Branson vacation ideas?

[swilphil]

I've read some posts here and there about Branson on this board. We are staying there for 3 nights in late July. Our resort is the Mountain Vista, which sounds nice. We have 2 boys, ages 5 and 7, but I think I'm going to avoid Silver Dollar City since we do Disney fairly often. We're not into country music so I'm not sure if there are shows the kids would like. Any ideas for relatively inexpensive activities?

 

[ozarkmom]

I'm sorry I can't imagine not going to Silver Dollar City you might be surprised what a nice park it is. If they like Water parks white water is alot of fun. Do they like magic ? there's always some good magic shows going on. Go to branson1.com you'll find alot of info. My family doesn't care for country music either but we've always had a good time in Branson. Don't know if you have time but the Branson Vacation Guide always has alot of good info too.

 

[SamIAm21]

Well, I just got back from Branson last Saturday, and nothing is cheap there! We took a tour on the Ducks and it was nearly $50 for three of us. The Talking Rock Caverns were about the same price for three.

I can't think of anything inexpensive in Branson except going to the dam, fish hatchery and the Army Corp of Engineers Museum near the dam.

I really felt that I didn't get my money's worth anywhere in that town. It's very touristy and they charge top dollar for entertainment.

I'm sure there are others here who have had better experiences there and could provide more insight. I just didn't find anything cheap about that town.

 

[Jalva22]

Hi! I live about 5 hours from Branson and cannot count the number of times I've visited there. Of course, relative to Disney, everything's inexpensive in Branson! (Just read the post preceding mine, so I guess not everyone agrees with that statement. But compared to WDW, Branson's not terribly expensive.) There is a nice, new shopping area downtown called Branson Landing. Other things are tours of Stone Hill Winery; mini golf; White Water water park; Ride the Ducks. The Shepherd of the Hills does an awesome outdoor play every evening and there is a guided tour of their historic grounds; there is an imax theater in town; you can stroll through the Grand Village shopping area, it's a nice relaxing spot with some interesting shops.

I would still recommend Silver Dollar City, unless you just don't want to spend the money. It is a completely different place than WDW. Of course it cannot compare to WDW, but it is a very nice park in its own right. SDC is very heavily themed toward a turn of the 20th century Ozarks town. Many attractions would be closer to 6 Flags level than WDW level, but there are some unique things on property. Marvel Cave is an awesome hour-long tour that's included with park admission. Most kids love it (and I do too).

Feel free to PM me with any questions. I'm having my gallbladder removed tomorrow, so may not respond immediately, but I'm on here constantly and imagine I'll spend a good deal of time surfing the DIS while I'm laying around over the weekend.

Hope you have a great time in the Ozark Mountain Country.

 

[Beth76]

We're going for the first time (oh the horror) this weekend. The only reason I'm going is because we're meeting the "boy cousins" there. I'm doing it for my kids. Anyway, we're going to some show that's supposed to be really good called The Haygoods. My cousins went there last year and they and the kids loved it. I don't think it's country music. But I can let you know when we get back. We're planning that and SDC--I don't even know what else to do there. We're only staying for 2 nights.

 

[Kirby]

I chaperoned on my daughter's high school band trip the last weekend in April. Once of the venues we went to was The Haygoods. They loved it! The Haygoods were nice enough to visit with the band on their buses after the show.

Branson Landing is a really nice outdoor shopping area with a fountain and nice places to eat. The kids enjoyed spending some time one day for lunch there.

Silver Dollar City is not Disney but it is a nice amusement park. I second the Marvel Cave tour. Besides the rides, there are also craftsmen at work making their wares throughout the park. It is very well themed. Check Silver Dollar City's website for discounts.

