What's NEW in 2011 in Branson

The arrival of 2011 brings many exciting changes to Branson and some of Branson's shows and attractions. Here's the list of things that are gone, moving or changing in some way.

As always, it's a work-in-progress, and if you discover something we don't have listed, please click here to let us know!

The most recent entries are at the TOP of this list:

• New in 2011: The Lennon Morning Show at The ICON Theater from September through December.
• New in 2011: Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay at White Water, a $3 million expansion featuring lush Polynesian jungles reminiscent of the South Pacific surrounding a river. Ride a tube along the 800-plus-foot river. New seating and new cabanas too. Opening late May.
• New in 2011: Silver Dollar City debuts the new million-dollar play area for kids, Half Dollar Holler. It has treetop fun houses and climbing nets, box crawls and slides, mini-wave swings. The centerpiece is Silver Dollar City's hand-carved Carousel with whimsical woodland creatures to ride.
• New in 2011: The Showboat Branson Belle debuts two new shows, Encore! and Funny Fiddle. The Showboat has new shows, new performers, new costumes, new sets, new menu, new staging, new lighting and new decor – the most new stuff in its 16-year history (2011 is its 16th season).
• New in 2011: Andy Williams & Ann-Margret are back together again at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre for a 6-week limited engagement.
• Moving in 2011: Tony Roi's Elvis Experience moves to the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre (previously performing at the New Americana Theatre)
• Moving in 2011: Joseph Hall's Elvis Rock & Remember Tribute moves to the New Americana Theatre (previously performing at the Historic Owens Theater in Downtown Branson; previous show name was Joseph Hall's Eras of the King)
• New in 2011: The Behind The Scenes Tour at the Sight & Sound Theatre is FREE this year. You still need to make a reservation, though, because space is limited. The shows are Noah, The Musical (closing season in 2011) and Miracle of Christmas. The free tour is at 1:00 pm on show days. (side note: the tour used to be $8/pp)
• New in 2011: Jukebox Journey performs at the new ICON Theatre.
• New in 2011: Chubby Checker performs at the new ICON Theatre in November and December only.
• Gone in 2011: The Keatings are not in Branson this season. The father-son duo were previously at the Hamner Barber Theatre.
• Moving in 2011: The World Famous Platters move to the new ICON Theatre - Branson's newest Dinner theater (previously performing at the Starlite Theatre). Also new, the Platters perform a New Year's Eve Show on December 31, 2011 at 2:00 pm.
• New in 2011: Black Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Lampe kicks off the 2011 season with Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top in May and Larry the Cable Guy in August. More shows to be announced.
• Closing in 2011: This is the 4th and FINAL season for Noah, The Musical in Branson at the Sight & Sound Theatre. Final season runs March 26 through October 15, 2011.
• New in 2011: Paul Harris Show featuring The Cleverlys at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre. Shows are May 6 through December 11, 2011; plus a New Year's Eve Show at 9:00 pm on December 31, 2011.
• New in 2011: A Christmas Snow - LIVE comes to the Starlite Theatre in November. The critically-acclaimed film will be expertly adapted for the stage and features the original all-star cast, Muse Watson and Catherine Mary Stewart LIVE on-stage in their roles from the movie.
• New in 2011: Impressionist Jeff Brandt joins the Dalena Ditto Show (previously in the Penney Gilley Show).
• Moving in 2011: The Osmonds move to the Caravelle Theater (previously at Yakov's Theatre). The Osmonds are joined by The Tinocos and The Thomas Brothers.
• Moving in 2011: The Rankin Brothers move to the Mickey Gilley Theatre (previously at the Caravelle Theatre)
• New in 2011: Yakov's Dinner Adventure at the Yakov What A Country! Theatre debuts in March. The show was previously called Yakov's Moscow Circus Dinner Experience. In 2011, it has a new name and a new dinner menu – and the Dancing Russian Bears are back in the show for 26 weeks of the season.
• New in 2011: Whispering Bill Anderson performs 2 shows only in September at the RFD-TV Theatre.
• Moving in 2011: Barbara Fairchild's FREE Sunday Morning Worship Service moves to Music City Centre (previously at the Starlite Theatre)
• Back to the stage in 2011: Mickey Gilley! (need we say more?)
• New in 2011: Hooray For Hollywood at the Branson Variety Theatre. In November and December, the show changes to the grand holiday production Hollywood's Christmas Spectacular!
• Gone in 2011 Broadway! The Star Spangled Celebration retires. It was at the Branson Variety Theatre.
• Gone in 2011: Spirit of the Dance ends its 13-year run to go on a world-wide tour. It was at the Branson Variety Theatre.
• Gone in 2011: Penny Gilley Show with Jeff Brandt is not likely to have on-going shows in 2011; it had a great 4-year run.
• Gone in 2011: Country Tonite show has ended its 15-year Branson run.
• Back to the stage in 2011: Red Skelton: A Tribute By Tom Mullica is back in 2011! Tom Mullica was unable to perform in 2010 due to being diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (blood and bone marrow cancer). His recovery included a stem cell transplant in July 2010. His "Welcome Back" show is April 16, 2011 at 8:00 pm. The rest of his season is at 10:00 am.
• New in 2011: The 3 Redneck Tenors perform a full 32-week season at The Mansion Theatre
• New in 2011: Tim Conway & Friends at The Mansion Theatre (two shows only)
• New in 2011: Charlie Daniels Band at The Mansion Theatre (one show only)
• New in 2011: Sawyer Brown at The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre (one show only)
• New in 2011: The Welk Resort Theatre presents two new shows, Lee Greenwood and Louise Mandrell (September and October) and Tony Orlando's Great American Christmas Show (November and December)
• Moving in 2011: Doug Gabriel moves to Music City Centre (previously at the Jim Stafford Theatre)
• Closing in 2011: After 9 magnificent seasons in Branson, The Magnificent Variety Show is not returning in 2011. The show's creators and stars can still be found performing in the Osmonds Show this season. We wish all the best to The Tinocos, Joe, Tamra and Talya, and their cast, band and crew!
• New in 2011: Clay Cooper Country Music Express has a New Year's Eve show on December 31 at 9:00 pm (full 2011 schedule here). Here's the list of Branson New Year's Eve Shows in 2011.
• Moving in 2011: The Dalena Ditto Show moves to the Hamner-Barber Theatre (previously at the Tri Lakes Center).
• New in 2011: Heavy Metal High Rise, a state-of-the-art steel & concrete 4-story go-kart ride opening at The Track 4 (3345 West Highway 76). The theme: rock 'n roll. The ride: spiral up four stories, and zoom down a three-tiered slope back to the ground in either a twin-engine, single-rider go-kart or a double-rider go-kart. The Track 3 (2505 West Highway 76) is also making the Classic Track even better featuring a road course-style with tighter and higher banked curves. There will be more turns, as well as more elevation changes throughout the riding experience. Plus a bigger guest building for more arcade games and indoor activities.
• New in 2011: Promenade of Ice – A limited engagement Ice Skating Rink at The Branson Landing from January 1 through February 15, 2011. Find it at the Town Square in front of the 50' Christmas Tree House. Skate rental available.
• New in 2011: Dick's Old Time 5 & 10 in Downtown Branson celebrates 50 years of nostalgia & fun...still family owned and operated.
• Moving in 2011: The Todd Oliver & Friends show moves to the Jim Stafford Theatre (previously the featured performer on the Showstoppers show on the Showboat Branson Belle)