Was WW attendance down a whole bunch this year?
I don't think WW Branson attendance was down this year. The website
www.parkworld-online.com releases annual worldwide theme park attendance figures and it notes growth for both waterparks and themeparks worldwide. Interestingly, if you read the 2007 attendance report, HFE has vaulted into the top 10 in attendance for worldwide amusement/theme park chains (#9. with 8.9 million visiting their properties last year). Park World notes that this is due to both acquisitions and attendance increases for 2007. None of their Branson properties placed in attendance rankings; two HFE properties placed in the top 15 2007 US Waterparks (Dollywood's Splash Country #11. 491,000 and WW Georgia 469,000). Splash Country's 2007 attendance was enough for it to place at #19 in worldwide waterpark attendance.
I couldn't find any specific WW figures for Branson. The latest SDC attendance figures I could find are from 2006; attendance was up 7.3% to 2,050,000. Park World noted that this is due mainly to the Grand Exposition expansion. It is widely noted that SDC attendance has been on an upward trend for a few decades and this growth is unlikely to end soon.
I expect HFE properties like WW Branson and SDC to follow worldwide theme park attendance trends, which have been increasing for a few years. So I don't think attendance is a problem. I have a feeling HFE may add some sort of attraction if Coaster Con is visiting WW Branson in addition to CC and SDC. As for what it may be, I don't know. Kalani Towers is still new, so a new slide tower doesn't seem likely IMO. Maybe a new thrill tube ride like a tornado or probowl. I think people would like that. I don't know where they'd put it. IMO, if they replace an old ride Bermuda Triangle seems most likely to be on the way out.
You should really check out Park World online if attendance figures interest you. It's really interesting!