01 July 2011

July 4th Celebrations in Branson

If you are headed to Branson this weekend, you will have a good time! Branson has a celebration schedule packed full of activities for everyone. Here are the weekend events (courtesy of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce):

Saturday, July 2

38 Special & The Kentucky Headhunters, Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater

26th Annual Fireburst, Harter House Parking Lot; Kimberling City

Sunday, July 3

The Souled Out Band – Live In Concert!, Branson Landing Town Square

Branson Landing’s 4th Annual "Liberty Light Up" Concert!, Branson Landing Town Square

Shepherd of the Hills Fireworks Celebration, Shepherd of the Hills Homestead

Monday, July 4

Spirit of 76 Independence Day, Branson Landing

Patriotic Picnic and Fireworks, featuring the Clay Self Band, Big Cedar Lodge

Cape Fair Fireworks Display, Cape Fair Marina

Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks, Rockaway Beach Park

35th Annual Fire & Thunder Fireworks Display, Shell Knob (1 mile S. of Bridge)

58th Annual Hollister 4th of July Celebration, Historic Downtown Hollister

Symphony of Hearts For Joplin – Benefit Concert For Homes of Hope, Branson Landing

06 May 2011

Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub Groupon

Tucked into Branson Landing, just up from the beautiful fire and water fountain show, is Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub. If you have been to the Landing before, you may have walked past the pub and noticed the fun, laughter, and music coming from inside.

Waxy's offers daily specials along with some toe tapping music, and with the current Groupon deal, you can enjoy yourself for half the price! Use our referral link to access Groupon, then make sure you are on Springfield, MO to see the deal. You can purchase $25 of food and drinks for just $12 with the Groupon deal...it's only good for another 2 days, so don't delay if you're ready to have some downright fun on your next trip to Branson!

Visit Waxy O'Shea's website for their specials and calendar of performances.

05 May 2011

Showboat Branson Belle - Buy One and Get One Free!

Yes, it's true! During the month of May, you may purchase a ticket and get a ticket FREE to the Showboat Branson Belle. Another sweet Branson deal to make your vacation even better. Offer is not valid online or at the ticket office, so that means you will need to call in your advanced reservation to snag the deal. There is a limit to the free tickets you can purchase - just 2 free tickets with 2 paid tickets per reservation.

What is the Showboat Branson Belle? It is a beautiful paddlewheel boat on Table Rock Lake that serves a full 3 course meal along with an entertaining live show (two shoes currently - Funny Fiddle and Encore!). Located between State Park Marina and Moonshine Beach, it's only 5 to 10 minutes from our vacation homes Nature's Retreat and Canyon Retreat.

Are you a fan of the reality TV show Undercover Boss? The Showboat Branson Belle was featured along with Silver Dollar City and Ride the Ducks on the show as part of the Herschend Family Entertainment Group when boss Joel Mansby went undercover.

More about the Branson Belle from their website FAQ:

Riverboat Features & Amenities
•How many decks or levels are there aboard the riverboat?
The dining theater area of the ship has three levels, all of which provide excellent views of the stage. There is one exterior deck on the very top of the ship, where the captain's wheelhouse is located. The lowest level of the ship houses the engine room and kitchen.

•Are there many stairs to climb on the Showboat Branson Belle?
Most of our seating is located on the main deck, which is the one you will enter when you board the Showboat. You can travel by stairs, or by elevator to the other two decks where seating is available.

•How will I know where I'm sitting on the Showboat Branson Belle?
A table assignment is printed individually on each ticket. The table assignment will also be communicated to you by the ticket seller or reservationist.

Dining Service & Food and Drink Availability
•Can I request a vegetarian plate? A low-cal plate? A Kosher meal? Or a diabetic meal?
Yes, to all of the above requests. Simply inform your server.

•Do you use MSG in the preparation of food for the riverboat?
None of the items currently planned for the menu include MSG, but please make your server aware of your concern, and they will be able to alert you to any menu items which may contain MSG at the time of your service.

