Category Archives: Branson Attractions

Honoring of Titanic passenger sparks a special moment

The “Survivors’ Wall of Stories” in the “Discovery Room” of Branson’s Titanic Museum Attraction.

On July 9th, this 73 year old balding man experienced a bit of Titanic magic as he boarded the Titanic Museum Attraction (Titanic) in Branson, Missouri as nine year old “Master Frankie Goldsmith,” (Frankie) to experience the attraction through a child’s eyes. I will be writing about that experience within the next few days, but I just had to share one part of it separately because, to me, it was such a special moment.

I “boarded” the Titanic and, is the case with all passengers, received a boarding pass. Because I was going as a “child” I received a boarding pass identifying me as “Frankie” and, under the excellent supervision of First Class Maid Jamie, had one of the most pleasant “tours” on the Titanic I have ever had, but then the others were as an adult and this was through the eyes of a child. As we came towards the end of our tour and entered the “Memorial Room” I found out that my mother, Emily , and I had survived the sinking. It was then that Jamie told me the story of how I had been saved.

She related, in that special Titanic way, that a family friend, Thomas Theobald, also a passenger on the Titanic, saw my mother crying while waiting to get into the lifeboat. When he asked her what was the matter she said although she had my hand we had become separated. Mr. Theobald told her he thought he had seen me and would go back and get me. Just before leaving my mother, he gave her his wedding ring and asked that she deliver it to his wife if he didn’t survive. He found me and brought me to my mother in time for me to get in the lifeboat with her, but only women and children were permitted in the boat. He did not survive the sinking. Subsequent pictures of my mother with her arm around me, taken soon after we were rescued, show that she was wearing two wedding rings. She returned Mr. Theobald’s ring to his wife.

After telling me the story we went around the corner into the “Discovery Room” and up to the “Survivors’ Wall of Stories” where I would find out exactly what happened to “Frankie” after surviving the ordeal. The cards and photos are organized alphabetically. As I approached the wall and found “Goldsmith” I was standing next to a lady reading Emily Goldsmith’s card with a girl that I believe was her daughter. When she told me she had the Boarding Pass for Emily Goldsmith I called her “Mom” and identified myself as her “Titanic Son Frankie.”

Because I had just heard the story about how Frankie had been saved, I asked Jamie if she would mind sharing the story again, which she did with the same passion and enthusiasm that she had conveyed to me just a few moments earlier. As she was telling the story, tears welled up in the woman’s eyes and, as she thanked Jamie for sharing the story, it was obvious that it had touched her.

I do not know who she was or why the story brought tears to her eyes and do not know her name, but as we parted I thought to myself, what are the odds? The odds that I would get Frankie’s boarding pass at that time, that day and that, within minutes after First Class Maid Jamie had shared that story with me, I would meet the woman who had received the boarding pass of Frankie’s mom in a chance encounter?

Shortly prior to that encounter, Jamie had explained to me that one of the major purposes of the Titanic Museum Attraction is to honor the memories of the those who were on the Titanic; “We really do believe that when someone passes on, the best way to honor them is to simply tell their story and we get the honor to do that every single day.” My experience that day convinces me that telling their stories not only honors them, but can have an impact on those hearing the stories.

Although I do profess to know why it happened or the end effect of what happened, I will never forget those tears and that special moment when Jamie shared that story with my “Titanic Mom.” Over 100 years later, because someone shared his story, the actions of Mr. Theobald are not only remembered and honored, but having an impact on people’s lives today.

Hatchery hatches more than trout for Branson visitors

Visitor’s Center of Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery with Table Rock Dam in the background.

From its 43,000 plus surface acre water playground, Table Rock Lake, to attractions, museums, shopping, theme and water parks and over 100 live shows of every kind Branson, Missouri offers a bewildering number of things to see and do. “Many like Silver Dollar City, Branson’s great live shows and the Titanic Museum Attraction, to name a few, are well known,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Among the lesser known things to do is the opportunity for Branson visitors to experience the “Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery” at the foot of Table Rock Dam,” she added.

