Branson Vacation Packages Budget Friendly, Full of Fun

ReserveDirect offers some of the best ways to save on your Branson vacation. Their website, ReserveBranson.com, provides a reliable, secure and convenient way to reserve everything you need for your Branson vacation, including Branson vacation packages featuring everything from Silver Dollar City to Noah – The Musical.

The great things about the vacation packages we offer is that they are completely customizable to fit your needs. Our Silver Dollar City Branson Packages, for example, allow customers to choose from 1, 2, or 3 parks including Silver Dollar City, White Water and Celebration City and there are other add-ons, like tickets to the Dixie Stampede or Showboat Branson Belle, available for guests as well. The Silver Dollar City vacation packages allow guests to save 20 percent on overall costs and they are easily reserved online or by phone.

The other packages we feature are geared for a quick getaway or an extended stay if you wish. Because Branson is a short drive from so many destinations, it is an easy locale to reach for a quick weekend of fun. A few of our vacation offerings feature Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, The Titanic, Andy Williams and The Presleys. Plus, we also offer Stillwaters Resort and Welk Resort packages. The Stillwaters Resort packages include activities like the Dixie Stampede and Silver Dollar City, while the Welk Resort packages include shows like the Tillis Family Reunion, Rankin Brothers and Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters. These play and stay vacation packages are convenient, fun and easy on the budget too.

When you start to plan your Branson vacation, be sure to check in to see any new Branson vacation packages we have available. And, of course, on ReserveBranson.com, you can always create your own package perfectly customized to fit your schedule, preferences and pocket book.

What's New in Branson for 2008

Live Shows

Sight & Sound Theatre, opening May 24, presents NOAH - The Musical. This “Christian Broadway” production is an amazing bible-based show with more than 50 live animals and 50 animatronics animals and a 4-story reproduction of the Ark.

Andy Williams and Ann-Margret perform together at the Moon River Theatre June 6 through July 26. The new Andy Williams Variety Show opens September 5 through October 27. The variety show will be patterned after his Emmy-Award winning television shows and will have up to 6 different specialty acts performing with Andy.

There is a new morning show at Andy Williams Moon River Theatre. “The Entertainers” perform everything from dueling banjos to Phantom of the Opera, Motown to bluegrass, all by local musicians who are “stars” in their own right, from other shows in Branson.

The Oak Ridge Boys will open in their new theatre on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. Country Tonite will move to the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre. Dalena Ditto's Country Variety Show will perform at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre, April through December.

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre welcomes Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers to their stage in a morning show. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand complex opens up Area ’57 with special events, such as BransonFest 2008, April 8-12, and more planned throughout the year.

Justin Flom and the Imaginary Theatre will feature Branson Divas and the Emmy award-winning comedian Bob Nelson.

Bobby Vinton will be performing at The Mansion this November and Tom Mullica as Red Skelton is appearing at The Mansion.

At the Welk Resort Theatre, The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will debut in March and run through December. Matt and Mark Rankin, along with their cast of outstanding musicians and performers, will present timeless, classic hits covering six decades of music. The Welk Stars Reunion is set for Sept. 3-7 and The Tillis Family Reunion, starring Mel Tillis & Pam Tillis, will return from Sept. 16 through October 25. Tony Orlando’s annual Veterans Salute is Nov. 11 and he will join The Lennon Sisters for an all-new Christmas Celebration, November 1 through December 6.

Yakov Smirnoff welcomes country star Joe Diffie to Yakov’s theatre in September. Shows will feature his friends and family members, as well as comedian Paul Harris.

Attractions

The internationally-awarded 1880s-style theme park Silver Dollar City launches its biggest festival year ever, with new original stage productions, performing groups, and festival showcases. New to open the Spring season: an Irish Celebration with World-Fest’s all new Irish production show, Feet of Fire, featuring authentic fire dancing. Then it’s Bluegrass & BBQ, celebrating Americana at its best with hundreds of award-winning bluegrass performances and fresh-off-the-grill foods. Summer brings family adventures at the park’s biggest Kids Fest ever, presenting a nationally-recognized slate of entertainment with The Magic of Peter Gossamer, a Kid Concoctions interactive world of play, a VeggieTales live stage show produced exclusively for Silver Dollar City, and even an Ice Circus with skating performers from around the world. Fall’s Southern Gospel Picnic features the top traditional and contemporary entertainers in the genre; and the National Harvest Festival brings the largest gathering in America’s Heartland of demonstrating craftsmen, harvest-time foods and musical performances, plus special events: A Salute to the American Cowboy and an all-new Tribute to the American Farmer. An Old Time Christmas, nationally recognized by media from USA Today to Good Morning America and Southern Living as one of the best holiday light shows in America, dazzles with the 5-story, Special Effects Christmas tree and all-encompassing sound and light show on the Square and the all-new Frosty, an interactive show for kids.

