Category Archives: General

Make the planning of your next Branson trip as pleasant as the Branson experience itself

Silver Dollar City, Branson's most popular paid attraction, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.

There are basically two ways to plan a trip to Branson, Missouri, yourself or through a Branson vacation planning service. Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, is a 13 year veteran of helping people have a great Branson experience. He suggests that both first time and repeat Branson visitors can enhance their Branson experience through the convenience of using a Branson vacation planning service, such as the Branson Tourism Center.

Outside of just wanting to do it themselves, Miller says it has been his experience that the major reasons people don’t use a Branson vacation planning services to help plan their Branson trip are they don’t realize the value and convenience of using such services, believe it costs more to use them, is inconvenient, and are worried about giving their personal information over the phone or internet. He suggests that with all the choices available in Branson, shows and their scheduling; attractions; different types of hotels and lodging, not only in terms of pricing, but location and other activities, that the use of a Branson vacation planning service such as the Branson Tourism Center could enhance the overall enjoyment of the Branson experience.

Although he can’t speak for other Branson vacation planning services, Miller can discuss how the company he works with, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), addresses some of the concerns people have expressed. “It doesn’t get much more convenient,” said Miller. “All people have to do is dial Branson Tourism Center’s toll free number 1-800-785-1550, any day of the year except Christmas, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and they will be speaking with a trained BTC Travel Specialist who will be happy to help them plan their Branson trip and answer any questions they may have about Branson.

In terms of cost for BTC’s services, there is none. All Branson Tourism Center’s services are free and there is no additional charge of any kind added to their prices. “In fact,” Miller said, “because of the great relationships BTC has with the theatres, hotels and attractions it deals with, the chances are excellent, especially when you bundle or package lodging, shows and attractions, that a you will actually save money using Branson Tourism Center’s services.

While understanding peoples concerns about disclosing their personal information over the phone or internet, Miller points out that the Branson Tourism Center is one of Branson’s largest and most trusted Branson vacation planning services and has sold over 2 million Branson show tickets. In addition, it is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Southwest Missouri with an A+ rating and is a member of, among other organizations, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Society of Travel Agents, American Bus Association, and the Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association.

Miller points out that Branson Tourism Center offers a full range of Branson travel services including a Groups and Reunions Department, 1-800-268-4014; Travel Agency, 1-800-785-2176 and Special Events Department, 1-800-268-2684. In addition to its own website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com, BTC owns and operates Branson’s first and most trafficked destination web site, www.Branson.Com. It can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website.

Free Branson birthday cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle

The majestic "Showboat Branson Belle."

Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center said, “Branson Missouri is a great place to celebrate a birthday, a special occasion, or to just share a special time with your family. However, when the birthday gift the “Showboat Branson Belle” is offering those celebrating their birthday during 2010 is combined with all the rest Branson offers, attractions, shopping, shows, and entertainment, a trip to Branson will make any birthday celebration just a little more special.”

She explained that during the Showboat Branson Belle’s 2010 season it is offering a free birthday cruise on the day of a person’s birthday March 19 through December 31, 2010 with a valid photo identification. If the ship is not operating on the date of your birthday you may take the cruise on the next available cruise date. Those who had a birthday earlier in the year between January 1 and March 18, prior to the Showboat Branson Belle opening for its 2010 season have not been forgotten either. The Showboat Branson Belle is recognizing “half” birthdays and will give the cruise on a person’s “half birthday” date (i.e. January 25 births can cruise for free on July 25.

The spectacular Showboat Branson Belle is 278 feet in length, over 112 feet in height, and cruises the waters of the beautiful Table Rock Lake at average speed of six miles per hour while taking up to 700 passengers past beautiful Ozarks scenery. Couple that with a fabulous meal and world-class entertainment and a cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle is hard to beat on any day, but is just about unbeatable for those celebrating their birthday during 2010

Johnson suggests contacting the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services for additional information or tickets to the Showboat Branson Belle or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements. She points out that all of BTC’s services are free, many of the tickets and lodging sold, especially those in a package, are discounted and most important of all, are provided through a live BTC Travel/Reservation Specialist that is familiar with Branson and all the excitement it has to offer. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Silver Dollar City hosts Americas largest international festival-World-Fest

Firey Fiddles

In describing Silver Dollar City’s “World-Fest,” Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center said, “It gives Branson visitors a unique opportunity to experience the cultures, foods, and entertainment of other countries at the same time they are visiting Branson’s oldest and most popular attraction, the internationally acclaimed theme park, Silver Dollar City.” She points out that World-Fest is Americas largest international festival, will run from April 8 through May 9 and will coincide with Silver Dollar City’s celebration of its 50th Anniversary.

Johnson said that the unique natural setting of Silver Dollar City provides a wonderful atmosphere for the festival and that in addition to the fabulous festivals, rides, and entertainment Silver Dollar City is noted for, there will be many other exciting things taking place in connection with the celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Among other things, the first weekend in May will be the “50th Birthday Celebration Weekend” adding even more fun, activities  and excitement to World-Fest and a visit to Silver Dollar City. Its new $7 million dollar ride, “Tom & Huck’s RiverBlast,” America’s biggest water battle, has already opened.

The Zhejiang Balancing Monks of China will be returning to World-Fest by popular demand after their initial appearance during World-Fest last year. Two dozen acrobats and head-balancing monks give an amazing performance of agility and acrobatic skill.

Many other international acts will also be featured throughout the festival. Some of the new acts include Dearbhail Finnegan, internationally acclaimed Irish Harpist, in a new show sharing Irish heritage and music; “Diego Martin Footprints Folk Performers,” from Trinidad and Tobago with steel drums, stilt dancing and fire limbo; “Fiery Fiddles” featuring the world’s only soaring string aerialist, Janice Marine and Nova Scotia’s premier fiddler Jennifer Roland and “Calpulli Danza Mexicana,” a 16 member dance troupe from Mexico.

The “Tastes of the World”, food pavilion will feature a wide selection of global specialties. This will include “tempting desserts from around the world such as Tiramisu Torte, Baklava and Apfel Dumplings served with Cinnamon Ice Cream and other international “specialties including guest favorites Chicken Fajitas, Italian Calzone, and Moussaka” and many others.

Johnson suggests that the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services be contacted for free personal one on one assistance to obtain additional information on World-Fest, Silver Dollar City, or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.