Alternatives to Big Cedar

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

We wanted to take our family to Big Cedar next summer but are not able to get the cabins we wanted for the dates we needed. So we are looking for another location within the Midwest. One of my sons has 2 boys, age 4 and 6, and another son expected in December so traveling a long distance would be difficult. We have spent time at CMV and Shenandoah Crossing so we would like to go to a different place.

I am looking for ideas of places to go where there are things to do such as: biking, hiking, swimming, daily kids activities, a playground, mini golf, some local attraction…

Thanks Mike

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Since you are already looking in this direction, there are a number of nice resorts in Branson/Table Rock Lake and Lake of the Ozarks.

Let me know if I can help.

[xzhan02 Member Find all posts View Profile Close xzhan02]

I think the lodge units at Big Cedar are likely to be available and they are very nice, esp if you get the top floor units. The 2 br lodge sleeps 8 (cabin sleeps 6) with better privacy and better view, and costs less points. The lodge unit at Big Cedar is probably still better than 99% of other timeshares.

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

Katmandu, we are trying to make it to our destination in one day. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge would be ok although it would make for long day for the little ones. My wife and I spent a week in Pigeon Forge at Laurel Crest Resort a few years ago. We enjoyed the resort and the Smokey Mountain National Park. I never gave it a thought. This might be a possibility.

JBL (Grandfather), I might be asking for to much but do you know of a resort like BC in that area I can use II or RCI for an exchange?

Xzhan02, we stayed at a resort in Branson 2 or 3 years ago but I can't remember the name. While we were in Branson went to BC for a tour and like Boca, thought it was great. We have always wanted to go back there with our adult children.

It looks like the 2 bedroom lodge a 1 bedroom and a lockout? If so we don't think there is a big enough common area (dinners and family time) for 8 people. Our original plan was to get two 2 bedroom cabins but they are not available for the time frame we need them June 10th.

Thanks,
Mike

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Here's Branson Through RCI for That Week

You can call RCI and see how many of each size unit is available, and probably find out which units. Anything look worth exploring?

Silverleaf's Holiday Hills (#1004)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - H - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Surrey Vacation Resort/Carriage Place (#4073)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 06/10/2007

Palace View by Spinnaker (#4067)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007 - 06/16/2007

The Colonnade (#3992)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - H - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Roark Vacation Resort (#5125)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Grandvista's Cedar Ridge (#3689)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - H - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

French Quarter (#5824)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Sunterra Resorts The Plantation at Fall Creek (#3037)
Branson, MO 65616, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Grandvista Emerald Pointe (#4065)
Hollister, MO 65672, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 06/10/2007

Silverleaf's Ozark Mountain Resort (#0741)
Kimberling City, MO 65686, USA
Available Unit Size - H - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

Kimberling Inn Resort & Vacation Club (#0335)
Kimberling City, MO 65686, USA
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

The Maragaritaville Dock
for swimming and boating

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

LOTO is limited:

Port Elsewhere (#1211)
Lake Ozark, MO 65049, USA
Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/09/2007

[xzhan02 Member Find all posts View Profile Close xzhan02]

Xzhan02, we stayed at a resort in Branson 2 or 3 years ago but I can't remember the name. While we were in Branson went to BC for a tour and like Boca, thought it was great. We have always wanted to go back there with our adult children.
Mike

I've toured the 2 br cabin and I believe the living area in lodge 1 br is not any smaller than that of the 2 br cabin. It has a large dinning table with a long bench along its length (sits many kids). The living area is very spacious too. The door to the studio is right next to the dinning table, so if you open it, the studio area becomes part of the common area. Plus the cabin only sleeps 6 anyway, and the lodge can be 8. You could even book an additional studio unit for sleeping and use the one next to the 1 br as common area. Remember to ask for top floor, hopefully end unit, and NOT the phoenix lodge (room starts with 3). The top floor has balcony off every room.

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

Ok...lodges it will be

xzhan02, you convinced me to take another look at the lodges and I think they will work. We will use the dinning room area in one of the lodges for meals and the dinning room area in the other lodge for family entertainment. I called BG and they have lots availability. I asked if I could request a lodge and unit number. They said yes I could probably get the requested units. So do you have a recommendation for a lodge and unit numbers?

This is the first time I have booked something this far out. It seems strange talking about a vacation almost a year away. Now I am going to start another thread about going to Hawaii in the summer of 2008. It's scaring me looking that far ahead for a vacation but I want a nice place with good accommodations.

Thanks to both of you for your help,
Mike

[Robo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Robo]

Mike,

The fourth floor rooms for the Lodges are:

James River Lodge
2441-2448

Long Creek Lodge
2567-2587

I'm not sure about the newest Lodge (26xx series).

I know you probably don't want the 23xx series either as that is the Phoenix River Lodge.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I booked a 2008 week this past week, and was getting worried that it was too late. I also deposited our week 30, 2008 this week.

I always deposit and start searches two years out, and search until the day we leave to checkin.

Hawaii has a strong 14-day window, which means good stuff comes available at 2-weeks out. You can always call up trade up for another fee.

Drop me a line when it gets close to BC time and we will go for a boat ride or play golf or whatever.

This is the first time I have booked something this far out. It seems strange talking about a vacation almost a year away. Now I am going to start another thread about going to Hawaii in the summer of 2008. It's scaring me looking that far ahead for a vacation but I want a nice place with good accommodations.

Mike

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

Looks like I will have to settle for the 2nd floor to get side by side units if I check in on June 10th. So I am going to play around with the check in dates and see if I can get 4th floor side by side units. If I can't get the 4th floor I will be happy with any floor to share time with my family.

The names of the lodges are James River Lodge, Long Creek Lodge, King's River Lodge, and Mills Creek Lodge. The VC said Mills Creek opened up last week and Kings River opened last year.

JBL I will at least stop by and say howdy if nothing else.

Mike

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The lunch buffet at Devil's Pool Restaurant was a regular meeting place for TS forum visitors.

We had a group of six there about a month ago I guess, and we were disappointed that they no longer serve the buffet at lunch.

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

An update to this. I was able to get side by side 2 bedroom lock outs units in the new lodge they are building. The lodge in not named yet but the unit number are in the 2900's. The units we got are numbers 2943 A&B and 2944 A&B.

Mike

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Cool.

I suspect that Mills Creek is actually Mill Creek.

There are a couple of Mill Creek areas on the lake, Mill Creek and Little Mill Creek.

Mill Creek is a large and popular area, with nice houses, lots of docks, and is popular with fishermen. It is where Roy Rogers, Jr. is building. It is the area just before ours going away from the dam. For those who have been here and out on the BTSRN, it is where the campground is when we head for the bridge by boat.