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I have been going to Little Rock for years for work, and all over Ark in general and how I have I never heard of this park before?

The last few years we got passes to FC simply because it allowed access to other SF parks.  This year no matter what level pass you get you have to pay for the add on for the other parks, and IMO it was way too expensive.  So we did not buy passes this year.

This past weekend I made a spur of the moment decision to buy Gold TB passes and the wife and I headed to the city Friday and Saturday.  Big changes since the last time I was there.  Parking lot situation somewhat confusing as I have been used the lots the way they have been for years.  Park was not super busy but glad I had the TB, especially for FITH.  Speaking of which, it was nice but just doesnt do it for me like the old one.  We upgraded our cups the free refill all season.  I do like this new addition.  I am sure any other changes at the park have been discussed at length already.

Branson seems to me like its even further ran down than the last time.  We stayed at the Thousand Hills hotel which was a first.  It was not bad but the clientel in Branson and at SDC is definitely changing.  Lots of torn down theaters and hotels, some of which is the same state they were 2+ years ago.  Plenty of other closed down hotels.  I see the Moon River appears to be boarded up and abandoned.

A guy I know who owns a car dealership in Vinita is somehow involved in all this I believe, not sure how.  But he insisted a year ago or so that it was going to happen.  Yea right.

I priced out 2 passes like we had year before last with meal plans, it was over a grand for the 2 for a year.  This past year I did their top pass but did not get the meal plan.  So, passes are way beyond what I will pay, and less benefits now.  I will be passing.

It appears Six Flags has changed their passes.  We currently have Diamond season passes that include access to all parks.  I can't remember how much I paid for them off hand.  I bought them right around this same time last year and that included the rest of 2023 and 2024.  I got a pop up in their app about big sale going on right now, bla bla bla.  I just looked into renewing at it appears their passes no longer offer access to their other parks, even the top pass now called premier.  You have to buy some sort of add one that allows access to all parks which is $225.  That seems insane and quite a bit more expensive than last year.  Also, previously the top diamond included a season refill drink cup.  Now that is not included either.  So, it seems the passes will not cost substantially more, and not offer the same benefits.  I will most likely not be renewing.  Will be considering SDC passes again as was my original plan to alternate every other year.  Except for this coming year the SF passes used to be reasonable enough that I considered doing both.

I guess the clientele is changing to the type that makes it necessary for such measures.

I have not been to Branson in about a year or two, planned on getting season passes again for SDC next year.  Really sounds like the golden days of Branson are over.

is it possible some unknown entity is buying up a lot of these properties and letting them sit until some future plan is revealed?

I usually check this site daily.  I guess I am old fashioned but I much prefer forums. 

Wow sounds like things have generally gone down hill in the last couple of years.

Is the visitor count to Branson going down?  I know we have not been over there in a couple of years and we used to go about once a  month.  We had a few spots we stayed at that were basic and dated but clean, which is fine with me.  We did the Classic all the time before the new owners took over.  We also used to do Ozark Valley Inn.  The Honeysuckle was also decent but I think they went out of business also.  The Angel inns used to be nice too but I think they seem to have gone downhill last few times we were there.  It appears most of the local owners have sold out to foreign owners and now they are closing.  Seems like a rapid decline for sure.

My first time visiting was in 1984 also.   Sure a different experience back then.  Would love to revisit the park of old.

Why would they need to clearcut that area?  Would that be required to rebuild the track?  If that is the case, seems like it would be a totally different experience.

I have been hearing that a contractor as sued them for $5m for unpaid work.  That could be a reason why construction has stopped.  Seems to be turning out to be a shady deal perhaps?