The Tracks Blog

Branson . . . Christmas Style!

December 6th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

There are no two ways about it . . . Christmas is on its way!  In fact, there are only 20 days left until the big day.

It’s funny how there can be such varying reactions when someone points out how many days there are left until Christmas:

*The “Always-on-the-Ball” people hear that there are 20 days until Christmas, and they are calm, cool and collected.  They confidently proclaim, “It’s going to be so nice to enjoy these next few weeks because I have everything done – the house is decorated, Christmas cards are in the mail and gifts are wrapped and under the tree!” Note – these people count some of the greatest “fun” of the season getting to check all these holiday tasks off of their lists.  They may ever do the task and then write it down on one of their many lists just so they have have the satisfaction of crossing it off!

*The “Who-Cares-about-the-Ball” folks delight in the news!  They excitedly exclaim, “Wow, that’s 20 whole days to enjoy the season!  What fun, Christmasy thing are we going to do today?”  Note – these people most likely do not have gifts bought, cards done or presents wrapped and under the tree, but they just know it will all work out!  Or, they enjoy every part of the Christmas season so much that none of these tasks seems like a chore at all – it’s all part of the fun!

Now let me stop right here . . . though these types of people are typically quite different in the way they approach the Season, they are both poised to thoroughly enjoy these next 20 days.  But now onto our last type of person:

*The “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This Year” crowd hears the 20-days-til-Christmas news with equal parts panic and self-critique.  They might react something like, “I just can’t believe there is still so much to do!  How could I have let things get away from me?  I still have so much hanging over my head.”  Note – these people are at the largest risk for not enjoying the season.

We need an intervention, and I know something that just might be a big part of the remedy . . . Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas!

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that the “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This-Year” crowd are the only ones who would enjoy Ozark Mountain Christmas – we all can! – but I am saying that taking time to enjoy all that Branson has to offer this month is sure to put a little cheer (back) into the season!

A few Ozark Mountain Christmas highlights for you and yours to see and experience:

  • Andy’s Frozen Custard holiday treats (I can’t help but start with food!) – You really don’t want to miss the Candy Cane concrete and the Andy Nog Shake.  Yes, eating cold treats in cold weather does seem a little counter-intuitive, but I promise that it’s worth it!  Consider eating one (or both!) of these treats while viewing some of Branson’s wonderful Christmas light displays from your warm car . . .
  • Drive-Through Christmas Lights – Branson Area Festival of Lights is one of the area’s fantastic light displays, which is open until January 2, 2012!  Another impressive light display is Shepherd of the Hills’ Trail of Lights.  This adventure also include a trip up the Inspiration Tower where you can ride glass elevators up 230′ for a breath-taking view of the lights from above.
  • Polar Express presented by Branson’s Scenic Railway – If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, this is sure to help you along!  Watch for the elves when you get close to the North Pole!
  • Christmas Shows too many to count!  Click here for a list of shows that are running through this week and remember that many Branson shows wrap up their Christmas performances before we actually make it to Christmas, so be sure to check the schedules carefully so you don’t miss out!
  • And last, but not least . . . An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City! Named one of the World’s Top Holiday Destinations by CNN.com and one of the Top 5 Holiday Events in the Country by Good Morning America, this is a must-visit place in Branson this December.  There is so much to experience at the park, but there are a few (according to my family) don’t-miss activities to see and do before you leave the park . . . visit with Santa (get in line early!), watch A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, watch the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light parade, drink hot wassail, and enjoy the spectacular 5-story Special Effects Christmas Tree.  You’ll love it year after year!

My little bullet-pointed list just doesn’t seem to do Ozark Mountain Christmas justice, but you know what will?!  YOU coming to experience for yourself!  So, whether you are a “Always-on-the-Ball,” a “Who-Cares-About-the-Ball,” a “Usually-on-the-Ball-but-Not-So-Much-This Year” or something else, I can assure you that Branson at Christmas will not disappoint!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun, Silver Dollar City | No Comments »

It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like . . .

November 18th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Christmas!!

Am I confusing you?  Shouldn’t I be writing something about giving thanks?  After all, we are less than a week away from Turkey Day, right?

Well, yes.  But, I must remind you that this is Branson.  Here in our little town we barely get through Halloween (much less Thanksgiving) before those Christmas decorations start going up along the strip, in businesses, and even in (over-achievers) homes.  Ozark Mountain Christmas makes its debut on November 1st, ready or not!

