Branson vacation ideas?

[Kirby]

tlivgstn, thanks for telling us how your trip went! It's always nice to hear about people's trips. Branson Landing is really a nice side trip on a stay in Branson.

 

[Jalva22]

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

You can find a pdf map of the area at the following site:

http://hfeimages.aristotle.net/general/branson_map.pdf

 

[Beth76]

I just got back and we had an OK time. Not sure I would ever go back. We saw the Haygoods and it was a really great show--even for kids. I think they sang one or two country songs (but modern, popular songs) and they did some rock and roll and fun jazz. I'm not into shows, but this was fun. The best part was we stayed at the La Quinta Inn that was attached to the theatre. So we didn't have to drive anywhere that night. Wouldn't normally stay at a LaQ, but it was very convenient for the show and the pool was great actually.

We tried SDC the next day and it took us nearly two hours from the time we left the hotel until we got into the park. It really started off as a horrible day, but turned out ok in the end. We just didn't do it right, I guess. Traffic was horrible getting there, but I don't know if we could have avoided it. Then there was a line to buy tickets and another big line to get in. The kids area was really great, but we didn't make it there until the end of the day. We got sooooooo lucky that it was cloudy and not super hot. A hot sunny day would have made it miserable.

IF we ever go again we'll go off season and have a better plan for getting around the park.

 

[Jestocost]

The Branson Scenic Railway is fun too.

 

[lg3]

I just got back and we had an OK time. Not sure I would ever go back. We saw the Haygoods and it was a really great show--even for kids. I think they sang one or two country songs (but modern, popular songs) and they did some rock and roll and fun jazz. I'm not into shows, but this was fun. The best part was we stayed at the La Quinta Inn that was attached to the theatre. So we didn't have to drive anywhere that night. Wouldn't normally stay at a LaQ, but it was very convenient for the show and the pool was great actually.

We tried SDC the next day and it took us nearly two hours from the time we left the hotel until we got into the park. It really started off as a horrible day, but turned out ok in the end. We just didn't do it right, I guess. Traffic was horrible getting there, but I don't know if we could have avoided it. Then there was a line to buy tickets and another big line to get in. The kids area was really great, but we didn't make it there until the end of the day. We got sooooooo lucky that it was cloudy and not super hot. A hot sunny day would have made it miserable.
IF we ever go again we'll go off season and have a better plan for getting around the park.

wow - are you kidding me?!!! We went in June and it took us about 15-20 min. to get there and we never once waited in a line to get tickets - went for three days. How bizarre! I hope you'll give it another shot - maybe it was an extremely busy time....

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for all the nice feedback.

We are doing Silver Dollar City tomorrow. Hoping to get to town around 9:30 or 10. We are going directly to SDC. Then we'll do our second day at SDC on Friday. My in-laws are coming on Thursday. There are lots of activities at our resort, plus just hanging at the pool. Mountain Vista Wyndham resort has a chicken dinner Weds. and a pirate party luau Friday. On Weds. it's a taco dinner that I'm not that thrilled about, and my in-laws will probably want to go out to eat, maybe to a show too. Any suggestions??

A couple of other questions:

1. Someone told me to take highway 13 all the way in (I think that's the new highway from KC) then cut over to highway 76 to SDC since we're not going to our resort first. I'll avoid the strip and going through all the traffic. When I look at Mapquest and Yahoo Maps, they take me on I-44 and through Branson. Am I okay on Hwy. 13?

2. Does SDC allow you to take a wagon? Or do they rent strollers? The wagon might be nice to have at the resort. I know it's a big no-no at WDW, but what about SDC?

 

[PlutosFriend]

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?

Hello We live in the St. Louis metro area, and we travel to Branson at least twice per year. If your boys would be interested in swimming in the lake, there is a nice beach area, near the dam called Moonshine Beach. I believe it only costs a couple bucks to park, so that would be an inexpensive day. Just remember to bring water shoes since the lake floor is mostly rocky. They also have the trout hatchery right at the damn as well. My kids love SDC and Celebration City, but if you are trying to cut costs, there is plenty of other stuff to do in Branson. Mini golf, go-carts, bumper boats, (although that ads up as well). You can find tons of coupons for these things once you get down there. Ride the Ducks will also be fun for your kids. I will read on to see what other suggested. If you need further info, I would be glad to help PM me if you wish

 

[PlutosFriend]

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.

Beth! I cannot believe you live in St. Louis and haven't been to Branson yet Be careful, you may love it!! We rarely do a show down there. I think they are pricey, but once in a while I love to see Andy Williams at Christmas. The lake there (Tablerock) is gorgeous. I could spend a week playing around there. There is plenty of stuff to do! Have fun! Let us know how you liked it

 

[PlutosFriend]

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.

I think it is a bargain too. I do season tix for my family. I buy 2, and use the free passes they give for the other 2 members. So we get to go as much as we want, all 3 parks for around $200. Hotels are a dime a dozen there and you can get really good deals The best food to be had, in my opinion is right in Silver Dollar City! YUM! Try the big mountain cookie

 

[PlutosFriend]

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!!!




Have fun!!

You will be in for quite a surprise Branson has changed quite a bit in 20 years. Have a great time!

 

[PlutosFriend]

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!

No kidding on the wait! Every time we try to eat there, there are tons of people waiting outside to get in.

 

[PlutosFriend]

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

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I am not sure what Moutain Vista is? I have some maps in my car, of the area, I can check with. When you get to Branson tho, they have really nice maps for free at the hotels

 

[PlutosFriend]

IF we ever go again we'll go off season and have a better plan for getting around the park.

Oops, I didn't realize earlier that this thread wasnt started today. There is a back way to avoid some of the traffic to SDC. That sounds really busy tho! Was it a weekend?

