SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: Fergy328 on June 14, 2020, 10:54:03 PM
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Hey guys,
A Buddy of mine and I are planning a weekend trip to SDC in late July - Go to the park one day, and explore some of the strip the other day. We did the exact same thing last July as well. I was wondering if there were any major additions/subtractions from the strip since last July? Last year we did both mountain coasters, as well as the BigFoot Drop Tower. But is there anything new that would be worthy of trying out? Right now, the plan is to ride the Ferris Wheel and do the Heavy Metal HighRise go kart track.
I am also open to suggestions for things that may not be new, but are things I should check out while I am down there. The 3 things me and my buddy did last year are really the only things i have done on the Branson Strip aside from the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.
Thanks guys!
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Wonderworks is open now
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I'm waiting to hear someone report on the amphibious car at the Landing.
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I'm waiting to hear someone report on the amphibious car at the Landing.
I saw one on display at the fountain area but never saw where they launch from. The ones at Disney Springs are expensive to ride. No idea on what they are here.
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Hey guys,
A Buddy of mine and I are planning a weekend trip to SDC in late July - Go to the park one day, and explore some of the strip the other day. We did the exact same thing last July as well. I was wondering if there were any major additions/subtractions from the strip since last July? Last year we did both mountain coasters, as well as the BigFoot Drop Tower. But is there anything new that would be worthy of trying out? Right now, the plan is to ride the Ferris Wheel and do the Heavy Metal HighRise go kart track.
I am also open to suggestions for things that may not be new, but are things I should check out while I am down there. The 3 things me and my buddy did last year are really the only things i have done on the Branson Strip aside from the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.
Thanks guys!
Wonderworks was cool, but much of it is for kids.
Titanic is good.
veterans memorial museum is vastly underrated.
Pirates Cove if you’re into putt putt.
Cheeky Monkey if youre into bars and bbq.
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Hey guys,
A Buddy of mine and I are planning a weekend trip to SDC in late July - Go to the park one day, and explore some of the strip the other day. We did the exact same thing last July as well. I was wondering if there were any major additions/subtractions from the strip since last July? Last year we did both mountain coasters, as well as the BigFoot Drop Tower. But is there anything new that would be worthy of trying out? Right now, the plan is to ride the Ferris Wheel and do the Heavy Metal HighRise go kart track.
I am also open to suggestions for things that may not be new, but are things I should check out while I am down there. The 3 things me and my buddy did last year are really the only things i have done on the Branson Strip aside from the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.
Thanks guys!
Another vote for Cheeky Monkee, whether because it is a bar, or because they do have great BBQ.. My fave is the Pulled Pork Sammich, followed up close by the Quesadilla..
If you are into shows, The Haygoods has probably the best show in town.
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We were in town over the 4th weekend. A quick unplanned trip. Did not go to SDC because my GF is having hip replacement surgery next week and she did not think she could navigate all the walking. As for Branson welllll.
The strip is just getting downright ugly. Multiple chain fences , Multiple abandoned hotel/cheap motels that look like drug centers. Newer attractions are trying to up the ante but when you plop a huge new building in the ghetto it looks just like that. A building in the ghetto. Wonderworks is another giant Albatross that looks so out of place.
Why can this city not get its act together on planning and zoning? All, and I mean all the theatres looked shabby and thrown together and unkept. Even those that are supposedly doing well.
Whatever that is that is in the old Starlight theatre has nothing that says what is inside. Just a bunch of huge letters trying to wow you about something.
It is so sad to see how this town has regressed.
As for the good. Danas was excellent as always. Tried Botanas mexican for the first time and had excellent food, service and Margaritas. We will go back for sure. Center Stage restaurant was the best of all the food. A excellent choice for dinner.
Rode the Mountain coaster on 165 for the first time and had a great impression of that.