When I first arrived in town, I will admit that I was a little disturbed by this phenomena.  But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the enthusiasm that Branson has for the Christmas season.  Now don’t get me wrong, I have certainly not embraced it to the point of (even thinking about) having my home decorated with lights, garland and bows before I’ve had one bite of turkey and pumpkin pie.  But, there are benefits . . .

Shopping.

As you are probably aware, Branson has some great shopping.  Contrary to what my husband may believe, I am not much of a shopper.  I should probably stop right here and define my terms before I get called a liar. . . by “shopper” I mean someone who actually enjoys browsing around in stores and who may or may not actually buy something.  No, I am not by this definition a “shopper.”  I am, however, a “buyer on a mission.”  You see, when I realize that it’s time (or I want) to buy something, I’m going to buy it as quickly as possible (usually in the first store I choose to go in).

So, why am I telling you this? Well, in my pre-Branson life (where the Christmas season was not visually upon me until after Thanksgiving), my “buyer on a mission” status often led me to Christmas-gift-buying procrastination.  This.Never.Ends.Well.  But now that I live here in Branson, I can no longer say, “Christmas really snuck up on me” and be telling the truth.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR CHRISTMAS TO SNEAK UP ON YOU IN BRANSON!

So, what does this mean for me in the gift-buying department?  It means that as soon as I shift my gaze from the beautiful fall foliage to the festive Christmas lights, I become that “buyer on a mission.”  This.Always.Ends.Well.  By the time the leaves fall from the trees, the bulk of my Christmas shopping is complete.  Ahhh.

I bet you are wondering how in the world I am going to tie this “shopping” rant to anything go-kart related.  Well, wonder no more . . .

The Track has teamed up with the Tanger Outlet Mall to bring you the “Track-and-Tanger Gift Package” which gives you a $30 Track Gift Card plus 1 FREE Track ride and a $30 Tanger gift card plus a Tanger coupon book – a retail value of over $75 for $60!  This is just the encouragement you need to get that Christmas shopping done and ride some go-karts too! (yes, check out The Track’s operating schedule – at least one location is open daily from November 18th-27th, Saturdays and Sundays in December, as well as daily from December 26th-31st).

So, if you are coming to Branson to shop before Christmas this year, this is a must-get deal for you!  But, even if you are not coming to Branson to shop before Christmas this year, this is STILL a must-get deal for you!  What?  Yes, The Track will ship this package to you for FREE, and you can use it the next time you come to Branson.  What a deal!

But please do not procrastinate (remember, It.Never.Ends.Well) . . . the Track-and-Tanger Gift Package offer expires on November 27th!  Happy Shopping!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Track Promotions | No Comments »

Up, Up, and Away!

October 19th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Are you going to be in Branson this coming weekend?  If not, you might want to reconsider!

Listen to this . . . Balloons Over Branson Creek

This new event made my “Top Ten Reasons Fall in Branson Rocks!” list, and since it is coming up this weekend, I thought I’d take a few minutes to remind you to make plans to come!

First things first . . . you need to know that you’re too late.  Too late, that is, to attend the VIP Kick-Off Party on Friday night.  That’s right – it’s sold out.  And, I can tell you that that fact is a pretty good indication that people are really excited about this event.  And, that it’s going to be a lot of fun!

But, don’t worry!  There is plenty of family fun to be had all day on Saturday.  In fact, if you are one of those lucky parents who have kids who get up before 6:00 a.m., you are really in luck.  You see, the event kicks-off with the morning “Balloon Glow” at 6:00 a.m. (don’t worry, there is another one at dusk!).  Now, I don’t pretend to know exactly what this “Balloon Glow” entails, but I’m pretty sure it will be quite a sight!

So, even if you don’t get there to witness that before-the-crack-of-dawn glow, you should still come on out to enjoy the day.  There is something for everyone!  Check this out:

  • For hungry (and crafty) people . . . Food and Craft Vendors are open from 6:00 – 11:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • For people who like a little friendly competition . . . Balloon Launch & Competition with Branson Celebrities in Balloons from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
  • For our furry friends (and their owners) . . . Branson Parks & Rec Department Dog Walk on trails at Branson Creek at 10:00 a.m.
  • For people who like a little adventure . . . Powered Parachutes and Sky Divers at 4:30 p.m.
  • For those people for didn’t get up in time to see the first one . . . Balloon Glow at dusk.
  • For movie enthusiasts . . . UP on the Outdoor Big Screen at 8:00 p.m.

