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Questions about Branson and Big Cedar

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barb1228

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I was thrilled to be able to trade a week into Big Cedar Aug. 29 to Sept. 5. I plan to spend the days enjoying the beauty of the resort and Ozark mountains, and each night we plan to see a show.

Since it is the end of the summer season, will the outdoor pools be too cold? Do they have a heated outdoor pool? When do the outdoor pools close?

What is the temperature in Branson during that time period (days and evenings) so I know what to pack?

How far is Big Cedar from the Branson strip? Will driving be a nightmare due to traffic. Are there adequate street lights? Is it easy to find your way around, especially when it gets dark. Do the theaters provide parking?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Barbara
 
Barbara,

You'll have nothing to worry about on the water temperature at that time - still swimming weather for sure. Keep in mind, the resort has a lazy river that is very nice and you'll enjoy that.

Here's a link to a "trip planner" for weather:

http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

The resort will be one of the most beautiful resorts that you can go to in the Ozarks area. However, one of the drawbacks is that it will take you at least 25-30 minutes to get most anywhere in Branson. And with bad luck on the traffic, it may be worse. Big Cedar is a good 10-15 miles from the city itself.

Big Cedar provides a shuttle service to get around the resort - which will be dark. I would recommend getting there in daylight if possible.

The town of Branson will have plenty lighting - you'll have nothing to worry about there! You're welcome to pm me with any questions that you may have about things to do in the Branson area.

Scott
 
Since we live in the area, we are accustomed to everything being a bit of a drive away. However, the 4-laning of 65 to 86 is complete.

As always, my invitation to visit the Margaritaville Dock, go for a ride on the BTSRN, and for golf, stand.
 
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Hi Guys.

Thanks for the helpful info on Branson. The link to "trip planner" for weather was great. :clap:

I notice, while it is warm in the daytime, the lows for that time of year go into the 60's at night (the 50's in a few instances). That could really cool off an outdoor pool. Do they heat the pool to compensate for the low night temperatures?

I'm really looking forward to this vacation in Branson. The airfares from NY to Branson are expensive (over $500 per person round trip). Any suggestions on airfare? :doh:
 
I would recommend contacting the resort for information on whether they heat the pool or not. I was actually there for Labor day last year and don't know if it was heated or not.

Last year, they had a very nice fireworks display on Labor Day, over by the marina. So that may be something else to ask them about for this year.

Also, the lazy river and indoor pool are on the Big Cedar Wilderness side (which is where the timeshares are located) and the outdoor pool is located on the Big Cedar Lodge side. The shuttle will take you to either side though.

Scott
 
What about Thanksgiving time--I have a 24h hold that I have to decide by midnight Tues. Daytime temps look to be 50's?? I understand the resort is about 15 miles out of Branson--will traffic be a problem as I understand that Nov is off-season but it is a Holiday week. thanx, Dawn
 
Dawn,

Once you click on the link to the weather page (on the above post), then if you scroll all the way down you can see the historical weather for at least the last ten or fifteen years. During that time of year, it's possible to see a wide variety of weather.

The busiest day that I've ever seen at Silver Dollar City was the Friday after Thanksgiving! So if you ever go to SDC, I would definitely try and avoid Friday and Saturday.

Yes, traffic will be bad at times, during that weekend for sure. Once you get to the resort, ask for a Branson map, and learn the side routes... there are lots of shortcuts through Branson. Avoid Hwy 76 as much as possible!

And since you have plenty of advance notice, I'd recommend making show reservations early to ensure good seating.

Scott
 
The late summer dates you first mentioned is Branson's off season. You may find some shows on hiatus then, after the family summer season and before the peak season . . . tour bus season.

I am in Florida on a friend's computer, so can't give you the normal links or my normal detailed Branson info.

Our swimming pool is Table Rock Lake, which you will probably be in staying at BCWC. Table Rock Lake water temp peaks at 90 degrees m/l, in August. Last summer air temps stayed very warm into September and October, so lake temps did, too.

Two summers ago we did not have the 100 degree days, so the lake water never hit 90, and went down quickly.

As always, questions of this type cannot be answered in advance because they depend on conditions closer to your dates.
 
Regarding a map of Branson --- If you are a member of AAA, they have the best map that we have seen of Branson, and they keep it pretty well updated. Things do change a lot from one year to the next. No map could be completely current and accurate for Branson!

And if you are a member of AAA, the map is no charge.

Don S.
 
Don: Been thinking about you. The name Heckman comes up from time to time at the golf course. The way I have pieced it together is that Jim's dad developed and ran Rock Lane Resort, and Jim now has the upkeep of BYC in it's many versions.