 

[tlivgstn]

I'm going to Branson with 11 friends from work tomorrow. We are going to "Lost in the 50's" show and an IMAX movie for $34. We are also shopping at Branson Landing, Dick's 5 and Dime, and the outlets. We got rooms at a place said to be clean and comfortable with breakfast for $40. Can you beat that! We're eating at Lambert's outside Springfield on the way there. YUM!! I'm very surprised that anyone thinks Branson is expensive.
Last year my DH and DD and I went to Branson. We had tickets to Dixie Stampede (around $40/adult with meal, pre-show and show). It was great fun but my DD sneezed her head off! She had taken allergy meds but even on the top row, she had trouble. We got 2 days for the price of 1 tickets ($45/adult) to SDC. One day we spent doing rides. The new Pavillion was great. Most rides are designed for families to ride together. There are more thrilling rides at SDC. We really missed "child swap" because my daughter doesn't like anything the least bit scary. For my husband and I- the more thrilling the better! Consequently, we didn't ride any of the wild ones. On the second day at SDC we went to two shows- a dog show and an animal show. I was surprised at the variety of shows there was. We shopped and watched the crafts people. The whole park is very shady and clean. We also went to the back of the park where the water play was. My daughter could have stayed there all day. It was so much fun.
I am a bargain shopper--so tight I squeak. I thought Branson was a bargain. It's only a 4 hour drive for us so that helps, too. Traffic on the strip is a problem and we weren't impressed with the restaurants where we ate. They are starting to get more chains- which will be fine with us because you know what you are getting. Next time we will probably stay in one of the cabins by the lake. We will definitely go to SDC again and plan to do the Showboat Belle. We want to ride the go-carts, too.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

YAY!!

We're going to Branson in August. I only live about 3 hours away....my parents are 1 hour away from Branson - yet, I haven't been in nearly 20 years!!!

Although SDC has rides/etc. like WDW, the atmosphere and theming is SO DIFFERENT. I can't imagine not doing it.

Have you read about the City Hoppers? $85 per adult for 4 days of 3 parks.

I understand that the landing has some kind of fireworks or light/lazer show at night.

We're doing Dixie Stampede - but that's far from cheap!

We're not doing any shows....just the amusement parks and Dixie Land.

Have fun!!

 

[Beth76]

Hey where's the Lamberts in Springfield? I bet the boys would love that. I haven't been there since I was a kid. I wonder if DH has ever been there.

We plan on going to the Landings sometime. It looks really cool there--I was surprised I was looking at pictures of Branson. LOL! I really wanted to stay at the Hilton there, but everyone else thought it was too expensive for a quick stay. Boo hoo.

 

[tlivgstn]

Go to throwedrolls.com It's the Ozark location on state highway J--right on the way to Branson. Be prepared to wait. They don't take reservations. We will get to Lambert's by 3:00 and are expecting to wait at least a half-hour. Fried potatoes- here I come!

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for all the info. I'm rethinking Silver Dollar City after looking at the cost of the shows, mini-golf, ride the ducks, go carts, etc. The 2 days for the price of one ticket sounds good. I didn't see it on the website. If anybody knows where to get that ticket, let me know.

 

[Kirby]

Try to stay off of the main strip as much as you can. It's so sloooow. There are red and blue routes that can help you bypass some of the traffic. Your hotel should have information on them.

A tidbit of information on getting to SDC. I would leave at least an hour before it opens. The park opened at 9:30 when we were there. We left at 9:00 thinking that since we were so close (six miles) it would be a breeze to get there. Not! It was 10:30 before we were actually walking into the park. If you get there too early, it's better than sitting in traffic. And go ahead and pay for the premier parking (or whatever it's called). It's worth it. Be prepared to walk up and down hills too.

Another place that the band had fun at was Family Fun Place #4. The name was something like that. There was an arcade, go karts, putt putt, water bumper cars and a section for smaller children that we didn't go into. There was also a pizza joint and a ice cream place there too.

 

[lg3]

We just went to Branson last month - had a BLAST! Every time I go I am reminded of what a fun time it is. We spent two days at Silver Dollar City, and dd wanted to go back again! Traffic wasn't all that bad - we stayed at the Grand Oaks Hotel. Also - consider taking the loop around to Silver Dollar City (the highway just southeast that connects up to it from the west - we shaved at least 20 min. off our trip each time going that way. Never knew about it before! We also had great luck with all the food choices there - we ventured out and did some "local" places instead of chains and had some excellent food.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We spend a lot of time in the area. Our vacation home is actually on the lake. We always have a season pass to Silver Dollar City, Celebration City and White Water. All 3 are very nice parks. For the cost of mini golf and go carts you can get into Celebration City and they have both there, included in the ticket. At the end of the night there is a really good lazer show. Take a blanket to sit on the ground and some water and snacks. SDC has a music show after the park closes too.