So now do you see why you don’t want to miss this!  For more details, visit the event website at www.balloonsoverbransoncreek.com.  Have a GREAT time!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun | No Comments »

Fall in Branson = Big Fun!

October 6th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Gone are the days when I felt it necessary to inform you of all the ways to stay cool during your time at The Track.  Oh, yes.  We are now officially into the full swing of fall . . . weather and all (wow, that rhymes!).

Though each season has its perks, I must say that Fall is pretty much on the top of my list. In fact, I’m feeling inspired to give you my “Top Ten Reasons Fall in Branson Rocks.” So, without further ado, let this inspire you to get out and enjoy our little town this Fall:

1)  Near-Perfect Weather! You know exactly what I mean . . . light sweater needed in the morning, short-sleeves perfect by noon.  And, might I mention that this is perfect GO-KARTING WEATHER!  Multiple Track locations are open every weekend in October, and Track 3 is open during the week.  Click here for the operating schedule.

2)  Beautiful Fall Color! We are yet to see just how vibrant the fall leaves will turn out to be, but it’s always fun to anticipate.  My favorite spot for seeing absolutely AMAZING color is at the Ozarks Memorial Park (yes, it’s a cemetery) on East Highway 76.  My everyday life does not take me over to that side of town very often, but you can be sure that I take a drive over there each fall!  Of course, even driving down Highway 65, you can get amazing views of the vast hillsides of trees starting to try on their fall color.  It will be a few weeks until the leaves are at their peak, and I can’t wait!  Check this out this link for Fall Foliage Driving Tours of the Ozarks.

3)  Andy’s Frozen Custard Pumpkin Pie Concrete! Seriously, did you think I could get very far down a “Top Ten” list without mentioning Andy’s?  This concrete is one not to miss.  They take an entire piece of REAL pumpkin pie and mix it into vanilla custard.  Oh. My. Goodness.  You just have to try it.

4)  Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (while we’re on the food theme)!  Did you know that our little ole’ town has THREE Starbucks locations – near the Branson Landing, in the Target off of Branson Hills Expressway, and the newest location in the Country Mart on Highway 248/Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  This mean you are never too far away!

5)  Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival! This festival includes everything you love about SDC plus hundreds of visiting American craftsmen!  Wow – every time we visit, I am impressed by the variety and creativity of these artists!  This is a GREAT place to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping.  And, did you know that you can shop away without worrying about lugging your purchases around the park all day?  That’s right.  Silver Dollar City will hold onto your packages until you are ready to leave the park.  Now, that’s service!  Also, don’t forget about the new-this-year Half Dollar Holler for your kids ages 3-7.  You don’t want to miss this!

6)  The Presleys’ Country Jubilee Show! Ok, I admit that this really has nothing to do with Fall.  But, this is still a really great show!  And, did you know that if you have a Track Go-Card, you will save $5 off of the Family Pass?  So, if you’ve never seen this show (or even if you have!), take some time this fall to go.  It’s sure to be a good time!


7)  McKenna Family Farm! So, you probably wouldn’t find this unless you got a tip from a local . . . so consider this your lucky day!  This is a great little farm complete with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze and fun activities for kids of all ages.  They also have fire pits where you can have a cookout / picnic . . . pretty much everything you need for an awesome family outing!  Enjoy!

8)  Branson Attractions with a Fall Twist! Seriously, I love how many of the attractions in Branson tailor their experiences to reflect the season.  Case in point, Ride the Ducks.  For the month of October, your family can experience “Ducks Go Boo,” which is a nighttime duck adventure with a few thrills and chills!  Try it if you dare!

9)  Titanic Museum Attraction’s Special Fall Events! – The Titanic always has something fun going on for families, and this October is no different.  First, this coming weekend (October 7th-9th), bring your family out to the 4th Annual Chainsaw Sculpting Event.  As you may have guessed, there will be professional woodcarvers from all over the country making amazing things out of blocks of wood and their trusty chainsaws – very impressive!  And, this event is FREE!  Then, come on back the next Saturday (October 15th) for the 2nd Annual Titanic Firehouse & Charity Chili Cookoff.  So, there are a couple of things I love about this event.  The first is a no-brainer . . . lots of great chili!  The second, however, is something you might not even realize about our community . . . Branson has some of the greatest firefighters and service-focused charities you could ever imagine, and this event highlights those wonderful service providers.  In fact, those groups are the ones competing for the coveted “Best Chili” prize!  Don’t miss it!

