Anyone ever trade out to Big Cedar Lodge?

[ErinC]

I just wanted to know if anyone has ever done this trade, and what your experiences were? Did you think it was worth the points, or would cash be a better deal? What did you think of the place? Any thoughts would be great! Thanks, Erin

 

[mousemama]

We have been to Big Cedar several times using cash. It is a BEAUTIFUL place, a first-class resort. It has several great restaurants, horse-back riding, a great lake with boat rental, an amazing gift shop, etc. It is very relaxing and peaceful. Branson is only a few minutes away if you want to go outlet shopping or see some shows. We are thinking of going this fall with points!! Either way, you'll have a great time!!

 

[dizneeluvr]

We just returned yesterday from Big Cedar (on points) We have done it three times since becoming members last year. We stay in the Falls lodge, rack rate $269 this time of year if that helps with your cash vs points decision. We absolutely love Big Cedar. There is a ton to do on the resort, and then we usually go into Branson and stay somewhere for a few additional nights. I would be happy to try to answer any specific questions you have about the lodge or the area in general.

Mike

 

[msdis]

BIL & SIL were there a couple months ago. They loved it there. They are not DVC members, paid cash,not sure how much. Heard nothing but great things about it. Loved being able to brag that we could stay there using points

 

[OKWKirt]

Nine days and I will be there, can't wait. We went first in 1998 on points (one bdrm cabin with loft), then 1999 on points (two bdrm cabin), then 2000 on cash in a two bdrm fishing cabin (not bad but not like the regular cabins) which is when we bought into the Big Cedar Wilderness Club (Bluegreen Vacation Club). As you can see we love the place. Like others have said it is very beautiful, rustic, peaceful, etc. We were told back in 1998 they only work with DVC for trading into the resort, no other timeshares. We will do some boating, horseback riding, campfire wagon, and spend time in the Buzzard Bar listening to the singing cowboy. The two bdrm cabin was 47 points per night and the rack rate was $400 + tax so I think it is a fair use of points. One thing I don't like about the point system for the concierge (sp?) is they charge extra points, over what is listed, for additional peolpe in the room. Still waiting for that old rumor of Disney building in the Branson area. The land to the north west I have heard is being used for a new Busch theme park.

 

[dizneeluvr]

OKWKIRT,

How did you like that one bedroom cabin with a loft? Did you have a good view?

The lazy river and indoor pool facility over by the wilderness club just opened a week ago Monday so we were able to use that as a resort guest (though I imagine they will change that one the time share is up and running a bit more).

It was great. And as usual, Clay the singing Cowboy was a hoot!

Laura

 

[OKWKirt]

The one bdrm with a loft was really nice with a nice view of the valley. I can't remember if the BigCedar.com site has room layouts but is one "L" shaped open room with bedroom, living room, and dining/kitchen area all open. The bathroom is a separate room, or course, and a spiral staircase to a loft with a double bed. It is a little tight on space but nice. Sleeps 6 but comfortable for four.

I am really, really glad to hear about the lazy river being open. I thought it wouldn't be open until this fall. Of course I'm not glad it is open to the rest of the resort. I hoped it would be only for the Wilderness Club. Hope it isn't too crowded. I guess if I want to use the Resort activities I should be willing to share my lazy river.

Clay is a hoot. I was glad when I was told he takes the campfire wagon out and sings. As much humor as singing. I definitely will enjoy that hour. Last time there my DS had a visor on that was backwards and upside down. You can just imagine the fun Clay had with him and his hat. Clay came across as not being able to understand him and why he would wear a "hat" like that. My DD and friend, both 16 then, kept requesting current songs. He would say he knew it and start singing only to have it be an old cowboy song instead of what they wanted. He would stop and then start again only to have it come out as the old cowboy song again (probably had to be there to understand how funny it was). Anyway, they had as much fun requesting songs as he did teasing them with old songs instead.

Sorry this turned out long and a little off DVC - but this is a great place to go.

 

[dizneeluvr]

OKWKIRT,

The lazy river/indoor pool facility wasn't crowded at all when we were there (although it was late afternoon). As for it being open to the rest of the resort...I doubt that will be the case for long. It is not listed in any of the literature for the resort that you get at check-in. I think it is just away to get people over and maybe thinking about joining the wildnerness club.

As for Clay and the old cowboy songs...I can picture it easily! After the campfire ride we went over to buzzard bar for a late dinner and he was singing that night. He called our DD's up on stage with him (7 & 3) to sing a song with him. He's always joking with people. There was a young couple in there that night that were 16 days away from getting married. He had A LOT of fun taunting the guy. It was really funny!

Anyway, the resort is awesome! We spent 3 wonderful nights there and can't wait to go back next summer (hopefully for 5 nights). And Dogwood Canyon (the nature preserve area they have about 15 miles away) is a BEAUTIFUL place for walks, biking, etc... Pictures taken there are all over the walls of the resort and they are breathtaking. Certainly worth a few hours over there during your stay!

Laura

 

[Lisa P.]

Here's an RCI website for a resort called Big Cedar Wilderness Club by Bluegreen Resorts. Is this the same resort?

I love to learn about exceptional resorts (we trade ours via RCI) and TUG - Timeshare Users Group does not have any info (no reviews nor ratings) on this place (above). Because of this and this resort's high ID # (6311), it seems to be pretty new. So I'm wondering if this is the same place you're referring to.

In the past, DVC was probably the only timeshare that could be used for a stay there. It may still be the only one that provides for a way to visit nightly. It may be a good value to use DVC points for a direct exchange with someone who has access to this resort, either via Bluegreen or RCI - saving points by doing a weekly exchange rather than spending more points for a shorter nightly stay via the Concierge Collection.

 

[Lisa P.]

It's been a longtime rumor about Disney building in the Branson area. Who knows? Silver Dollar City has made a recent press release about a second theme park ($40 million) that they are building in the area, Celebration City, scheduled to open in late spring, 2003. May be worth a look!

 

[OKWKirt]

LisaP. Yes, the Big Cedar site you included is the same place and it is new. You can go to BigCedar.com to see more on the lodge but not much on the club. Plans are for 13 lodges and about 50 cabins, with only 10 cabins completed to date (plus the pool and lazy river). First lodge burned down while under construction - hate when that happens, but they should have that one and another up by late this year. The new Silver Dollar City theme park, for those familiar with Branson, is the old USA Branson park which SDC bought and is rehabing (is that a word?). It is closed this year but Sheppard of the Hills is using the facilities there to prepare food for their dinner/show because their restaurant burned down - really hate when that happens.

I received a request through the disboards, via email, with a question about the Big Cedar Wilderness Club but my reply to that person was returned and did not go through. I'm not sure if this is the correct procedure to do this but if that person (I don't want to include their full email address but it started with jdsinc), or anyone else that wants to talk Big Cedar Wilderness Club off this site please email me at kirt.grahl@noaa.gov. If you want us to keep talking here that's fine with me but it is not DVC and may not be the place. Maybe we can start our own BCWCboards.

 

[dizneeluvr]

And so everyone is aware, as of right now...DVC isn't trading in with the wildnerness club YET (atleast that's what the sales guy told us last week). They say it is coming but not yet.

You can, however, stay there on points via the concierge collection.

Laura