I turn 30 this year, so I am smack dab in the middle of that 20-40 age range. So here are my thoughts:
My main reason to go to Branson is for SDC. In the last 5+ years, I've only been IN Branson two or three times. Typically, we take the Ozark Mountain Highroad to go straight to SDC and completely circumvent the main strip altogether.
One of my favorite shows in Branson growing up was the Hughes Brothers, and judging by their website, I'd say they've continued to evolve their show to include more and more modern stuff. I always liked how they had a whole "Western/Country" set, but then they'd have a whole bit with Broadway tunes and stuff like that as well.
I enjoyed going to the Hollywood Wax Museum, but if you compare it to Madame Tussauds (which, in addition to Vegas, is in two Cali cities, Orlando, New York, & DC - zero in the middle of the country), it's... meh. Considering there are zero Tussauds in the Midwest, I think it'd be cool if they could bring one to Branson. Either buy out HWM's space, or find their own space. I mean, they co-exist just fine in other cities, though admittedly if there was a Tussauds in Branson, I'd be choosing it over HWM.
I love mini-golf. I've not been to many of Branson's courses, but I want to. HWM's new Hollywood-themed mini golf looks like SO much fun. I really enjoy the indoor golf at Grand Country; that's a course my family has been going to for years. I also really enjoyed the 3D blacklight mini golf in the smaller building in the Grand Country complex.
I've not been to any of the go-kart tracks. I'd like to, though. Just haven't had the time/money because we tend to just plan for SDC when we go to Branson.
Branson Landing is fun to walk through, but it'd be cool if it was a little more like Legends in Kansas. I am in LOVE with Legends. They have Dave & Busters, the T-Rex Restaurant (which I adore), a comedy club (which I've not been to, but has had some pretty awesome guests), great outlet stores, and the Legends movie theater is BEAUTIFUL.
I really want to go to the Butterfly Palace. I think an aquarium of some sort would be really cool in Branson.
Despite my relatively young age, SDC's main appeal for me has always been its theme, so I want it to continue to keep to the theme with new additions. I love rides, but I also enjoying stuff like the Saloon Show and watching craftsmen work and stuff. What SDC is doing now needs to be what they continue to do. However, I feel like there needs to be more atmospheric music. The last few times I've gone, it just somehow felt like I wasn't hearing as much bluegrass and stuff coming from the hidden speakers around the park. And I will always be against playing Oldies or Modern music in the park, unless the modern music is modern country. I definitely prefer the instrumental atmospheric bluegrass, but if they feel they need "more upbeat" "modern" music, I'm fine if it's still within the country genre.
Outside of SDC, though, I do have to admit that I've never really been interested in either the Baldknobbers or Presleys. I like hillbilly humor, but I feel it fits best at SDC, where it's part of the overall theme. Branson, on the other hand, needs to modernize in order to bring in the younger generations.
I actually sat and spent probably close to two hours poring over that huge plan book for Branson's main strip renovations. AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT. It modernizes the strip but keeps things simple enough that it doesn't get as gaudy as Vegas. It has a very streamlined, classy look, and I LOVE the nature aspects that they want to incorporate, with little city parks and all that. If they can do everything they put in that book, Branson will be WELL on its way to creating a new, more modern appeal.
Finally, for now, BROADWAY. Right now, the only Broadway shows Kansas City or Springfield get are tours. But imagine if we could have a theater that HOUSES a Broadway-caliber show, like Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas! That's where I'd love to see some Vegas slip into Branson -- Broadway and shows like Cirque du Soleil. Oh, and for goodness' sake, someone needs to renovate the Grand Palace and bring in huge acts like, say, Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift (OMG I would be so excited for Taylor to be there). I mean, SPRINGFIELD has gotten Elton John, Kid Rock, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, and more! (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JQH_Arena) And that's just at the Arena; Adam Lambert performed at Hammons Hall next door.
So right now, Branson has very little musical appeal to the college age kids in the Springfield area, because they're getting their fix right there on campus.
Oookay. I think I'm done rambling for now. Sorry about that. Just thought I'd give some input from the perspective of a 30-year-old agnostic bisexual liberal democrat college student. I point those things out about myself because I just want to show that even though I've evolved into who I am now as an adult, I STILL love SDC and Branson just as much as I did when I was a straight church-going kid living in a conservative Christian household. HOWEVER, the appeal of Branson itself has worn off a bit, and I tend to only focus on SDC these days. Branson CAN appeal to many demos, but it needs to modernize (mostly music-wise, partly adding a bit more nightlife), or it's gonna get left behind.
PS: I LOVE that idea of a retro drive-in movie theater!
PPS: Chittlins has a good point: family-oriented stuff can easily co-exist beside adult-oriented stuff. Legends is a good example; you've got T-Rex and daytime hours of Dave & Busters for the families, then you've got the comedy club and nighttime hours of Dave & Busters for the adults.