10)  New Events at Branson Creek! If you haven’t ever driven over to Branson Creek, which is located just south of Hollister off of Highway 65 and on the way to the Branson Airport, you need to go take a look!  The scenery is absolutely beautiful AND they are always coming up with unique events to offer the community.  Their next upcoming event is no exception . . . Balloons over Branson Creek on October 21st and 22nd.  What?!, you may ask.  No, we’re not talking bunches of latex balloons filling the sky; we’re talking masses of hot air balloons soaring over the Ozark Mountains!  Of course, there will be plenty of other entertainment throughout the day that your entire family is sure to enjoy.  Are you wondering how I can be so confident that this will be a spectacular festival?  Well, the town I grew up in had a huge Balloon Fest every year that impressed just about everyone who came through.  I’m pretty sure this will be the same!

So, there you have it.  You’re ready to have some BIG Fall Fun in Branson!  Enjoy!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun, Silver Dollar City | No Comments »

Life on Track – Don’t Just Hear It . . . Experience It!

September 14th, 2011

Today I get to tell you about something very cool that happened in Branson last week.  For the second year, The Track, in coordination with the Branson Police Department, held a great series of events for local junior high and high school students called “Life on Track.”

This program focuses on educating our youth about the real dangers of drunk, but also distracted, driving (anyone ever see someone texting while driving?!) in a hands-on way.  So, here’s what happened . . . the students were given special goggles that simulated what it would look like to drive while drunk.  Here’s a shot of the goggles (stylish, huh?!):

Then, the students had to drive around the go-kart track with those goggles on to see how difficult is really is to stay on track.  Most of the students found it even more difficult than expected and couldn’t believe how badly they scored (that’s exactly the intention!).  Look at all of those cones in the path!

The students also participated in a “texting-while-driving” simulation, which they found equally as challenging.  These guys don’t look too happy about their results:

I feel sure that because these kids didn’t just hear about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, but also got to experience it, that they will long remember what they learned.  Way to go Track Family Fun Parks for bringing such an important educational opportunity to our community!

To see what our local media had to report about this event, click here and here too!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, The Track's Community Involvement | No Comments »

Labor Day!

August 31st, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Have you noticed that I’ve been MIA the last couple of weeks?  Yes, my school-year schedule has already gotten the best of me.  Instead of my biggest concern being how best to spend my TOTALLY SCHEDULE-FREE DAY, I am now in the throes of my COMPLETELY SCHEDULED DAY – lunch-making, carpool running, after-school activities, and oh, trying to squeeze a little work in the mix.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of a schedule, but the change of pace is a little unnerving.

Do you know what is most disappointing about this inevitable transition back to school?  We have not been to the Track in weeks!  But, that is about to change because this weekend is LABOR DAY WEEKEND!  And nothing says LABOR DAY WEEKEND in Branson like a visit to the Track.

Remember, the best deal for your family is to purchase the Loaded or Super Loaded Go-Card online.  In case you don’t already know, either of these Go-Cards allows to you buy additional unlimited, half-price credits until December 31, 2011 and gives you access to a lot of GREAT discounts from other places in Branson that you will want to check out.  So . . . gather up your family, leave your school-year-schedule blues behind, and head on over to the Track!  Maybe I’ll see you there!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Track Promotions | No Comments »

Drum Roll, Please!

August 11th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

I always hope that I am one who practices what she preaches.  So, in an attempt to stay true to my own advice, our family has been taking full advantage of these last days of summer vacation.  As we get closer and closer to the first day of school, we are diligently checking things off of our “Branson Summer Fun Wish List.”

Oh, how I do love things checked off a list (yes, I am one of those).  You know it’s been a successful day at my house when I can report that “I got a lot of stuff done.”  This is another way of saying that I checked everything off of my list.  Now, if I can get this much satisfaction from completing a list of mundane tasks, then you can only imagine how much I’ve enjoyed crossing off things on the “Branson Summer Fun Wish List.”

And yesterday . . . yesterday, we got to cross off something on our list that has been on there ever since this show made its way into a Branson theater.  Today, I’m going to tell you about our trip to see . . . .

