Happy Trails Tours
Happy Trail Tours
PO Box 432, Forbes, Minnesota 55738
email: happy_trails_tours@yahoo.com
(218) 744-4159

Toll Free at 1-800-635-7779
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Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas

November 14-20, 2016

Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas

November 14-20, 2016


$1159 Per Person Double - $ 1069 Per Person Triple - $ 1029 Per Person Quad  - $ 1409 Single Occupancy
 

                                                        Your SEVEN Day Holiday Tour to Branson Missouri  Includes:
Motor Coach Transportation:  Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, Eveleth, Duluth & Cloquet & North Branch                                                                        PLUS Sartell, Little Falls, Rice & Baxter, Burnsville & Owatonna
Six Nights Lodging: Two in Des Moines @ the Drury Inn (Pre Night & Post Night)
            Four Nights at the Dutton Family Inn.  Located on the 76 Boulevard nearby shopping, theaters and Abby's Tourist Trap Restaurant
Shows: Danny O' Donnell; Mel Tillis; Clay Cooper; Dutton Family; The Showboat Branson Belle
            and the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular (with the Osmond Brothers, the Lennon Sisters and Rick Thomas)  
Festival of Lights; Old Downtown; Branson Landing; Grand Village
The Veteran's Memorial; Imax Entertainment Complex
11 Meals:  Six Breakfasts, Four Dinners; One Lunch
            Plus TWO Cocktails / Hot Appetizer / Food Buffet at the Drury Inns
An Area Ozark Mountain Tour. Lunch at College of the Ozarks- Keeter Center 
Cabella's Outlet Store in Owatonna and Russell Stover Candy Store
Luggage Handling, Taxes, Tips & Fully Guided with a Happy Trails Host
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Deposits and Final Payment Due Date: $125 per person deposit is due with each reservation and is non-refundable after September 1, 2016.
Final balance due: October 1, 2016.  

Cancellations: Money returned with cancellations between September 1-October 1, 2016 are contingent upon what Happy Trails Tours can retrieve back from hotels, charters, theaters, restaurants, etc. No refunds with cancellations made after October 10, 2016.  Reservations are transferable.
Final Documents: Final documents are expected to arrive in late October with specifics on boarding location and hour.    

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is available to help defray monies lost due to illness, family emergencies, trip interruption, due to cancellation. It can offer peace of mind and financial security and protect your tour investment.  Call our office for further information.
REGISTRATION FORM
                                                                    Things to Know Before You Go on Branson Tour
 
The Coach/ Escort & Driver: The bus is being chartered through TROBEC BUS CO. The coach has 56 comfortable seats that recline. The bus also has a restroom on board, TV sets with a VCR/DVD player, microphone, and adjustable foot rests. We love to play movies on board, tell stories, play a few games and have snacks! (We love treats!)  Folks are welcome to bring snacks on board, too.  We stop every 2-3 hours. The day will fly by very quickly.
 
How to Pack: The tour is completely casual. Dress comfortably with good walking shoes. Pack along a fall/winter jacket. Pack a camera and/or video camera. Still shots are allowed in the theaters…but videos of any kind are not.
 
Seat Rotation:   We do not rotate seats.. Unless you have special requests due to medical needs, the seating is open. A reserved sign will be set on your seat if you have special needs or requested handicapped seating prior to departure.  Look for them as you come inside.
 
Hotels /Smoking/ Non-smoking: The hotels where we are staying are very nice. Read your day-by-days to learn the specifics on each property. All the rooms are non-smoking unless you requested it. If you asked for a “smoking room” you will likely get one. Please don’t smoke in rooms that are designated as “non-smoking”. Often penalty charges may apply. We stop every 2 ½ hours for quick breaks or meals along the way.
 
Special Needs / Perfumes/ Fragrances: Kindly refrain from using strong perfumes/ fragrant colognes while traveling on this tour. So many folks have allergies to the chemicals in them and may become sick while traveling. Thank you very much for this consideration.  Please let us know if you any special needs such as; allergies, motion sickness, medical concerns, or physical disabilities that may affect walking or climbing stairs. We have several hotel rooms in Branson that offer handicapped bars in the bathroom, roll in shower and two beds. Let us know if you need one. They are reserved on a first-come, first served basis.
 
