Branson 2024

Ozark Mountain Christmas

November 11-16

 

     Experience the magic of an Ozark Mountain Christmas with Laura and Gary Block, November 11-16, 2024.  All of Branson sparkles for the holidays, from fabulous Christmas shows and dazzling lights, to spectacular and breathtaking scenic beauty.  Branson can be a special gift to you or to someone else at this festive time of year.  Six days, five nights and lots of entertainment in Branson. Once again, this year we’ve included loads of meals with two lunches, five dinners, five breakfasts, seven big shows, and more surprises that help make up an unbelievable week of fun and entertainment. In fact, all of the meals while you’re in Branson are included. Compare our trip with other companies and you’ll find we offer more…more days, more entertainment and more meals…and a more reasonable price. We’re up front where you’ll be seated in the theaters and which hotels you’ll be staying at.  Not all tour companies do that, but we do!!  This just may be one of the best Branson trips we’ve ever offered!! 

Day One - Monday

     Our North Star Coach departs from Little Falls early in the morning. We’ll pick up in Royalton, Rice, St. Cloud, the Twin Cities or any other locations on our route.  Our destination is the Drury Inn, Kansas City, MO for our overnight stay. The 5:30 Kickback with a rotating menu of hot food and cold beverages will be waiting for us when we arrive.  Plus, there’s free evening sodas and popcorn in the lobby.    

Day Two - Tuesday

     The day begins with a hot breakfast buffet.  “Hot” means sausage and eggs, not bread and a toaster!  Choose from scrambled eggs, sausage, Belgian waffles, biscuits, gravy and more. This morning, we travel to Branson, Missouri.  Lunch is on our own today, before we arrive in Branson and The Mansion Theatre for the Daniel O’Donnell Show.  Daniel brings his smash hits to Branson in 2024 for a very limited engagement.  This afternoon’s extravaganza is a must-see performance that features Daniel’s iconic blend of country, Irish Folk and a Christmas song or two. We ordered our tickets almost a year and a half ago and the demand has been huge since his shows are limited to only a few afternoons. We feel lucky to even obtain seats for this show and our seats begin in row P on the left side.  We’ll check into Branson’s Best for the next three evenings We have stayed at this property for a number of years and we were impressed overall, especially the service.  Branson’s Best is centrally located, locally owned with exterior corridors and known for its friendliness and cleanliness.  It is rated #7 of 133 hotels in Branson by TripAdvisor. There’s more fun, dining and shopping at our next stop which is at the Branson Craft Mall and Pickin’ Porch Grill.  This is the craft mall that has it all!  Thousands of handmade items, the work of creative and imaginative artisans is on display.  These artists hail from all over America, but you’ll also see many items that are staples of the Ozark Mountain region in this 16,000 square foot facility.  Also at the same location is the Hillbilly Nut & Fruit Company, offering a large variety of fruits and nuts as well as jams, jellies, salsas, soup mixes and local honey.  Don’t forget to visit the Branson Coffee Company and the Branson Fudge Company where they have free samples of the candy.  Dinner tonight is in the same building, The Pickin’ Porch Grill.  Enjoy one of the entrees, including pulled pork, single cheeseburger, turkey melt, chicken salad sandwich or a choice of grilled chicken, crispy chicken or chicken-salad salad. To top off our evening, there are nightly desserts of hot cobbler, ice cream and fresh-baked cookies served in the dining area of Branson’s Best for us to enjoy. To top off our evening, there are nightly desserts of hot cobbler, ice cream and fresh-baked cookies served in the dining area of Branson’s Best for us to enjoy. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, so an evening of relaxation will be appreciated.   

