Shows - Motels

[jakwi]

Does anyone have any firm info that they are having cancellations because of the gas price? It looks like higher oil may well go into the summer.

[Don Baker Sr]

Originally Posted by jakwi

Does anyone have any firm info that they are having cancellations because of the gas price? It looks like higher oil may well go into the summer.

It sure has become a concern........Hope someone does something soon.

As of today, I haven't made reservations.
I usually like to make mine early but I'll hold off for awhile.

[1stxin75]

Called a motel yesterday regarding making a reservation for June. Was told that they were not booking up like usual. With gas prices still going up keep wondering if travel is worth it.

[lovemycondo]

I rent out my condo and this is the 1st year I rented it myself. I don’t have any numbers to compare it to on my own. A resort managed it before. I can tell you my # of requests have dropped sharply. My dh said it is because I’m fairly full for the summer but in the past I’ve gotten a lot of contacts from people who do not check out my availability calendar. Even if I was full, I still had contacts. Starting with April my requests for unavailable dates has virtually shut down. Also, the number of condos available has shot up dramatically. I’ve never seen so many advertised. This may also be decreasing the number of requests. (I personally expect condo prices to drop as condos come back on the market for sale. I think a lot of the new owners thinking they are going to get rich off their condo will find most don’t even get out of the red, and that is IF they paid cash---- but that would require another thread.) I’m assuming as more shows come available the theaters will have the same problem. They always have but I think it will get worse. (Again this would require another thread.) More seats to fill but only so many people to fill them. I think this challenge has already been discussed in other threads. Same problem for all the retail and restaurants. Lots of competition but only so many dollars to spread around yet all of the costs continue to shoot up. It’s the reason lodging, dining, and attractions are so cheap in Branson.

I’ve had several cancellations this year but I was never told it was because of gas prices. Always vacation time lost or illness.

I think people will still go but maybe not stay so long, not eat out as often, skip a show or two, check out 2 for 1's, use more coupons, etc.

[Suselit]

From my point of view...we are going to make overnight trips and see more shows per visit instead of making a several day trips....because of gas prices.

[OkieAnon]

I don't know of anyone that has cancelled-- but I do know of someone that lives about 4 to 5 hours from Branson and has never been to Branson,,, they called us looking for info on motels a couple of days ago because they thought going to Branson would be something they could afford this year.

all along we've said we were solid on going as long as it didn't reach 4.00... but it's getting close.... my guess is we still go for the summer if it goes above 4.00, we may have to rethink our Thanksgiving trip though if it continues to climb.

[Cheesecake]

I know a couple of families here in the area, who are avid Disneyland/world visitors. They also go to alot of rodeos, and follow their ''riders''.
But........
This year they are going to go to Branson, because it is close, and still a vacation. Most from here are day visitors, but I hear some are making reservations to spend 4 days, do their Branson/Springfield shopping, and other things all in one big visit.........(I think this is shopping for school in the fall, and vacation and etc......with one trip/gas). Staying in a motel is cheaper now than buying gas to drive back and forth.

Son and wife went to KC to pick up their Son from the airport,.......round trip in their big one ton pickup with a trailer behind-----$192.00.
I think Grandson will be renting a car, .... it's actually cheaper. Cause he is going to have to go back up to St. Joe where his company is located.
Another $192.00.

I think Branson is going to have alot of business from ''locals'' (Missouri and Arkansas, and Oklahoma people) who in the past lived close enough to just come and spend the day..........a great place to go, and it's close to home..........a good reason not to pass up a vacation.

[maryinecho]

We are not coming for our annual summer vacation because of gas prices, but I will be saving so we can try to come for Thanksgiving. We are 8 to 9 hours from Branson.

[PatiCake101]

We're coming to Branson this weekend, it will be our second trip this year, and staying 4 days. We live about 6 hours away, and I normally make 5 to 6 trips a year, usually for 4 day trips, however, the price of gas will probably affect that. Also we are driving to Orlando for an 8 day trip in June, and after buying gas for that trip...that may cut our Branson trips for the rest of year down to only one more during the Christmas season.

[kstater1997]

I don't think we will cut back on any of our three to four trips to Branson from Wichita.