We enjoy the Haygood's show and usually see their show once a year. Very talented young men and 1 sister too! My kids always enjoy the Branson Belle. It is a dinner show on the lake. A little pricey but there are coupons in the local guides. Also see Shepard of the Hills! It is really good.

For good local bbq Danna's is a favorite but it is in Branson West so a little drive from the strip.

If you are on the strip get a map - they are everywhere- of the back roads it will save you a lot of time.

1branson.com has a fourm like this one.

Let me know if you have other questions and I'll try to answer.

 

[Bunchkin]

Not too sure what you would consider cheap.

But we enjoyed going to Silver Dollar City, Dixie Stampede, the Showboat Branson Belle (riverboat/dinner show).
Also went to Fantastic Caverns in Springfield (just north of Branson), it's the only drive through cavern. You travel through the cavern on a tram with a very knowledgeable guide. Lots of fun!




For others interested in going to the area, we always stay at Big Cedar Lodge/Resort which is owned by Bass Pro Shop. We have literally stayed there for a week and not left the property but once or twice. There is so much to there for families and couples.

 

[Jalva22]

Thanks for all the info. I'm rethinking Silver Dollar City after looking at the cost of the shows, mini-golf, ride the ducks, go carts, etc. The 2 days for the price of one ticket sounds good. I didn't see it on the website. If anybody knows where to get that ticket, let me know.

Silver Dollar is really a good deal when compared to the cost of the other attractions in town. We usually arrive right at opening during the summer months (they are usually doing the flag raising ceremony just as we walk in) and have never had trouble with traffic that early. If you're driving out there between 9:00 and 11:00 or so, though, consider the alternate routes as noted above.

 

[tchrrx]

We are going to Branson in a couple of weeks. I think we are going to the Dixie Stampede and The Presley's. Also, we'll probably do some go-carts, ride the Ducks, and go to the Titanic museum. We aren't planning on Silver Dollar City b/c we're just making a 3 day trip. If we really enjoy Branson, then I figure we'll do SDC the next time.

 

[swilphil]

Silver Dollar is really a good deal when compared to the cost of the other attractions in town. We usually arrive right at opening during the summer months (they are usually doing the flag raising ceremony just as we walk in) and have never had trouble with traffic that early. If you're driving out there between 9:00 and 11:00 or so, though, consider the alternate routes as noted above.

Anyone know the alternate routes from Mountain Vista, by the Lawrence Welk Resort, to SDC?

Also what is a good public place to hang out on the lake? I know about Moonshine Beach, but are there any other good beaches or even places with docks where you could go swimming. I don't want to rent a boat if we can avoid it.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

There are core of engineer camp grounds that will have day access to the lake. There is Aunt's Creek, Boat Dock 13, Joe Bald, more but I can't think of all the names. Anyway you may be charged a small fee to picnic but then you will have a little "beach" area. Bring water shoes - it's true to the name Table Rock! I don't think any of the above have a dock, at least not a public one, to swim off of but there will be a little area to swim in. Port of Kimberling (boat dock 13) will rent a boat to you for the day.

 

[tlivgstn]

Back from Branson and had a great time! We went to the "Lost in the 50's with the Platters" show at the Starlite. It seems that we all enjoyed it. Our group had ladies from ages 25 to 75. We did lots of shopping. Branson Landing was beautiful and I would have loved to have stayed longer. Tanger Outlets was great! I got some real bargains on kids clothes and Disney was crammed with all kinds of cheap goodies--t-shirts @ $2.99, pjs @ $7.99, etc. We all agreed that next year we want to do a few more shows. I know we want to do the Showboat Belle Dinner Cruise and will probably do the Haygoods. Several wanted to go to the Titanic museum too.
Try it, you'll like it!