It was in the recent Branson Tri-Lakes News that the trolleys are gone from the Landing. The lease on the trolleys expired and Landing management decided not to renew the lease. Management is looking for a more environmentally friendly way to transport people who do not wish to walk up and down the Landing. However, there is now a trackless train that you can ride for $5 a person. :o
I have ridden it twice in all my trips to the Landing. Usually when we were parking close to to the far edge of the lot. I like the very slight ruts in the brick street at the landing from vehicles going back and forth causing the briks to settle. It is slight, but it can be notices from these trans and other utility vehicles moving back and forth for a few years.
NO!!!! That sux!!!!
wonder why they just didnt start charging a buck or two for the trolleys.
They were "unique" to the downtown area...
here is a link to a picture and very short description of the new train.. 5.00?!!! think not... But i bet the kids will love it for a little while.. will be interestring to see where the train goes..
very disappointed with the decision to eliminate the trolleys.. :'( :'(
http://bransonlanding.com/specials.html
Branson is becoming the typical tourist trap it looks...Why would adults and kids cost the same?
With the amount of retirees that come to the area this suprises me. The trolleys assisted these people to get around the Landing. Lets face it they are not succeeding the way they expected. The Landing is in trouble, this was a mistake, and the train is just cheesy and cheap looking. $5 to park $5 for the " train", no thank you.
Opon a few moments consideration I think I may try to get that trolly and move it to SDC, I will run it from the square down to the Saloon and back. I shal charge $1 a ride up the hill, its free to go down...............
Bet I would do pretty well ")
I would pay for that trolley ride. However, I will not be paying $5 for a train ride.
No train! No train.! :o
look at the pics, appears with the adults in the background the train is very short.. No way for adults to get in and out easily...
Looks like a "trap", for the parents! kids see the train and "have" to ride!
WRONG! WRONG!! WRONG!! :o
Should have starting charging a small fee on trolleys....!!!!!!!!!
OK. off soapbox now. Sorry :-[
mhguy, late afternoon? I would pay 5.00 for a ride up the hill. LOL!!
They should just move the electric cart rentals to the bottom of cardiac hill.
Quote from: mhguy77 on March 19, 2011, 10:07:53 PM
With the amount of retirees that come to the area this suprises me. The trolleys assisted these people to get around the Landing. Lets face it they are not succeeding the way they expected. The Landing is in trouble, this was a mistake, and the train is just cheesy and cheap looking. $5 to park $5 for the " train", no thank you.
Are they charging to park at Branson Landing now as well?
Quote from: joshblakebran on March 20, 2011, 09:04:00 AM
Are they charging to park at Branson Landing now as well?
There's always been a charge to park in the garage. The lots at each end of the Landing are still free.
The
downtown trolleys are still there because they are operated by the downtown merchants association -- different group than the Landing.
Supposedly there are more electric carts to rent for those who have mobility problems.
downtown now and do see those trolleys still going. that is good. those would have been a MAJOR loss..
Also i always use the parking garage, it is centrally localted, finding a spot is easy, has elevators... I know some people dont like the garage, but i do.,. I think it is 3 bucks for 4hours. something like that. in fact headed there now!
Have some pics to post later tonight, been to sdc and past ww this afternoon.
Just a thought here, I know nothing will most likely come of it, but what if the Branson Landing put in real Electric Trolley lines. Yes they are at first expensive option, but if they were able to draw electrical power from the White River, via a waterwheel, they could have a free source of power. The free power would payoff over time. Also if the tracks are too expensive, they could have a rubber tired version hat still used the electric overhead wire(trolley bus). I've seen a few larger cities add new trolley lines to take over they most popular bus routes(Little Rock,AR and Memphis,TN are some examples that come to mind). Just some thoughts I had.
Murphy Jenkins
Wired trolleys are very maintenance intensive. There are also safety concerns, given the amperage involved.
For low speed tourist trolleys on short routes, batteries are the thing. Of course, that brings up the problem of charging times... if the duty cycle won't last a day, it means having extra trolleys and swapping out.
Last time I was @ the landing, that train was gone!! thank you!!
They should have been promoting train for a kids ride.. LOL..
Now they are using 6 pass golf carts for free, flag them down anywhere and ride to anywhere.. (on the strip at the landing).. much better.. and easier on and off than the trolley..
Sand, you're right. That train is gone, and it was an embarrassment! I miss trolleys - they added to the "ambience" of the Landing. The golf carts work just fine, but I wish they looked "more in place". The Paddlewheel operation also has transportation available to those eating at the restaurant or riding on one of their boats - Lake Queen and Princess Landing (I think those are the names).
I knew when they put Branson Landing in that the entertainment would fade out ASAP, and it has been cut way back. The Trolley, too. When I lived about 10 years ago in a small town without many amenities, a Branson Landing, or Tanger, or Branson Meadows was very appealing on a Branson trip, because I could go to all the chain stores without the big city hassles. Easy access and easy in and out. Now that I live in an area where all of that stuff is close by, to me the malls in Branson are not that big of a thrill. I saw the red roof slip away slowly over the years, and Branson Meadows always struggled. A mall is a mall is a mall. I know many people loved those trolleys, too bad they are out. It did make the landing unique in a special way. A kiddie train there occasionally is nice, too, but it's not there all the time. Just wait, there will come a time when the fire and water shows at the fountain will be reduced or cut out, too.
The Trolley was a real danger. If they could have kept the drivers to a safe speed and just ringing the bell rather than honking the horn as they sped toward the folks who foolishly thought it was safe to walk down the Promenade with their small children, they might have avoided some of the complaints and lawsuits. The Trolley would have been a nice addition to an atmosphere of outdoor shopping and entertainment. But that just didn't happen.
Instead we now see a little train that rolls slowly, offends nobody and has a huge number of people willing to pay the $5 ea for their children as well as themselves to make the round trip ride.