The “Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery,” is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation and is part of a 211 acre complex including a “Conservation Center” consisting of trails, a wild life refuge, and a Visitor Center. It is located less than 10 minutes from the famed “Branson Strip,” just off of State Highway 165 at the foot of Table Rock Dam.

The hatchery was built in conjunction with the building of Table Rock Dam because the cold water passing through the dams generators to generate electricity was ideal for Rainbow and Brown trout, but would have a a negative impact on the warm water species prevalent before the dam was built. With the completion of the dam, the first trout were stocked in Lake Taneycomo in 1959.

As a result, Lake Taneycomo, has become one of the finest trout fisheries in America with one of its outfitters, River Run Outfitters, actually winning the coveted “Orvis Outfitter of the Year Award,” in 2006, over outfitters in the other states that are legendary for their trout fishing.

In terms of raw numbers the hatchery produces over 1.1 million Rainbow and Brown Trout annually, of which about 475,000, 10 to 12 inch trout are included in the 700,000 plus trout stocked in the lake annually. The other 225,000 trout that go into Lake Taneycomo each year come from federal hatcheries, primarily Neosho, which are required by federal law to replace the “warm water” species that the building of Table Rock Dam displaced.

Hatchery visitors are welcome to tour the “race ways,” “trout runs,” by themselves during normal business hours and will see thousands of trout in the various stages of development from the large “brood stock” used to produce them to the smallest of trout. In addition, guided tours of the hatchery depart the Visitors Center from Memorial Day to Labor Day on weekdays at 10 and 11 AM and 1 and 2 PM. The Visitor Center opens at 9:00 AM every day except, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Displays of wildflowers and plants common to the Ozarks are displayed in a natural setting, with most being identified, in the area just outside the Visitor’s Center. Activities inside the Center include a nature display, a huge aquarium with “lunker” Brown and Rainbow Trout and an informative 15 minute “movie” showing how the how the hatchery produces the trout that has made Lake Taneycomo the prime trout fishery that it is.

The Visitor Center also has volunteers and Department of Conservation personnel available to answer questions as well as maps and information showing the system of four trails that winds through the undeveloped area of the Conservation Center. These trails vary in length and are ideal for families to share together. The “White River Corridor Trail” is particularly enjoyable because it parallels Lake Taneycomo for almost its entire length, is only 0.4 of a mile in length, one way, and provides a spectacular “kaleidoscope” view of the fog shrouding Lake Taneycomo early on warm summer mornings burning off as the sun rises.

Except for a coin operated dispenser for trout food for those wanting to feed the trout in the raceways, all the activities at the hatchery are free. Whether it’s a few minutes or a few hours, The Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery is another one of those things that makes Branson, Missouri the memorable unique travel destination it is.

Initial 2014 Cruise With The Stars experience with Billy Dean & Paul Harris

Billy Dean, right, and Paul Harris on the bridge of the “Landing Princess” during the cruise.

“What a pleasure it was to see the excitement and fun that both the passengers and Branson stars, Billy Dean and Paul Harris, had as they cruised together on an exclusive luncheon cruise aboard the 100 foot luxury yacht Landing Princess on May 23,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing, for the Branson Tourism Center. “It was a super way to start off a great Memorial Day weekend in Branson and our 2014 Cruise With The Stars season,” she continued.

Wood pointed out that, in addition to having lunch with Billy and Paul and the chance to interact with them in a less formal and time controlled environment than is normally available during the of the typical theatre “meet and greet” that it was a picture book day to cruise on beautiful Lake Taneycomo. In between talking with Billy and Paul, posing for pictures and getting autographs, the passengers had a chance to experience the beauty of Lake Taneycomo, scenic vistas, a unique view of Branson Landing and its $7.5 million synchronized fire, water and music fountain show, Bald Eagles and more as they leisurely cruised.

The cruise was part of the innovative “Cruise With The Stars” experience available exclusively through the Branson Tourism Center because of the special relationship it has with Branson’s shows, entertainers and Main Street Lake Cruises. The value added experience consists of choice seats at the show of the star(s) featured on the cruise and the exclusive luncheon cruise itself; providing an unparalleled Branson entertainment opportunity combining the chance to see the star(s) perform coupled with the opportunity to meet them up close and personal.

