The Griswold Family Blog
Road trip logs, theme park tips, cruise notes, and everything we have learned hauling our family across America in a homemade Wagon Queen Family Truckster. We are Steve and Lisa Griswold. We really are Griswolds, we really did build the car, and when we are not on the road we are travel agents who plan these trips for other families.
A Real-Life Griswold Family Just Launched a Free Road Trip App
The real Griswold family just launched a free road trip planning app — 57,000+ stops, family-tested hotels, backseat games, and drive-mode dad-jokes. Free at plan.griswoldfamilyvacations.com.
I-4 in Florida: A Travel Agent Guide to the Theme Park Corridor (Disney, Universal, Cruise Ports)
Everything you need to know about I-4, Florida’s busiest 132 miles — connecting Tampa, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and the Atlantic coast cruise ports. Travel agent rules and timing.
What the Griswold Family Road Trip Costs in 2026 (We Built the Truckster, So We Ran the Numbers)
How much would the famous National Lampoon’s Vacation road trip actually cost today? If a family of four packed up a wood-paneled station wagon and drove from the Chicago suburbs…
Free Road Trip Planner for Families — Plan Your Next Vacation with the Real Griswolds
The best free road trip planner for families in 2026 is the Griswold Family Road Trip Planner at plan.griswoldfamilyvacations.com — a completely free web app built by actual…
I-95 to Disney: A Family Road Trip Guide from a Real Griswold (and Travel Agent)
A region-by-region I-95 driving guide for families heading to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, or the Florida cruise ports — written by Pixie Vacations travel agent and real-life Steve Griswold.
Jay Leno’s Garage – Griswold Vacation Getting Away
One of the coolest things we got to do this year was be a part of Jay Leno’s Garage (Season 3 – Getting Away – The Season Finally)! Well, at least I think this is the Season 3…
We hit the radio with Vacation with the Griswolds
We have a Travel Radio Show! You can now listen to us every week on Vacation with the Griswolds. For our list of syndicated radio stations go to Griswold Radio. It’s been…
The Tonight Show’s Orlando Vacation
Griswold’s road trip to the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon Jimmy Fallon kicks off the opening of the Tonight Show at Universal Studios Orlando with a road trip of his own. We…
The Real Griswolds Meet the Real Griswolds from Vacation
Lisa and I had the pleasure to meet Chevy Chase, Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo, and Steele Stebbins, “The Griswolds” from the original and new…
Vacation Movie Behind the scenes Part 2
Body doubles getting ready for a ride in the Truckster into Walley World Vacation Movie Behind the scenes Part 2 Missed Vacation Movie Part 1? Read Part One of the Vacation…
Vacation Movie Behind the Scenes with the Real Griswolds
Vacation Movie Behind the Scenes This behind the scenes look at the Vacation movie has some spoilers, so be sure to see the Vacation movie in theaters before reading about…
Six Flags Magic Mountain Twisted Colossus video
Twisted Colossus Coaster Twisted Colossus is open at Walley World (Six Flags Magic Mountain) The new Colossus roller coaster is a mix of a the traditional wooden coaster…
Vacation Movie gets two thumbs up
Warner Brothers released the first photo for the new Vacation Movie and also showed the first Vacation movie trailer at CinemaCon 2015 this week. The Griswolds return…
How to Save Money when booking a Vacation
One of the most important steps in planning and paying for your vacation is the booking process. Often times people find a very low rate online and just book the vacation without…
How can I make money to Travel?