Theaters/ Name Tags:  We’ll bring you to the front door of all the theaters where you’ll be greeted by a hostess. They’ll bring us in (and yes…you’ll walk right past all the long lines at the ticket booth) and direct us to our seats. The seats are reserved but we will not be given individual ticket stubs. Your “name tag” will be your ticket stub. Wear it faithfully. You’ll receive the name badges after you get on the bus.
 
Promptness: It is so important to be prompt. When the bus is scheduled to leave at a particular time, it is of utmost importance to be prompt by arriving about 5-10 minutes earlier than the time stated. Sometimes the traffic is terrible and even a short distance can take a long time to arrive. Theaters insist that groups arrive early for hassle-free seating. If we are late…we may not be seated until there is a reasonable break in the performance. This goes for early morning departures as well. All hotels have alarm clocks and will also give you a courtesy call but we suggest to pack your own travel alarm just in case you do not get a call. Thank YOU in advance for this!!! 
 
Tipping: Tips for included meals, luggage handling and city tour guide is included in this package. Tips for your bus driver and Happy Trails Tour guide is not included and may be done at your own discretion at the end of the tour.
 
Weather: The weather should be warm and very nice, however, we‘ve seen it SNOW in Branson this time of year (Though that‘s rare…we’ve also seen it get as hot as 80 degrees!)  Normal temps are between 55-65. With the high elevation, we recommend layering your clothing since mornings and evening can be cool and afternoons can be warmer.
 
Weather Conditions: In 2007 when we were on a Branson Christmas tour, a blizzard swept through the Midwest and paralyzed the entire region from Kansas City to Northern Minnesota. It caused us to have to spend one more night in Branson (where it was 65 degrees and sunny!). The following day, we traveled home with only wet roads to contend with and everyone stayed safe. We tell you about this because it can happen again. (Hopefully it won’t). One more piece of information….You are financially responsible for the added expense if this should happen. Actually, we had a wonderful “extra” day in Branson and everyone was happy. We took in another show, ate at another nice restaurant but most of all…we were safe and warm.
 
 
               NOTE: Travel Insurance helped pick up the cost of this added expense for our travelers who purchased the insurance.
Changes on your Itinerary: _We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling.  Thank you for your understanding. We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll try to replace it with one of equal value or better if at all possible. As always… we’ll inform you of any changes as we learn of them, themselves.
 
Happy Trails Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour.  Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services.  Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided.  Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
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                                                   Day By Day - Planning tours nearly a year out are subject to change.
 
                                                                                            Nov 14th - Monday - Day 1
Boarding: This was the boarding schedule for our Branson Tour in 2015. It will likely change for 2016 but it'll give you an idea of what to expect.

Northeast Minnesota:    Trobec Motor Coach will bring the main motor coach up the Rapids to begin our trip.
___6:00 am -Grand Rapids Sawmill Inn on Hwy 169           ___6:45 am- Hibbing Park Hotel                            ___7:00 am- Chisholm Iron Man Statue
___ 7:15 am- Virginia Village Inn                                           ___7:30 am- Eveleth Super Eight (East Parking Lot)      
​ ___8:00 am- Cotton ICO    
 
8:40 -9:30- Arrive to Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall Restaurant for breakfast, paying on own.
 
_____9:15 am- Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall                     _____9:55 am- Cloquet Perkins Restaurant
Central Minnesota: Trobec Bus driver will provide shuttle transportation either coach,24 pax mini-bus or van depending on how many.
Trobecs will offer a warm welcome to all of you, then travel east to North Branch to meet your tour host & group as you continue  your journey south.
___8:00am- Baxter Kohl's Dept Store   ___8:45am- Little Falls Walmart (back of lot on west side in NW corner)
___8:45am- Rice Holiday Station
___9:00 am - AmericInn - (Sartell- Hwy 15) Our friends from Central MN will meet the Happy Trails group here in North Branch
 
11:15 am-The motor coach coming from the northeast end of the state and those coming from central will join in No Branch.
                  _____12:15 pm- Burnsville Mall - Applebee's Entrance
12:30 pm- Arrive to Burnsville - Applebees Entrance
 1:30 pm- Re-board the coach and continue on to Des Moines, Iowa.    3:30 pm- Stop at the Top of Iowa Rest Area
  6:15 pm- Estimated arrival to Drury Inn  5505 Mills Civic Parkway, Des Moines, IA    # 515-457-9500    
                 
Tonight is at your leisure. The hotel offers hot & cold buffet between 5:30-7 pm with complimentary cocktails. There are also                         restaurant within walking distance. This property is beautiful! It offers coffeemakers in the rooms, hairdryer, irons & boards, free                   hot and cold beverages in the lobby, indoor / outdoor heated pool and a fitness center.
                                                                                 Nov 15th - Tuesday- Day 2 
6:30 am- Enjoy an included full breakfast at the hotel before we depart for Branson. Set your luggage outside your doors.
 