Day Three - Wednesday

     We’ll start off the day with the hot breakfast that includes eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, waffles, cereals and more. What a day of entertainment this is going to be. We begin in the morning with Dalena Ditto’s Country Evolution at the Hughes Brothers Theater.  “Country Evolution” is the first of its kind in Branson. It’s a live documentary of sorts, taking you back to the humble beginnings where country music began and brings you up to date on the incredible lives of those singers and songwriters who pour their heart and soul into telling the American story, one song at a time.  Sixty country music legends, their songs and stories.  Hear incredible life events and music of Jimmy Rogers, the Carter family, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, The Judds, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks and more.  Join Branson’s three-time “Female Entertainer of the Year” Dalena Ditto and her award-winning band “The Boys” as they perform the hit songs and tell the epic stories of a uniquely American platform called country music. Our center section seats begin in the tenth row. Following the show, it’s an included lunch where you can dine like a celebrity inside the Hughes Bros. Theatre.  Relax and enjoy your full course scrumptious meal served at tabletop seating in the balcony. This afternoon’s entertainment will be “The Texas Tenors” and “Deep in the Heart of Christmas”. “The Texas Tenors” return for their 11th award-winning year in Branson for a special limited engagement of this holiday favorite.  They are the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of “America’s Got Talent”.  The Tenors tour the world, but always include Branson at the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre. This is a sensational show designed to bring out that feeling of a traditional family Christmas.  The amazing vocals of the Tenors with that incredible harmony sounds extra fabulous during the holidays.  The show delivers a family holiday feel, visual elements and effects, as well as singers, dancers and delightfully magical characters have been added to appeal to the youngest fan as well as the oldest.  Our seats begin in Row 10, center section. Dinner tonight is at the Grand Country Buffet with time to shop after your meal in the Grand County Mall.  This evening we’ll be entertained by Clay Cooper where our seats begin in the 4th row on the right side. The Clay Cooper Theatre celebrates an Ozark Mountain Christmas that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.  Not only is the show fun and festive, it’s also full of amazing talent.  As described by Clay, the show is “just real people, havin’ a good time!” This will be a day exceeding your entertainment expectations. Desserts will be available at Branson’s Best this evening.

Day Four - Thursday

     We’ll start our final full day in Branson with the breakfast at Branson’s Best.  What a day of entertainment this is going to be, once again.  We start the morning with your choice of attractions.  Choose from going to Downtown Branson which is a district of its own encompassing the Historic Downtown district with several hundred businesses and Branson Landing.  Or, if you wish, head out of town, to the College of the Ozarks, located just outside of Branson.  Enjoy the Gaetz Tractor Museum which features a variety of antique tractors and farm equipment.  Noteworthy items to check out included a gray Wallis from 1918 and a reaper produced in 1910.  It’s going to be an unforgettable afternoon with a lunch cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle.  Relax and unwind while enjoying amazing sightseeing opportunities along the sparkling Table Rock Lake.  Created to bring back the good ole days of paddle wheel boats to the Ozarks in 1994.  The vessel towers over the lake at an astounding 112 feet tall.  Its two twin paddle wheels span a length of 16 feet wide and 24 feet in diameter.  At a length of 278 feet, it can accommodate up to 700 passengers and weighs an incredible 2,500,000 pounds.  The main show is a variety performance with everything from comedy, magic, music and dancing.  With an extremely talented live band and performers creating a journey through decades of music from the 60’s to modern country music.  We’ll be seated in the center section beginning in Row 4. While you’re enjoying the show, you’ll also be able to enjoy a delicious meal.  After the show and meal, head to the upper deck and take in the view. Grand Country Music Hall is home to the best entertainment in Branson. Our mid-afternoon show is back by popular demand, Branson’s Best Quartet, New South, sings all your gospel favorites. This two-hour Southern Gospel extravaganza takes you from the early roots of southern gospel to the hand-clapping gospel hits of today.  From the Jordanaires to the Gaithers, this show leaves you walking a little higher. Tonight enjoy an experience reminiscent of dinner at Grandma’s house at the Grand Country Buffet with slow-roasted roast, salads, fresh bake breads and desserts. Have we saved the best for last?  You make that decision.  Our final show is the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, 16 times awarded the Best Christmas Show in Branson. The Hughes Brothers and family transport you to a Christmas Wonderland filled with the season’s best vocal harmonies, exciting dances, inspiring instrumentals, and of course, the enchantments and light-hearted humor that everyone loves about the Hughes Brother’s fun.  Along with all the festive surprises and family traditions, see Santa in a new light when he explains the symbols of Christmas in the best presentation you’ve ever witnessed. Our seats begin in the 10th row on the right side. It’s been a busy day and a relaxing night at Branson’s Best is something we’ll look forward to.  And if you’re still hungry, there’s always dessert waiting for you!!

