dvc exchance with Big Cedar Lodge?

[rascalmom]

Has anyone done this? We have been debating dvc for some time. My parents called this morning from Branson saying that they had just purchasing into the timeshare at Big Cedar. Anyone done an exchange there? What can you tell me!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Big Cedar Lodge (which is a deluxe resort that's on DCL's Concierge Collection list)?

Or Bluegreen's Big Cedar Wilderness Club?

Based on the line about "purchasing into the timeshare at Big Cedar," I assume it's the Big Cedar Wilderness Club.

There are seven Missouri timeshare resorts on DVC's World Passport Collection list, but Bluegreen's Big Cedar Wilderness Club is not one of them. So no DVCers have done an exchange into this resort through DVC. Why is Big Cedar Wilderness Club not on DVC's list? It's because it's affiliated with RCI, not II. It looks nice at http://bluegreenonline.com/index.php3?choice=DP&propertyid=500 and it's an RCI Gold Crown Resort (the high tier of RCI resorts).

If they love the place (just as we love our DVC resorts) and plan to return there often, they've probably done the right thing by buying there (from the developer, I assume). But if there main plan is trade to other resorts, they can do much better by doing some homework and buying a resale at a fraction of the price. Unlike DVC and some other high-end timeshares where there's a string demand for resales, most timeshare resales are much cheaper than the what developers charge.

 

[rascalmom]

I'm actually not sure, when the called I know they said "Big Cedar Lodge", but I'm not sure which affiliation that means. I was really more interested in whether any DVCers had exchanged out for vacations at Big Cedar Lodge. If we end up buying into DVC, for which WDW would be our primary vacation choice, we might occasionally want to visit Big Cedar Lodge, say for a long weekend. I was curious how the point exchange, or whatever, worked, & whether it was worthwhile. Thanks!

 

[dizneeluvr]

RascalMom,

We have stayed at Big Cedar through the concierge collection several times. You actually stay at the lodge or cabins. We have always stayed in the Falls Lodge and love it!

You have full access (at this time) to the Wilderness club pools and lazy river as a guest at any of Big Cedar's accomodations.

Some may argue that this is not the best use of points, but I know I would not pay the rack rates at Big Cedar, and it is only a four hour drive for us and we love it for a long weekend, or in conjunction with a longer Branson stay.

If you have never been there, you need to see it. It is beautiful, relaxing and peaceful. You feel like you are a million miles from everything, but can still get to the Branson "strip" in about 15 minutes.

We will continue to stay at Big Cedar at least once a year on points!

Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

OKWKirt has owns both DVC and Wilderness Club so he could answer questions as well..

 

[4407mark]

We are DVC members and have stayed at Big Cedar twice although not on points. Both times have been in February as a Valentine's getaway (they have some really good package deals!) We have stayed in Falls Lodge once and in a cabin once. Both times were wonderfully romantic and exceptionally enjoyable. There isn't a lot to activity-wise in the winter compared to the spring or summer but we took a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas once and did a walking tour of Dogwood Trails (I believe that was the name-also owned by Bass Pro-great walk!).

Highly recommend it - you can see more at their website - www.big-cedar.com

Enjoy!

 

[rascalmom]

thanks!

 

[OKWKirt]

I bet dizneeluvr wondered where I was and hadn't responded. I've been busy for a few days and missed this thread until now.

Big Cedar is FANTASTIC!!! Yes, the capital letters were a yell, sorry. I think it is a wonderful option in the DVC collection. We stayed in a one bdrm cabin (1998) and a two bdrm cabin (1999) on DVC points and loved both times. I have no info on the lodges but they must be great also. I had no problem with using points, that's why I have them for vacations and it saves my cash. The two bdrm cabin was 141 points for three nights with a rack rate, back then, of $1200 plus tax. Close to the $10 per point some use as a guide. My only complaint on the points for the Concierge Collection list is they give you a point for the cabin (two adults for the one bdrm) and charge you extra points for additional kids over a certain age (can't remember the age right now). You have to watch that.

We now own points at Big Cedar Wilderness Club (Bluegreen Vacation Club) and have stayed once in our two bdrm cabin. Can't be beat. The Lodge and the Club have the same architecture and cabin floor plan and the Club shares the Lodges facilities. Not sure if the Lodge still uses our lazy river.

To answer your question, if the Wilderness Club was not part of our Vacation Clubs we would not hessitate to use our DVC points at Big Cedar Lodge.