The First Anniversary...

On October 24, 2010 (yes this post is entirely overdue) - Cody and I celebrated one year of marriage in Branson, MO. We had a great time getting away from the yogurt shop! I can't believe I'm married and get to share my days with Cody. Finding the person you want to spend eternity with is a miracle. And I feel blessed to have the miracle reoccur everyday as I enjoy the journey of marriage, 365 days and counting, with Cody. Ok now, enough of the mushy stuff. I promise.

Cody and I enjoyed the beautiful fall colors on the drive there (thanks Ozark Mountains).


We enjoyed outlet shopping (Cody especially got some great finds).

We enjoyed the old downtown Branson:





And the new Branson Landing: shops, photobooth, restaurants, lake view, and the water & fire show.



We enjoyed two shows: SIX (The Knudson Brothers) and The Shanghai Circus (Chinese Acrobats). Both shows were entertaining, and the performers were extremely talented, but let me just say that we were the youngest couple in the audience by at least 40 years. At least. And the only complaint I have is that the performers in Shanghai Circus finished their very impressive tricks with the most painful smile you've ever seen. I'm guessing it's somewhat of a cultural thing, but I'm telling you, they didn't look like they were having a very good time. They looked constipated. Or was it depressed? The Knudson Brothers, on the other hand, couldn't get enough applause.




We enjoyed going out to eat and having the BEST FRIED MOZZERELLA EVER at Macaroni Grill. It was so yummytastic!


WARNING!!! A RANT IS ABOUT TO ENSUE:

We endured through a long 3 hour presentation of a time share to get our show tickets 90% off. You see, they trick you when you first arrive in Branson. A "ticket center" or "visitor information center" in Branson is really short for "time-share presentation plus tickets center". We signed up because of frugality, but learned some lessons for the next time we agree to go on "a 90 min. presentation to see something pretty."

We were so pissed off when we left the presentation, especially Cody. First, why would we buy "vacation ownership" for $34,000 dollars after only a 3 hour presentation? People did, but that's a lot of money to invest in something you don't know a lot about. And why would we buy "vacation ownership" before we have "home/condo ownership"? HELLO?! We wouldn't because it's irresponsible, but they argued it's equity. Dumb. All the bank sees is less of a down deposit and another financial obligation pulling at your money.

Second, they assume we want to stay in a condo instead of a hotel - our little family of two. Why would we need three bedrooms and for that matter, a kitchen, living room, and laundry room while having to drive, yes drive to access the pool on the other side of the property, when we can get a much cheaper hotel room, which is plenty big for this party of 2, cleaned daily, walk to the pool downstairs, while enjoying the people watching and lovely energy that accompanies hotels. I hate being secluded from action and making a bed on vacation. Plus, on vacation I like to eat out. Shoot, I like to eat out whenever possible. BECAUSE IT'S FUN!

Thirdly, some of your properties are nice, especially the one we toured in Branson, we will admit, but why purchase ownership in a property that will depreciate as the facility gets older and there is little incentive to be a competitive, up-to-date vacation location when your vacation packages have all been sold. Hotels need to remodel and rejuvenate or lower their prices to stay booked. I like that drive to stay in the market. But if you have people guaranteed to come and they've already paid the money, what drive do you have to add ameneties or remodel?

Fourthly, most of your U.S. properties are in CA, which doesn't do much for us future CA residents. What's the fun in vacationing in your back yard?! Other locations are in places like Branson, which was fun for 2 nights, but hardly worthy of a yearly repeated, week long vacation.

Fifthly, the "trade in" vacation options for international travel were outdated and out of the cities. I want to stay in London proper when I visit London. Not a stupid condo in the suburb where I would need to take a train into the city every day to sightsee. No thank you!

Lastly, I noticed your hidden housekeeping (not during but after your stay), "necessary upgrades," and other fees. I'm not dumb. If this was such a steal, you wouldn't need to sell us so hard and fast and worry about us "thinking it over tonight" or doing research, because the package would sell itself and the paying customers would find you.

In the end I did feel bad for our sales rep, because he didn't get a sale, on the flip side he did waste too much of our time. The free Diet Coke and tickets saved us from completely losing our cool.

With the presentation behind us, we enjoyed our little family of two in our remodeled hotel: walking to the hot tub in our robes (instead of driving), and having a free breakfast. I love getting away and enjoying Cody outside of everyday life...and can do that easily and spontaneously without the financial burden of "vacation ownership."