Branson Trip Review (long)

[nannac]

Our trip to Branson was susposed to start on Wednesday, March 19th, but hubby was in a bit of a hurry to leave this year. He suggested we leave around noon on Tues, so I got a reservation at Branson Best for one night, before we meet up with our daughter and her family on Wednesday at the Cabins on Green Mt.

The trip through Norther Arkansas along hwy 65 was trecherous. The flooding was horrible. Our oldest daughter called to check on us, since she had heard that the hwy had been closed due to flooding. It was open when we traveled it, but did hear that a car had washed away around the Marshall, Ark. area. A large chunk of pavement on one side of the hwy had washed out also.

We stopped in Harrison, Arkansas to eat at the Sizzler, wishing later that we hadn't. I will explain later.

We were so glad to finally see the lights of Branson! We got to the Branson Best around 6 o'clock. It was still pouring down rain. We get a call from daughter. They are staying at the Raddison. They had left home on Monday, with plans to visit Fayetville (home of the Razorbacks), which they did, and were going to go on to Springfield for a night, but decided not, due to the rain.

Around 3 o'clock in the morning, hubby wakes me up sick to his stomach! He had eaten crab salad at Harrison! The last time he ate crab salad he was sick for two days, and it did the same to him this time. His first two days at Branson was very trying, but he tried to have a good time. The Branson Best was all that I expected. It was very clean, and the cobbler and ice cream was delicious! We did not eat breakfast. The buffet looked very inviting.

On to the Cabins around noon. I love to stay here too. It's just home away from home for us. Dh rested, and I soaked in the hot tub on the porch waiting for the dd and family. They had shopped til they dropped at the tanger and the landing, and had gotten their Easter attire. They ate at the Fall Creek Resturant. They said it was good, but wasn't really crazy about the atmosphere. I got a sandwich at McDonald's for my supper. Hubby ate a can of soup.

Thursday was a beautiful day. The rain had ended, and the sun was shining. We had Krispy Kreme's for breakfast, hubby was feeling better, and we were all going to SDC. The children 11, 8, and 1, were excited. The two older had been once before, but it had been 5 yrs. The trip out to SDC took about two hours. After arriving at the park, it was another 45 minutes before the bus picks us up at parking lot JD. Once inside the park, things get somewhat better. The lines were long, but the kids enjoyed it, and that was all that mattered to us. I really enjoyed the Branson Brothers! They made the trip worthwhile. We had the succotash at the park, also icecream and strawberries. We left the park around 6 0'clock, but dd and group stayed until 7, and said there were hardly any lines then. They extended the closing time to 7.

We were starving for some REAL food, so we headed to our favorite spot, which is Dana's BBQ. I got the pulled pork plate (yum yum), and dh got the double cheeseburger plate. We were very stuffed when we left there. We later went to Andy's for a milk shake.

Friday morn started off with breakfast at McFarlin's. We love McFarlin's! The atmosphere is fun, and the food is very tasty. The kids got a kick out of the "round table".

Frid. afternoon, our whole group went to Dixie Stampede. It was very entertaining. The 1 year old enjoyed this also. The animals kept his attention. It was a fun afternoon. We played miniture golf with the grands, and then went to tour the Titanic. The Titanic tour was educational, and dh enjoyed it alot, but I kept expecting something else. The museum type atmosphere was very nice, but I guess I was just expecting more.

It was late when we left the Titanic, and I really wanted to eat at Hard Luck Diner. We got there just a few minutes late. It was 8:20, and the doors were locked, but I did see Jason Y. through the windows! He is such a cutie! Wish I would have gotten to hear him sing again. Maybe next time! (If he hasn't moved on to bigger things). We decided to eat at Fudrucker's. It was good, as usual.

Saturday morn. we had to check out by 10:00. We weren't ready to leave Branson, as it seemed like we hadn't got to do very much this time, due to the rain, and the stomach bug. I missed seeing the Presley's, but will definately see them next time.

We stopped at McFarlin's on our way out for another good ole breakfast, and headed south to Arkansas. We got home around 4:30. We talked about our next trip back to Branson in the upcoming months. All and all, it was a good trip, just not long enough!!!

[CHRISTISAM2001]

Thanks for the great reviews..glad yall all had a great time!! Did yall happen to drive through Clinton? If so, wasnt the tornado damage sad? I just hate to see stuff like that....Anyway..do you have a link to the cabins you stayed at? Thanks..

[nannac]

Christi..... Yes, the Clinton area was so sad. That storm was very wide, according to the damaged area. The rain in the area was not helping the rebuilding that was going on. Did you notice how one house would be very damaged, and the one next to it seemed to be in good condition. It amazes me how a storm can do that.

The Cabins At Green Mountain are a timeshare. I think they can be rented by non-owners in off season months. They are located on Green Mountain right by Celebration City.

[Critter]

Thanks for the review. I enjoyed reading it. Too bad hubby got sick. NO MORE crab salad for him! Slap his hand next time he reaches for some!

[Zach7777]

Excellent review.....

[ashbris]

I really enjoyed reading your review! How in the world did you pass up the breakfast at Branson's Best?? We love it~~what willpower! Glad you all had fun and your husband feels better. I agree with Critter, slap him the next time he goes for the crab salad!

[nannac]

Ashbrish...believe me, if dh had been feeling better, he would have eaten the breakfast at BB. He just wasn't up to it that morning. I am not a big breakfast eater, but I did drink their hot chocalate, and it was good!

[KJN]

Good review. Makes me wish we were in Branson. Too bad about hubby, but glad he got better and finished off his Branson trip having a good time.

[preacherman]

Thanks for the long report. Always fun to read. Was sorry to hear of the stressful driving and the tummy upset. And it sounds like SDC wasn't ready for all the excited visitors this year.
We are looking forward to our trip to Danna's and the pulled pork!

[E's mom]

Thanks for sharing your vacation with us.

[Davidab53]

We were down in Branson this past week as well. My wife, like you, was dying to see The American Idol guy as Hard Luck. She got her chance Saturday night. I kinda felt like I was the third wheel or something (Just joking). He was very nice and took his picture with my 16 month old son.
Hard Luck was jumping Saturday night. Great entertainers!

[Daytimer]

Great Review!

[karoinbranson]

Great review NANNAC..........so glad you got to go and sounds like you had such a wonderful time!!!!!! Hope you had a great birthday!!!!!

[fordarama]

Nice review. I really enjoyed reading it,,,,,,,,,,,
Are you guys going to gulf shores this summer???
I know , you and I love us some beach...LOL.............
I feel for hubby,,,,,,,
Sometimes eating out can be an adventure that one can live without...LOL..

[PatiCake101]

So sorry that your dh got sick...that tends to put a damper on things, but glad that he got to enjoy most of the trip.

Thanks for the great review Nannac...