Also, went to SOTH play on the night of the 4th. They had a decent crowd probably 50% of capacity and did very well at social distancing people. I am not a show person but my GF had never seen it and wanted to. It was a great thing to do on a beautiful cool evening. Speaking of SOTH , It is great to see the owners throwing a lot of money to make it relevant in the current age. A new Zipline course, restaurant, and the rope courses they added earlier. They are also adding a small gauge train to tour the homestead in. It looked almost complete. It should be a nice addition.
Good and Bad but it still was a good weekend.
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We were in town over the 4th weekend. A quick unplanned trip. Did not go to SDC because my GF is having hip replacement surgery next week and she did not think she could navigate all the walking. As for Branson welllll.
The strip is just getting downright ugly. Multiple chain fences , Multiple abandoned hotel/cheap motels that look like drug centers. Newer attractions are trying to up the ante but when you plop a huge new building in the ghetto it looks just like that. A building in the ghetto. Wonderworks is another giant Albatross that looks so out of place.
Why can this city not get its act together on planning and zoning? All, and I mean all the theatres looked shabby and thrown together and unkept. Even those that are supposedly doing well.
Whatever that is that is in the old Starlight theatre has nothing that says what is inside. Just a bunch of huge letters trying to wow you about something.
It is so sad to see how this town has regressed.
As for the good. Danas was excellent as always. Tried Botanas mexican for the first time and had excellent food, service and Margaritas. We will go back for sure. Center Stage restaurant was the best of all the food. A excellent choice for dinner.
Rode the Mountain coaster on 165 for the first time and had a great impression of that.
Also, went to SOTH play on the night of the 4th. They had a decent crowd probably 50% of capacity and did very well at social distancing people. I am not a show person but my GF had never seen it and wanted to. It was a great thing to do on a beautiful cool evening. Speaking of SOTH , It is great to see the owners throwing a lot of money to make it relevant in the current age. A new Zipline course, restaurant, and the rope courses they added earlier. They are also adding a small gauge train to tour the homestead in. It looked almost complete. It should be a nice addition.
Good and Bad but it still was a good weekend.
It’s like you visited a completely different Strip than what is actually there. It’s actually looking better than it has in a long time. Wonderworks is a great new building on the strip. Albatross? No. That’s what is called a weenie. It draws you further down the strip.
As far as chain link fences, sure let’s go there. There is a revitalization project across from Dixie Stampede where an old motel was. There’s fences where the new Boardwalk is going in next to the Grand Shoppes. RibCrib closed. That new attraction in the Starlight Theatre is called Beyond the Lens! (It’s a pop culture and selfie attraction). The theaters look fine too.
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veterans memorial museum is vastly underrated....agreed. I could spend hours in there with my dad. Great place to go. And the Mountain Coaster on 165 is good to go. Hit Dana’s down the road after for some pork bbq nachos or a bbq baked stuffed potato. There is a lot to do if you plan stuff out. We are a couple in our 50’s.
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Also, went to SOTH play on the night of the 4th. They had a decent crowd probably 50% of capacity and did very well at social distancing people. I am not a show person but my GF had never seen it and wanted to. It was a great thing to do on a beautiful cool evening. Speaking of SOTH , It is great to see the owners throwing a lot of money to make it relevant in the current age. A new Zipline course, restaurant, and the rope courses they added earlier. They are also adding a small gauge train to tour the homestead in.
veterans memorial museum is vastly underrated....agreed. I could spend hours in there with my dad. Great place to go. And the Mountain Coaster on 165 is good to go. Hit Dana’s down the road after for some pork bbq nachos or a bbq baked stuffed potato. There is a lot to do if you plan stuff out. We are a couple in our 50’s.
As far as SOTH activities, I wont support them. Since the new owners elected to NOT do the summer cruise saying it took too much of their time to put it on... Odd since the cruise has been in town for years (literally). Their decision cost the town millions of dollars in revenue for that week, with no recourse to them..
Agreed the Veterens museum is great..
Mountain coaster on 165 is pretty nice, not sure if they have the Zip line open or not, never see anyone on it.
BBQ Nachos? Make sure you try the ones at Gettin' Basted.. I think they are the best in town.!
