If you haven't made your trip to Branson this summer you need to get it scheduled. Labor day is just a couple of weeks away and it's just about time for school to start back. We made a short visit to Branson a couple of weeks ago and stayed 3 nights. We had some relatives down from Washington state and they enjoy Branson and wanted to make a return visit. One of the things everyone wanted to do was to see NOAH The Musical.
I will have to admit I didn't have extremely high expectations for the show. It did start off a little slow but it built up steam after the first 15 or 20 minutes and just continued upward after that. I don't want to put any spoilers in here but after intermission the stage setting that opens the last half of the play is unbelieveable. This is a very good show!
The Sight and Sound Theater, where the show is performed, is very nice. There is plenty of parking, the climate control in the theater is good, the seating is good, and there are plenty of refreshments to purchase in the lobby before the show and during intermission. The only thing I thought could have been better was the capacity of the restrooms. Both the men's and women's restrooms had long lines during itnermission.
Overall I would recommend attending this show. The ticket prices are comparable to other shows in the area and the 2nd half of the show really makes it worthwhile. Prices, including taxes, range from $53 for and adult, $25 for teens up to 18, and $16 for children ages 2 through 12. You can follow this link to get your NOAH The Musical tickets.
Have you seen this? Can you believe this? They now have an airline for pets. Not for people who want to bring their pets, just pets! No cargo hold transportation for these pets...just first class treatment all the way.
The video below shows their commercial....
I will admit I don't have pets at the moment because I'm too busy to have time to care for them and give them the attention they need. But an airline for pets? I guess I'm just a little too old school.
The Branson area has several fireworks shows scheduled for July 4th. Let me give you a quick recap of what you could be missing...
Chateau on the Lake Resort will be hosting a BBQ and fireworks display on July 4th. Chateau on the Lake is Branson's only AAA Four Diamond Resort. If you would like to book the July 4th weekend at Chateau on the Lake you can follow this link. Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com
Big Cedar Lodge which is one of the more popular resorts in the Branson area will be hosting a fireworks display at dusk on July 4th.
Next door to Branson in Hollister, MO a fireworks display will be held at dusk on July 4th. This is one of the longest running fireworks displays in the Ozarks. It has been conducted for over 50 years.
Can't wait until July 4th for your fireworks? Well, Branson Landing will be hosting it's 2nd annual Liberty Light Up Fireworks show on JULY 3rd. The program will kick off at 8pm with a concert in front of the beautiful fountain located in the the heart of the Landing. This is a choreographed fireworks show and it will be first class. Come early and shop and stay late for the show!
If you are not native to this region of the country let me give you a couple of pointers. It will be warm outside. Actually before dark it will be hot. Dress appropriately. The temperature will likely be in the 80's after dark. And speaking of dark you can expect it to be dark enough for the fireworks by about 9pm. Most of the fireworks displays will be between 30 minutes and an hour in length. Be patient when the shows are over it will take a little time to get back to your lodging due to traffic.
You still have time. Go ahead and follow this link and plan your July 4th weekend trip to Branson today! Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com
Walt Disney just announced a new feature on their website that will help you plan your trip to any or all of their parks. It is an interactive feature that will let you pick the places you want to visit in each park. You then will have the choice of either immediately printing your customized map of each park OR they will print it and mail to your home! This is a pretty cool feature if you have been to the parks a time or two and would like to either a)make the best use of your time at the park, or b)make sure don't miss any of the new rides or attractions that been added since your last visit.
Create customizable Disney Map!
Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com
I wrote a little blurb last month about the Crater of Diamonds State Park located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. At that time I was telling you about a large diamond that had been found by a visitor after a series of rainstorms. Well, everyone wants to know how hard is it to find a diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Not everyone will find a diamond but once you read this story you will want to go try for yourself. I mean it's so easy even a dog can do it!
Check out this story about a little pooch that found a nice diamond 2 days ago at the Crater of Diamonds State Park....Dog Finds Diamond.
Islands of Adventure is the 2nd of the two Universal Orlando Parks. This park is much more ride oriented. Especially when you think of traditional theme park rides like roller coasters. In holding with it's sister park as well as the Disney Parks Islands of Adventures is divided into 5 areas.
Marvel Super Hero Island
This area is based on comic book hero's. This is also the area where you will find my favorite ride in Orlando The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman!
