Branson, MO on a budget?

[disneymotherof3]

My mom calls me tonight and asks me out of the blue if we would be interested in going with them to Branson this summer. I told her that I'd have to talk about it with DH and let her know. None of us have ever been to Branson and have no idea about it. I've started looking it up online, but thought that I would ask here.

Can anyone please give us some suggestions? TIA!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

This is a website from Springfield, MO, and they have some Branson gift certificates from time to time. They currently have $50 of Denney's of Branson for $25.

http://ozarksfirst.com/content/rewards


This is a radio station in Lebanon, MO, that sells discounted tickets to some Branson shows.

http://myozarksonline.com/pages/4139884.php?


Also, if you are into the time share idea, Bass Pro (in Springfield) has a booth where they sell you a 2 night hotel stay (Clarion in Branson) and you get a varied amount of gift certificates to Bass Pro (my parents received $75), for $99. You have to visit a time share while in Branson.

 

[Trixiezzz]

We're going in 3 weeks. We've been there about 4 times before.

For starters, I'd suggest buying season passes to Silver Dollar City, if you're planning to go more than 2 days. You get unlimited admission for the cost of less than 2 days. Plus, passholders can go on the Branson Belle for half price on many cruises, and discounts to Dixie Stampede, Ride the Ducks, and others.

If you want to go for 2 days or less, then go to http://www.reservebranson.com/order.asp and get 2-days-for-the-price-of-1 tickets to Silver Dollar City and/or the Water Park.

Branson has their own board like the DIS (but not as good!) at http://www.1branson.com/forum/index.php. You can read up on it there.

Hope you have fun!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

We go to Branson 2-3 times a year usually. Please join us over at www.1branson.com and we can help answer all your questions!

 

[BeckyScott]

We went summer before last. (last summer was Disney) And we're going back this summer. Both DH and I have been there tons of times without the kids.

We stayed at http://www.whisperinghillsinn.com/. There's about a million hotels in Branson so you can comparison shop online. Whispering Hills was suggested to me by a friend. It's a pretty basic hotel, it isn't on the main strip but it's convenient. They have a great free breakfast.

If you are taking kids, be very careful driving Route 76. I personally believe Route 76 is the biggest money-sucker in the United States. We thought Silver Dollar City was expensive, until the day we decided to just run around Branson being tourists.

For free/cheap, there is a dam in Branson, at the bottom is a fish hatchery, which my kids loved and it was free. Also, about 15 miles south is College of the Ozarks, which has a big museum, wasn't free but only a couple bucks.

Also, the Bass Pro in Springfield, like the PP mentioned, is good fun, so long as you don't leave your DH unattended with a credit card. And the "old" downtown part of Branson is great fun, there's an old-fashioned five and dime that is a must-do whenever we go there.

If you've never been, Silver Dollar City is pretty fun. Cave tour is fun. There are several coasters, but also plenty to do if you just want the entertainment and shopping. Lots of shopping and shows.

 

[lovin diz]

We went the year before last, and stayed here.

http://www.stillwatersresort.com/roomrates.html

When we first drove on the property, dh says omg what do you have me staying in. Their main office is an older building. They have cabins, camps, and hotel rooms. Once we got to the hotel part of the property, we were very happy. The hotel is overlooking table rock lake, (which is beautiful) they have a marina, where you can fish, paddle boat, whatever you want to do). My only complaint is the walls were thin. But we were only in there at night, so it didnt matter to us. The rooms were VERY clean. We will stay there again.



It is on the same road as Silver dollar city, so it is not on the main strip. (we were there during thanksgiving and we learned to stay off the main strip as much as possible. It took over an hour to get from one end to the other.)

also, go to old downtown, by the riverwalk..(not sure what they call it) but it is beautiful. We did a carriage ride at night. They have huge fountains, and tons of shopping.