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I have a feeling it was the insurance cost of the cruise that made them pull out and not the time it takes. I know a lot of things that have been "cancelled" due to rising insurance costs and at the end of the day they could not stomach it - or afford it
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"[R]elevant in the current age"?
As soon as I see that phrase, I am out. SotH is not about the "current age." It's about an earlier one, and I don't go to places immersed in the current one for enjoyment.
What a shame.
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^ Agree. It was the book Shepherd of the Hills and Marvel Cave that brought the area to prominence in the first place.
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I have a feeling it was the insurance cost of the cruise that made them pull out and not the time it takes. I know a lot of things that have been "cancelled" due to rising insurance costs and at the end of the day they could not stomach it - or afford it
Just another excuse they can or are using.
The cruise was a huge event for the area, hotels, motels, Groceries, Bars, Restaurants, Shopping Mall and the list goes on. Without the Cruise, the town as a whole loss millions of dollars in Revenue.
Bottom line is they (SOTH) did not think they were getting enough of the "pie", so they cancelled it. They are putting lots of money into stuff out there.(as listed) Appears they are trying to get people to come out and not leave the property except to sleep.
LOL!! Yep I have strong feeling on this topic as do others..!!
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"[R]elevant in the current age"?
As soon as I see that phrase, I am out. SotH is not about the "current age." It's about an earlier one, and I don't go to places immersed in the current one for enjoyment.
What a shame.
And if they had not put relevant attractions in it would be dead and closed up. What they are doing is not intrusive to the original story. Just expanding the base of attractions so everyone has a choice.
As for the cruise or whatever ? If it brings in so many millions then why has someone else not picked it up ? Sounds like a no brainer.
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We were in town over the 4th weekend. A quick unplanned trip. Did not go to SDC because my GF is having hip replacement surgery next week and she did not think she could navigate all the walking. As for Branson welllll.
The strip is just getting downright ugly. Multiple chain fences , Multiple abandoned hotel/cheap motels that look like drug centers. Newer attractions are trying to up the ante but when you plop a huge new building in the ghetto it looks just like that. A building in the ghetto. Wonderworks is another giant Albatross that looks so out of place.
Why can this city not get its act together on planning and zoning? All, and I mean all the theatres looked shabby and thrown together and unkept. Even those that are supposedly doing well.
Whatever that is that is in the old Starlight theatre has nothing that says what is inside. Just a bunch of huge letters trying to wow you about something.
It is so sad to see how this town has regressed.
As for the good. Danas was excellent as always. Tried Botanas mexican for the first time and had excellent food, service and Margaritas. We will go back for sure. Center Stage restaurant was the best of all the food. A excellent choice for dinner.
Rode the Mountain coaster on 165 for the first time and had a great impression of that.
Also, went to SOTH play on the night of the 4th. They had a decent crowd probably 50% of capacity and did very well at social distancing people. I am not a show person but my GF had never seen it and wanted to. It was a great thing to do on a beautiful cool evening. Speaking of SOTH , It is great to see the owners throwing a lot of money to make it relevant in the current age. A new Zipline course, restaurant, and the rope courses they added earlier. They are also adding a small gauge train to tour the homestead in. It looked almost complete. It should be a nice addition.
Good and Bad but it still was a good weekend.
It’s like you visited a completely different Strip than what is actually there. It’s actually looking better than it has in a long time. Wonderworks is a great new building on the strip. Albatross? No. That’s what is called a weenie. It draws you further down the strip.
As far as chain link fences, sure let’s go there. There is a revitalization project across from Dixie Stampede where an old motel was. There’s fences where the new Boardwalk is going in next to the Grand Shoppes. RibCrib closed. That new attraction in the Starlight Theatre is called Beyond the Lens! (It’s a pop culture and selfie attraction). The theaters look fine too.
You must only be looking at night when all the junkiness is hidden. Lots more fences and empty grown up lots than you referenced. The traveling carnival park that failed, The complete empty grown up lots across from Presleys, and down from Ruby Tuesdays, Several small vacant lots just growing weeds. Numerous old Tshirt trinket shops shuttered and weeds growing. Several abandoned restaurants , One that has drug in some old race cars for whatever reason ? Numerous shuttered motels with green algae filled swimming pools.