7:30 am- The coach departs Des Moines for Branson, MO.  A mid-morning stop will made as well as a lunch stop en-route. 
 
3:00 pm- Estimated arrival to Branson: Dutton Inn - 3454 W Highway 76, Branson, MO   # 417-942-4626                  
                  We’ll settle into this wonderful property. The Dutton Inn  is a lovely family owned property (Dutton Family) to all newly                               renovated rooms with 2 queen beds & pillow top mattresses, theater and restaurant right next door, microwaves & refrigerators                     in each room, (two beds in handicapped rooms with walk-in showers-limited number of those) and Wi-Fi. The rooms also have                       coffeemakers, irons & ironing boards and hairdryers. (Very nice property). 
6 pm- Enjoy a nice Buffet Dinner at the Dutton Hotel / 8 pm- We'll take our seats for the Dutton Family Christmas Show. NBC's                     "America's Got Talent" Finalists... You are in for a treat! This family is so talented that they've become known as "Branson's                            Premier Music Variety Show".
10:30 pm- Return to the hotel after the show.
                                                                             Nov 16th- Wednesday - Day 3
7:00 - 9:30 am Enjoy breakfast served at the hotel.
10:00 am- The Dutton Theater hosts a delightful patriotic musical radio broadcast, called "All Hands on Deck".  “All Hands On Deck”                   gets ALL    members of the audience up on their feet in Branson! Created by and starring veteran of the Broadway stage, Jody                       Madaras, this road show/radio broadcast inspired piece of music theatre pays homage to our nation as it was in 1942; a time                         when all stood united – proud and patriotic – and our ‘stars’ weren’t self-promoting reality show celebrities, but bigger-than-life                     artists like Bob Hope; performers who entertained those of us on the home front while touring abroad to prop up the spirits of our                 soldiers on the frontlines.
 
12:00 pm- After the show, we'll have lunch (paying on own) before giving you an option of how you'd like to spend your afternoon.  1st                        Option: Stay at the hotel and relax for the afternoon (or take in another show of your choice at a nearby theater.  2nd Choice: Visit                the Veteran's Memorial Museum for about 2 hours.   3rd Option:  Shopping at Branson Landing / Old Downtown.
 
5:45 pm- Dinner, included, at Pasghetti's (Your choice of several entrees' to pick from at the time of seating).  
7:30 pm- Take your seats for "Clay Cooper's Christmas Show!  Clay Cooper’s Country Express has something for everyone! Enjoy live                music, singing, dancing, hysterical comedy and more! From George Jones to Hunter Hayes, from the Doobie Brothers to Bruno                    Mars, Clay and his cast of 24 veteran entertainers will bring you a high energy performance filled with variety – country, gospel,                    patriotic and more!
9:30 pm-  Once the show concludes, we'll return to the Dutton Inn. 
 
 
                                                                                 Nov 17th- Thursday - Day 4
     7:00 am- Breakfast is served at the Inn.  
                 Enjoy an entire morning open to plan your own agenda. OR.... perhaps we can help you with setting up a morning show.                                Branson's Imax Entertainment Center is a fun one-stop place. There's great food, the Imax Theater, a morning show and                  great shopping. If you decide to go with us this morning, we'll be gone from 9:30 am - 1:00 pm.  Let us know and we'll help you                      fill in this time slot. Lunch is on own.
    
     2:00 pm - Next:  We'll see the Mel Tillis Christmas Show at the Clay Cooper Theater. Even if you've seen Mel's Christmas show                       before, you'll love seeing it again! He puts on a fantastic holiday performance and each year the show is different.
    
     4:30 - 5:45 pm- We'll stop back at the hotel for a bit of time to put our feet up before tonight's event. Anyone up for "ice-cream"?
                Dinner is served a bit later tonight so a little ice-cream snack will certainly be in order! Enjoy.
     6:00 pm- After our ice-cream, we'll wind our way to the Shepherd of the Hills to see the Trail of Lights prior to our cruise.
    