•Are alcoholic beverages served on the Showboat Branson Belle?
No alcoholic beverages are available on the Showboat Branson Belle.

•What types of drinks are available on the Showboat Branson Belle?
Coffee, tea, iced tea and water are free with your meal. Large soft drinks are available and specialty coffees and frozen drinks may also be purchased.

If you would like to view our menus, visit the Cruises & Dining section.

Onboard Experience & Entertainment
•What happens when I get on board the Showboat Branson Belle?
Upon boarding, our photographers will provide you the opportunity to be photographed. Later, the picture is developed and you will have the choice of purchasing it. You can then enter the dining room/theater and find the location of your table. Meal service will begin shortly, followed by the major part of the show. Before the Showboat docks, you will have approximately 20 to 30 minutes to stroll the exterior decks of the Showboat and enjoy scenic views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Mountains. Find out more about the onboard experience in Cruises & Dining.

•Will I be able to see the view of Table Rock Lake from inside the riverboat?
Yes. The ship has large windows on all three interior decks of the theater. You can also explore a few smaller lounge areas, the exterior promenades and outer decks of the ship which also provide great views of the lake.

•Will I have an opportunity to see Table Rock Lake?
Yes. Each cruise includes deck time to explore the ship and enjoy the views. Beautiful scenic views of the lake can be enjoyed from all exterior decks of the Showboat Branson Belle.

•Will the show performers sign autographs?
Yes.

18 February 2011

Zip Lining... "Geranomoooooooooo!"

Mike and I love the extreme adrenaline rush you get when flying through the trees! Mike is afraid of heights, but he pushed his fears back while on vacation one year and indulged me with a zip line ride down the Dominican Republic mountains. What a thrill!

Well, Branson has four (4) zip line rides that just opened in 2010, and today's Groupon is more than half off one of the rides! Zip Line USA is just a bit west of Branson in Reeds Spring, about 30 minutes from Canyon Retreat and Nature's Retreat.

Their 90 minute ride down 9 different zip lines, the longest one being 3200 feet long (wow!), is regularly $75 per person, but the Groupon is for only $37 per person. The deal is only good for 3 days, so make your spring plans to ride, and go buy your Groupons today! You must use them by May 31, 2011,

The entire family can ride, as the minimum age is only 3 years old. Weight limit is 275 lbs. Start shooting emails, go text crazy, and ring the phones to see how many people in your family want an awesome ride!

Please use my referral link to sign up for Groupon...thank you!

28 January 2011

News from The Track!

I just received this email from The Track:

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2011 is Gonna Rock!!

In celebration of 30 years of providing family entertainment in Branson, we are giving one lucky winner 30 RIDES PER MONTH March through December this year! Become a fan of our Facebook Page by Feb.11, and we will choose a winner from our Facebook fans. Spread the word to your family and friends! Second prize will be a Super Loaded Go-Card, and third prize will be a Loaded Go-Card, totaling over $3,000 in giveaways! Look for more exciting 30-year promotions in the months to come! It’s our birthday, but we will be giving out the gifts this year!!

If you haven’t heard, there are BIG changes happening at The Track in 2011! Get a sneak peek of Track 4's new Heavy Metal High Rise on our YouTube page! It's a steel & concrete go-kart track reaching over 4 stories! At Track 3, experience a new road course style classic track with tighter and higher banked curves. Both tracks open in March! Follow the construction progress on our Facebook page and on our live interactive webcams .

We've teamed up with Titanic and had fun at their 5th Annual Ice Carving Competition in January. If you're getting cabin fever this winter, come out to Track 5 and have some fun with our Track-Titanic Combo Pack. Get 1 Track activity (laser tag or go-karts), 5 arcade game plays and a child admission to Titanic Museum Attraction for $15.00 - that's over 40% off! Buy this combo at either location.

We hope we have already gotten to host you for some family fun through our 30 years, but we definitely look forward to seeing you this year…it will truly ROCK!!

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We are definitely looking forward to fun at the track this year!