Titanic The Legend Continues is Branson's newest treasure attraction, a 17,000-square foot, ship-shaped museum that will house hundreds of never before seen artifacts from the unforgettable, "unsinkable" ship. Additionally, the museum features a replica of the iceberg that sank it.
Located at the corner of highways 76 and 165, the attraction is set to open in February 2006. And it's going to be one of Branson's biggest attractions—literally.
The ship's exterior will rise over 100 feet over 76 Country Boulevard. A giant "iceberg" will be positioned at the point where it actually hit the Titanic.
Once inside, visitors will pick up a boarding pass bearing a Titanic passenger's name. Costumed "crew" members will converse with visitors as they walk through full re-creations of the Grand Staircase, the Bridge, the Marconi radio room, Verandah Caf' and the ship's boiler room. The tour ends in the Memorial Room, where you'll learn about the aftermath of the disaster and the efforts to find the over 1,500 lost loved ones. Read the memorial wall and find out the fate of the person whose ticket you hold. Did you survive?
What's inside the rooms? A lot.
Over 400 artifacts will be on display throughout the attraction. You'll see a rare original menu, valued at $100,000. Don't miss the world-exclusive display of the only existing photographic documentation of life on the Titanic under sail, taken by first class passenger and Jesuit Priest Father Francis Browne. Additional artifacts will include deck chairs, jewelry, dinnerware, lifejackets, menus and personal letters. These authentic artifacts were used by passengers on board Titanic, as well as items passed down to generations by surviving or related family members or friends will be on display.
Sounds like a dream-come-true for history buffs, but will kids enjoy the museum? Absolutely.
A number of hands-on activities will be available for the younger ages. Kids can touch a refrigerated iceberg to get a feel of the Atlantic's icy waters. An interactive area will allows kids to send SOS telegrams and to steer the ship around the fateful iceberg. Movie memorabilia from the numerous films about the tragedy, including James Cameron's 1997 Oscar winner "Titanic" will also be on display.
Just like the original Titanic, The Legend Continues is designed with maximum grandeur. The Grand Staircase and spectacular dome was constructed by the same Los Angeles company that built an identical set piece for James Cameron's Titanic. The dramatic ship's exterior will be done by a famous London firm that has built attractions for Disney.
Sure, the Titanic sank in 1912 but its legend will float on in Branson for a long time.
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