Donald’s Vacation 1940

Vacation Begins on a Winding River

Donald Duck sets off on a canoe vacation and plays a guitar as he makes his way along the water. His feet hang out the bottom, preventing the canoe from moving smoothly. He hits a small waterfall, coughs violently, shakes off the water, and discovers a fish inside his instrument before he calms down.

A Small Waterfall and a Fish in the Guitar

He rides into a small waterfall and is drenched by the spray. He coughs and shivers, but keeps playing his guitar as the water pours over him. A fish ends up inside his instrument, adding to the chaos of the voyage.

Big Drop: A Second Waterfall

A larger waterfall sends him and his canoe plunging toward the pool below. He surfaces, oddly triumphant, with the canoe perched on his back like a turtle shell. He is soaked but unfazed and resumes playing as if nothing happened.

Campsite Arrival and Setup

He finally reaches the campsite and pulls a lever that ejects all of his supplies, scattering gear everywhere. He quickly converts the canoe into a tent and plants a sign reading Camp Peaceful. This marks his attempt at a peaceful vacation beginning in earnest.

Chair and Umbrella Disaster

Donald brings out a folding chair with an umbrella and struggles to fold the chair. The chair snaps loose, the umbrella slides, and he is catapulted into the lake and into a patch of cattail grass. He crawls back to shore, dazed but determined to continue the trip.

Underwater Return

Emerging from the lake with grass on his head like an Indian warrior, he stalks back toward the campsite underwater. The bizarre sight adds to the ongoing chaos as he navigates his own campsite environment. He continues wrestling with the chair's malfunction while submerged.

Chipmunks Arrive

A group of chipmunks, attracted by the disturbance, come to investigate the campsite. They sniff around the gear and begin to pilfer small items. Donald remains unaware of their mischief as the critters set their plan in motion.

Nap Interruption and Pumpkin Jack-O'-Lantern

With the chair finally working, he settles down for a nap, but the chipmunks steal his food. They carve a pumpkin by drilling holes in it to make a Jack O' Lantern, and they haul off other snacks, including celery that tickles his feet. He wakes briefly, laughs at the tickling, and drifts back to sleep.

Pineapple Prank and Trapped Again

Two chipmunks carrying a pineapple walk beneath him and poke the pineapple stalks at his bottom, causing Donald to squawk in pain. He gets trapped in the chair again as the chaos escalates and he fights to break free.

Bear Interruption and Food Loss

Angry at the food theft, Donald chases the chipmunks using the chair as makeshift legs for speed. The umbrella closes on him, giving the critters time to escape, but their mischief wakes a sleeping grizzly who devours all of his food. The chase becomes a frantic scramble as he tries to reclaim his meals.

The Bear and the Snack Disaster

Donald breaks free and realizes the supposed chipmunks are actually the bear's intrusion. He smashes the remaining food in a fit of anger and clings to the bear's snout for safety. The situation reaches a chaotic climax as the bear's snout becomes his lifeline.

Realization It’s a Bear, Not Chipmunks

Panicking, he realizes the mouth is too big to be a chipmunk and identifies the threat as a bear. He runs away to safety, with the bear in hot pursuit through the shadows. The chase continues across the campsite and nearby undergrowth.

Chase Across a Log

The bear chases Donald across a log spanning a watery ravine. Donald climbs onto the log, hoping to stay out of reach, but the bear swipes at him. The chase leads them toward trees and the edge of the water.

Bark and Fall

The bear claws at the tree, ripping away a portion of the trunk as Donald slides down. He falls into thin air, realizing the rest of the tree is not beneath him, and narrowly avoids the bear's open mouth. He scrambles to get away as the tree crashes behind him.