Wood reminds those who might be interested in a similar experience that this cruise was just the first of those that will be offered during the 2014 season and suggests that they check the following schedule to see if it fits in with their Branson travel plans:

Legends in Concert Show – June 19
SIX – July 17
The Duttons – Sep.12
Grand Jubilee – Sep.13
The Texas Tenors – Sep. 18
John and Ambrus Presley from Presleys’ Country Jubilee – Oct. 7
The Osmonds, American Jukebox & the Andy Williams Christmas Show – Nov. 18

Advanced reservations are recommended because each separate “Cruise With The Stars” experience is a onetime per season event controlled by the seating available on the “Landing Princess.” To get additional information or to make reservations for any of the Cruise With the Stars experiences please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550.

Five Reasons to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Branson

Silver Dollar City’s iconic world class coaster “Wildfire.”

“Summer doesn’t officially start until June 21st, but in terms of Branson’s Summer Season it starts over Memorial Day Weekend,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). “Memorial Day Weekend in Branson features the unique blend of natural beauty, live entertainment, lakes, attractions, shopping, Ozarks heritage, and other exciting activities that earned Branson a place in the top 25 destinations in America in the ‘2013 TripAdvisors Annual Traveler’s Choice Destination Awards‘ and makes it the ideal place for families to have fun together, relax, and make memories that will last for a lifetime,” she added.

Here’s five great reasons to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Branson, four of which are great reasons to spend your vacation in Branson anytime:

1. Pristine Lakes: With three different lakes, and thousands of miles of shoreline along Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Taneycomo, Branson is a virtual aquatic paradise offering boating, swimming and a wide range of other aquatic activities along with some of the finest bass and trout fishing anywhere.

Whether one enjoys the lakes from a sandy beach like “Moonshine Beach,” located just minutes from the famed Branson Strip; walking along the Branson Landing Boardwalk; hiking one of many lakes trails, by boat, canoe or kayak or while cruising aboard one of the cruise boats such the Showboat Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake or the Lake Queen or Landing Princess on Lake Taneycomo, there are many opportunities to experience the beauty and relaxation of Branson’s lakes.

Branson’s Titanic Museum Attraction takes passengers on an exciting “voyage.”

2. Attractions and Activities: It is doubtful that there is a travel destination anywhere near its size that has the variety of attractions and activities that Branson has. Two million gallons of cool wet fun await visitors to southwest Missouri’s biggest water park, the Polynesian themed White Water, with its 13 acres, 7,200 feet of water slides and its new $1.7 million thrill ride “KaPau Plummet.” Its two 240-foot slides each launches riders from a drop-floor four stories in the air into a 70-degree plunge followed by a spiraling loop to the bottom. When you add in the iconic seven story multiple slide “Kalani Towers;” “Aloha River at Hula Bay,” with over 800 feet of “unexpected twists and turns, fountains, misters, bubblers, geysers, a 30-foot tall Tiki water tower and more,” it’s easy to understand why White Water is called “Mid-America’s Nearby Island Adventure.”

And that’s just one of Branson’s many attractions! From butterflies to tigers, world class coasters to cruises, sea turtles to sharks, championship golf courses to mini golf, zip lines to hiking, go-karts and so much more, Branson has an unbelievable choice of activities offering fun and adventure for the whole family. These include the 1880’s styled international award winning theme park, Silver Dollar City, with its dozens of rides, shows, and craftsmen which will be celebrating its “Bluegrass and BBQ Festival” during the Labor Day weekend; the Titanic Museum Attraction; the National Tiger Sanctuary; the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure and many more.

Dean Z, as Elvis, performing during performance of Legends in Concert.

Dean Z, as Elvis, performing Legends in Concert.