     7:15  pm- We'll arrive to the Showboat Branson Belle - where a fantastic dinner is served (two entree /plated) and Christmas show.
     8:00 pm- Settle in for an evening on the Showboat Branson Belle.   The meal and Christmas show will be delightful!
 
  10:30 pm- After the show, in case you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, we’ll drive through the Trail of Lights.
                  Once we return to the hotel, waiting for us is an evening snack ... Ice Cream!  
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​                                                                          Nov 18-Friday - Day 5
  9:30 am- 11:30 am - Board the bus and take an Area Ozark Mountains Tour with local step on guide, Omar Gibson.             
                  Our tour will include a stop Point Royal overlook, Lake Taney Como and a drive over the dam along with stories and the history                     of beautiful Ozark Mountains. We'll also make time for a drive through the College of the Ozarks making time to pick up one                   of their delicious home- made Fruitcakes.  Before we end our tour, we've included a sit down lunch at the Keeter Center in                       the College of the Ozarks Lodge. Every morsel you put in your mouth is homemade by the students....a stop you won't soon                           forget.
 
  1:00 pm- We'll board the coach and travel to the Welk Theater to see the Danny O Donnell Show. Danny's been on a sabbatical for                   the past couple of years and is now returning to Branson. We are so excited that we have tickets for his show!!! The show starts                   at 2 pm.
 
  5:00 pm- Everyone always asks us ... "What is the name of the restaurant that throws the dinner rolls?" Our reply is "Fall Creek                                    Steakhouse"!
                  Well that is where our dinner is tonight. Get ready to catch those delicious rolls on the fly.  You'll have 4 entree's to select from.
                  If we have a bit of time between dinner and our next show, we'll make a stop at the Grand Village (across from the Moon River                       Theater.
 
  8:00 pm- Curtain Call for the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular!  It truly is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at Andy's                       theater. You'll see the Lennon Sisters, the Osmond Brothers, Rick Thomas Illusionist, and many others. Andy would LOVE this                     show!!!
10:30 pm- Return to the hotel after the show.
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​                                                                      Nov 19-Saturday - Day 6
7:30 am- 8:30 am - Enjoy full breakfast. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7:30 am.
8:30 am- We'll say good-bye to Branson, MO. 
 
                We’ll make stops along the way as we wind our way northward toward Des Moines -back to the beautiful Drury Inn.
 
6:00 pm- Estimated arrival to Drury Inn  5505 Mills Civic Parkway, Des Moines, IA   # 515-457-9500    
                Tonight is at your leisure. Again....the hotel offers hot & cold buffet between 5:30-7:00 pm with complimentary cocktails. There                       are also restaurants within walking distance. This property is beautiful! It offers coffeemakers in the rooms, hairdryer, irons &                       boards, free hot and cold beverages in the lobby, indoor / outdoor heated pool and a fitness center.
​
             
​                                                                                       Nov 20 -Sunday - Day 7
7:00 - 8:00 am- Enjoy a full hot breakfast at the Drury Inn- Set your luggage outside your door at 7 am.
 
8:00 am- Board the coach and we'll begin our journey back to the Minnesota Northland.
                A stop in Owatonna at Cabella’s will be made since so many folks tell us they enjoy that stop. Here you can get lunch, paying                    on own, before continuing home. One last stop...Russell Stover’s Candy Outlet store (right nearby Cabella's) will be made                  today.  “Life really is like a box of chocolates”. 
Estimated arrivals to the various towns are as follows;
                1:30 pm-  Burnsville Mall - Applebees
                2:00 pm- Radisson Hotel in Roseville on County Rd E
                3:00 pm- North Branch; 5:15 pm to Sartell; 5:30 pm- Rice Holiday Station;  7:15 am- Little Falls Walmart; 6:30 pm to Baxter
                4:45 pm- Cloquet; 5:30 - Duluth; 6:45 pm-Eveleth; 7:15 pm- Virginia; 7:45 pm-Hibbing; 8:30 pm Grand Rapids. 
Happy Trail Tours | PO Box 432 |Forbes MN 55738 | (218) 744-4159 | toll free (800) 635-7779 | Email us 
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