BUCKETS N BOARDS!

Your kids (and you!) will LOVE this show.  It is upbeat, entertaining, family-friendly and quite hilarious!  The two guys who are Buckets N Boards will not disappoint!  Here are a few highlights:

Lots of energetic (and impressive!) percussion.

Black-lit drumming (and other fun surprises!)

Creative Instument Playing

Post-show fun with super friendly performers!

Are you convinced yet?  Well, let me tell you something else . . . remember that Go-Card you purchased at The Track?  Well, if you bring that Go-Card down to the Clay Cooper Theater, you can get $5 off of a Family Pass to see this show!

I hope that you’ll check this show off of your Summer Fun List – you’ll be glad you did!  But hurry, school is just around the corner!


Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun | No Comments »

We Love The Track!

August 10th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

Today, I’m going to hand the ole blog over to a couple of other moms who have their own great things to say about The Track . . .

“We took a long-weekend trip to Branson a couple of weeks ago with our sights set on the The Track.  All the guys in my family really loved the Heavy Metal High Rise!  I rode with our 9-year old daughter who was a lot less thrilled with it (the steep hills were a little much for her!), so instead of going full-speed down the two big hills, I slowed WAY down.  It worked for her, but I’m looking forward to going back and riding it full-speed on my own!  When we come back, my husband and one of my sons want to try the Skycoaster – yikes!  We also discovered some great discounts for the Track once we arrived in Branson.  Our hotel gave us a flyer with some coupons in it and we also found that our hotel key card gave us a discount too – great deal!”  ~Karen L. – Farmington, AR

I’m so glad that Karen mentioned those hotel key card discounts.  Being from here, and therefore not staying in Branson hotels, I had to ask what these deals were all about.  Apparently, many area hotels have key cards that feature the Track.  It turns out that when you bring said hotel key card to the Track ticket counter, you can get a “Buy 3 Rides, Get 1 Free” deal.  Nice!  OK, now for another mom’s take on the Track . . .

“Even though we are Branson locals, we love to play tourist.  We frequently load up our 4 children – and most often a few extra – and head to The Track.  The kids cannot get enough of the go-karts and there’s always something fun for all of our kids.  Our oldest girls absolutely love the new Heavy Metal High Rise, and our son especially loved the photo-op spot there!  He loves singing into the microphone and playing the electric guitar while waiting for the rest of the family to finish the ride.  And, the best part . . . you can’t beat the discount anywhere!” ~Sarah D. – Branson, MO

What’s the discount that Sarah speaks of?  The Go-Card, of course!!  Remember that once you purchase the Go-Card (Loaded or Super Loaded), you can get 50% off any additional credits until the end of 2011!  And, don’t forget about all those great discounts you get around Branson when you show your Go-Card.  I mean, why wouldn’t you buy one?

Thanks, Moms, for sharing your thoughts!

Posted in Go-Karts, Moms with the Inside Track, Rides, Track Promotions | No Comments »

Kid-Sized Fun!

August 6th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

For the last full day of my nephew’s visit, we decided to go to the kiddie area at Track 3.  When my girls were little, this was our favorite place to come at The Track.  But since the girls aren’t so little anymore, I had not been over to this area for a while.

Actually, there have been quite a few changes to this part of Track 3 this year.  Probably most obviously is that the mini-golf course that once sat next to the kiddie area has been replaced by the new Sprint Track.  Now, don’t be confused.  Though the Sprint Track is close to the kiddie area, it is definitely not for little kids.  In fact, you must be a “big kid” (aka, a licensed driver) to ride – check out this post for more info!

But don’t fear, this updated kiddie area does boast both Kiddie (38″ and 4 yrs) AND Rookie (48″ and up) go-kart tracks.  In our case, my nephew was too young to ride the go-karts by himself, but this is a great option for your little ones who want to feel really grown up!  Even without being able to ride the go-kart tracks by himself, there was plenty for him to enjoy . . .

As soon as we got out of the car, he was on a mission.  Honestly, I don’t think he knew exactly what was awaiting him, but he obviously was anticipating something really great.  I must admit, I had a moment where I thought we may have made a strategic error in our Track fun.  I mean, would a kid who had NO fear of the Heavy Metal High Rise (remember this?) think these pint-sized rides were at all exciting?  I was starting to think we should have started on ground level and worked our way up to the high rise.  Too late now.  It would be only minutes before I knew if my fears were warranted.