3. Live Entertainment and Shows: Branson is known worldwide for the quality, quantity and variety of its live entertainment. From shows as diversified as the Acrobats of China, Jonah and Amazing Pets to Branson paradigm shows like Presleys’ Country Jubilee and Grand Jubilee as well as an incredible variety of top quality shows such as Shoji Tabuchi, SIX, Legends in Concert and dozens more Branson offers an unrivaled choice of live entertainment options.

4. Shopping: Memorial Day and year around, Branson offers a unique world class shopping experience. Whether it’s an item handcrafted at Silver Dollar City or a unique item from one of Branson’s many specialty shops, malls, Historic Downtown shops, Branson Landing or the hundreds of other stores, Branson offers a choice of shopping that will delight even the most avid shopper. Where else in America can you shop at an old time “5 & 10” like “Dicks 5 & 10” in historic downtown Branson and be shopping in a complex like Branson Landing with its 120 shops, restaurants and $7.5 million dollar fire, water, and music “five” minutes later?

5. Fireworks: Memorial Day Weekend’s two major fireworks displays take place on Sunday evening, May 25, at dusk. One display will be at Big Cedar Lodge as part of its Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks event and the other at the Chateau on the Lake as part of its Memorial Day Celebration. The public is invited to both with the best views from Table Rock Lake, the property’s grounds, or in the case of the Chateau on the Lake, the peninsula area located just north of the Table Rock Dam.

Johnson reminds visitors that Memorial Day Weekend is not only the start of Branson’s Summer Season, but one of Branson’s busiest weekends of the year. She suggests advance reservations for shows and lodging to ensure nor only availability, but the best seating and accommodations. For additional information on Branson’s Memorial Day Weekend activities or information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas – One of Nation’s Top Ten Christmas Light Displays

The City Square with its five story Christmas Tree and the "Holiday of Lights" parade passing through.

“What a well deserved honor,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center when she learned that a lighting display of Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas had been highlighted as one of the “10 Best Christmas Light Displays in the US” by AOL. She continued, “When you are on a select list with the likes of Rockefeller Center in New York, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and the National Christmas Tree it reflects just how special the lighting at Old Time Christmas really is.”

She points out that this is at least the second year in a row where Silver Dollar City has received national recognition for its Old Time Christmas lighting displays. Last year, the award winning 1880s themed park won second place in the prestigious Golden Ticket Awards in the “Christmas Event” category, placing higher than either Disney’s ‘Magic Kingdom’ or ‘Disneyland?’ It also won first place in the “Friendliest Park Staff” category and second place in the “Best Food” category.

Although the parks celebration of Old Time Christmas is a Christmas Festival with shows, craftsmen, rides (weather permitting,) food and all the fun and excitement Silver Dollar City is known for, its millions of decorative Christmas lights and lighting displays are special. Johnson said, “Over four million sparkling lights, transform the park into a glowing Christmas spectacle.”

“The focal point,” she says, “Is the City Square and its five story tall Special Effects Christmas Tree. Each day at dusk it comes to life playing Christmas music such as “Carol of the Bells, “Joy to the World,” “Suite from Polar Express” and more as its many colored Christmas lights twinkle and dance in choreographed unison blend into the one million plus lights of the surrounding City square area. The “Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light Parade,” with over 100,000 lights, passes through the park twice each evening if the weather permits. Although it is a spectacular sight anywhere in the park as it passes by the Christmas Tree and its lights are combined with the lights of the tree and surrounding square it is truly a breathtaking sight.

Johnson says that visitors to Branson and Ozark Mountain Christmas will be able to enjoy An Old Time Christmas Thursdays through Sundays through December 19, plus December 22-23 and from December 26-30. Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. most days. For additional information, specific hours or tickets for An Old time Christmas or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Exclusive Cruise With The Stars traditional Branson meet and greet on steroids

Branson stars such as SIX and …

“We truly believe that with the Branson Tourism Center, you don’t pay more, you just get more and our exclusive Cruise with the Stars event is just one example of how that happens,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing, for the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). “As Branson’s biggest ticket seller, with over 3,800,000 tickets sold, BTC has worked very closely with Branson shows and attractions for over ten years developing a special relationship with them that insures that its customers get the best seats and accommodations available and the opportunity to enhance their Branson experience by participating in exclusive events such as Cruise With the Stars, and other special events,” she added.

