There is wisdom in DianaGail's post.
Irrespective of age, cost is a significant deterrent. We have seen no shows in the last 4 or 5 years for that reason. We went to only two other places in that time, the Toy Museum and the Ducks. My wife shops from time to time at Tanger.
Honestly, SDC is the big draw to us, and our season passes + the SDC rate at a hotel make that an economical proposition. I'd actually like to spend time on the lake, but that, too, is pricey. (I could buy a boat for the price of a couple rentals, but the definition of a boat is "a hole in the water into which the owner pours money.")
Nobody in my family does coasters or other thrill rides. My younger son likes go karts, but, as DianaGail notes, they are really pricey. The appeal of the city is ambiance, not the fast rides.
As for free: well, the town of Branson can't survive on free, BUT there is such a thing as loss-leaders.
Obviously, the town will change--Heaven knows, that is its one constant. Plenty of folks can afford a great deal more than I can. But, for some of us who visit, spending money is a necessary evil, not the object of the exercise.