Big Family Holiday Vacation!
If you’re part of a big family you know how hard traveling can be at times. We love going on vacation with our six kids (ages 25, 22, 20, 7, 4 and 4.) We also have an amazing daughter-in-law, and two grandkids (ages 3 and 1). Big family vacations can be big fun, if you know where to look!
There is one challenge that comes with big family vacations: Finding activities where everyone enjoys themselves. Recently, we had the perfect vacation in Branson. We found a great place to stay and the perfect big family activities!
Welk Resort, Branson
Big Family Friendly Resort
Often when we’re traveling to Branson we go from show to activity to meal, and we barely have time to enjoy our hotel or resort. When I asked my husband John what he wanted to do on our family vacation he told me, “Find a nice resort and enjoy it.” We did exactly that!
Welk Resort Branson is near Tablerock Lake, within three miles of the 76 Strip and 8 miles from Silver Dollar City.
The rooms were comfortable and inviting. The staff was helpful, and they had the best breakfast buffet we’ve every had at a hotel: eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, and so much more.
There was miniature golf and awesome activities for families to participate in, like s’mores, tie dying, crafts, and games. We stayed two nights, but we could have stayed a week without getting bored.
The best part, though, was the indoor Splashatorium. It had an indoor/outdoor pool, an indoor waterslide, hot tubs, and outside water toys for kids. You should have see the kids’ eyes when we walked into the Splashatorium! They were ready for serious fun.
If you travel with a big family you know it’s hard to find activities that everyone can enjoy. With the hot tub, waterslides, and outside activities, no one got bored here.
The Welk Resort also has Special Packages for the holidays. For one low price you can get hotel reservations, meals, and tickets to some of your favorite shows.
Sight and Sound Theater
If your big family only has time to see one thing in Branson, check out Jonah at the Sight and Sound Theater. We’ve been to Disneyworld and Epcot. We’ve been to horse shows and theme parks, but our family puts Sight and Sound theater at the top of our favorites list.
First of all, we love dramatic presentations of the Bible. For fifteen years our family “acted out” the Bible for children’s church. Yet the Jonah presentation was over the top! The sets were amazing. The details blew our mind. And the actors did a fantastic job!
If you travel with a big family you know how hard it is to find an activity that everyone can enjoy. In Branson this means no fancy shows or comedians. Instead we try to find things that the littlest ones can do, and we make that out fun.
Yet at the Sight and Sound Theater, everyone fully enjoyed it. We talked about it in the car after the show, at the hotel, on the on the way home. I guarantee if I were to ask all the crew, from ages 3 to 47 years old if they’d like to go back and see it again, we’d get a resounding YES!
For families with babies, there is a Family Room, too, which makes it nice. Although our one-year-old watched half of the show.
You can also eat in the theater, which is another bonus for families. You can bring your own treats, or you can purchase snacks there.
In addition to Sight and Sound Theater is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, too.
If you want to take in a show, check the calendar for show times and availability. They do not perform on Sundays and most Mondays. There is also limit shows around Christmas. Children’s tickets are cheaper than adults, and there are group rates for more than 15 people.
Silver Dollar City
There is hardly a time we go to Branson that we don’t visit Silver Dollar City. It is a perfect theme park for big families.
We’ve been to Disneyworld, Epcot, Disney Animal Kindgom, Knotts Berry Farm and other theme parks, and we all agree that Silver Dollar City is the family friendliest. Why?
1. There are lots of rides for kids and adults. Neither the kids or adults feel as if they’re being left out.
2. The staff is super friendly. I was disappointed by a lot of the staff at Disneyworld last time we were there. It didn’t have the same “magical” feel. The staff at Silver Dollar City show Southern Hospitality at it’s finest!
3. It’s inexpensive. The cost of a ticket is far less than other theme parks, and the food and souvenirs inside are reasonable too. It’s easy to find a nice gift for each child to take home for less than $5.
4. It’s educational. There are real artisans who display their working knowledge. We love the glass blowers, the iron workers and the woodworkers. Our kids get to learn what life was like long ago, and we enjoy it too.
If you’re looking for a vacation destination for your large family, I hope you consider Branson. We’re going back sometime during the holidays to enjoy An Old Time Christmas, and the millions of lights that fill the park. Maybe we’ll see you there!
Already packing your bags, clearing your schedule, and planning a trip to Branson? You’re in luck! Welk Resorts is giving away a 2-night stay at Welk Resort, Branson!
Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win! The winner will be announced on November 26.
Can’t wait until then? From now until December 12, get 25% off your stay with the promo code TRICIA when you book your visit!
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
I traveled to Halstatt with my husband, John, in 2002. It’s a picturesque village of less than 1,000 people in Austria. Halstatt is known for its salt mines, dating back to prehistoric times. John and I stayed in an old hotel overlooking the town square, and during our first moments we were able to watch a local celebration. The town square is a beautiful place to have your picnic, or there are numerous other places overlooking the lake. And after the picnic is done? Here are our top three things to do there:
