Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas
with Johnny Mathis
November 16-22, 2017
Your SEVEN Day Holiday Tour to Branson Includes:
Motor Coach Transportation: Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, Eveleth, Duluth & Cloquet & North Branch PLUS Sartell, Little Falls, Rice & Baxter and Burnsville
Six Nights Lodging: Two in Des Moines @ the Drury Inn (Pre Night & Post Night)
Four Nights at the Holiday Inn Express. Located on the 76 Boulevard nearby shopping, theaters and the Grand Shopping Center
Danny O' Donnell; Shoji Tabuchi; the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular (with the Osmond Brothers, the Lennon Sisters); The Titanic Dance & the Titanic Museum; The Miracle of Christmas at the Sights & Sounds Theater.
Christmas on the Trail Tram Drive Thru Light Display
Old Downtown; Branson Landing, Grand Village, Imax Entertainment Center and an Ozark Mountain Area Tour
13 Meals: Seven Breakfasts, Four Dinners; One Lunch (Including a Cocktail / Hot Appetizer / Food Buffet at the Drury Inn)
Russell Stover Candy Store; Luggage Handling, Taxes, Tips & Fully Guided with a Happy Trails Host
Motor Coach Transportation: Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, Eveleth, Duluth & Cloquet & North Branch PLUS Sartell, Little Falls, Rice & Baxter and Burnsville
Six Nights Lodging: Two in Des Moines @ the Drury Inn (Pre Night & Post Night)
Four Nights at the Holiday Inn Express. Located on the 76 Boulevard nearby shopping, theaters and the Grand Shopping Center
Danny O' Donnell; Shoji Tabuchi; the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular (with the Osmond Brothers, the Lennon Sisters); The Titanic Dance & the Titanic Museum; The Miracle of Christmas at the Sights & Sounds Theater.
Christmas on the Trail Tram Drive Thru Light Display
Old Downtown; Branson Landing, Grand Village, Imax Entertainment Center and an Ozark Mountain Area Tour
13 Meals: Seven Breakfasts, Four Dinners; One Lunch (Including a Cocktail / Hot Appetizer / Food Buffet at the Drury Inn)
Russell Stover Candy Store; Luggage Handling, Taxes, Tips & Fully Guided with a Happy Trails Host
Deposits and Final Payment Due Date: $125 per person deposit is due with each reservation and is non-refundable after September 1, 2017 Final balance due: October 1, 2017. Cancellations: Money returned with cancellations between September 1-October 1, 2017 are contingent upon what Happy Trails Tours can retrieve back from hotels, charters, theaters, restaurants, etc. No refunds with cancellations made after October 10, 2017. 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.
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.
Things to Know Before You Go on Branson Tour - November 16-22, 2017
Cost: $ 1199 PP Double; $1129 PP Triple; $ 1089 PP Quad; $ 1499 Single Occupancy
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.
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.
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.
At the time this tour is being planned, many shows in Branson have not confirmed specifics on time and place of performance. Watch for revisions.
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.
Things to Know Before You Go on Branson Tour - November 16-22, 2017
Cost: $ 1199 PP Double; $1129 PP Triple; $ 1089 PP Quad; $ 1499 Single Occupancy
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.
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.
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.
At the time this tour is being planned, many shows in Branson have not confirmed specifics on time and place of performance. Watch for revisions.
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.
Nov 16th - Thursday - Day 1
This tour includes boarding in towns throughout the state of MN with our bus charter company, Trobecs of St Stephens, MN.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Boarding: Below is a prliminary boarding list that we used the previous year
As we see where folks are from ad how many sign up, we will update this scedule about a month prior to departure. Thank you.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Boarding: Below is a prliminary boarding list that we used the previous year
As we see where folks are from ad how many sign up, we will update this scedule about a month prior to departure. Thank you.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Northeast Minnesota: Trobec Motor Coach will bring the main motor coach up the Rapids to begin our trip.
_____5:30 am -Grand Rapids Sawmill Inn on Hwy 169 _____6:15 am- Hibbing Park Hotel
_____6:45 am- Virginia Village Inn _____7:00 am- Eveleth Super Eight (East Parking Lot)
8:00-9:00- Arrive to Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall Restaurant for breakfast, paying on own.
_____8:45 am- Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall _____9:25 am- Cloquet Perkins Restaurant
Central Minnesota: Trobec Bus driver will provide shuttle transportation by motor coach (There are 19 boarding from Central MN)
Trobecs will offer a warm welcome to all of you. From here you will travel south to Burnsville to meet your tour manager & group. Your tour manager will be on the coach coming from the northeast. If you should arrive BEFORE the other bus, please feel free to go inside the Burnsville Mall and have your lunch. Kindly meet at 1:15 pm at the entrance by Applebees (where you were dropped off). Your tour manager will be watching for you there.