Debuting in September, Silver Dollar City, long known as “Home of American Craftsmanship,” celebrates its roots with a very special project to highlight the theme park’s most authentic focus: the interactive art of demonstration. The new Silver Dollar City Culinary & Craft School is designed to pass along knowledge of America’s heritage through fine crafts, handiwork and culinary arts. Interactive classes will be held within the stylishly decorated and themed timberframe structure, set on a hillside within the City, with experts from top chefs to renowned craftsmen teaching culinary classes and craft seminars. Along with the seminars from national experts, Silver Dollar City Master Craftsmen will feature heirloom displays, multiple demonstrations and hands-on activities for take-home skills.

The Branson Entertainment Hall of Fame & Museum, located in the Branson Mall, honors those instrumental in Branson’s entertainment success and showcases historical items for public viewing daily.

Butterflies at Branson is a community-wide art exhibit that will be decorating the Branson area from March 29 until October 10. Area artists, including Yakov Smirnoff, will turn a huge fiberglass butterfly into a work of art to benefit a local charity.

Celebration City, Branson’s Biggest Nighttime Attraction, presents the biggest park expansion to date, and the largest new ride in the Ozarks for 2008. Roaring Falls, a $2 million water adventure ride, takes riders on a water-filled journey through fast-moving rapids and features a 5-story, 55-degree angle drop for an enormous splash finale. Celebration City is a 20th-century themed family amusement park featuring more than 30 rides and attractions including Ozark WildCat, a wooden roller coaster eight stories high. Celebration City hosts "Ignite the Night," a spectacular multi-million dollar nighttime special effects show presenting a stunning finale to the day’s fun along with a boardwalk full of games, uniquely themed shopping and family-style dining.

There is new fun on the water at Gage’s Branson Landing Marina & Shoppes. Branson Landing Cruises offers daily excursions aboard the luxurious 100-foot yacht Landing Princess or the authentic paddlewheel riverboat Lake Queen in the midst of spectacular Branson Landing and Lake Taneycomo waterfront.

Tall Timber lumberjack show is moving to Hwy 76 West in 2008, located two blocks west of Silver Dollar City, across the street from Uncle Ike’s trail rides.

White River Fish House at Bass Pro Shops in Branson Landing sits on Lake Taneycomo. You can feast on local favorites like catfish and trout or enjoy a delicious hand-cut juicy steak, grilled to perfection. Come hungry for your next adventure at White River Fish House.

Developments

The new Branson Convention Center offers convention and conference goers 220,000 square feet of flexible space in a stunning, state-of-the-art setting. A curving, exposed timber pedestrian concourse gives visitors a pleasant view of the Lake Taneycomo waterfront as they travel between the center’s meeting and exhibit facilities and the adjacent Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is located within walking distance of Historic Downtown Branson and the sprawling new Branson Landing shopping, dining and entertainment district. The new Hilton offers guests a chance to experience the pampered luxury of a metropolitan hotel in the heart of small town America. The 12-story hotel has 293 rooms, including 194 traditional rooms and suites, and 99 condotel units that will also be available for nightly rental.

There are two more championship golf courses in Branson – the Murder Rock course at Branson Creek and the Payne Stewart Tribute course at Branson Hills.

The Branson/Lakes Area community is looking forward to the first flight landing at the new Branson Regional Airport in May of 2009.

Information courtesy of Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Welk Resort Theater Announces New Line-Up for 2008

Welk-Sullivan Productions is making some changes in 2008 at the Welk Resort Theatre with new pairings of beloved entertainers, some brand new talent and the return of two popular reunions.

Tony Orlando will join The Lennon Sisters in 2008 for an all new Christmas Celebration production at the Welk Resort. This new pairing of beloved headliners in an all-new show will run from November 1 through December 6, 2008.

The new production will showcase America’s Sweethearts of Song -- Kathy, Janet and Mimi Lennon -- with an entertainer admired and known for his string of chart-topping hits and the song that became an American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal.
Orlando, a consummate entertainer, sings his hit songs including “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree,” “Candida,” “Knock Three Times” and many more. Then he delights audiences with music from different genres, adds variety as he showcases his very talented band and then pulls even more surprises out of his vast repertoire. The Lennon Sisters dazzle audiences with their sweet harmonies, signature songs and “More than 50 Years in 5 Minutes” video remembrance of their amazing entertainment career.