The family is well known at the country club and I suspect I will run into Jim one of these days.
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As for traffic in Branson, anyone who wants to avoid it can. If you need hints, let me know when time gets closer . . . but, every visitor who uses my routes is just one more slow-driving person I might get stuck behind. :D
 
Jim - This is getting a little away from Big Cedar (but I just mentioned it!). Jim Heckman at Branson Yacht Club is very approachable. He will answer e-mail. And he is the person there who will deposit your week with RCI when you call. The last time I talked with him he told me that they were foreclosing on 26 owners there who had not been paying their maintenance fees. That property should be available soon and I sure hope they don't give it to Westgate to sell. When we attended the property owners meeting at Westgate Branson Woods almost a year ago, I learned that Dave Hughes' son or daughter was marrying the (daughter or son) of Jim Heckman. Dave Hughes is the area manager for Westgate. He is one of the people who puts a spin on things at the Westgate Branson Woods annual meeting. Dave seems like a nice guy, but he must continue to speak the company language if he works there. I had made several snide remarks about how much money Westgate was putting into giant pictures of David Seigle with celebraties. Afterwards, Dave was telling me that Seagull was "REALLY a nice person" when he talked with them on the property.

One other thing about Jim Heckman. I was told that he owned the motel on US 76 that is just west of the turnoff to Silver Dollar City.
 
Hi JLB

JLB said:
The late summer dates you first mentioned is Branson's off season. You may find some shows on hiatus then, after the family summer season and before the peak season . . . tour bus season.

I found a site www.bransonshows.com where I can buy tickets on-line. Do you suggest that, and if so, how far in advance of my visit? Since it is in between family summer season and tour bus season, will I be able to get tickets when I'm down there at the last minute.

Our swimming pool is Table Rock Lake, which you will probably be in staying at BCWC. Table Rock Lake water temp peaks at 90 degrees m/l, in August. Last summer air temps stayed very warm into September and October, so lake temps did, too.

Here's hoping for a heat spell ... I love to swim in a bathtub! So are you saying that at BCWC you swim in Table rock Lake? In addition, does Big Cedar have an outdoor pool that they maintain at a certain "comfortable" temperature regardless of the weather? I guess I'll phone them and ask.

Thanks for your help. I'm so excited about vacationing in Branson.
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The Big Cedar Lodge has two outdoor pools. I'm pretty sure one is heated, if not both. Give em a call. The indoor pool at the Wilderness Club is about 85 degrees - very warm.
 
I just looked at the website. Both outdoor pools are advertised as heated and open March thru December
 
There are ample sources for tickets. For discounted tickets, many of the shows do preview shows at resorts, although no one has reported that is the case at BCWC. In any event, resorts offer slightly discounted tickets to some shows.

There is an company called 2 for 1 Tickets, I believe. DW just said since we don't do that, I don't hold onto the name very well. Try googling them.

Then there is Missouri Bargains, and a Springfield TV Station that offers area discounts every Thursday . . . I believe OzarksFirst.com

We go to shows as locals or Area Appreciation, and can sometimes take guests, one per local. Like Dixie Stampede is $19, some shows are $5, some $10, some $15, and, occasionally free in the last 1/2 hour.
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BCWC has a private marina, for BC guests only, and Table Rock watersports are a big part of the experience there. BCWC guests pay a small activity fee to cover the amenities of the existing BC Lodge. I believe stuff like paddleboats and canoes is free.

Our boat, the BTSRN, was in their rental fleet for one summer, 1997, before they replaced them with Tahoes. Since they do not appear to have replaced those Tahoes, the BTSRN is in good condition compared to them.
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We have used the indoor pool in January and it was comfortable. Unfortunately, the hot tub is outside, so that was an experience, and dangerous because of the ice on the walks.

I have noticed that the Devil's Pool outdoor pool is open year-round and definitely heated. It is outside the Devil's Pool Restaurant, which was a gathering place when I met visiting TUGgers, until they stopped the lunch buffet.

barb1228 said:
JLB said:
The late summer dates you first mentioned is Branson's off season. You may find some shows on hiatus then, after the family summer season and before the peak season . . . tour bus season.

I found a site www.bransonshows.com where I can buy tickets on-line. Do you suggest that, and if so, how far in advance of my visit? Since it is in between family summer season and tour bus season, will I be able to get tickets when I'm down there at the last minute.

Our swimming pool is Table Rock Lake, which you will probably be in staying at BCWC. Table Rock Lake water temp peaks at 90 degrees m/l, in August. Last summer air temps stayed very warm into September and October, so lake temps did, too.

Here's hoping for a heat spell ... I love to swim in a bathtub! So are you saying that at BCWC you swim in Table rock Lake? In addition, does Big Cedar have an outdoor pool that they maintain at a certain "comfortable" temperature regardless of the weather? I guess I'll phone them and ask.

Thanks for your help. I'm so excited about vacationing in Branson.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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Thanks for the trip planner link, Scott.
 
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