Going to Willow Ridge Lodge Tomorrow (10/14/11)

[dougp26364]

We'll be heading out to Branson for a weekend trip using the bonus DC points we received when we joined. Our last trip there was 2008 to the album I have at my-vactionclub.com is a little out of date. New pictures should be posted by Sunday and viewable on the Marriott Vacation Club website.

This time around we'll be in a one bedroom master suite. I don't anticipate the outdoor pools still being open, even though I believe they are heated. It would be nice if the hot tubs are open but I'm not holding my breath.

They haven't had a sales gallery that I'm aware of for several years and this has been a painfully slow developing resort. Not that I was even thinking about taking a sales tour with Marriott anyway. Willow Ridge was part of the Horizon's brand and it will be interesting to see if any upgrades have been made since MVCI made it a "full fledged" MVCI resort vs part of the Horizon's brand.

Willow Ridge is a very nice resort and we've always enjoyed our vacations at this resort. I didn't realize it had been so long but, we own two other timeshares in Branson and have access to the DRI resort for long weekend stays so, we just haven't had the opportunity.

At any rate we're looking forward to a relaxing weekend and I'm looking forward to adding an updated photo album to the owners photo's at the MVCI website.

 

[mwwich]

Enjoy your trip, haven't been to Branson in 10 years, but fall is a great time to go there. Good entertainment in the area, should be some leaves turning colors in the Ozarks too.

 

[jdunn1]

I hope you have a very fun trip. I own at Willowridge but since it is nearly 12 hours away by car, I'm not sure I will ever go there, though I would like to. Just can't justify 12 hours in the car without a beach.

I'd like to know if the pools are open, even in the winter. The ski resorts all keep their pools open, so why not Willowridge. Pleas let us know.

I appreicated your commentary on the resort, by the way. Always nice to know more about where you own.

 

[dougp26364]

Enjoy your trip, haven't been to Branson in 10 years, but fall is a great time to go there. Good entertainment in the area, should be some leaves turning colors in the Ozarks too.

It will probably be to early for the leaves to be turning. It seems to me that the last week of October of the first couple of weeks in Nov. are the best bet for fall colors. Even if they are, it's been such a hot dry year they'll likely turn brown and drop.

 

[dougp26364]

I hope you have a very fun trip. I own at Willowridge but since it is nearly 12 hours away by car, I'm not sure I will ever go there, though I would like to. Just can't justify 12 hours in the car without a beach.

I'd like to know if the pools are open, even in the winter. The ski resorts all keep their pools open, so why not Willowridge. Pleas let us know.

I appreicated your commentary on the resort, by the way. Always nice to know more about where you own.

I know that the outdoor pools and hot tubs are not open in the winter. We've been there in Nov. and Dec. and the outdoor pools and hot tubs were closed. Generally speaking, outdoor pools close after Labor Day weekend. I expect they'll have them closed when we arrive.

 

[enma]

Looking forward to your pictures. We have never been there but I was just confirmed a week there using XYZ for March 10 check-in. Little worried what to do there with 2 teenagers but figured can't go wrong with a free (spring break) week. I know Silver City opens March 15th so that is one place to take the teenagers. If anyone has any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate them!

 

[josh1231]

Looking forward to your pictures. We have never been there but I was just confirmed a week there using XYZ for March 10 check-in. Little worried what to do there with 2 teenagers but figured can't go wrong with a free (spring break) week. I know Silver City opens March 15th so that is one place to take the teenagers. If anyone has any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate them!

There's some pretty good shopping to be done in Branson, both outlet malls and non outlets. The lake will be way to cold to swim in, but you might be able to rent a boat and cruise around, one of my own favorite activities. Gocarts are always fun to do. You of course have to go do the activities on the main road. If you don't mind the drive, Springfield is 45 minutes away and Bass Pro is always fun to go to. We have done the Branson Belle show before, though you'd have to read about it to see if your teens would like it. I would not have when I was a teenager. There's a wildlife park somewhere around there, but I have not been to it so can't speak anything about it but you might look it up.

The one problem with attempting to plan for March is the unknown of the weather. It could be Sunny and 75, or it could snow, you never know.

 

[dvc_john]

I was there the week of September 11th. The outdoor pools were open at that time, which was great because a heat wave made the temps over 90 for a couple of days. But I was told that the outdoor pools would be closing the next week.

 

[dougp26364]

We should arrive at the resort later tonight. I expect to have the unit pictures up by tomorrow and will continue to post resort photo's throughout the weekend. The new album should be complete by Monday and accessable either through the link in my signature below or by visiting my-vacationresort.com, selecting resort search, selecting Willow Ridge Lodge and then selecting owners photo's.

 

[DB-Wis]

Doug, my sister was at Willow Ridge Oct. 2-6 (using my Bonus points) and the outside pool was still open at the time. The weather was very warm during her stay and she said the pool was great (it's a heated pool).

 

[dougp26364]

Doug, my sister was at Willow Ridge Oct. 2-6 (using my Bonus points) and the outside pool was still open at the time. The weather was very warm during her stay and she said the pool was great (it's a heated pool).

The pool still has water in it and the lights are on but, we were told by the front desk the pool is closed and only the upper outdoor hot tub is open of the outdoor features.

I'll try to get pictures of the area before they empty the pool and put the tarps over it. It's supposed to start getting colder later this week.

 

[dougp26364]

Guess I should have been here yesterday. They've begun emptying the pool this morning.

 

[dougp26364]

The pool is now officially closed for the season, although it was warm enough today I'm sure any kids at the resort would have been in it. Why they can keep mountain resort pools open but not this one is beyond me other than it's a good walk from the pool to any one building. They still have the indoor pool, indoor hot tub, indoor kiddies splash pool, outdoor kiddie slpash pool and one (the smaller one) outdoor hot tub open.

For the most part the album is complete and is viewable either through the link in my signature or by visiting my-vacationclub.com and viewing owenrs photo's from the Willow Ridge page. The biggest thing missing is the game room and that's only because I haven't been able to get pictures without guests using it. Maybe later tonightl. If all else fails the 2008 album has pics of the game room, which hasn't changed much since then.

http://dougp26364.smugmug.com/

 

[enma]

Great pics! Can't wait to go there in March on XYZ exchange even if they have 3 ft of snow on the ground then!

 

[enma]

Just an update...
We are here at Willow Ridge right now on an XYZ exchange. What a deal. I am pleasantly surprised how nice the resort is. No granite counter tops but honestly I think the cleanest MVCI resort I have been to and I have visited several. The staff is extremely nice and helpful. Our 2 bedroom unit is on the 5th floor in building 5 facing the pool and close to the main building. A great location. The outdoor pool is not open yet, wish it was as it has been 80F everyday.
Branson is not necessarily my type of town but this resort is! It has been a very nice spring break.