Living in the Branson area for several months now has me a bit of a new perspective on what I once thought of as simply a vacation town. I do agree with the several of you who have said that Branson's entertainment industry has got to start broadening its reach. I think the Landing was one of the first attempts at doing so. However, that is definitely not enough. More modern musical acts need to be brought in, and I think that one or two like Christian and/or Southern rock bands, along the lines of Red and 3 Doors Down, would help cater to a younger crowd. Granted its not likely you would actually get those specific bands here but those styles of music are what I'm thinking. There's nothing wrong with the musicians here now but but younger and more modern is needed to get the younger crowds to come here.
Developing the old CC area is also critical. Chittlins has the right idea. The city needs a different aspect to its nightlife besides the shows. Repurpose some of the rides and attractions at CC and add some shopping and restaurants as a sort of evening attraction for families. Then also add the arena but maybe build it with a retractable roof to make it a bit different so it could have indoor/outdoor events, which ties into my own idea.
I know Springfield has the Cardinals but Branson should look into getting a minor league team of its own. Personally speaking I'd love for it to be a hockey team, but a football team would be better, whether it be like arena league or a small independent league. The season for a football team like would more closely coincide with the spring or fall times. They have short seasons with usually four to six home games. That would also bring more people to the CC site for pre- and post-game activities.
And finally the city needs to find a way to get more year round activities. Just driving down 76 today in the middle of the afternoon made the area look really depressed with everything shut down. I'm not sure what could be brought in or done to help with this time of year but there has to be something. Just a few ideas I had to help the area.
I've said this all before, the proliferation of regional casinos and then turning them into mini resorts has nailed Branson. I catch a few bands at Hard Rock in Tulsa, I never gamble, just go to the shows. They are always offering me comp tickets for a hotel package. Here's where it hurts Branson, go to The Joint Tulsa's website and you'll see Loretta Lynn listed as a performer, that was once Branson's wheelhouse, Kenny Rogers was there recently along with a host of other country names. Now, add in the fact that other casino's in Tunica, KC and elsewhere are booking those names, Branson is irrelevant.
You mention rock acts, Christian acts and so on. Well, that's Magic Springs Saturday wheelhouse and it's what keeps them open. Here's some of 2015's musical acts that included with ticket price. Three Doors Down, Newsboys, Charlie Daniels Band, Jon Jett, Randy Houser and more to be announced. I seem to recall that area where Celebration City did it's little closing light show that would have been a neat place for that kind of thing. Better yet, look at this upcoming park's idea.
What's that, oh it's an indoor theater with the ability to open up to the rear to become an outdoor amp.
There' so many possibilities for the Celebration City area and I'm kinda pissed HFE hasn't done a darn thing with it. It screams a combination of a free admission FEC like the Fun Spots in Orlando area that offers ala carte rides or a an unlimited ride wristband and places like Kemah Boardwalk and The Island in Pigeon Forge along with entertainment district type things like themed restaurants, Dave and Buster's like venues, and all the other stuff I've posted relentlessly.
Your suggestion of what to do the get folks there in the winter, well there's that legit indoor waterpark that's really missing, I've posted on the whole Snowflex complex thing for year round snow boarding and tubing. I've posted that there's no ice rink in the area that fits the season and how that could be a part of a revamped Celebration City, in the summer it's simply a splash pad area.
Everyone on this board knows Whitewater is woefully behind the times when it comes to waterparks. Clean yes, but missing so much stuff that's becoming staples in the industry. Add that issue to ever growing municipal facilities like the one here in Rogers and the one Ft. Smith with open up and you have to wow the locals to come. The place doesn't even have a flowrider the last time I looked, come on folks, there's no excuse for that. We don't give Whitewater much of a thought.