“We’re thrilled to bring these beloved entertainers together and bring a new Christmas production to Branson in 2008, said Joe Sullivan, general manager of the Welk Resort Theatre and executive producer of Welk-Sullivan Productions.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin since 2001 when we brought the Gatlin Brothers Christmas Reunion Show to Branson. Although I will miss working with them next year, I fully support their decision to perform in a morning timeslot at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre next year,” said Sullivan. “I have been and continue to be a Gatlin Brothers fan and friend.”

Also new in 2008…The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will debut at the Welk Resort Theatre in March and run through December. Matt and Mark Rankin, along with their cast of outstanding musicians and performers, will present timeless, classic hits covering six decades of music. These genuine, talented brothers thrill audiences with their authentic renditions of the most-beloved songs of all time.

The fast-paced variety show will feature the Rankin Brothers backed by a five-piece band, two female singers and a specialty/comedian act. Based on their belief that classic music is timeless, the Rankin Brothers project a love and respect for the music they play, re-creating perfect renditions of favorite songs. From The Everley Brothers to The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Holly and Sam Cooke to Bruce Springsteen, Simon and Garfunkel and Huey Lewis & The News, the Rankin Brothers Classic Music Revue will entertain with classic hit music which appeals to all generations.

Along with their considerable vocal and musical talents, the Rankin Brothers have the showmanship that audiences of all ages adore. Multi-media technology will add a modern element to the performance with rich, eye-catching films, stills, graphics and audio.
“Mark and Matt Rankin have dreamt about moving to this great community and performing full-time for many years” said Sullivan. “They’ve really honed their performance skills in Texas, playing for corporate, private and special events since 1989. They have the talent, charisma and heart to make it here in Branson.

“Welk-Sullivan Productions brings a proven track-record of production experience and presenting promising new talent to Branson,” said Sullivan. “We think it’s a promising partnership and an exciting new addition to the Branson entertainment scene for 2008…and many years to come.”

“Darren Romeo plans to perform in Branson next year and he will be making an announcement about the venue at any time,” said Sullivan. “I’ve also become a Darren Romeo fan and friend since we launched ‘Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo’ in 2004."

And returning in 2008 will be The Tillis Family Reunion starring Mel Tillis and Pam Tillis. This reunion received rave reviews for their Fall 2007 engagement at the Welk Resort Theatre and will return in 2008 from September 16 through October 25 for 38 performances.

With singer, songwriter, comedian and 2007 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Mel Tillis at the helm, this famously talented family delights audiences with chart-topping music and their special Tillis Family humor. Mel has recorded more than 60 albums and 36 Top Ten singles including Coca Cola Cowboy, Good Woman Blues and Southern Rains.

Daughter and country music superstar Pam Tillis combines the best of traditional and contemporary music. This CMA Female Vocalist of the Year has 3 Platinum and 2 Gold albums to her credit plus 10 Top-Five hits on the Country Music Charts including Mi Vida Loca, Maybe It Was Memphis, Shake The Sugar Tree and Cleopatra-Queen of Denial. Pam continues to record and perform hit music such as Band In The Window, from her 2007 CD “Rhinestoned,” which topped the European country music charts.

Rounding out this family reunion are singer/songwriter Mel Tillis Jr., aka “Sonny,” and perennial favorite Carrie April Tillis with her breathtaking opera singing.

Confirmed special events at the Welk Resort Theatre in 2008 include:

Welk Stars Reunion 2008, September 3 – 7; guest stars to be announced.

Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Salute To Veterans, November 11.

Additional special events/concerts to be announced.

The Welk Resort Theatre is located three miles south of Highway 76 at 1984 State Highway 165. The 2,245-seat theatre near Table Rock Lake was home to The Lawrence Welk Show from 1994 through 2004. Since 2004 Welk-Sullivan Productions has presented extended engagement shows in the theatre including Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Pam Tillis, The Lennon Sisters, Darren Romeo, Mel Tillis & Connie Smith, Crystal Gayle & Lee Greenwood and the Tillis Family Reunion. Special engagement concerts have featured B.B. King, The Moody Blues, The Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Taylor Hicks, Chuck Berry, Three Dog Night, Ray Price, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, B.J. Thomas & Billy Joe Royal, Delbert McClinton and annual week-long Welk Stars Reunion shows. The destination resort complex includes a 160-room hotel, the Stage Door Restaurant & Lounge, swimming pool, gift shop, miniature golf course, new luxury condos and, opening in 2008, an indoor/outdoor recreation center.

Information courtesy of Branson Chamber of Commerce

Image courtesy of Sullivan Shows/Welk Resort