Why would the folks at Branson’s Silver Dollar City spend $10 million on one new ride? Does anyone believe that they woke up one morning and said, “We’ve got nothing else to do today so let’s see if we can lose money by spending $10 million to build a new type of air launch coaster?
“Is that the new ride they call ‘Powder Keg?’ The one that shoots riders 110 feet into the air after going from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds?”
“That’s the one.”
“If that’s the case, then my answer to your first question is ‘to make money’ and the answer to the second question is ‘of course not!’
“What if that wasn’t the case?”
“The answer would still be the same.”
Anyone that was not part of the process involved with the decision to build Powder Keg doesn’t know the details and the rationale that was used. But, in general terms, most people would have little problem agreeing with answers given to the two questions simply because one of the primary purposes of a business is to make money and most businesses do not deliberately spend $10 million dollars on something that they believe will lose them money.
To an Ole Seagull, the financial success and viability of Silver Dollar City is dependent on its ability to attract a constant supply of visitors. To do that there must be “something” that attracts visitors initially and “something” that keeps them coming back.
That “something” is no one thing, it is a delicate ever changing combination of people, factors, and things that has been providing “amazing family adventures” and experiences worth remembering to Silver Dollar City’s visitors for decades. Powder Keg is part of that wonderful “something” that keeps Silver Dollar City new and exciting and gives people yet another reason to visit for the first time or to visit again.
“But Seagull, what does that have to do with Branson Landing?”
“Everything, Branson Landing is a “something” for Branson.”
Branson, as a major tourist destination, is in the same position as Silver Dollar City. To be financially successful and viable it must attract a constant supply of visitors. To do that there must be “something” that attracts visitors initially and “something” that keeps them coming back.
Will Branson Landing in and of itself guarantee that Branson will continue to attract the supply of visitors that it needs? Absolutely not! It is but another “something” that is added to the efforts of people like Gary and Pat Snadon, the Hall’s, Herschend’s, Glenn Robinson, Ron Layher, Dorothy and Shoji Tabuchi, Joe Sullivan, Andy Williams, Jim Thomas, the Pressley’s, the Mabe’s, Jim and Ann Stafford and many others.
What it will do is provide Branson with a tourist shopping, dining, and entertainment experience that is fresh, new, exciting and unique. It is another “something,” that when blended into and marketed with Branson’s solid foundation of family entertainment, traditions and values gives people yet another reason to visit Branson whether for the first time or as a repeat visitor.
Yet, at the end of the day, to an Ole Seagull, the “something” that matters the most is his belief that God has made Branson “something” special. In the final analysis Branson just might be that “something” that provides some of its visitors with an eternity changing experience.
Isn’t it “something” the way it all comes together?