- The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is a 3D high tech thrill ride. You are in a roller coaster type car but you are traveling indoors through a city. A city in search of a hero. A city in search of Spiderman. The coolest part of the whole ride is when Spiderman appears to swing through the air and land right on the front of your car. This is a must do ride!
- Incredible Hulk Coaster. This big green monster of a roller coaster is not for the feint of heart. This is a high speed coaster that will send you blasting through the air at Hulk like speeds. This is one of the favorites of my kids and my wife.
- Dr. Doom's Fearfall. Have you ever been to Space Camp and rode the Space Shot? That's pretty much what you get with Dr. Doom's Fearfall. You set in a seat type car and are strapped in and then you are catapulted 150 ft into the air! Just like being blasted into space by a rocket.
Toon Lagoon. Prepare to get wet when you enter this area. Here you will experiece cartoon characters you know and love from years past.
- Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls! This is a log flume ride that is lots of fun. Did I say you would get wet?
- Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. This is river rapid type ride with Bluto, Popeye and Olivie Oyle. Oh yeah, you will get wet!
- Me Ship, The Olive Oyle. This is really more for the kids. A big ship with water guns and squirting devices.
Jurassic Park Warning, warning, warning....way cool ride in this area. It can also be a little scary for the little ones.
- Jurassic Park River Adventure. A river ride through the Jungles of Jurassic park. Be prepared to get a little thrill on this ride. Again, the younger kids might get scared on this ride. If you are lucky enough to get a front seat in this ride you will likely get wet. But don't turn down the front seat...it's the best one on the ride!
- Jurassic Park Discovery Center. A place to learn about dinosaurs.
The Lost Continent This area is the land of ancient myths and legends. This area is also home to a great roller coaster.
- Dueling Dragon Roller Coaster. Fire and Ice. Blue or Red. This big dragon shaped roller coaster is a thrill a minute. And folks, they really do duel. At one point you like you are heading right into the opposing coaster. This is also a big favorite of most park goers.
- The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad. This is a show and a good one. Lots of stunts and breathtaking scenes.
- Poseidon's Fury. This another show/experience. This is ok, but if the line is too long skip it.
Seuss Landing We all know Dr. Seuss and this is his domain at Islands of Adventure. This is really an area for small kids and I haven't spent much time here but the rides are as follows:
- The High In the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. A nice gently trolley/train ride that goes above the Seuss Landing.
- The Cat In the Hat. Ride a couch through the story of the Cat in the Hat and meet that crazy cat!
- Caro-Seuss-el. A merry go round.
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Guide your fish through an obstacle course made of fountains.
- If I Ran the Zoo. An interactive play area full of strange creatures.
We have already talked about admission to Universal Orlando so there is no need to cover that again. The dining inside Islands of Adventure is pretty typical of park fare. Mostly fast foods, ice cream, and cold drinks. These are the things you need to get you through your day at the park. There really isn't a must do on the dining menu at Universal Islands of Adventure.
I will have one last post on Universal Orlando and that will be to discuss the City Walk area (think downtown Disney).
I wanted to give an everyone update on a few upcoming events at Branson so you can mark your calendars and plan your trips accordingly.
June 6 - August 9, 2009 is Kidfest at Silver Dollar City. You can be a kid again during Silver Dollar City's Kidfest. Interactive exhibits and multitudes of entertainment for the entire family during this summer festival. The magic of Pete Gossamer will return as will JEERK! a Swedish rythmic and percussion group that has been a real hit in the past at Silver Dollar City. Check out the video at this link. Here is link to the Kidfest brochure. Veggie Tales will be back presenting their Invention of Silliness. There will also be many other events going on for the entire family. All of this for the price of admission to Silver Dollar City. Remember, you can Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com
June 20-21, 2009 over at the Titanic Museum you will find the Father's Day Boat Show. Yes, believe it or not Father's Day is just around the corner. If Dad is a boat lover this is the place to be. You can read my post about the Titanic Museum.
July 14-17, 2009 is the Branson Gospel Music Convention. If Gospel music is your thing this is where you want to be. There will be performances by Marcey Wall, Blackwood Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Eric Hinson, Crossway, Shannon Bunch, Samaritan Revival, Young Harmony, Jay Stone Singers, Minister’s Quartet, The Parish Family and The Ladds plus many, many more. This will be held at the Branson Convention Center. You can find out more at the Gospel Music Convention.
Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com