James and Ramona

[c kling]

We are coming from PA and this is our 21st year to come straight. We usually come to Branson for 12 days. But this year we are only going to be there for 4 days and then driving out thru OK, TX, NM, AZ to Las Vegas for a few days and then heading home thru UT, CO, KS and back to MO thru St Louis to hit Grant's Farm before heading back to PA. Last time we did this 4 years ago - we put 5700 miles on the car. I guess we picked a bad year to do this - but next year could be worst.

[OkieAnon]

I had a box fixed with some holes in it, was all set to mail myself to Branson.... now postage has went up

[onemobetta]

The gas prices are ridiculous, no question.

But so are the airfares (because of the oil prices and now they may actually have to maintain the planes).

Motels (outside of Branson) are higher and food is up a bit-

BUT, (there's always a "but"), sit down and figure it out. IF you travel 500 miles each way to get here for a total trip mileage of 1000 miles and IF your vehicle only gets, say 16 mpg, then, you would purchase 62.5 gallons at 3.58 a gallon (current in Branson today) and you'll spend $223.75 on gas for the round trip.

IF you were buying the gas at $2.00 a gallon for the same 62.5 gallons you'd spend $125.00- Okay then, for your vacation you spend $98.75 more due to higher gas prices and maybe a few bucks more for a bunch of hamburgers and hotdogs while you're here. The math works the same regardless of what you drive or your mpg's.

I am as disgusted with these fuel prices as anyone and I feel the politicians could effect changes or at the very least come out and efficiently describe truthfully what is going on. Instead, they turn a deaf ear to it. Rolling off federal gas tax won't do a thing.

However, if you can't or won't pay or afford $98.75 more to take your vacation this year you really shouldn't be taking one in the first place. Do the math. Knee jerk reactions that change your quality of life are foolish.

Figure out the cost to go to Disney in Orlando. But, include motels at over $100. a night (Branson 60 to 70.00, some less) and tickets to see that little pervert Mickey Mouse at over $100.00 each (Silver Dollar City in the $40. 's) Plus the cost to fly or drive there. You can't afford NOT to vacation for 5 to 7 days in Branson this year.

Besides, we are the nicest people on earth so if you don't vacation here,...
well,....then you're missing the opportunity of a lifetime!!!!!

Don't you be a goober! Vacation in Branson and spread the word!

[onemobetta]

Originally Posted by c kling

We are coming from PA and this is our 21st year to come straight. We usually come to Branson for 12 days. But this year we are only going to be there for 4 days and then driving out thru OK, TX, NM, AZ to Las Vegas for a few days and then heading home thru UT, CO, KS and back to MO thru St Louis to hit Grant's Farm before heading back to PA. Last time we did this 4 years ago - we put 5700 miles on the car. I guess we picked a bad year to do this - but next year could be worst.

It sounds like your decision to stay in Branson only 4 days instead of 12 has nothing to do with the fuel prices and is going to cost you beucoup bucks.

As to next year being worse, it won't be when I'm elected King- I'm running as an independent but I only take the job as King. I'm going to fire the entire congress and Federal employees and only keep the military to guard the unguarded borders.

I'm going to print all the money I want (thats what they do now anyway) and require everybody gets a 3 day work week and no more than 3 hours a day. That should end unemployment. The government will pay off everyones mortgage and that will end the "housing crisis" (thats what they want you to "think" they'll do anyway). Gas will be free because when the military doesn't have anything to do we're taking over the middle east and the oil fields there and in Mexico and Canada. All camel jockeys will have their camels repossessed and be banished to China who will go bankrupt because we will stop WalMart from buying anymore from them.

Al Gore, the Clintons, John Kerry and other notable liberals will be relegated to the toilet cleaning detail at the Republican National Headquarters which will be turned into a daycare center for the next Kingly administration. (I only need two days to accomplish all of this anyway).

Anyway, if that doesn't get you to just write in "onemobetta" as king on the ballot in November then you just miss the whole point. ONLY by electing me will next year be better.:applau se:

[c kling]

No - our time in Branson is not depending on gas prices -- only on vacation days allowed. But next year we will be back in Branson for our normal 12 days.