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[chittlins]

As I have noted, NWA has passed 500,000 in population. Here is a report based on the current growth factors and "average" predictors.



Many feel it will be above average as it is now and closer 900,000 in just 15 years. look closely at the growth of folks in their 20's to upper 40s and here's where this is important for SDC and Branson. It's families. It needs to gear to younger clientele ASAP. That certainly doesn't bode well for most music theaters but presents growth family- centric attractions.

To put the rapid growth of NWA in perspective. Springfield's MSA sets at over 500,000( about 20,000 more than NWA) and in 2030 using the "average" model will hit just over 700,000.

Put those two together and SDC's back yard has over 500,000 more folks in it in 15 years.
I haven't played with Tulsa, Little Rock, Ft. Smith and KC numbers yet.

[okiebluegrass]

<Soapbox> NO ONE seems to care AT ALL about the older generations anymore, and I find that down right sickening. I deal with the same kind of stuff at church </soapbox>

[chittlins]

<Soapbox> NO ONE seems to care AT ALL about the older generations anymore, and I find that down right sickening. I deal with the same kind of stuff at church </soapbox>

It's not that they don't care, it's the demo is changing and Branson has to adjust. It's old coots playing slots in Joplin(rinse, spit , repeat for all the  others the region)  that's abandoning Branson.  Branson's future is appealing en masses to younger folk especially those with families but they are not as reserved as past generatios ie Brew Pubs and such being fine for a family dinner.

[runner1960]

<Soapbox> NO ONE seems to care AT ALL about the older generations anymore, and I find that down right sickening. I deal with the same kind of stuff at church </soapbox>

Well Okie, I am part of the older generation now 55 plus, but I am one who tends to move forward and embrace change instead of fighting it. I find it keeps me more in touch with my kids and grand kids. And, I like not being stuck in time. A lot of my friends are still stuck in the 70's and 80's as far as there music and TV. I myself cannot stand classic rock and old TV. Love the new stuff though. Its not for everyone but it works for me. I can only hope for myself that Branson move ahead and does not die a slow death. I am finding less appealing shows and entertainment out there all the time. Bring in some rock festivals.

[okiebluegrass]

Branson will never be Vegas and it shouldn't try to be.

[Gilligan]

I have never had an interest in Branson shows.  I would rather spend my vacation dollars doing other things and attending concerts at home.  Branson needs to spend money cleaning up and updating their look, (buildings, roads, power lines, etc.) if they want to grow.  It looks shabby.  And, I've commented before that there is more boat traffic in the last few years than I've ever seen before.  The Lake of the Ozarks crowd is moving to Branson and messing up the lake! (IMHO)

[runner1960]

I have never had an interest in Branson shows.  I would rather spend my vacation dollars doing other things and attending concerts at home.  Branson needs to spend money cleaning up and updating their look, (buildings, roads, power lines, etc.) if they want to grow.  It looks shabby.  And, I've commented before that there is more boat traffic in the last few years than I've ever seen before.  The Lake of the Ozarks crowd is moving to Branson and messing up the lake! (IMHO)

Agreed. The town is just plain ugly anymore. It would be nice to have a place close to go on short vacations and weekend getaways that have things we enjoy doing, but Branson entertainment is just not cutting it for us. I hate to be negative about it all ,but we just do not enjoy the town at all anymore. It seems to be stuck in time and have no vision for the future. Thats why we have not bought season passes to SDC for the last 3 years. Not enough to do to justify the trip and doing the same thing over and over again is just not fun.

[chittlins]

Branson will never be Vegas and it shouldn't try to be.

You are not getting it. It's because of the explosion of casinos and their attached hotels that's siphoned  off Branson's former wheelhouse demo. I don't give two squirts after a chinese buffet if Branson gets Casinos. That is a lost cause. It's that 20's to 40s demo where the future lies. If I'm in Memphis and I'm taking my kids on a vacation and I have it narrowed down to Branson and PigeonForge/Gatlinburg it's an easy choice to opt to go east. Wasn't that way 20 years ago but it is now. SDC will benefit from the growth of NWA, there's no doubt about that but what else is there going on. besides the millions and millions that Morris is sinking into his timeshare resort empire. Which is a good thing by the way.

[thelarsonsix]

I am in that demographic (for a few more years anyway) and I actually like the shows. I have also been to PF/Gatlinburg a couple of times and aside from the Smokies themselves and Ripley's aquarium I don't see a ton of difference between there and Branson. I agree that Branson should focus their attention on the younger crowd, but from my perspective they already do a pretty good job of it. I live about 15 miles from Lake of the Ozarks, go there every day to work and if you could find more than a half dozen things for a family to do there that didn't require a boat I'd be really surprised.

[okiebluegrass]

1)

Branson will never be Vegas and it shouldn't try to be.

What I mean by that is Branson should not sell its soul to attract more visitors. There is a demographic out that seeking "family values" type experiences and that is the demographic that Branson needs to be targeting.  Keep the shows rated "G" and relevant at the same time.
2)

The Lake of the Ozarks crowd is moving to Branson and messing up the lake! (IMHO)

I'm 40 and I have 3 kids. We like fishing and camping and hiking. All things I can do in the Branson area, without even setting foot in Branson unless I want to. Maybe I am the "lake of the Ozarks" crowd.
3)

I myself cannot stand classic rock and old TV.