___10:00 am - Rice Holiday Station
___10:20 am - AmericInn - (Sartell- 19 Le Sauk Dr.)Our friends from Central MN will meet the Happy Trails group in Burnsville
___12:00 pm- Estimated arrival for both bus groups to the Burnsville Mall - Applebees Entrance
(This stop offers a good variety of restaurants to choose from...Panera Bread, Food Court on lower level, Applebees and more.)
1:15 pm- Re-board the coach and continue on to Des Moines, Iowa.
2:45 pm- A mid-afternoon coffee and comfort stop will be made at the MN / IA boarder at the "Top of Iowa"
We'll stay here about 1/2 hour and then we'll continue on our way.
5:45 pm- Estimated arrival to Wildwood Inn 11431 Forest Avenue, Clive, IA # 515-515-222-9876
This hotel property offers a warm north woods decor and an even warmer welcome! The rooms also feature coffeemakers in the rooms, hairdryer, irons & boards, free hot and cold beverages in the lobby, indoor heated pool and a fitness center and free wi-fi.. We'll take you out for dinner tonight, included.
Nov 17th - Friday- 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.
3:30 pm- Estimated arrival to Branson: Holiday Inn Express - 1970 W Highway 76, Branson, MO # 417-336-1100
We’ll settle into this wonderful property. The Holiday Inn is newly renovated property offering all new rooms with all inside corridors. These rooms also have 2 queen beds (kings for couples unless otherwise specified) & pillow top mattresses, coffeemakers, irons & ironing boards and hairdryers. (Very nice property). They also serve a nice breakfast each morning in their breakfast room.
4:30 pm- Enjoy a nice Buffet Dinner at the Grand Buffet Restaurant (just across the street from our hotel)
This is an amazing buffet with hundreds of items to choose from. There's something for everyone.
6:00 pm- Board the coach and we'll travel to Shoji Tabuchi's Theater.
7:30 pm- We'll take our seats for the Shoji's Christmas Show.
Just what is the Shoji Tabuchi Show that everyone loving American music is raving about? At its heart is Branson USA's first family of extraordinary musical entertainment....Shoji Tabuchi, his beautiful wife Dorothy and delightful daughter Christina. The family that plays, sings, and dances encompasses all the wholesome values of truly great family entertainment. Yet the show rivals the pure excitement of Las Vegas or New York. It's been some years since we've seen his show and it may be his last year in Branson so we didn't want to miss it this year. Enjoy.
9:30 pm- The Shoji Show concludes.
Nov 18th- Saturday - Day 3
7:00 - 9:30 am Enjoy breakfast served at the hotel.
9:30 am- Board the coach. We'll begin another new day in Branson, Missouri!
10:00 - 12:00 pm- Arrive to the Grand Village - Here you'll enjoy time shopping and lunch a 11 am @ Mel's Hard Luck Diner, included.
12:00 pm- Re-board the coach. Time permitting, on our way to the Welk Theater, we'll make a quick stop at the Branson Craft Mall.
1:15 pm- Arrive to the Welk Theater and get our seats for the 2 pm matinee of Danny O Donnell's Show.
After Danny's sabbatical, he came back to Branson last year. His show has always been wonderful, but our group couldn't believe the difference in his show. We are quite sure you'll be just as excited to see him perform.
5:30 pm- Dinner at the Fall Creek Steak House 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.
6:45 pm- Let's board the coach and travel to the Sights and Sounds Theater.
7:30 pm- Curtain Call for "The Miracle of Christmas"
The smells of Christmas will fill the air as you interact with a living nativity featuring actors in authentic costume and live animals. The theater is brilliantly decked out in holiday attire with lights, greenery, and a thirty foot tall Christmas tree. You will watch the story of Jesus the Messiah taking human form unfold on the stage. Again.... here is another much requested show for the new Branson 2017 year! Enjoy
Nov 19th- Sunday - Day 4
7:00 -8:45 am- Breakfast is served at the Inn. Help yourselves.
8:30 am- Board the coach and we'll make our way through the Ozark Mountains with our good friend and tour 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.
11:00 am- 12:00 pm - Lunch break (Venue to be announced)
12:30 - 2:00 pm- We'll bring you to the Titanic Museum's Winter Wonderland Holiday Display
3:00 pm- Settle in for an amazing story put to music as it tells the dramatic event of the Titanic - "Titanic Dance". This show has been requested by many as the reviews are fabulous. Telling the story of the world’s most famous ship from its beginning in the Belfast shipyard to its tragic end in the Atlantic Ocean, “Titanic Dance” embarks on an emotional journey of hope, aspiration, love, heartbreak and sadness that has left audiences wanting more and bringing them to their feet. A cast of 30 world class Irish dancers and musicians set the scene for a breath-taking romantic performance that is led and choreographed by principal dancer and creative director, Raymond Sweeney. Sweeney brings a wealth of experience to "Titanic Dance", having performed with Michael Flatley’s ground-breaking hit, Lord Of The Dance, for over fifteen years.
6:00 pm- Dinner, included - Pasghetti's Italian Restaurant.
7:30 pm- "Trail of the Lights" with Inspiration Tower - This is a pretty amazing light display - Note: It lasts about 45 minutes on an open air tram.
9:00 pm- Once the show concludes, we'll return to the Holiday Inn Express.
Nov 20-Monday - Day 5
7:00 -9:30 am- Breakfast is served at the Inn. Help yourselves.
9:30 am- 12:00 am - We'll bring folks to the Old Downtown and Branson Landing areas to explore as per your own agenda.
Just across from the Holiday Inn is the Grand Country Music Hall and Entertainment Center where they offer restaurants, pizzeria, theater, miniature golf and shopping and military museum.
12:00 - 3:00 pm- Open Afternoon -
3:30 pm- Board the bus and take the Imax Entertainment Center.
Branson's Imax Entertainment Center is a fun one-stop place. There's great food, an Imax Theater, and several venues where you can do some shopping.
5:00 pm- Dinner, McFarlain's Restaurant (Several entrees to select from)
6:30 pm- Re-board the coach. Travel to the Moon River Theater for the Christmas Extravaganza.
8:00 pm - Show Time! Settle in for an amazing show. Even though Andy W has passed away, his show is still one of the best in Branson!
It truly is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at Andy's theater. You'll see the Lennon Sisters, the Osmond Brothers and others.
10:00 pm- Return to the hotel after the show.
Nov 21-Tuesday- 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 22 -Wednesday - 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.
On our way.... we'll make a stop at the .Russell Stover’s Candy Outlet store. “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; 6:45 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.
_____5:30 am -Grand Rapids Sawmill Inn on Hwy 169 _____6:15 am- Hibbing Park Hotel
_____6:45 am- Virginia Village Inn _____7:00 am- Eveleth Super Eight (East Parking Lot)
8:00-9:00- Arrive to Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall Restaurant for breakfast, paying on own.
_____8:45 am- Duluth Perkins Miller Hill Mall _____9:25 am- Cloquet Perkins Restaurant
Central Minnesota: Trobec Bus driver will provide shuttle transportation by motor coach (There are 19 boarding from Central MN)
Trobecs will offer a warm welcome to all of you. From here you will travel south to Burnsville to meet your tour manager & group. Your tour manager will be on the coach coming from the northeast. If you should arrive BEFORE the other bus, please feel free to go inside the Burnsville Mall and have your lunch. Kindly meet at 1:15 pm at the entrance by Applebees (where you were dropped off). Your tour manager will be watching for you there.
___10:00 am - Rice Holiday Station
___10:20 am - AmericInn - (Sartell- 19 Le Sauk Dr.)Our friends from Central MN will meet the Happy Trails group in Burnsville
___12:00 pm- Estimated arrival for both bus groups to the Burnsville Mall - Applebees Entrance
(This stop offers a good variety of restaurants to choose from...Panera Bread, Food Court on lower level, Applebees and more.)
1:15 pm- Re-board the coach and continue on to Des Moines, Iowa.
2:45 pm- A mid-afternoon coffee and comfort stop will be made at the MN / IA boarder at the "Top of Iowa"
We'll stay here about 1/2 hour and then we'll continue on our way.
5:45 pm- Estimated arrival to Wildwood Inn 11431 Forest Avenue, Clive, IA # 515-515-222-9876
This hotel property offers a warm north woods decor and an even warmer welcome! The rooms also feature coffeemakers in the rooms, hairdryer, irons & boards, free hot and cold beverages in the lobby, indoor heated pool and a fitness center and free wi-fi.. We'll take you out for dinner tonight, included.
Nov 17th - Friday- 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.
3:30 pm- Estimated arrival to Branson: Holiday Inn Express - 1970 W Highway 76, Branson, MO # 417-336-1100
We’ll settle into this wonderful property. The Holiday Inn is newly renovated property offering all new rooms with all inside corridors. These rooms also have 2 queen beds (kings for couples unless otherwise specified) & pillow top mattresses, coffeemakers, irons & ironing boards and hairdryers. (Very nice property). They also serve a nice breakfast each morning in their breakfast room.
4:30 pm- Enjoy a nice Buffet Dinner at the Grand Buffet Restaurant (just across the street from our hotel)
This is an amazing buffet with hundreds of items to choose from. There's something for everyone.
6:00 pm- Board the coach and we'll travel to Shoji Tabuchi's Theater.
7:30 pm- We'll take our seats for the Shoji's Christmas Show.
Just what is the Shoji Tabuchi Show that everyone loving American music is raving about? At its heart is Branson USA's first family of extraordinary musical entertainment....Shoji Tabuchi, his beautiful wife Dorothy and delightful daughter Christina. The family that plays, sings, and dances encompasses all the wholesome values of truly great family entertainment. Yet the show rivals the pure excitement of Las Vegas or New York. It's been some years since we've seen his show and it may be his last year in Branson so we didn't want to miss it this year. Enjoy.
9:30 pm- The Shoji Show concludes.
Nov 18th- Saturday - Day 3
7:00 - 9:30 am Enjoy breakfast served at the hotel.
9:30 am- Board the coach. We'll begin another new day in Branson, Missouri!
10:00 - 12:00 pm- Arrive to the Grand Village - Here you'll enjoy time shopping and lunch a 11 am @ Mel's Hard Luck Diner, included.
12:00 pm- Re-board the coach. Time permitting, on our way to the Welk Theater, we'll make a quick stop at the Branson Craft Mall.
1:15 pm- Arrive to the Welk Theater and get our seats for the 2 pm matinee of Danny O Donnell's Show.
After Danny's sabbatical, he came back to Branson last year. His show has always been wonderful, but our group couldn't believe the difference in his show. We are quite sure you'll be just as excited to see him perform.
5:30 pm- Dinner at the Fall Creek Steak House 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.
6:45 pm- Let's board the coach and travel to the Sights and Sounds Theater.
7:30 pm- Curtain Call for "The Miracle of Christmas"
The smells of Christmas will fill the air as you interact with a living nativity featuring actors in authentic costume and live animals. The theater is brilliantly decked out in holiday attire with lights, greenery, and a thirty foot tall Christmas tree. You will watch the story of Jesus the Messiah taking human form unfold on the stage. Again.... here is another much requested show for the new Branson 2017 year! Enjoy
Nov 19th- Sunday - Day 4
7:00 -8:45 am- Breakfast is served at the Inn. Help yourselves.
8:30 am- Board the coach and we'll make our way through the Ozark Mountains with our good friend and tour 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.
11:00 am- 12:00 pm - Lunch break (Venue to be announced)
12:30 - 2:00 pm- We'll bring you to the Titanic Museum's Winter Wonderland Holiday Display
3:00 pm- Settle in for an amazing story put to music as it tells the dramatic event of the Titanic - "Titanic Dance". This show has been requested by many as the reviews are fabulous. Telling the story of the world’s most famous ship from its beginning in the Belfast shipyard to its tragic end in the Atlantic Ocean, “Titanic Dance” embarks on an emotional journey of hope, aspiration, love, heartbreak and sadness that has left audiences wanting more and bringing them to their feet. A cast of 30 world class Irish dancers and musicians set the scene for a breath-taking romantic performance that is led and choreographed by principal dancer and creative director, Raymond Sweeney. Sweeney brings a wealth of experience to "Titanic Dance", having performed with Michael Flatley’s ground-breaking hit, Lord Of The Dance, for over fifteen years.
6:00 pm- Dinner, included - Pasghetti's Italian Restaurant.
7:30 pm- "Trail of the Lights" with Inspiration Tower - This is a pretty amazing light display - Note: It lasts about 45 minutes on an open air tram.
9:00 pm- Once the show concludes, we'll return to the Holiday Inn Express.
Nov 20-Monday - Day 5
7:00 -9:30 am- Breakfast is served at the Inn. Help yourselves.
9:30 am- 12:00 am - We'll bring folks to the Old Downtown and Branson Landing areas to explore as per your own agenda.
Just across from the Holiday Inn is the Grand Country Music Hall and Entertainment Center where they offer restaurants, pizzeria, theater, miniature golf and shopping and military museum.
12:00 - 3:00 pm- Open Afternoon -
3:30 pm- Board the bus and take the Imax Entertainment Center.
Branson's Imax Entertainment Center is a fun one-stop place. There's great food, an Imax Theater, and several venues where you can do some shopping.
5:00 pm- Dinner, McFarlain's Restaurant (Several entrees to select from)
6:30 pm- Re-board the coach. Travel to the Moon River Theater for the Christmas Extravaganza.
8:00 pm - Show Time! Settle in for an amazing show. Even though Andy W has passed away, his show is still one of the best in Branson!
It truly is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at Andy's theater. You'll see the Lennon Sisters, the Osmond Brothers and others.
10:00 pm- Return to the hotel after the show.
Nov 21-Tuesday- 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 22 -Wednesday - 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.
On our way.... we'll make a stop at the .Russell Stover’s Candy Outlet store. “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; 6:45 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.