And as for those 2 new attractions Wonder works and Through The Lens we got a good laugh every time we passed them. But they are a typical Branson Klitch attraction. I will give it that.
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Ok. I guess I missed some. I honestly don’t count anything East of the old Engler’s Block but whatever. It’s not like that section has ever been anything to write home about
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I had just posted a while back about all of the motels that are closed or for sale, empty lots etc so I get what you are saying. As far as Gettin' Basted, I am done with them. That place is WAY overpriced, they do not give you much food, and I am not really that impressed. I discovered Big D's on SOTH and it is WAY better.
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As far as Gettin' Basted, I am done with them. That place is WAY overpriced, they do not give you much food, and I am not really that impressed.
WOW! I am surprised, Sorry to hear that.
I was in there a couple of weeks ago,
wife had her favorite "Moink" burger with pork rinds couldnt finish it as usual.
I had the Rib Platter "Naked" (no sauce). Big ribs, big order of fries,
we both had leftovers..LOL... of course we started with their nachos and 4 of us split that!!!
Good service, cold drinks.
Big Portions, Good taste, didnt notice any price increase, But I always have 3 or 4 Coronas with mine.
I will be back, have loved that place and food since the Starlite..
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We at there once when they were at Starlite and it was great. Ate once at their new place right after they moved and ti was great. About a year 2 ago ate in there and noticed they got rid of multiple meat combos. You had to order whatever you wanted then can add a 1/2 lb, lb, or whatever of the 2nd or 3rd meat. I cant remember what I ordered exactly but the price came up to right at $20 for 2 meats and that included 2 slices of brisket. Completely unacceptable for a BBQ place. Maybe they have gotten better again lately. The first 2 times we ate there they had combo plates for a normal price you would expect at a bbq place. At Big D you can get a 3 meat plate for around $16 I believe and it is a ton of food.
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You had to order whatever you wanted then can add a 1/2 lb, lb, or whatever of the 2nd or 3rd meat. I cant remember what I ordered exactly but the price came up to right at $20 for 2 meats and that included 2 slices of brisket. Completely unacceptable for a BBQ place.
Have you seen the prices at the new BBQ place at SDC? I almost choked. I understand parks have to charge more but how much more?
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You had to order whatever you wanted then can add a 1/2 lb, lb, or whatever of the 2nd or 3rd meat. I cant remember what I ordered exactly but the price came up to right at $20 for 2 meats and that included 2 slices of brisket. Completely unacceptable for a BBQ place.
Have you seen the prices at the new BBQ place at SDC? I almost choked. I understand parks have to charge more but how much more?
They’re in line with what the 2 meat plate was at Ribhouse.
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You had to order whatever you wanted then can add a 1/2 lb, lb, or whatever of the 2nd or 3rd meat. I cant remember what I ordered exactly but the price came up to right at $20 for 2 meats and that included 2 slices of brisket. Completely unacceptable for a BBQ place.
Have you seen the prices at the new BBQ place at SDC? I almost choked. I understand parks have to charge more but how much more?
They’re in line with what the 2 meat plate was at Ribhouse.
I do not remember the prices from the Ribhouse. At the new incarnation the 2 meat was $20.00 Not inclucing beverage and very small sides. I understand they have to charge a higher price but its getting out there. Cinnamon Bread was $4.50 not so long ago now 8.00 and up for the new shop. Thats a high dollar for a family to eat at the park. They must however be sucessful in sales if they can keep increasing that much. People must be impressed with what they are getting for the money. I myself go into Branson to eat. I feel like the gap between quality of product and money spent is getting greater each year. SDC used to do food better. I however suspect that many really feel like they get there moneys worth. Best $ on park in the $12 breakfast 20%? off with the pass. That is a good deal.
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Best $ on park in the $12 breakfast 20%? off with the pass. That is a good deal.
Are they still doing this. is it Buffet now? or they fill you plate for you?
