This is the final "Ernest" film. Jim Varney still did commercials as Ernest P. Worrell up until 1999. Writer/director John R. Cherry III had planned for Varney to star in a non-Ernest comedy film. However, Varney had gotten so ill while shooting this movie that Cherry couldn't bring himself to make him work on the film. Varney died two years later, which motivated Cherry to retire.
The only Ernest movie where Ernest makes a mention of a past adventure of his. He said he was a camp counselor before.
Jim Varney was getting noticeably weak during filming. His reactions were normally immediate and forceful. By then, they seemed to drag and lose some of the comedic force. He also had to take a break after every shot. He was also a heavy smoker and had shortness of breath which John Cherry assumed was just a result of his lifestyle. Cherry reworked some of the scenes to try and hide a slower Ernest. Varney excused himself from dinner more than once. He would be tired from the day's shoot and want to go to bed early.
Between takes, Jim Varney would sneak over to the props department to steal one of the dune buggies. He would smash through mountains of sand. Crew members had to reign him in to get the shots that they needed for the day.
Director John R. Cherry III had served in Vietnam, & used the Ernest Productions to create a new life for himself, & felt this film was the most personal.