Before I knew it, we were in the kiddie area, and my nephew had already chosen his first “ride”:


He was in heaven.  There were several variations of things with wheels to try out, and he did just that (he did not, I might add, try anything without wheels!).  He was as content as can be without even putting a coin in to make the ride actually move.  This was a good sign.  I mean, if he was having this much fun on a non-moving “ride,” we were going to be OK.  Strategic error averted!

After he had had enough fun on these “rides,” my daughter recommended that they go try out the new Pirate Ship ride.  She was excited because she was allowed to ride it, and my sister-in-law was especially excited (are you catching my sarcasm?) that she “got” to ride it with my nephew.  You see, there is a window between a child being 36″ and 42″ where the parent gets to ride too!  Don’t get me wrong, my sister-in-law thought the ride looked fun; it’s just that she has a tendency to get a little queasy (as do I) on swinging or spinning rides.  But, like we mothers (and dads!) do, she hopped right on:

Yes, I promise my nephew is on the ride . . . my photographic timing was just a little off (I never claimed to be a professional even though I seem to always be the one taking the pictures!).  You can also (sort of) see my 8-year old daughter and, of course, my sister-in-law – it was a family affair!

Then, my nephew spotted the train.  He was SO excited.  When the ride attendant opened the gate, my sister-in-law said that she wasn’t going to ride and asked if my daughter could ride with him.  Upon which she was (nicely!) informed that neither of them could ride with him.  He would have to go it alone.  He walked right up and chose the engine (of course!) to ride in – so far, so good.  We were a little afraid, though, that he might get scared mid-ride and freak out.  This was him mid-ride:

Obviously, he did not freak out.  In fact, he rode this one twice in a row, never relinquishing his place as “conductor.”  Riding a ride on his own – check!  After this we headed over to ride the Teacups.  Well, my nephew had NO interest in doing this until he saw that his cousin was riding.  Suddenly, he really wanted to ride!

I must say, my sister-in-law and I were VERY glad that my daughter was there to ride with him.  We weren’t too sure that either of us could stomach the teacups!  I will never understand why kids can spin around like crazy, and it doesn’t faze them. But, I’m thankful for it!  They had a great time on this ride too!

We had successfully ridden everything that the kiddie park had to offer, and everyone was still smiling!  I was reminded of how great a place the kiddie area is for spending a half-hour or hour of your time.  You can get in and get out with smiles still on your faces :-)

Before I close the book on our visit with our nephew, I want to mention a couple of other things that we did while they were here that also kept him smiling!

  • We went to see JEERK.  Now, I know that I have already raved about this show on this very blog, but I thought it was worth a mention that my nephew who is 2 1/2 was mesmerized by this show and literally sat in his mom’s lap for the entire two hours.  Now, my nephew does not typically sit still for anything, much less a 2-hour show, so I now know for SURE (as if I were actually doubting) that there is something REALLY special about this show.  Take your family to see it!  **If you had a Go-Card, you get $6 off per adult ticket for this or any other show at the Hughes Brothers’ Theater**
  • Visited the horses outside of Dixie Stampede.  We ran out of time to actually see the show (which is a great one, by the way, for little ones), but he was still happy.
  • Went to Historic Downtown Branson with special stops at Dick’s 5 & 10 (warning – you won’t leave empty-handed!) and The Fudge Shop (warning – you won’t leave empty-handed!).

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again . . . there is more to do in our little town that you have time for in one visit.  But, one thing is for sure, Branson has a way of making you happy!

Posted in Kids' Rides, Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun, Rides | No Comments »

Early Bird for a Day

August 4th, 2011

Amy, a mom with the "inside track," and her daughters.

So, on day 2 of entertaining my 2 1/2 year old nephew, we decided to head out to White Water.  In fact, we were determined to get to the park right when it opened.  Gasp!  This may not seem like a big deal to you, but it was to me.  You see, I’m not one to be early (ever!), especially in the morning.  If you recall, I am a night owl!

Night Owl = Slow to Start

But, you can’t be a slow-to-start night owl when there is a nap curfew in effect.  No, sir.  If you don’t maximize your morning, you don’t maximize your fun (and that’s what vacation is all about, right?).  We weren’t going to let that happen on our watch.  So, off we went.