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Best $ on park in the $12 breakfast 20%? off with the pass. That is a good deal.
Are they still doing this. is it Buffet now? or they fill you plate for you?
Yes. It is served family style instead of buffet. You can ask for more and they bring it to your table.
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You had to order whatever you wanted then can add a 1/2 lb, lb, or whatever of the 2nd or 3rd meat. I cant remember what I ordered exactly but the price came up to right at $20 for 2 meats and that included 2 slices of brisket. Completely unacceptable for a BBQ place.
Have you seen the prices at the new BBQ place at SDC? I almost choked. I understand parks have to charge more but how much more?
They’re in line with what the 2 meat plate was at Ribhouse.
I do not remember the prices from the Ribhouse. At the new incarnation the 2 meat was $20.00 Not inclucing beverage and very small sides. I understand they have to charge a higher price but its getting out there. Cinnamon Bread was $4.50 not so long ago now 8.00 and up for the new shop. Thats a high dollar for a family to eat at the park. They must however be sucessful in sales if they can keep increasing that much. People must be impressed with what they are getting for the money. I myself go into Branson to eat. I feel like the gap between quality of product and money spent is getting greater each year. SDC used to do food better. I however suspect that many really feel like they get there moneys worth. Best $ on park in the $12 breakfast 20%? off with the pass. That is a good deal.
I just checked my receipts. It was $19.25 for 2 meats 2 sides AND a refill.
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I just checked my receipts. It was $19.25 for 2 meats 2 sides AND a refill.
I sure did remember 19.99 or 20.00 but maybe I am mistaken Did you get a discount? You prepaid for a refill?
Maybe it is 20.00 for lunch or dinner with a drink. For my pocketbook thats a steep price for what you are getting. Value is a personal perception. What may seem steep to me may be just right to you. It will all flush itself out in the end. I still think eating a late breakfast is the best value in the park.
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A two meat two side BBQ plate with drink would be about $15 at our local establishments so $20 in a theme park does not seem out of line. That said we have typically loaded up on breakfest and avoided other full meal options in the park and had a nice meal out of the park for dinner.
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For comparison only I checked 3 places in Branson....
Mr D's.. no mention of sides or drink..?
"Big D's 2 Meat SAMPLER Platter 18
2 meats of your choice: Pork, Texas Style Brisket, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Ribs. Burnt Ends
Available for an additional $2.....""
Gettin' Basted.. 1 meat, 2 sides and Texas toast..
"PLATES SERVED W/ CHOICE OF 2 SIDES & TEXAS TOAST.
SMOKED BRISKET 1/2lb PLATE - 20
Danna's.......
"ComboPlate...$23.99
Choice of two meats. Served with beans, coleslaw, french fries & a Memphis roll."""""
I like Gett's Basted... Okie Likes Big D's., alot of people Like Danna's.
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Big D is a little more expensive that what you can get around here. Gettin Basted is just way too expensive IMO. Have not had Dannas but $24 is also way too expensive for a 2 meat. I figure it will be more expensive in a tourist area like Branson that here though.
As for SDC food, If they give you a good quantity of food for that $20 it might not be too bad of a deal for a theme park. We very rarely eat at the park anymore, just too expensive. It was not that long ago the buffets were $12.99 which I thought was reasonable. Most of the gen pop will pay whatever prices they ask because it is a captive audience and they don't want to try and go to town them come back. We are there often enough when we get hungry we leave for the day because usually by then we are done anyway.
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Dannas is good. Really good. I do wish they had some wait staff walking around asking if you’d like another beer though. Their process is fast and efficient but not conductive for 2-3 beers. Only go to branson west location.
Gettin basted was good when I tried it but it’s not like it took my breath away. I’d go back.
Havent tried Big Ds.
Pickin porch grill is somewhere I’d like to get back to soon.
I absolutely cannot believe someone put branson center stage as their favorite. Ugh. Horrible service and rank establishment.
