There’s just about nowhere on this planet with more old-time, down-home Christmas spirit than Branson’s Silver Dollar City. No matter how many cares have piled upon you during the year, you can count on getting a hearty dose of holiday cheer just as soon as you drive onto the parking lot.
Silver Dollar City’s Yuletide celebration is called An Old Time Christmas, and the title is very apt. Prepare to be dazzled by four million lights as Silver Dollar City rolls out its brightest season ever. At night the 100-acre park is transformed into a winter wonderland, with more than 1,000 decorated trees and a musical, five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree that twinkles and dances in spectacular synchronization (6,000 light changes per minute) to Christmas carols. Even more stunning, the trees all around the Giant Christmas Tree change colors and flash on and off, too, in perfect harmony with the music.
The Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light Parade glides through twice each evening, and there are many special Christmas shows, geared to all ages. “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol” is a 60-minute Broadway-style musical production that will delight the whole family. The songs are catchy enough to set your toes to tapping, and although the performance conveys a real (and very sincere) message, there is enough humor to make the story of an old miser’s redemption go down very easily, like a spoonful of sugar.
The elaborate costuming, dramatically realistic scenery and amazing special effects will transport you to Victorian London, and the talent of the 15-member cast is almost unbelievable. I especially enjoyed the musical adaptation of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” as cast members sneered and jeered at Scrooge, who seemed blissfully unaware, toting up sums in his account book.
The Ghost of Christmas Present (played by a female actress) offers up some of the most hilarious slapstick comedy I’ve seen in ages, and had most of the audience convulsed in their seats. And I loved the sight of Bob Cratchit, sinking to the ground when Scrooge accosted him at his house on Christmas Day, brandishing a humongous turkey and exuding totally unexpected Christmas frivolity.
After watching the stellar performance, head for Molly’s Mill Restaurant for a sumptuous buffet of holiday favorites—including oven-roasted turkey and dressing, and some of the best, most flavorful fried chicken you will ever taste in your life.
It’s fun to do some Christmas shopping at Silver Dollar City, too, and the shops located near the exit to the park offer plenty of interesting choices—from adorable stuffed animals to collegiate-branded apparel. (And you might even find some can’t-live-without items to gift yourself with, too!)
Elsewhere in Branson, the Showboat Branson Belle is bedecked with holiday garlands and rocking with the incredible talent of Christopher James, magician (and emcee), world-renowned aerialist/singer/violinist/pianist Janice Martin, and The Showmen at the Encore! Christmas show through December 31. You’ll enjoy all this world-class entertainment while tucking into a delicious three-course meal and gliding serenely (via the 1890s-style paddle-wheeler) on Table Rock Lake.
Todd Oliver & Friends is a lunchtime show (which includes lunch) that the whole family will enjoy. Todd and his band, The Smiling Eyes, play original rock ‘n’ roll music and thenTodd works his ventriloquism magic onstage with his “best friends”—three ultra-cute rescued Pound Puppies (a Boston Terrier, a Westie, and a velvety-eyed Basset Hound). This has got to be the most unique show in Branson, and quite possibly the only one featuring all-original material. Todd Oliver will be appearing at the Jim Stafford Theatre through December 30, and will then be moving to The Americana Theatre in March 2012.
For convenience, ambience and hospitality, the Village at Indian Point Resort provides a home base in Branson that just can’t be beat. Its proximity to Silver Dollar City guarantees that you’ll skip some of the traffic jams of Branson while you’re driving to the park, and the condos are as luxurious as they are comfortable. After a day spent exploring Branson and Silver Dollar City, it’s so relaxing to come “home” to your condo and build a real log fire in the fireplace, swim in the indoor pool, or soak in the effervescent hot tub. Plus, the owners/managers are super-friendly, and offer that good ol’ down-home hospitality that Branson is so famous for.
THE FINE PRINT
Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas runs through December 30. Check with silverdollarcity.com for exact schedules. For information on Branson’s Christmas festivities and shows, go to exploreBranson.com.
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