Day Five – Friday

     Breakfast is at the hotel this morning and then it is back on the road as we head north through Missouri and into Iowa.  We’ll stop for lunch on our own, visit the Osceola Cheese House and have some fun on the coach.  Our home tonight is the Drury Inn in West Des Moines, Iowa.  Dinner is included with the 5:30 Kickback with hot food and cold beverages. After a day of traveling, this beautiful Drury Inn will provide a comfortable place to relax and unwind. 

Day Six - Saturday

     Our final day together begins with a delicious breakfast at the Drury Inn as we prepare for our last day together.  Choose where you’d like to have lunch on your own today, Famous Daves BBQ or other choices in Owatonna.  Before we leave town, we’ll stop at the Russell Stover Candies store featuring a full selection of boxed candies and chocolates. This is an outstanding Ozark Mountain Christmas trip. A great time is almost a guarantee and you’ll have pleasant memories for many years in the future.

 

 

This is a one-of-a-kind six day/five nights Branson holiday getaway at a great price that includes seven shows, two lunches, five dinners, five hot breakfast buffets and some of the best seats in the theaters. The Branson tradition continues and we would love it if you joined us November 11-16, 2024       

 

 

Cost:      $929 Double occupancy per person

$849 Triple occupancy per person

$789 Quad occupancy per person

$12299 Single occupancy 

 

$250 non-refundable deposit per person will reserve your spot and must be mailed within 3 days of signing up, unless previous arrangements have been made. Deposit is refundable if tour is canceled or if a replacement is found when you cancel.  Balance is due October 10, 2024. An itinerary with all pertinent information and times, along with luggage tags and emergency forms will be mailed a couple of weeks before the trip!

 

 

Gary Block Tours

320-632-8632

mgaryblock@hotmail.com                www.garyblocktours.com

 

 

 

 

   

Ø  Comfortable North Star Coaches motor coach transportation

Ø  Experienced and friendly driver

Ø  All meals are included while we’re in Branson, including the Pickin’ Porch

Ø  Daniel O’Donnell at The Mansion Theater (Reserved seats beginning with Row P on the left side)

Ø  Dalena Ditto’s Country Evolution (Reserved seats beginning in Row 10 Center Section)

Ø  Texas Tenors – Deep in the Heart of Christmas (Reserved seats beginning in Row 10 Center Section)

Ø  Clay Cooper’s Ozark Mountain Christmas Show (Reserved seats beginning in Row 4 on the right side)

Ø  Showboat Branson Belle – Lunch & Show

Ø  New South Gospel Show (Reserved seats beginning in Row 5 Center Section)

Ø  Hughes Brother Christmas Show (Reserved seats beginning in Row 10 on the right side)

Ø  College of the Ozarks Tractor Museum or shopping in Historic Downtown Branson

Ø  One night lodging at Drury Inn Kansas City Airport, Kansas City, MO

Ø  Three nights lodging – Branson’s Best – Branson, MO

Ø  One night lodging at the Drury Inn – West Des Moines, IA

Ø  Osceola Cheese House

Ø  Russell Stover Candies - Owatonna, MN

Ø  Two lunches  

Ø  Five dinners

Ø  Five hot breakfast buffets

Ø  Shopping opportunities in Branson

Ø  Luggage handling

Ø  Refreshments and snacks on coach

Ø  Fun - Games - Prizes

Ø  Hosted by Laura & Gary Block

 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Transportation and lodging hosted by Gary Block Tours is arranged with independent firms.  Bookings for entertainment are arranged through independent hotels, theatres and other entertainment venues.  We take great pride in our selection of reliable firms.  However, we do not control these independent firms.  Sometimes shows or celebrity appearances are changed or cancelled without notice.  We cannot be responsible for claims or losses arising out of injury, Covid, accident, death, loss of enjoyment, frustration or inconvenience that arises from the act or omission of any independent firm supplying services to Gary Block Tours, or for mechanical breakdowns, governmental actions, acts of God, strikes or acts of war beyond our control.  We cannot be responsible for the consequences of your failure to follow instructions, including but not limited to check in, check out and baggage handling.  If events or reservations are cancelled or changed, we will make every effort to provide a comparable substitute tour experience. 

Deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled or we’re able to replace you. I have read and understand the Cancellation and Refund Policy notice. All participants of this trip must sign below.

 

Return with payment to:  Gary Block Tours, 112 SE 4th Street, Little Falls, MN  56345

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Circle one(s) that you’ll be attending: Tractor Museum or shopping in Historic Downtown Branson

 

                                                 Branson 2024