As far as SDC, their prices on actual meals are really reasonable, especially considering you can get icewater free. In a theme park their prices are pretty good. I too believe quality at times lacks, it seems it’s hit or miss. One sad thing is the wagon works grill. Maybe its just bad luck, but the last three times I’ve been there the burgers and fries have been blah. They used to have delicious burgers hot off the grill. Didn’t have a bad meal there for 20 years and then BAM the last three times have been burnt and blah.
I won’t do cinnamon bread again because of the new place and price. Treats will be at eva and delilahs or hannahs ice cream.
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I’d also agree some places in Branson strip have seen better days.
Branson just has a surplus of hotels, they have for years. Now you add all the new condos and homeaway, airbnb, etc. and the market for places to stay is oversaturated. I never understood staying on the strip myself with a lake so close by and I think more people are doing that now along with less visitors, but I usually stay in a hotel one night over christmas before moving out to a condo for a few more nights.
Quality went way downhill on a few hotels, too. Theres a few hotels I miss that deserved to stay and more than a few that should have gone bye bye.
Some of the eyesores in branson are so easy to fix. Parking lots full of cracks and weeds at active theaters. Heck give me five bucks and I’ll go spray those weeds for ya and pull stuff and be done quick. Take some pride in where you perform!
Also it doesnt take much to pour asphalt over the lot.
Theres good too so it isnt like its all bad.
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I just checked my receipts. It was $19.25 for 2 meats 2 sides AND a refill.
I sure did remember 19.99 or 20.00 but maybe I am mistaken Did you get a discount? You prepaid for a refill?
Maybe it is 20.00 for lunch or dinner with a drink. For my pocketbook thats a steep price for what you are getting. Value is a personal perception. What may seem steep to me may be just right to you. It will all flush itself out in the end. I still think eating a late breakfast is the best value in the park.
Other than the normal season pass discount on food, no. The 2 meat + 2 sides + 1 regular mug refill (at current price) is $19.25 for a season passholder. This is right on par with almost every park I’ve been to this year and still bellow Universal and Disney for similar items.
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When it comes to on-park prices, you're not just paying for the food. You're paying for not having to leave the park and have a two hour round trip to eat somewhere else.
I get that.
Meat prices have soared this year. Import restrictions, the 'Rona, panic buying... it's all part of it. Regardless, meat prices for restaurants are higher. Customers will pay that price.
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I absolutely cannot believe someone put branson center stage as their favorite. Ugh. Horrible service and rank establishment.
Ha ha! Agreed. I went to Center Stage this week because I read on here that it was good. The food was average, but the entertainment and sound system was awful. We won't be going back there. Terrible atmosphere.
We also went to the new restaurant at the Shepherd of the Hills and enjoyed it. The food was good, and it is a nice atmosphere. We will go back.
We went to Wonder Works, and I felt like I was in a Covid factory. No face masks on anyone, and every exhibit was hands-on.
We enjoyed the new BBQ joint at SDC. I didn't find the prices unreasonable, and the food was good. The cinnamon bread is good as usual, but the new shop feels like it was decorated by HGTV. I would describe the interior as "Ozark Chic". It just feels sterile. In the future, we will enjoy our cinnamon bread in the dining area next to MRF.
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We went to Center Stage last year and the service was pretty slow even though the place was empty. Steak was not cooked correctly and the singer up there sounded like a cow dying in a pasture. I hate to be mean but that is the facts. That said we would probably try them again, maybe.
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We went to Center Stage last year and the service was pretty slow even though the place was empty. Steak was not cooked correctly and the singer up there sounded like a cow dying in a pasture. I hate to be mean but that is the facts. That said we would probably try them again, maybe.
That's better than the steak sounding like a cow dying in a pasture. That's a little too rare in my opinion.
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I’d also agree some places in Branson strip have seen better days.
Branson just has a surplus of hotels, they have for years. Now you add all the new condos and homeaway, airbnb, etc. and the market for places to stay is oversaturated. I never understood staying on the strip myself with a lake so close by and I think more people are doing that now along with less visitors, but I usually stay in a hotel one night over christmas before moving out to a condo for a few more nights.