Billy Dean will be cruising with their fans.

“Branson stars are known for their willingness to meet and greet their audiences and interact with them in signing autographs, posing for pictures etc., but the exclusive Cruise With the Stars enables their fans to interact on a whole new level,” Wood said. She points out that Cruise With The Stars is an experience actually consisting of two separate Branson entertainment activities which have been uniquely combined into one exclusive “event.”

The first activity is experiencing the performance of the Branson show of the star or stars being featured on the cruise sitting in the best available seats in the house. The second activity, is going on an exclusive VIP luncheon cruise with the star(s) aboard Main Street Cruise Lines 100 foot luxury yacht, Landing Princess.

Along with a unique view of beautiful Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing and spectacular Ozark vistas each VIP cruise will include lunch and an unparalleled chance to interact with the star(s) on the cruise. This includes opportunities for photos, autographs and a unique up close and personal experience that is available only to those who have taken advantage of the exclusive offer and purchased Cruise With The Stars tickets. While subject to change, here is the list of the stars cruising during 2014:

Billy Dean with Paul Harris & The Cleverlys – May 23
Legends in Concert Show – June 19
SIX – July 17
Grand Jubilee – Sep.13
The Texas Tenors – Sep. 18
John and Ambrus Presley, Presleys’ Country Jubilee – Oct. 7
The Osmonds, American Jukebox & the Andy Williams Christmas Show – Nov. 18

Wood reminds those interested that there is only one cruise for each of the stars scheduled, there truly is a limited number of seats for each Cruise With The Stars and suggests making advance reservations as soon as possible. For tickets or information on the exclusive Cruise With The Stars event please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-875-1550.

Seven Branson Insider Tips for May 2014

Launch capsule being lifted into place on top of White Water’s “KaPau Plummet.”

“Branson Insider Tips” is based on information gathered personally from local Branson contacts, the “Branson experts” at the Branson Tourism Center, the Branson CVB, social media sites and other sources. They are offered in the spirit of providing Branson visitors with some tips and highlights of what will be happening in Branson during the month of May that they can use in planning a trip to Branson.

1. Featured Show: Clay Cooper’s Country Express is perennially one of Branson’s most popular shows. “This show is chock full of variety, including New York’s number one cowboy, the trick roping and gun slinging Johnny Lonestar, and a fantastic live, seven piece band. Clay’s multi-talented wife, Tina, leads a dazzling group of dancers, and other featured performers including Colt Cooper, and Oklahoma’s little sweetheart, Ezrah Noell. Of course the show stars and is hosted by one of Branson’s most talented and engaging performers, the incomparable Clay Cooper!”

2. Special Dining Tips: Recently, on their Facebook Page, the Branson Tourism Center asked the question, “Where is the one restaurant / cafe you have to eat at when you come to Branson?” With 95 people responding “Danna’s BBQ” was recommended the most, but the majority of comments provide some neat information on a variety of Branson’s top restaurants not available anywhere else. Click here to view the post and comments.

3. Limited Engagement Performances:

Gene Watson Appearing At Larry’s Country Diner

Jimmy Fortune Appearing At Larry’s Country Diner

4. White Water debuts its new $1.7 million KaPau Plummet thrill ride: When White water opens for its 2014 season on May 17, it will debut its new four story high thrill ride KaPau Plummet. It starts with you standing on a clear acrylic floor looking down at where you are about to fall, waiting, anticipating the time at which that floor drops out underneath you and you fall at an angle of 70 degrees, reaching speeds of 26 feet per second as you traverse the 240 feet of the slide down four stories through a translucent tube.

5. Unique Mother’s Day Dinner Cruise: Treat Mom to a very special and unique Mother’s Day Dinner by taking her on a special dinner cruise aboard Main Street Lakes Cruises’ 100 foot luxury yacht the Landing Princess. In addition to a special Mother’s Day Menu and complimentary Champagne, Mom can relax while leisurely cruising on beautiful Lake Taneycomo amid the beauty of the Ozarks with those she cherishes.

6. Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & Barbeque Festival: This festival, held from May 8 through June 1, features some of the top names in Bluegrass music such as Rhonda Vincent and Rage, the James King Band and dozens more along with mouthwatering BBQ. Of course all this is in addition to everything else the international award winning theme park offers on a daily basis.

7. The Shindig Shuffle: As part of the Ozark Mountain Shindig, Branson shows and entertainers, with the cooperation of Branson visitors, will attempt to perform the world’s longest line dance on Saturday, May 31, 2014 between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

For information on these and the many other shows, attractions, events and shopping that Branson has to offer please feel free to contact the “Branson experts” at the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-875-1550 daily from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM CST.

3 Sure Signs of Spring in Branson

The Presley Family is ready for the 2014 Branson season.

After this winter we are all ready for spring. Here in Branson our Ozark Spring, for as long as I can remember, has been signaled by three things that generally happen before the official first day of spring. They happen pretty close together and two out of the three are not weather related, but it is generally considered spring in Branson when these three things have happened:

1. Presleys’ Country Music Jubilee has its first performance of the year – This pioneering Branson paradigm show has been a harbinger of spring in the Ozarks for over 45 years ever since the Presley family built the very first theatre on what is now the “Branson Strip.” Presleys’ is a wonderful blend of “patented comedy” and music that has been entertaining Branson audiences every season since 1967 with new comedy, music and costuming that brings the same excitement and freshness to the Branson show scene as Mother Nature brings to our beautiful Ozark Mountains each spring. Their first performance for the 2014 season is on March 7.

2. Silver Dollar City’s Opening – The opening of Branson’s oldest and most popular paid attraction, the award winning 1880s styled theme park, Silver Dollar City each year is not only a sure sign that it’s Spring has come to the Ozarks, but that Branson’s tourist season is getting ready to blossom. In addition to its six world class festivals, starting with World-Fest, Apr.6 through May 5, the park has a wide selection of rides the whole family can enjoy such as Powder Keg, Fire in the Hole, The Giant Swing, Wildfire, and Outlaw Run as well as the “Grand Exposition” with family friendly rides like the Magnificent Wave Carousel, Mighty Galleon, Electro Spin Royal Tea Party, Wings of Wonder, The Ladybugs and Happy Frogs. As great and exciting as the rides and festivals are, they are just part of the Silver Dollar City experience. There are shows and activities, many festival specific, throughout the whole park and dozens of practicing craftsmen from wood carvers to candle makers and glass blowers demonstrating their craft. Silver Dollar City starts its 2014 season on March 14.

3. Budding of the Redbuds – As I have fished Lake Taneycomo each year over the past three decades an early and sure sign of spring is the beautiful sight of the Redbuds breaking out along the banks. They were soon followed in concert by a spring palette of color as the Dogwoods and others burst forth, but always it seems the Redbuds lead the way with their simple elegance signaling the freshness and excitement of another Ozark Spring.

“The Spring colors along Lake Taneycomo and over our Ozark Hills is a beautiful once a year show that proclaims in elegant style the uniqueness of spring in the Ozarks and Branson,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing, Branson Tourism Center. “Why not plan to experience it yourself while on Spring Break? There is absolutely nothing in the world like spring in Branson,” she added.

Branson “believes” that your vacation should be special

Silver Dollar City, Branson's first and largest attraction, is filled with people dedicated to helping your family create "Memories worth repeating."

It has been my personal experience that most people planning a vacation or getaway to Branson do so with the expectation of having fun and creating special memories by experiencing everything Branson has to offer family entertainment, shows, attractions, shopping, lakes, natural beauty, a slice of Americana and more. They will get that “and then some” because of Branson’s commitment to the total vacation experience of its guests by adding to each guest’s experience, one personal interaction at a time, the fulfillment of the following 10 elements of the “Branson Promise:”

1. “We believe that a vacation is not an escape from reality but a connection to what is real, you, your family, laughter, music, pure fun, and doing the things you really want to do, together.

