Branson over July 4?

[bjscheel]

Thinking about Branson, and Disney, so if we did both, I want to minimize days of work missed. So I'm thinking about Branson over 4th of July weekend.

I know July 4th weekend is a bad time to visit WDW, but will it be a problem in Branson? Are the potential extra crowds worth missing one less day of work or should we go another time?

If we did go, any ideas whether it would be better to arrive Thurs. before the weekend and drive back on Monday the 4th, or arrive Saturday and drive back the Wednesday the 6th? Maybe it doesn't matter.

If we don't do Disney, we will probably do Branson for more days, in June. That was my plan, but DH wants Disney. Plus we have family camp in August. Still figuring out if I can make this work or if one of us will have to push our chosen vacation to 2012.

 

[MissAndrea]

I wish I could answer this but we didn't move here until October. However, we have been camping in Branson numerous times over the 4th and went to the Landing last summer to watch the fireworks. Camp sites were always full as was the lake. It might depend on what your plans are. If you are going to spend a day at Silver Dollar City, I'm sure it will be busy, but I would try to go during the week as opposed to the weekend if you are going to be here on a week day. Regardless, try to avoid the strip (76) and use the color coded roads. The strip is always nuts during the summer and you should avoid it like the plague. It will take you 30 minutes to go 1 mile! But if SDC or White Water is on the agenda, try to do those during the week, and maybe do shows or anything where you don't have to stand in line, on the weekend.

 

[bjscheel]

We are definitely interested in SDC. I also want to go to Dogwood Canyon and do biking or the tram ride. Maybe the Dixie Stampede and the Titanic. I don't know what else. Not necessarily a lot on the Strip. Will have to look into White Water.

We want to rent a cabin, too.

Thanks for the input!

 

[merekc]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I try to avoid Branson even on a weekend.

 

[momto2inKC]

Branson is VERY busy for the 4th, heck it's pretty busy nearly every weekend of the summer. We spent our honeymoon there (were married on the 4th years ago) and everywhere was packed. It did settle down after the weekend and our last few days were great and much less crowded (Tues-Fri).

 

[MissAndrea]

Branson is VERY busy for the 4th, heck it's pretty busy nearly every weekend of the summer. We spent our honeymoon there (were married on the 4th years ago) and everywhere was packed. It did settle down after the weekend and our last few days were great and much less crowded (Tues-Fri).

Based upon this, maybe OP should go on Saturday and stay until Wednesday rather than coming in early. Maybe have a couple of less busy days this way.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

Our family goes to Branson multiple times every summer. I would definitely recommend against going to SDC on the 4th or anytime that weekend. I've been there when the park is at capacity, and it is really miserable! Luckily we have season passes so when it gets that bad we just leave and go hang out at the hotel or something. Early May and October are my top times to go to beat crowds and get the best weather.
It also depends on where you want to rent a cabin what kind of availability you will find. We belong to Bluegreen and stay at Big Cedar and I know that 4th of July weekend would already be full up if I tried to get it.

 

[bjscheel]

Based upon this, maybe OP should go on Saturday and stay until Wednesday rather than coming in early. Maybe have a couple of less busy days this way.

Perhaps, but since Monday is a holiday, so it's probably like a weekend day too. Sounds like those are quite busy. Maybe I should go ahead and pick another time and just miss 3 days of work instead of 2. I just can't decide.

If DH wasn't so set on Disney, we would just go to Branson in early June for however many days we want. I told him this spring we would go to Disney every other year, and this would be the year, but I have been wanting a cabin vacation, and the girls are into old-time stuff (SDC) and Laura Ingalls NOW (Laura Ingalls Wilder house in Mansfield MO).

Such problems

 

[rskbh00]

Branson is very busy all summer but extremely busy during the 4th. We usually go once or twice a year.We have done the 4th and will not ever do it again and we have done Christmas in Branson which by far is my favorite time to go.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We go to Branson over the 4th but we do not go out on the lake on the 4th. Our boat does NOT leave the dock!!! If you have tickets for Stampede or other shows you will be fine but buy them early. And plan to give yourself plenty of time to get to the actual show. Even the City can be ok if you get there before opening and plan to give yourself a couple mornings instead of staying all day. Just be ready to leave when the rest of the crowd gets up and gets there. It will be hot in the afternoon anyway so much nicer to hang at the pool. There are several fireworks shows that can be fun in the area.

The poster above has a nice idea about moving to another holiday weekend. Thanksgiving can be nice. The Christmas lights are really special and the weather can be nice (or really cold). While it will be crowded over Thanksgiving too it won't be as bad as the 4th. And the lights are soooo worth it IMHO!

 

[tonilea]

As locals, we avoid Branson on all Holiday weekends.

 

[bjscheel]

Going at Thanksgiving or Christmas sure would help spread out the vacationing we want to do, so that's tempting, but I want to go in warm weather for SDC and Dogwood Canyon.

Work and school just get in the way!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Well you could go over the 4th and over Thanksgiving.

Silver Dollar City has very reasonably priced season passes. Over the 4th do some hiking, see a show and do SDC in the am, the pool in the afternoon. then return for Thanksgiving/Christmas and seea morning show and the lights at SDC in the evening.

Extra vacation time is always good!


Toniela you are just lucky! Someday I will be a local too! For now all we get is holiday weekends!