 

[lgruender]

I have used this site many times to rent condo: www.vrbo.com. This is a listing from condo owners, nothing to do with a timeshare ect. You will find many coupon books in the lobbies of restaurants, alot of 2 for 1 deals. I have been going to Branson since I was a kid, Silver Dollar City is a must, they also have a water park, but you need a seperate ticket. The Dixie Stampede is a great dinner show(tickets for adults are about $50), GREAT to see if you have never been there before.

 

[disneymotherof3]

I have used this site many times to rent condo: www.vrbo.com. This is a listing from condo owners, nothing to do with a timeshare ect. You will find many coupon books in the lobbies of restaurants, alot of 2 for 1 deals. I have been going to Branson since I was a kid, Silver Dollar City is a must, they also have a water park, but you need a seperate ticket. The Dixie Stampede is a great dinner show(tickets for adults are about $50), GREAT to see if you have never been there before.

Thank you soooo much for the info!!! Since you've been there before, can you suggest a certain area to stay in that is near "the action"? Like I've said, we've never been there before so we have no clue about where to stay or what to do. Any help or info is awesome!

 

[Karibeth19]

If you're a AAA member, TONS of hotels, restaurants, and attractions offer AAA member discounts. You can also pick up coupon pages in the lobby of your hotel for discounts on food and attractions.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We LOVE Stillwaters Resort. If you will be spending a lot of time at Silver Dollar City it's even better because you don't have the traffic to get there. And they have added an "Island Oasis" pool area that looks really nice. We haven't experienced it firsthand because we usually go in the "off" season. Although I will say we went to SDC during spring break and the road improvements were amazing!!

Now about Branson in general....it's 3 hours from us so we go for weekends here and there. Honestly to do a weeks vacation in Branson would cost us as much as a Disney vacation if we tried to have even a part of the amount of entertainment time that Disney provides us.

There are some really good shows....but they are expensive. There are lots of miniature golf and Go Kart type places....but they add up quickly for not a lot of entertainment time. Table Rock Lake is beautiful and you can enjoy it from shore....but if you want to rent a boat, etc - $$$! The trout hatchery is a lot of fun and free. (the food is a quarter so have some change - and grab a papertowel from the bathroom to hold it in - otherwise your hands will STINK for DAYS regardless of hte number of times you wash them ) Bass Pro Shops is fun too - and the new "Branson Landing" area in the old downtown has a Bass Pro Shops. I haven't been to that one yet, but I'm betting it's not as large as the one in Springfield, but I always enjoy their stores. If you plan on spending time at Silver Dollar City I would also recommend an annual pass since it's less than tickets for two days. There is also Eureka Springs, AR which isn't that far south of the Branson area which is a quaint little village type place that has lots of shopping and nature look stuff. There is also Dogwood Canyon Nature Park between Branson and Eureka Springs that might be reopen now (it was closed during spring break where they were still making ice storm repairs I believe) If you go to Eureka Springs you need to eat at Bubba's Barbecue - it's been years since we've been but it was always so good - how can a "cluck & squeal" meal not be good ?

Overall Branson is fun.....but it nickels and dimes you to death.

 

[Bektasmic]

There is also a newer area that has a fountain show with fire and music at regular intervals. This was my 6 year-old favorite part of the trip and when we went back, it was all he could talk about. It's right on the water, so beautiful. Plus, there are a bunch of shops along the walkway (with streetlights that change color)-fun to windowshop and there is a candy store which is an inexpensive little treat and kills time while looking at all the treats and deciding which to get

have a great time!

 

[scanmom]

we are about 3 hours from Branson too1 where are you in ok? We are in Muskogee... we usually get season passes to SDC and go a few times each year. It's a great value for us, and we like being able to go to all the different festivals. We like staying at a condo on Indian point... but we have stayed at several hotels in Branson proper too. And don't forget, if you enter SDC after 3 pm, you get the next day free. If we don't have season passes, we like to go in at 3, see some shows, including the evening show, then spend all day the next day, riding all the rides and seeing a few more shows. If you don't have a season pass, that is the best way to get the most bang for your buck.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We're in Claremore I do really enjoy Branson.....but for weekends in the "off" season We have season passes and will be going at least once more during the warmer weather and then at least once at Christmas. The day we went during spring break was cold and miserable and DD only got to ride "Fire in the Hole".

 

[charissemp]

We own a timeshare there and go often with our family. You can do it economically, or you can do it very expensively. : )
There are lots of very expensive shows, and you can spend so much if you plan something every night.
For our family, we generally buy season passes to Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, and water park. Then, we pick one or two other things during the week that we want to budget for. We buy cityhopper passes, and there are so many things to do and shows that it's enough for our family.
We usually cook many meals in our condo to save $.
Have fun!

 

[scanmom]

my DS went to school at Rogers State in Claremore! It really IS a small world after all!! LOL!

 

[pdy11366]

Branson is like a very sanitized version of Vegas, with a splash of Gatlinburg and Myrtle Beach. If you check it out and it suits your family's taste, you'll have a great time. If it doesn't, you probably won't. There is a lot to do for kids, country music fans, Senior Citizens, and for Church groups. I grew up in the area so I have at imes taken it for granted, but now that I'm a parent, I am remembering how much fun it is for kids.

Here are a couple of links to some deals:
http://www.bransonsavings.com/
http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/index.html
http://www.sunnydayguide.com/branson/br_coupons.php

The entertainment book also usually has some great Branson deals. I think you could buy one in your area (many school groups sell them here for fundraisers) then register your card and use it for deals anywhere else in the country. So the 20bucks for the book could work for you at home and on vacation.

If you have kids along, we got a new indoor water park http://www.castlerockbranson.com/ but the rates fluctuate a lot based on your travel dates. In the sumer it may not matter. I haven't been yet, but I hear it's much better than the other place (which doesn't get very good feed back at all.)

Season tickets for SDC and/or White water are a good idea too, if you plan on doing more than one day. We are headed there Sunday. We are calling it our WDW training this year

Big Cedar has some great cabins you might be able to get from a timeshare broker. The grounds are beautiful and you could enjoy the beauty of the area without the craziness of the strip. There are also lots of gret hotels, and many are available on priceline.

There are lots of good plaes to eat. Right now our 2 favorites are on the Branson Landing, Shorty Smalls BBQ and the Mexican restaurant (can't think of the name- but very good. more gourmet mex than tex-mex).

If you are flying, Branson is opening the first privately funded airport (we are flying out of it to WDW in July) and it is served by Air Tran. Allegiant flies out of SPringfield/Branson too. Plus several other cariers. IF you are driving, be sure to stop in Ozark and eat at Lamberts. A day trip to Eureka Springs Arkansas would be a nice break too. In fact, if it's all adults you might consider an overnight there.

 

[pdy11366]

If you want to stay "in the action" try the Landing
http://www.bransonlanding.com/stay.html

But any hotel with a Branson address will in the thick of it or really close. You can't really walk on the strip. Too hilly and congested on no sidewalks. The lake based hotels will have a variety of addresses. Don't be fooled by Branson West. The name makes it sound cloe, but unless you plan to do most of your time at Silver Dollar City, it really isn't If you are going to be that far from the strip you may as wll be closer to the lake, and many of the hotels here are run down.

 

[niklynn1]

We went to Branson on vacation the year AFTER our first Disney trip. After we got home, I calculated all the receipts and bills and realized we had spent very nearly the SAME amount that our Disney vacation had cost!!!! This did not include airfare of course (we're in Iowa so we flew to Disney but drove to Branson) but still, for that price I'd sooooooooooo rather go to Disney!!!! Branson sucks your money little by little and you don't even realize it.

 

[WDWorBUST]

my DS went to school at Rogers State in Claremore! It really IS a small world after all!! LOL!

It is definitely a small world - now that song will be in my head for hours

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Just so you know Celebration City won't be open this year.

There are shows that offer family tickets. That can save money if you have more than 1 child. We enjoy the music show after Silver Dollar City closes and it is free.

If you are in the Branson West area we love Dana's BBQ. In old town Branson - near Branson landing we like Clockers. They always have a good special and homemade pie or cobbler.

Enjoy your trip!