The Griswold family set out in high spirits, ready to spend their vacation driving from Chicago to Walley World on the West Coast. But the trip soon falls apart, with mishaps and bad luck at every turn. When they finally arrive at Walley World, and the park is closed for maintenance, Clark Griswold snaps. He takes a Walley World security guard hostage, in one last attempt to deliver on his promise to his family of a Walley World vacation.