We arrived to a very empty White Water parking lot (great parking spot for us!) at about 9:20 a.m.  There were several other people starting to line up at the closed gate.  We sat in the car for a few minutes gathering our stuff and before we knew it, it was 9:30.  We eyed the gate with anticipation, got out of the car and walked up to the still-closed gate.  Hmmm.  The park was supposed to open at 9:30, right?  About this time we saw some life guards arriving for work, and it hit us.  White Water wasn’t opening at 9:30.  Our suspicions were soon confirmed – the gate opens at 10:00.

Well, some people may have been really frustrated by this, but not us!  In fact, I was particularly enjoying the novelty of being somewhere not just a little early (which, as I’ve already confessed, rarely happens), but an entire half hour early.  And, you know what?  There were others there who seemingly knew that the park didn’t open until 10:00 yet still achieved getting there at 9:30.  Wow.  That is a totally foreign concept for me.  But you know what they say, it’s always good to see how the “other half” lives.  And, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I kind of liked it.

You see, because we were so early, we had plenty of time to apply our sunscreen AND (are you ready for it?) let it soak in.  Now, that’s reason enough to get to White Water early.  There is nothing more frustrating for my girls than having to wait 10 minutes (I may be on the later side, but I am a rule follower) after putting on their sunscreen before I left them jump in.  And I can only remember how hard it is for a 2 1/2 year old to wait!  Thankfully, when those gates opened, we went right in, found a spot for our stuff and were on our way!

We headed straight for Ohana Falls, or better known in my circle as “the family ride.”

Apparently, I came to find out, the lines are not nearly as long first thing in the morning.  Short lines meant more riding (maximizing our fun!) for us.  We hopped into the huge rafts (up to 4 people) and zipped down the slide – SO MUCH FUN!  You gotta love a ride that everyone in your group can ride together AND enjoy.

Now, in case you were wondering, I did not perform some incredible acrobatic stunt to get this picture, nor is this family my own.  No, sadly I have no (count ‘em, ZERO) pictures from our day at White Water.  I have no excuses, and I was really ok with it until I realized I would have to use pictures off of White Water’s website or no pictures at all for the ole’ blog.  Sigh.

Anyway . . . after a few rides, we headed over to Splashaway Cay which is a great area for families with kids of all ages to play.  I particularly like sitting in the front row of chairs where you experience a continual cool mist (watch out, though, sometimes the wind shifts or some mischievous child decides you are the perfect target for a water canon).  It really is quite lovely (without the target practice).

After our stay at Splashaway Cay (I am a poet and don’t even know it!), we decided to try the new Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay.  This attraction replaced the Lazy River – it is the same concept, but is much longer, more themed and has plenty of opportunities for you to get “splashed.”  In a word, this ride is relaxing.  Check out this video for a preview.  We finished our time back at the kiddie area, Coconut Cove, where everything is just the right size for your little ones.  There are plenty of chairs (if your child is old enough to explore on his own) and the area is nice and contained (nearly escape proof!), which is a very good thing when you’re dealing with “flight risks,” otherwise know as curious toddlers.

We knew it was time to go when we asked my nephew if he wanted to swim more or go home, and he said, “go home.”  When a kid who has loved everything about White Water says it’s time to go home, you know you’ve reached a critical point . . . nap soon or total meltdown.  We took the “nap soon” route and successful averted any kind of fuss.  We got our hand stamped on the way out so that we could return later if we wanted to (such a great option for families who want to take a break for a little while) and headed home.  I think he was asleep in two minutes!  So, the moral of the story is . . .

Night Owl Who Toughens Up and Gets to White Water Early = Maximized Fun AND No Toddler Meltdowns!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

I hope you’ll consider White Water as part of your Branson fun (and don’t forget to take pictures!).  Remember that while you’re playing at The Track, you can buy discounted White Water tickets at the Track ticket counter!  Here’s the skinny . . .

  • You can purchase One-Day White Water Admission Tickets for $32.00 ($28.67 + tax)! Big savings! These special tickets are good for ALL AGES. And, a special bonus . . . children ages 3 and under are FREE. Now that’s a deal! Valid any one day May 28 – September 5, 2011. Not valid with any other offer, discount or previously purchased ticket(s). Some restrictions apply.

Don’t miss out!

Posted in Moms with the Inside Track, Other Branson Family Fun, White Water | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries