Musings on Branson MO

[Evil Genius]

Let me start by saying that DH and I found the Ozarks truly amazing and beautiful. We had a great time.

Just a few things that bothered us though.

Why in God's green earth aren't there any 4 lane highways in Branson? Traffic there is terrible!!! We sat for an hour 45 minutes to get 2 miles!!! I've been through Chicago in construction season and have traveled faster.

What do you folks down there have against Northerners?? We heard quite a few disparaging remarks about us in the shows we saw. Yes, I know they were suppose to be all in fun, but some of them were downright rude. My particular favorite was when we were at a dinner show and the master of ceremonies encouraged the southern women to cheer, even if their mouths were full of food, because that's what the northern women do.?!?!?!?!

Lastly is there ever a time when ALL the rides are running at Silver Dollar City??? We went there two days and both days most of the big rides were down at one time or another. It was kind of weird.

 

[Beth76]

That's why I don't go to Branson. I've lived 4 hours away my whole life. I've never once been there and have no desire to go in the future. My parents have a house at Lake of the Ozarks which is in the middle of the state and we like it there. That's about as country as I'll get.

 

[MerryPoppins]

We are regular visitors to Branson. I agree that the traffic is terrible. It takes a while to learn the back routes and miss the long waits.

I'm sorry about the northerner comments. That's too bad. I don't remember hearing that in the past, but even in jest that's not good.

I've been at Silver Dollar City when all the rides were operating. Sorry you were there when rides were closed. Silver Dollar City isn't anything like WDW - obviously. But SDC isn't as much about the rides as the experience. There are lots of good shows, shops, etc. and the people that work there are usually very nice. They also have very good food, IMO. Hope you had fun in spite of what you didn't get to do.

 

[Evil Genius]

We enjoyed Silver Dollar City. We didn't expect Disney, 'cause there's only one. We enjoyed the shows we saw and I could not believe the amount of food vendors there!!! Pretty darn good stuff too! We were just really surprised at how all the major rides were down on the busiest weekend of the year. We also found it funny that they were only open from 9:30 to 7:00. No EMH there!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We were just there a couple of weeks ago. Sorry SDC wasn't running well for you. I didn't get to get on PowderKeg, did you?
SDC is more of a relaxing place rather than run from ride to ride, I like that about it.

Were you able to get out on TableRock Lake? That is one great lake!!!

Branson is Hillbilly Country....aka 'rednecks'. Sorry about the comments...

 

[Michie]

Let me start by saying that DH and I found the Ozarks truly amazing and beautiful. We had a great time.

Just a few things that bothered us though.

Why in God's green earth aren't there any 4 lane highways in Branson? Traffic there is terrible!!! We sat for an hour 45 minutes to get 2 miles!!! I've been through Chicago in construction season and have traveled faster.
What do you folks down there have against Northerners?? We heard quite a few disparaging remarks about us in the shows we saw. Yes, I know they were suppose to be all in fun, but some of them were downright rude. My particular favorite was when we were at a dinner show and the master of ceremonies encouraged the southern women to cheer, even if their mouths were full of food, because that's what the northern women do.?!?!?!?!

Lastly is there ever a time when ALL the rides are running at Silver Dollar City??? We went there two days and both days most of the big rides were down at one time or another. It was kind of weird.

because Branson started out as a small town, and still is, I think the residents number maybe 5,000, so there was no need or plans for a 4 lane. And then it eventually exploded with theaters, hotels etc.

There are alternate routes to 76! Look for the signs!!!!!

I am sure you are speaking of the Dixie Stampede show! It was all said and done in fun!!

 

[Evil Genius]

because Branson started out as a small town, and still is, I think the residents number maybe 5,000, so there was no need or plans for a 4 lane. And then it eventually exploded with theaters, hotels etc.

There are alternate routes to 76! Look for the signs!!!!!

I am sure you are speaking of the Dixie Stampede show! It was all said and done in fun!!

We took the alternate routes and still sat in traffic!!

We didn't see the Dixie Stampede show. Plus the comments weren't made all in one place. It got quite disturbing after while.

 

[ozarkmom]

We just got back yesterday and had a great time. I don't remember hearing any northern comments although I'm sure some shows have some jokes. Of course I'm used to turning on the TV and seeing open season on southern people all of the time. There are alot of places on the strip that sell confederate flag items which isn't my cup of tea. I do notice when we're there that the parking lots are full of yankee license plates and hopefully no one tries to turn this statement into something it's not we saw alot more black families and tour groups than we've ever seen in the past. So apparently Branson is a wholesome family vacation destination for all families.

 

[becjlek]

It has been a few years but we don't plan on going back. We had the same kind of experience that you did. SDC had more stuff closed than open. We thought it was just us that weren't Branson people. The area is very pretty though.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

We honeymooned at Chateau on the Lake (or Mistake on the Lake, as I hear it's called by the locals), on Table Rock Lake.

We didn't go for the shows (I'm anything but a C+W gal), but for the fall beauty.

We did go to SDC and we had a great time; everything was running and the weather and people were wonderful. We got to ride one of the rollercoasters about ten times in a row without getting off. We also toured the cavern and thought it was one of the best we'd been to - and I've been to at least ten.

Here we are in SDC:

Then, we had to drive back to Houston and got a speeding ticket in Damascus, Arkansas. That brought us back to reality.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

The Branson area is nice to visit if you stay out of Branson itself. The lake and surrounding country is very pretty, but Branson is beyond nuts. And we used the alternate roads and still sat in bad traffic. We don't like the shows there and the rest is hokey tourist trap stuff. Been there, done that, no need to go back. We were there for a family reunion, the in-laws love to visit there. Me, not so much.

If I want to see shows and lots of glitzy touristy stuff, I go to Las Vegas. Much more fun!! Better restaurants too. Bubba Chuck's Country Vittles or whatever is not my idea of fine dining.

 

[arminnie]

Excuse me - don't you people know there is an age limit. You are not allowed to go to Branson unless you are AT LEAST 50 years old. That's what my sister told me.

 

[Evil Genius]

I found this thread amusing!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1166136

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We live in a neighboring state and get phone calls all the time for "GREAT DEALS on vacations in Branson!!!"

Usually the caller realizes they are out of luck with me when I say they couldn't pay me to go there.

We have lots of friends that go there every free weekend but it's just not for us. Different strokes for different folks!