I agree that the strip looks tired and worn out. But, I don't think it will take Branson long to recover when you look at other aspects. It's impossible to rent a boat, a boat slip, find a paddle, or a last minute room/condo. Pt. Royale is full every night. The lake has exploded this summer. Yes, it's flooded, but we parked a quarter mile away to get to our marina last week. A guy pulling up behind us couldn't find a spot on the side of the road, so he parked in the road. Unfortunately, many new boaters and those renting a boat for the first time have kept the water patrol busier than they have been in five years. That's straight from their mouth - not a guesstimate by me. Ex.: a couple jet skiers noticed an 8yr. old child bobbing in the water. They picked the poor freaked kid up, and took off to find the boat that he fell out of. He was delivered safely to a boat that didn't know he fell out. Seriously! How can that even happen??? We have friends that wanted to stay at Big Cedar for a week, and they can't get in until after Sept. They're on a waiting list. A few others wanted to camp and said finding a camp space is no picnic either. Dogwood Canyon is packed out every day.