cheboygan, Michigan. This prompts Rusty to decide to change their routine and take the family on a road trip to Walley World in Los Angeles.

Evening Griswold household
4

The Prancer Ride

Rusty rents an absurd car called the Prancer, which is a hybrid from Ukraine with overly complicated features. This sets the tone for their chaotic road trip filled with laughs and mishaps.

Daytime Car rental location
5

Road Trip Begins

The Griswold family starts their road trip, with Rusty attempting to bond with his family by encouraging them to sing along to 'Kiss From a Rose.' Their lack of participation hints at the family's disconnection.

Daytime On the road
6

Encounter at the Diner

While stopping for lunch at a diner in Missouri, Rusty tries to keep the mood light despite their growing tensions. They see the Teddy Bear Truck again in the parking lot, foreshadowing more encounters.

Lunchtime Missouri diner
7

Detour to the Sorority House

Rusty takes a detour to show the boys their mother's college sorority house. Debbie's past is revealed as she joins in a ridiculous 'chug run' challenge, highlighting her youthful spirit.

Afternoon Debbie's sorority house in Tennessee
8

Chase with the Teddy Bear Truck

The family finds themselves being pursued by the Teddy Bear Truck after Rusty performs an ill-fated stunt to escape. This thrilling car chase showcases Rusty's desperation to keep his family engaged in the trip.

Daytime On the highway
9

Visiting Audrey and Stone

The Griswolds arrive at Audrey's house, where Rusty feels overshadowed by her handsome and successful husband, Stone. The family dynamic becomes increasingly strained and comedic.

Evening Audrey's house
10

Adventure at the Hot Springs

After a failed visit to a supposed hot spring, the Griswolds discover they've ended up at a septic dump. This misadventure highlights Rusty's poor decision-making throughout the journey.

Daytime Dirt road hot spring
11

James Stands Up to Kevin

In a pivotal moment, James finally confronts his bully brother, Kevin. This turning point solidifies James's growth and provides a brief moment of unity amidst their chaotic trip.

Evening Reservation
12

Rafting at the Grand Canyon

The family engages in a rafting adventure at the Grand Canyon, leading to a near-disaster when their guide takes an unsafe route. This event deepens the family's struggles and showcases the unpredictability of their journey.

Daytime Grand Canyon
13

Rusty Abandons the Family

Frustrated and feeling like a failure, Rusty abandons the family in the desert after their car breaks down. This moment signifies Rusty's lowest point in the journey, leading to further growth and realization.

Daytime Desert
14

Finding Debbie's Ring

The family encounters a truck driver who returns Debbie's lost wedding ring, connecting them back to their family bond. This moment helps Rusty realize the importance of their family connections.

Daytime Desert
15

Final Arrival at Walley World

After a tumultuous journey, the Griswolds finally arrive at Walley World. They team up to confront the rival family that cuts in line, culminating in a cathartic chaotic moment together as they cherish their time as a family.

Daytime Walley World

Last Updated: December 24, 2024 at 10:01

Unlock the Full Story of Vacation

Don't stop at just watching — explore 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 Vacation is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Vacation Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Vacation, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Vacation Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Vacation

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Vacation. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Vacation

More About Vacation

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about 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.

More About Vacation