2. We believe you deserve to take a break from your regular life while preserving the security and comfort that comes from feeling ‘right at home.’

3. We believe the best experiences are live and personal. They affect you – and you affect them. The most memorable experiences have always been personal and unique spontaneous and unexpected – not planned or manufactured.

4. We believe in families, and that vacations can belong to everybody in the family.

5. We believe in our American values and celebrate them every day, respect for God, the individual, patriotism, faith, hope, optimism, family, courage, generosity, and opportunity for all.

6. We believe in the home.

7. We believe that new people aren’t strangers, just friends who haven’t visited.

8. We believe that every guest can be a part of our Branson family. From headline performers to the folks who sell the tickets, we invite you to become part of the fun we create every day as the families who built this community.

9. We believe that world-class entertainment doesn’t need to cost a world-class fortune!

10. We believe that money is hard earned, and respect the work that sits behind every dollar spent by our guests. We still think it’s possible to be surprised about how much money can buy, especially in Branson.”

So many times Branson visitors have said that what brings them back again and again is the comfortable genuine down home spirit and friendliness of the people they interact with while in Branson. Wouldn’t you like your family to spend its vacation with a community that has all the fun and excitement that Branson offers provided by people who “Believe that new people aren’t strangers, just friends who haven’t visited?”

3 great reasons for a 2014 vacation in Branson

The Titanic Museum Attraction, just one of Branson's many attractions, takes passengers on an exciting "voyage" .

Before I moved to Branson over 28 years ago, our family had vacationed in Branson for ten years. Interestingly, although these reasons are presented for your consideration in 2014 they were the primary reasons our family started vacationing in Branson in 1975, fun, lakes and natural beauty and live entertainment our whole family could enjoy:

1. Fun – Simply put, Branson has been providing unique memorable fun filled vacations to families for decades. Whether it’s attractions such as its award winning 1880s styled world class theme park, Silver Dollar City, an exciting “voyage” back in history aboard the Titanic Museum Attraction, a Lake Taneycomo sightseeing or dinner cruise aboard the boats of Main Street Lake Cruises or any one of dozens of attractions and activities all within minutes of each other Branson visitors can expect opportunities for fun just about everywhere they turn.

2. Live Entertainment – Branson is well known for the variety and quality of live entertainment its shows provide. No matter what type of live family show you and your family might like, the chances are that Branson has a show for you. Whether it’s the incredible skill of the Acrobats of China, the amazing feats performed by the pets, most of which were rescued from animal shelters, in Amazing Pets, Presleys Country Jubilee, Branson’s first show on the famed Branson Strip or anyone of almost 100 other shows. Branson offers a variety and quality of live family entertainment that is unrivaled by any other family vacation destination. Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center points out that many Branson shows offer Family Passes which results in considerable savings for families.

3. Lakes and the Naturual Beauty of the Ozarks – The Branson area is sometimes referred to as the “Branson Tri Lakes Area” because of its three lakes, Table Rock and Bull Shoals Lakes and Lake Taneycomo. Although both Table Rock and Bull Shoals are “warm water” lakes with world class bass fishing, it is the 43,000 plus surface acres of aquatic fun provided by Table Rock Lake that most Branson visitors experience because it is so close to Branson. The cold waters of the 23 mile long Lake Taneycomo, flowing through Table Rock Dam, makes it one of the finest Rainbow and Brown Trout fisheries in the mid-west. It flows right by Branson’s historic downtown district with its unique shops and local restaurants. It also provides a unique and beautiful water element to Branson Landing, Branson’s major shopping attractions, with over 100 retail shops and its $7M Fire, Water and Music fountain show.

The natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains resonates throughout Branson. Whether it’s the unique way Silver Dollar City has incorporated it into the fun and excitement it provides, looking across Lake Taneycomo while sitting on the floating patio of The Paddlewheel at Branson Landing or just driving around, the natural beauty of the Ozarks is an inherent part of any Branson vacation.

A great argument could be made for a fourth reason. Although more than one of these things can be found at other vacation destinations however, in no other, can they be found so conveniently and close together.

Material Connection