 

[PlutosFriend]

Thanks for all the nice feedback.

We are doing Silver Dollar City tomorrow. Hoping to get to town around 9:30 or 10. We are going directly to SDC. Then we'll do our second day at SDC on Friday. My in-laws are coming on Thursday. There are lots of activities at our resort, plus just hanging at the pool. Mountain Vista Wyndham resort has a chicken dinner Weds. and a pirate party luau Friday. On Weds. it's a taco dinner that I'm not that thrilled about, and my in-laws will probably want to go out to eat, maybe to a show too. Any suggestions??

?

Have a great time! I am not sure if you like the Beatles, but there is a show with Beatles impersonaters that I would have liked to have seen. That is on the main strip. That Hard Luck Diner used to be a fun place! Haven't tried it in a couple of years, but it may be worth a shot

 

[swilphil]

Pluto's Friend-- Thanks for all the advice. I should have mentioned on my earlier post today that I was resurrecting this thread.

I think we will try to go to Moonshine Beach. Mountain Vista Wyndham is very close to there. I found a good map from a link here or another thread.

We also might go to the Branson Landing. Is it in Downtown Branson by highway 65?

 

[MerryPoppins]

We have season passes to SDC and go to Branson several times a year. There are back routes that are very helpful. I can't help you with them, because DH does the driving there and he knows his way around. But you can miss most of the traffic if you use a map and think it through. The strip is horrible!

We love SDC. It's not Disney, but it's downhome fun and the people that work there are very nice. The shows and shops are as much fun as the rides.

Some of the shows offer a family pass. You pay one price for two adults and kids. That's the way to go if you're trying to cut corners on show prices. I can't tell you offhand which, but if anyone is interested I'll try to find a site that lists them. You won't always see them listed, as they'd like to sell individual tickets if you know what I mean.

The fish hatchery is free and my teens still enjoy it. You pay for feed and walk up and down to sprinkle it in the troughs with different sized fish.

The fountain at Branson Landings is awesome. We like the shopping area too. And the old downtown is a fun shopping experience in it's own right.

We've done many of the things to do in the area. If you have a question about one send me a PM. I might be able to help.

 

[Beth76]

There is a back way to avoid some of the traffic to SDC. That sounds really busy tho! Was it a weekend?

We were told by the hotel to stick with the main drag. My sister left a few minutes before us and tried out the "back way" they ended up right behind us. It was just really busy (2 days before 4th of July). Yes, this was my first time and like I said, the ONLY reason I went was because we were meeting cousins. I doubt I'll ever go back. Unless the boys really really really want to go.

Swilphil, I'm looking at my new state map and it looks like you can take 13 down through Springfield and it will turn into 76 (just north of Branson) and take you right to SDC. I'm really good with maps but I will say that looks really confusing because the roads are so windy and keep changing numbers. If you don't have a current map, I would go get one before you go.

And sorry, I don't remember if there were wagons or not. But we rented a stroller. If you do the free parking and take the shuttle to the main gate, it would be difficult to take the wagon, so I would just rent. I don't know how old your kids are, but our favorite part of the park was the Grand Exposition. We got there last--of course--and enjoyed it the most. We had a 9yo, 3 6yos, a 4yo and 2 3yo and they all loved that part of the park. We could have gone only there and everyone would have been happy. Great rides for everyone and not very crowded. Avoid the baby roller coaster, if possible. It was horrible.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

Thanks for all the nice feedback.

We are doing Silver Dollar City tomorrow. Hoping to get to town around 9:30 or 10. We are going directly to SDC. Then we'll do our second day at SDC on Friday. My in-laws are coming on Thursday. There are lots of activities at our resort, plus just hanging at the pool. Mountain Vista Wyndham resort has a chicken dinner Weds. and a pirate party luau Friday. On Weds. it's a taco dinner that I'm not that thrilled about, and my in-laws will probably want to go out to eat, maybe to a show too. Any suggestions??

A couple of other questions:

1. Someone told me to take highway 13 all the way in (I think that's the new highway from KC) then cut over to highway 76 to SDC since we're not going to our resort first. I'll avoid the strip and going through all the traffic. When I look at Mapquest and Yahoo Maps, they take me on I-44 and through Branson. Am I okay on Hwy. 13?

2. Does SDC allow you to take a wagon? Or do they rent strollers? The wagon might be nice to have at the resort. I know it's a big no-no at WDW, but what about SDC?

Hwy 13 does not come from KC, though....I am in Warrensburg which is about 60 miles east of KC - 13 goes right through Warrensburg and north of us it goes through Higginsville.....

 

[swilphil]

Hwy 13 does not come from KC, though....I am in Warrensburg which is about 60 miles east of KC - 13 goes right through Warrensburg and north of us it goes through Higginsville.....

I should have been more specific about Hwy 13. You have to take 71 to Hwy 7 to get on 13. It's just people from KC refer to Hwy 13 as the "new road to Branson."

Beth--Based on your experience, I don't think I'll ever go there July 4th weekend, maybe not ANY weekend. We are staying close to Table Rock Lake Dam, and I think we can avoid the Strip. The main reason I have stayed away from Branson for this long is because of the traffic.

Thanks for the tips about the SDC kids areas. I think we will stick to that area, plus the water area. They have a few shows we might watch. I'll take the oldest one to Marvel cave, but not sure about the youngest.

 

[KansasUSA]

Hi,
Does every hotel in Branon include a $50 deposit? We recently stayed at Branson Garden Inn and didn't realize they don't give you your $50 back at checkout. The gal at the front desk said we would have to wait a week or so to be reimbursed. Other than that we had a good time. We went to SDC and I would highly recommend Moonshine Beach. Has a great swimming area & you pay $4 at the gate.

Thank you, KansasUSA