Can any reasonable person look at all Branson has to offer, from its outdoor activities, festivals, shows, restaurants, to its shopping, museums, golf courses, natural beauty, renowned hospitality and say that if a person wants to be entertained they can’t do it in Branson? An Ole Seagull is tired of hearing that people want “something” that Branson doesn’t offer. The fact of the matter is that when people come to Branson for the first time they like what they experience and a majority of them return again.
“But Seagull, our first time visitor numbers are down and have been decreasing for years doesn’t that mean we need “new” stars, shows, or things to attract new visitors?”
“It positively absolutely does not!”
What boggles an Ole Seagull’s mind is the concept some people have that the “silver bullet” needed to increase the number of Branson’s first time visitors is someone or something “new.” We should thank God, every day, for the depth and breadth of the entertainment that we have in Branson. It is a huge part of the experience that brings first time visitors back again and some, many times again.
Instead what does one hear, “Branson needs new stars, shows, and things to attract the “new demographics” that is allegedly so vital to her success. Can someone tell an Ole Seagull exactly what “new” star, show, or thing it was that drove Branson’s first time visitor rate to its highest levels ever during the Branson Boom of the early 90s? In the real world of Branson, as it exists today, exactly what “new” star, show, or thing(s) would increase Branson’s first time visitor rate up back to those lofty levels?”
Wait, does the Ole Seagull hear the “thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver,” galloping into Branson to the strains of the “William Tell Overture?” Is a masked man about to present Branson with a silver bullet of “new” stars, shows, and things that will lift Branson to the next level, what ever that is, before he rides off into the sunset shouting, “Hi-Yo Silver Away?”
That’s about as likely to happen tomorrow as it was today and yesterday. Fortunately for Branson, people like the Hall’s, Herschend’s, Glenn Robinson, Ron Layher, Dorothy and Shoji Tabuchi, Joe Sullivan, Andy Williams, Jim Thomas, Jim Stafford, Rick Huffman, and many others, have added, and continue to add, more than enough “new” to Branson’s rich family entertainment environment to give Branson more entertainment options and excitement for its guests than just about any other city of its size anywhere.
“Oh, come on Seagull, what kind of excitement? Las Vegas is so exciting that it proudly advertises, ‘What happens here stays here.'”
“Sounds like a guilty, lonely and selfish type of excitement. Branson’s excitement comes from just the opposite reason, ‘What happens here goes with you forever and is meant to be shared with those you love.'”
In an Ole Seagull’s opinion there was no new star, show, or thing that drove Branson’s first time visitor rate to its highest levels ever during the Branson Boom of the early 90s. Rather, it was the expanded awareness of Branson and what it had to offer that the exposure on “60 minutes” provided that drove the first time visitor rates to new levels. For whatever reason they came and when they came, they were entertained by what Branson had to offer, enjoyed what they experienced, and a lot of them came back.
Now, here we are some 15 years later with some looking for a “silver bullet” that will bring new visitors to town. Oh, there’s a “silver bullet” out there but it’s not new stars, shows, or things. Today, as was the case before “60 minutes” in the very early 90’s, and has been the case throughout Branson’s rich family entertainment history, Branson’s entertainment industry is providing a product that meets or exceeds the expectations of the majority of those who come to experience what Branson has to offer.
That makes it pretty simple for an Ole Seagull. History and current research shows that if people come to Branson and experience it they like it and a majority of them will come back. Branson’s “silver bullet” is the same now as it was before the Branson Boom of the early 90s, expand the awareness of the entertainment product that Branson has to offer “today.” Obviously the date of “today” will change but, if history is any indication, the ability and adaptability of Branson’s entertainment industry to meet the entertainment needs of Branson’s guests “today” will not change.
“Who was that masked Seagull?”
“Hi-Yo Silver Away.”