Quality went way downhill on a few hotels, too. Theres a few hotels I miss that deserved to stay and more than a few that should have gone bye bye.
Some of the eyesores in branson are so easy to fix. Parking lots full of cracks and weeds at active theaters. Heck give me five bucks and I’ll go spray those weeds for ya and pull stuff and be done quick. Take some pride in where you perform!
Also it doesnt take much to pour asphalt over the lot.
Theres good too so it isnt like its all bad.
Also with the crackdowns on the absentee owner extended stays, Branson is looking a little rough. I haven't been down through there since I transferred to a new work location in Springfield, plus COVID didn't help that. Branson has got some work to do to get parts of it cleaned up. Working on the homeless and meth problems would also go a very long way to making the place look better. When I worked in Branson we would be running homeless off daily, and deals for meth and opioids would take place in the parking lot constantly. And that's not even mentioning the amount of times police would come by looking for surveillance footage for yet another tourist that had their credit cards stolen because they left them in their unlocked cars at theaters.
My parents still live in the Branson area and have said that its not looking good and the amount of places closed because of COVID. Its probably going to take a couple of years before the area recovers.
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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.
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People are definitely coming the area more and more for nature than anything else. That's a big part of the reason why the strip is dying. Wonderworks and the new aquarium will hopefully help. The biggest problem I feel is the lack of new types of attractions. You can only do the museums, shows, mini golf, go carts, etc so much. So much of the tourism that Branson relies on is repeat visitors. SDC and the lakes are the big draws now.
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People are definitely coming the area more and more for nature than anything else. That's a big part of the reason why the strip is dying. Wonderworks and the new aquarium will hopefully help. The biggest problem I feel is the lack of new types of attractions. You can only do the museums, shows, mini golf, go carts, etc so much. So much of the tourism that Branson relies on is repeat visitors. SDC and the lakes are the big draws now.
The 76 plan seemed to include dressing up the strip. It would greatly improve the strip to plant some trees and do some nature work in the areas that are lacking interest. Maybe just some "bones" ( Trees, Roses, Shrubs) that time and nature would improve upon. The intersections and those congested "waiting areas" could use some plantings and this would seem to go with the nature vibe of Branson. Maybe this plan has died or they are just unable to afford some minimal investment in the future. It seems the strip of blinking lights from the 80's is dead and maybe out of favor?
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Dogwood Canyon is packed out every day.
Maybe Johnny Morris will start buying up The Strip and turn it into something worthwhile again. Love him or hate him he does have magnificent properties.
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People are definitely coming the area more and more for nature than anything else. That's a big part of the reason why the strip is dying. Wonderworks and the new aquarium will hopefully help. The biggest problem I feel is the lack of new types of attractions. You can only do the museums, shows, mini golf, go carts, etc so much. So much of the tourism that Branson relies on is repeat visitors. SDC and the lakes are the big draws now.
The 76 plan seemed to include dressing up the strip. It would greatly improve the strip to plant some trees and do some nature work in the areas that are lacking interest. Maybe just some "bones" ( Trees, Roses, Shrubs) that time and nature would improve upon. The intersections and those congested "waiting areas" could use some plantings and this would seem to go with the nature vibe of Branson. Maybe this plan has died or they are just unable to afford some minimal investment in the future. It seems the strip of blinking lights from the 80's is dead and maybe out of favor?
Last I remember is that the city had run out of funding for the project. They got as far as burying a lot of the utility lines and that was it. I think the overruns, both time and budget, on the downtown revitalization really derailed the Spirit of 76 project. I still enjoy seeing all the lights on the strip, brings back memories from when I would vacation here as a kid. Seeing some trees and shrubs along 76 would go a long way to improving the look of it.
Edit: Yep, lack of funding is what put it on hold
https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Branson-but-brakes-for-now-on-Spirit-of-76-streetscape-project-428083533.html
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Weren't they expecting federal money for the revitalization of the strip, but they started before the money was in hand? I remember discussions about needing to finish the small section they started and struggling to fund that without the feds money.