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[runner1960]

Moving  out to SDC is a bad idea as things stand now. The biggest thing is that the current roads will not handle the additional traffic. 76 is overloaded now and adding the additional traffic out there in the summer would only add to the chaos. Could you imagine Indian point road handling both SDC traffic and Whitewater at the same time. When they constructed this it was a good idea but they must have hired a low budget engineering firm because the layout is awful. Not sure if MoDot or Herschend did the design. I also do not see the state outplaying any money right now for any major road improvement in that area. It would basically be a revenue wash for the state as far as tax income goes and MODOT is hurting for revenue right now. Just not a good time to ask taxpayers to subsidise a private company.  I agree though that it should all be moved to the old CC site. Lots of opportunity there.

[Citydweller84]

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.

[chittlins]

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.

[Super]

A casino resort on the Landing could bring additional revenue and a larger crowd to the Branson area.  A minor league stadium would be a good addition.  The music shows have decreased in attendance.  We need new marketing ideas.

[Citydweller84]

A casino resort on the Landing could bring additional revenue and a larger crowd to the Branson area.  A minor league stadium would be a good addition.  The music shows have decreased in attendance.  We need new marketing ideas.

I think that could be a viable idea too, just in a different location. Its too crowded down there for a casino resort. A site somewhere on or around Table Rock would be better I think.

[Junior, too!]

Highly unlikely you will see casinos in Branson anytime soon. Pete Herschend said in an interview a couple years ago that CC property won't be renovated until MODOT does massive road upgrading west of Branson.  I think the casinos will eventually get to town just not for the next few years.

[Citydweller84]

Highly unlikely you will see casinos in Branson anytime soon. Pete Herschend said in an interview a couple years ago that CC property won't be renovated until MODOT does massive road upgrading west of Branson.  I think the casinos will eventually get to town just not for the next few years.

And with the financial troubles MODoT is currently having, the highly absurd toll they want to place on 70 being evidence of that, it could easily be ten years before anything happens with that site. That makes me afraid the entire Branson area could really suffer.

[chittlins]

Highly unlikely you will see casinos in Branson anytime soon. Pete Herschend said in an interview a couple years ago that CC property won't be renovated until MODOT does massive road upgrading west of Branson.  I think the casinos will eventually get to town just not for the next few years.

Never said Branson need casinos, that ship sailed, just that casinos elsewhere is killing a demographic that Branson once enjoyed.

Good luck with Mdot, their priority is finding the money to complete I-49 to the Ark line now that Ark is finally building the Bella Vista segment.

As for US 412 on Branson access from Arkansas, it's now four lane, divided from Springdale to Huntsville with the bids for the first segment of the Springdale bypass about to be put out for bid. It'll run from Lowell to Cave Springs. Arkansas's statehouse now has a strong NWA influence.

[Swoosh]

Why on CC land?  Keep it all out at SDC area to build up the resort

[Tmboote]

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.

HFE chose a bad place to build White Water. The park has no room for more rides unless you tear other rides down. The CC site would be a good place to move the park to. Then, if you build a hotel by SDC, guests can go to White Water without having to drive through Branson. Also, you wouldn't get White Water and SDC traffic at SDC.

[okiebluegrass]

HFE chose a bad place to build White Water.

White Water opened in 1981. 34 Years ago, way before most of the development in Branson.  At the time it was in the perfect spot. Branson just kind of grew up around it.

[Tmboote]

HFE chose a bad place to build White Water.

White Water opened in 1981. 34 Years ago, way before most of the development in Branson.  At the time it was in the perfect spot. Branson just kind of grew up around it.

I didn't realize it was built 34 years ago, and i understand it may have been the end of the strip back then. But, I think HFE still could've predicted growth in Branson. I guess I'm glad they didn't build White Water at SDC in 1981, because then we would probably have a situation like Valleyfair where the water park is in the midddle of the park. I like White Water even though they don't have many of the new things in water parks.

[shavethewhales]

I don't have time to look back through the boards for the history, but wasn't White Water built in partnership with a development firm that quickly split off of what was then SDC Corp.? Back when it was built SDC was not the "theme park" it is today, and it might not have been successful out there on it's own. SDC wasn't at the stage yet where it was ready to become a theme park resort. Around the same time they also built White Water Bay in OKC, and possibly one other property?

Getting SDC to build it's own resort+moving WW would actually be beneficial for traffic. A number of people would just stay within the resort instead of driving in and out at opening and closing time each day. White Water doesn't exactly attract huge crowds, and most of them overlap with SDC crowds anyway. They would need more parking, or even a parking garage though.

Honestly, a resort is ultimately going to be the main solution to some of their growth problems. You can't do too much to increase traffic capacity through a single intersection unless you just turn it into a highway. Having a single place people could arrive at and just stay put would make a lot of people much happier and more likely to visit routinely. Having to go into Branson itself is a drag for people many families who don't want to deal with the traffic and sprawl.

[chittlins]

I don't have time to look back through the boards for the history, but wasn't White Water built in partnership with a development firm that quickly split off of what was then SDC Corp.? Back when it was built SDC was not the "theme park" it is today, and it might not have been successful out there on it's own. SDC wasn't at the stage yet where it was ready to become a theme park resort. Around the same time they also built White Water Bay in OKC, and possibly one other property?

Getting SDC to build it's own resort+moving WW would actually be beneficial for traffic. A number of people would just stay within the resort instead of driving in and out at opening and closing time each day. White Water doesn't exactly attract huge crowds, and most of them overlap with SDC crowds anyway. They would need more parking, or even a parking garage though.

Honestly, a resort is ultimately going to be the main solution to some of their growth problems. You can't do too much to increase traffic capacity through a single intersection unless you just turn it into a highway. Having a single place people could arrive at and just stay put would make a lot of people much happier and more likely to visit routinely. Having to go into Branson itself is a drag for people many families who don't want to deal with the traffic and sprawl.

Adventure River in Memphis off of Whitten Road. Profitable place but land turned much more valuable later on for other things and closed. Memphis has been without a waterpark since.

[Tmboote]

Getting SDC to build it's own resort+moving WW would actually be beneficial for traffic. A number of people would just stay within the resort instead of driving in and out at opening and closing time each day. White Water doesn't exactly attract huge crowds, and most of them overlap with SDC crowds anyway. They would need more parking, or even a parking garage though.

Honestly, a resort is ultimately going to be the main solution to some of their growth problems. You can't do too much to increase traffic capacity through a single intersection unless you just turn it into a highway. Having a single place people could arrive at and just stay put would make a lot of people much happier and more likely to visit routinely. Having to go into Branson itself is a drag for people many families who don't want to deal with the traffic and sprawl.

I don't know if a resort would lessen traffic it would just split it into different times of the day, making it less of a problem. You would get the people who still want to stay in Branson coming in at SDC opening and leaving at closing. Then, you would have the people staying at the resort who would be coming and going at hotel check-in and check-out times.

If they do build a resort and move White Water someday, they would definitely need to get more trams/buses to handle all the people wanting to go to SDC, then White Water, then back to the hotel. Another thing they could do if they built a resort would be to have the parks open earlier and later just for resort guests. Then more people would stay at the resort so they can be at the parks longer. They would bring in more money by having more people at the resort, and if people are at the parks longer they're more likely to buy more food, merchandise, etc.