I myself cannot stand new rock or new TV. The reason they call it classic rock is because it was good enough to continue to get airplay. I'm sure that some of the modern songs will be classics at some point. Reality shows are complete junk.
4)

It's that 20's to 40s demo where the future lies. If I'm in Memphis and I'm taking my kids on a vacation and I have it narrowed down to Branson and PigeonForge/Gatlinburg it's an easy choice to opt to go east. Wasn't that way 20 years ago but it is now.

I'm not against change in Branson, but my concern is the vision you have for it. What are you suggesting? How about turning CC into an aquarium? That would be fine by me. What other suggestions?

[chittlins]

1)

Branson will never be Vegas and it shouldn't try to be.

What I mean by that is Branson should not sell its soul to attract more visitors. There is a demographic out that seeking "family values" type experiences and that is the demographic that Branson needs to be targeting.  Keep the shows rated "G" and relevant at the same time.
2)

The Lake of the Ozarks crowd is moving to Branson and messing up the lake! (IMHO)

I'm 40 and I have 3 kids. We like fishing and camping and hiking. All things I can do in the Branson area, without even setting foot in Branson unless I want to. Maybe I am the "lake of the Ozarks" crowd.
3)

I myself cannot stand classic rock and old TV.

I myself cannot stand new rock or new TV. The reason they call it classic rock is because it was good enough to continue to get airplay. I'm sure that some of the modern songs will be classics at some point. Reality shows are complete junk.
4)

It's that 20's to 40s demo where the future lies. If I'm in Memphis and I'm taking my kids on a vacation and I have it narrowed down to Branson and PigeonForge/Gatlinburg it's an easy choice to opt to go east. Wasn't that way 20 years ago but it is now.

I'm not against change in Branson, but my concern is the vision you have for it. What are you suggesting? How about turning CC into an aquarium? That would be fine by me. What other suggestions?

I went to a classic rock concert last year, I saw Pearl Jam.

As for what I would do, I've posted it all before.

[okiebluegrass]

As for what I would do, I've posted it all before.

I remember that we had a page for it somewhere, but I can't seem to find it

[runner1960]

Here is what I would do if I  was a developer and had the money.

1. Turn celebration city site into a mixed entertainment complex with a aquarium, vintage bowling alleys, and specialty restaurants. Also, a retro drive in movie theater on the site of the old laser show. I do not think Ozcat could be resurrected so on that end would be a new theater built specifically for a official Cirque permanent show. Not the cheap knockoff they have now.  Restaurants and a micro brewery and distillery would be intertwined. There would also be a area  devoted to seasonal fluctuation's like room for a ice skating rink in winter and maybe sand vollyball tournaments in the summer and fall.

2. The Grand Palace comes down and in its place a huge green space park would be built. Traveling artists and craft vendors could be rented spaces and street performers would be encouraged. This would also be able to be temporally fenced off for several major music festivals during the year. Rock, Alternative , bluegrass, gospel. A lollapolooza type event with multiple stages and vendor tents. Maybe a few permanent rides or one of the Huge Ferris wheels that are becoming so popular now. What a great view from this spot.

Of course the city cannot do these things but they could encourage the development. Being mixed use type developments it would attract all types of demographics so no one would be left out.

[chittlins]

Here is what I would do if I  was a developer and had the money.

1. Turn celebration city site into a mixed entertainment complex with a aquarium, vintage bowling alleys, and specialty restaurants. Also, a retro drive in movie theater on the site of the old laser show. I do not think Ozcat could be resurrected so on that end would be a new theater built specifically for a official Cirque permanent show. Not the cheap knockoff they have now.  Restaurants and a micro brewery and distillery would be intertwined. There would also be a area  devoted to seasonal fluctuation's like room for a ice skating rink in winter and maybe sand vollyball tournaments in the summer and fall.

2. The Grand Palace comes down and in its place a huge green space park would be built. Traveling artists and craft vendors could be rented spaces and street performers would be encouraged. This would also be able to be temporally fenced off for several major music festivals during the year. Rock, Alternative , bluegrass, gospel. A lollapolooza type event with multiple stages and vendor tents. Maybe a few permanent rides or one of the Huge Ferris wheels that are becoming so popular now. What a great view from this spot.

Of course the city cannot do these things but they could encourage the development. Being mixed use type developments it would attract all types of demographics so no one would be left out.

Yep I didn't want four  this to go down the "what if" path, I was pointing out growth data and the demos of it. But... you absurdly rebuild OzCat and add a mix of rides but not many, like a Star Flyer and so on. Like I said, a ride mix like Kemah Boardwalk and a similar pricing stucture.

It's good to know someone read all those rants on this as I have thrown all that out there including the drive in modeled after the one in Ft. Worth.

Look as these towns grow, so will the options in them. Take Ft Smith, in May they open their waterpark. It will have a 5 slide tower, lazy river and so on. Is it Whitewater? No, but it may deter a trip to it cause it's good enough.  A single pedestrian drop slide addition ain't going to do it no matter the snazzy tv spots. It's got to have some WoW! To overcome the local stuff. Watercoasters, massive tower complex with tornados and wave walls. Action Rivers like Shlitterbahn's wave rivers. Not a bigger version of the local muni aquatic center.

[chittlins]

Anyone remember Pinnacle Falls, now that was a concept.