How to Earn the Money to travel Travel can be expensive. – Just the basics for the cheapest flight, eating snacks or making your own meals, and staying in hostels can really add…
Where to take your next vacation
It’s time to start your travel bucket list. I have set up a Vacation Pinterest board with all kinds of inspiring vacation destinations to get you mind thinking about where…
Travel Insurance | Protecting Your Stuff
How to Reduce your Travel Risks When I was planning our family vacations doubts would always come into play. Well we are driving in a 1984 station wagon with a four year old and…
Best Vacations | How To Choose Your Vacation Destination
STEP 1 Choosing the Destination There are so many places to see and so many amazing experiences you can have, so it can be difficult to pick just the right…
Family Road Trip – The Best USA Road Trip for Kids
The Best USA Road Trip for Kids We have two kids, Amber (9) and Brooke (4) and we love to travel. What’s better than a family vacation? A family road trip vacation across…
Things you might not know about Christmas Vacation
This is a fun article for this time of year. 27 Things you might not know about Christmas Vacation. Here are the top three things you might not know about the Christmas Vacation…
Griswold Vacation Media Request Photos
Here are some photos that you can use for your news stories and articles. You can also contact us for specific photos, interviews, or video. Best, Steve and Lisa Griswold…
New Vacation Movie 2015
It’s been 32 years since National Lampoon’s Vacation movie hit the screens, but today we have some very exciting news. A New Vacation movie is in the works. The…
Griswolds Route 66 Road Trip
You can Follow our Road Trip Social Media HERE: Instagram: http://instagram.com/griswoldvac Twitter: https://twitter.com/griswoldvac Facebook:…
Disney Car Masters Weekend Photo Tour
We are back from our first car show. We took a road trip in the Griswold Family Truckster to Walt Disney World for Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. First I have to say it…
Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney
Griswold’s Road Trip to Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney Be sure to come say hello to us at Walt Disney World – Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney (Disney…
Griswold Travel Tip – Doughboys, Melbourne
Our first travel tip is don’t go hungry when you travel to Australia and seek out those niche places to eat. This hidden gem is a little known off the beaten path pop-up…
Orlando Sentinel – Real Life Griswolds in the news
Thanks Orlando Sentinel for this article. Real Griswolds, car trek to Orlando The real-life Griswold family Steve (from left), Lisa, Brooke… (Gene Duncan, Walt Disney…) August 4,…
Griswold Family Road Trips
Getting Away on Jay Leno’s Garage 2018 kicks off with an epic Road Trip! The entire family will be on Jay Leno’s Garage Thursday Feb. 8th at 10p ET on CNBC! Filming…
The Top Saving Tips for your vacation
You don’t have to make a grilled cheese with your hotel iron to save money on your vacation. Flexible Travel Dates Allow You To Save Big Money Being flexible with your…
Road Trip Travel Tips from the Griswolds
With the last name “Griswold” we know how to survive the long drives to see family 12 hours away. We have a three year old, Brooke and seven year old, Amber. So we…
Road Trip to Gatorland – Griswold Style
Griswold Road Trip – Gatorland This week we loaded everyone up into the Griswold Family Vacation Truckster and headed over to Gatorland. If you don’t…
The Making of the Griswold Family Truckster
The Griswold Family Story We are the Griswolds, and, yes, we are heading on vacation. I have been hearing jokes all my life but love the National Lampoon Vacation movies. So we…
It’s the 30th Anniversary of Vacation™: Real-life Griswolds Travel to Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Parks Blog – by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor Today in 1983, the motion picture Vacation was released in theaters. In the film, Clark Griswold tried to…
Upgrade your view on Royal Caribbean
Book any Bahamas, Bermuda or Caribbean departure and sail with an upgraded view! Sail in a BAlCOnY for the same price as an ocean view on these select ships: Adventure of the…
Norwegian Cruise Line Hot Deal of the week
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES HOT DEALS OF THE WEEK: 7–Day Bermuda Roundtrip New York Norwegian Breakaway Departure: July 21, 2013 Inside from Oceanview from Balcony from $849 $949…
Disney Cruise Line Travel & Leisure Award
Disney Cruise Line® was recently recognized as the No. 1 Mega-Ship Cruise Line in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for Families 2013, making it the fifth consecutive…
Royal Caribbean now allows BYOB
I want to be sure that you know the latest great news from Royal Caribbean. Starting immediately, Royal Caribbean guests wishing to bring personal wine onboard with them at the…
A group cruise can be a perfect get-away
Group Cruise If you have a church group family reunion, corporate outing or any special occasion, a group cruise is a nice way to unite friends, family, and businesses. If you…
Affordable Group Cruises
There is a fun, unique and affordable way to vacation together. Â A group cruise! If you are planning a get together with eight or more staterooms we can plan a fun excite…
Group Cruise Vacations
A group cruise can be a great deal of fun. The more that come to your wedding, family event, reunion, special event, or even just a large family or friend get away the better…
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line® is leaving it’s port in Galveston, Texas but you can still get onboard and take advantage of a great Disney Cruise rate—plus, receive an onboard ship…
Crystal Cruise Lines Specials
Crystal Cruise Line 2013 Book Now Savings In 2013, Crystal offers a diverse collection of cruises with 64 itineraries to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, the South…
Planning a trip of your own?
We are travel agents, and we book the same trips we take. Tell us where your family wants to go and we will put a quote together for you. There is never a fee for our help.